Why did it take seven years to settle Brookdale lawsuit? Letter

The Nov. 12 story "Brookdale pays $425K to settle lawsuit over 2012 athletic director firing," raises several questions. Why did it take over seven years to settle this? It was clear to everyone that the Board of "Trustees" had acted, in the words of the appellate judge's ruling, in an "arbitrary and capricious manner." How much did the taxpayers and students have to pay to the board's attorneys, and why did they keep running up the tab when they were holding a losing hand?

From the very beginning of this travesty, the Board of Trustees, led initially by disgraced Chair Howard Birdsall, failed to act in the best interests of the students, staff and taxpayers.

The Asbury Park Press should demand an accounting of all costs associated with this case. The law firm of Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri and Jacobs was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars during this time period, while it was probably telling the board that it would win the lawsuit. The Press should also look into their contributions to politicians to see if pay to play was involved.

No wonder the college is now facing issues related to accreditation for failing to meet standards for ethics and integrity. This settlement, and the long history of the witch hunt that started it, is a clear indication that ethics and integrity are sorely lacking in not only by the college leadership, also the former board.

Eight years ago Brookdale was considered one of the top community colleges in the country and an asset for the people of Monmouth County. The board, along with a succession of ineffective presidents, has overseen a decline in enrollment, an exodus of quality, faculty and staff, and a deterioration of the school's reputation, leading to the current accreditation crisis.

The college should issue a formal apology to the students, staff and faculty, to the taxpayers and most importantly to Frank Lawrence, whose  termination was unjust, unnecessary and ultimately cost him far more than any monetary settlement could compensate him.

Bill Howard 

Red Bank