A resident used the public-comment period to raise concerns about a candidate for the Holmdel Board of Education and the candidate’s band.

Diana Cunningham of 8 Kinnanwoods Court told the board she was “speaking tonight because I have concerns over a BOE candidate, Greg Fernandez.” She said the candidate performs with a band called Mutant Bliss and cited song titles and lyrics she found “disturbing.” Cunningham read a lyric excerpt into the record and told the board the songs had been performed as recently as the last couple of years. She said she was not instructing anyone “how to vote” but felt she had a moral obligation to make the community aware.

The board thanked Cunningham for bringing the matter forward and for her willingness to share difficult material with the community. No formal action, investigation, or response from the candidate was recorded in the transcript; the comment was offered during the public-comment portion of the meeting and was for public awareness.

Context and limitations: The remarks were a public comment and represent the speaker’s views. The transcript records Cunningham saying the band performed songs titled “Fetish,” “Sadistic Dreams,” and “Whipping Boy,” and quoting an excerpt: “I want to know about your problems, you know you got them, release my anger with my seed.” The board did not take formal action based on the comment at this meeting.

Why it matters: Public-comment periods allow community members to raise concerns about candidates and school matters in a public forum; the board’s role in candidate qualifications is limited to verifying eligibility and not endorsing candidates.