While the executive director of the Jersey City Museum has been embroiled in a fight for her job, she has enlisted an attorney to aid her, and the mayor has spoken to board members about the matter.
A dispute over Nina Jacobs’ management style apparently prompted the museum’s board of trustees to consider removing her from the position. The board will meet sometime in March, according to board chairman and New Jersey City University President Carlos Hernandez.
Jacobs, part of the museum for 14 years, defended her performance last week.
“Looking at the fact that this museum was on the fourth floor of the library,” she said, “and we now have this spectacular space – it’s a showplace – I think the building stands for itself as evidence.”
The museum, for years tucked in a nondescript nook in the Jersey Avenue library, will in May officially open its doors at a stunning, $7.3 million facility at the corner of Montgomery and Monmouth streets, Downtown. Many in the city fear the turmoil could hurt the museum in securing additional funding, but the mayor said the situation is a difficult one for board members.
“Nina is wonderful,” said Mayor Bret Schundler, a major supporter of the museum and an ex-officio (non-voting) member of its board of trustees. Nevertheless, he said, “I did have a number of the board members come and see me. What I’ve heard is you have an untenable situation, with great division between the director and other members of the staff. It’s not as if there’s just one or two members. The gulf exists across the board.”
But Jacobs insisted, “We only know of one complaint with regard to employee dissatisfaction.”
Schundler said the city should not try to “usurp” the board’s authority – that it would be a decision the board alone can make. Nevertheless, the city has kicked in major funding for the facility – approximately $2.5 million in the past several years.
Hernandez, who hired a mediator to examine the apparent employee problem, said of Jacobs, “I think she’s done a good job.”
The problem, he said, was one of “complicated personnel dynamics.” He would not elaborate.
As far as how he thinks the board will vote, he said, “That’s tough to say. The board needs to assess fully the options to ensure that the museum becomes the great institution it’s destined to be.”
Jacobs hired David Fox, an Irvington-based attorney, who sent Hernandez a letter two weeks ago expressing concern over the situation. Hernandez last week said he had not yet seen the letter.
Support for Jacobs came from a member of the Hudson County art community.
“If it wasn’t for her,” said Hoboken Cultural Affairs Coordinator Geri Fallo, “they wouldn’t be where they are. Why would you want to get rid of the woman who’s done so much?”