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Resident says councilmember removed critical posts from private 'Overheard in Brielle' page; Shaak says site is private
Summary
Mary Burke told the council she objects to posts being removed from a private Facebook page called "Overheard in Brielle" that is managed by Councilmember Shaak and said the practice conflicts with the borough's transparency claims; Shaak replied the page is a private enterprise and no council action was taken.
During public comment at the June 8 meeting resident Mary Burke read a prepared statement criticizing a Facebook page called "Overheard in Brielle," which the minutes identify as being managed privately by Councilmember Shaak. Burke said posts critical of the borough or its operations were removed from the page and that the practice ran counter to the borough’s stated commitment to transparency.
Councilmember Shaak responded in the meeting that the page is a private site he manages. Burke told the council she would pursue other options to address the issue. The minutes do not record any formal response, investigation, or council action following the exchange.
James Bond also raised concerns about Facebook comments and an OPRA request he said had jeopardized his run as an independent candidate; the mayor said the matter was being taken under advisement. No formal policy motion or change in social-media practice was offered or adopted at the meeting.
Why it matters: the exchange highlights resident concerns about the boundaries between elected officials’ private online activity and their public roles, a question communities increasingly face as local leaders participate in or curate online forums.
Next steps: none recorded in the minutes; Mary Burke said she would pursue other options and the council did not adopt an action at this meeting.
