Dover mayor and police chief trade campaign barbs

DOVER – Facing a primary election challenge from town Police Chief Harold “Butch” Valentine, Mayor James P. Dodd said Monday the police department has “underperformed” under Valentine’s leadership and is run like “the wild, wild, West.”

Valentine, an officer for 34 years and police chief since 2001, acknowledged the department is going through troubles that include pending lawsuits by two officers. But he said the mayor is to blame for perceived underperformance and lawsuits in police departments are not uncommon.

“We don’t have enough officers and he’s cut our budget to the bone,” said Valentine, who himself is facing administrative charges for allegedly threatening a detective.

“He also tried to professionally neuter me and the department when he brought in the public safety director,” Valentine said, referring to the town’s hiring in 2012 of a civilian public safety director.

Both Valentine and Dodd filed petitions by Monday’s deadline to seek the Democratic nomination for mayor, a 4-year term, in the June 2 primary. Dodd has been mayor since January 2006. The mayoral seat at first was a two-year term but then was changed by law to four years.

The two candidates are each running with a slate of people seeking the Democratic nominations for two-year seats in the town’s four wards. No Republicans filed.

Dodd’s slate is comprised of William O’Connor for the First Ward; incumbent Cindy Romaine for the Second Ward; incumbent James Visioli for the Third Ward; incumbent Robert Rutan for the Fourth Ward; and incumbent Steven Toth for a one-year, unexpired seat in the Fourth Ward.

Valentine’s running mates -- all former aldermen -- are Frank Poolas for a First Ward seat; Mike Ryan for a Second Ward seat; Patrick Fahy for a Third Ward seat; Dominic Timpani for a Fourth Ward seat; and Ronald Camacho, father of a town detective, for the unexpired term.

Dodd said he believes that Valentine’s lack of experience in government operations would set the town back from redevelopment projects. He said the police department has been marking an annual 25 percent budget overrun.

“If he can’t run one department how can he be CEO of an entire town?” Dodd said. He said he believes the police department has “some of the best officers” in the region but they have underperformed under Valentine’s leadership.

“The chief is running the department like it’s the wild, wild West. There is zero community outreach. The department is completely reactive instead of proactive,” Dodd said, noting as one example, the number of limousine operators in town who violate driving regulations but are not stopped or ticketed.

Valentine said the mayor sought to undermine the department when he pushed through an ordinance in 2012 calling for the hiring of a civilian public safety director to oversee police, fire and emergency management services. Retired State Trooper Richard Rosell was hired for the post but resigned a month ago to take a similar job in Florida. The mayor said he intends to hire a successor.

Valentine said Rosell handled the department’s budget the past few years so he can’t be blamed for overruns. He charged that the mayor is routinely rude and dismissive to residents who express complaints or criticism at town meetings.

Dodd, the owner and operator of JD Automotive & Truck, said he believes Valentine’s primary reason for running against him is personal. He said he spends 40 to 50 hours per week on town issues and loves it because he grew up in Dover and decided to stay as an adult. Before becoming mayor he served as an alderman representing the Fourth Ward between 1998 and 2005.

“He’s running for mayor because he has an issue with me,” Dodd said.

Valentine said he does not like Dodd and believes he would offer an administration that would listen to residents.

“The mayorship is not a monarchy. People are petrified to go to town meetings because they are verbally beaten down,” he said. Valentine, who would have to retire as police chief if he won the Democratic nomination in June, said his slate includes experienced aldermen who are knowledgeable about government affairs and economic development.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com.