Council President Lisa Nanton lays down the rules of engagement.
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
Council President Nanton Puts Speakers on Notice
PERTH AMBOY – Some residents in attendance at the 1/14/15 Council Meeting were taken aback when Council President Lisa Nanton read the Rules of the Decorum for those making remarks at the Meeting.
X.Decorum(b) – Any person making impertinent or slanderous remarks, or who shall be come boisterous while addressing the Council shall forthwith be barred from further audience before the Council at that meeting, by the presiding officer, unless permission to continue or to again address the Council be granted by the majority vote of the Council.
Resident Stanley Sierakowski was the first to make remarks and he referenced R-6-1/15 on the Agenda regarding Kenneth Gonzalez. This resolution was to express appreciation and compliments to the former Councilman.
Sierakowski started to make personal attacks against Kenneth Gonzalez, and Council President Nanton interrupted him.
She said, “It is not appropriate for you (Sierakowski) to continue these attacks since the former Councilman is not here to defend himself.”
Despite Nanton’s request, Sierakowski continued. He said, “OK, I’m not going to use a name, but because of this person’s past indiscretions he will be removed from his new position, just like the Chief of Police (who is currently on unpaid suspension).
Former Councilman Kenneth Balut came up to speak about 3 Resolutions.
The first one was: R-13-1/15 – Approving Arch Insurance Companies recommended settlement of Civil Action Marquez, et – als vs. City of Perth Amboy, et -als, in the amount of $150,000 and authorizing execution and implementation of the settlement release and dismissal.
Balut reminded the Council, “The insurance money to pay this was coming from us (the taxpayers).”
The second Resolution he commented on was: R-21-1/15 Authorizing an extension to the Firm of Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst and Doukas to cover cost associated with work to be performed from the last quarter of 2014 in connection with tax appeals before the Tax Court of the State of New Jersey in the amount not to exceed $25,000.
“This law firm keeps getting contracts from the City dating back from the Vas Administration and this is a political heavyweight Democratic law firm.”
The third Resolution R-25-1/15 Authorizing a contract with McManimon, Scotland and Baumann, LLC. for continued representation of the City in Landings, et al. v. City of Perth Amboy et al. in the amount of $75,000.
Balut said, “This firm is representing someone that is challenging the November 4, 2014 Council Elections. With all of these out of town law firms getting the City Contracts, is it a payback because of the donations that they gave?”
Challenging Nanton’s comments stating that you cannot mention anyone’s name, Balut continued, “When was the Bill of Rights changed if we can’t use a person’s name?”
City Attorney Mark Blunda answered Balut’s question in reference to the law firm in Resolution R-25. “Since I’ve been here, the City has put out bids for law firms to represent us in suits. Not one firm from the City that specializes in any suits that the City is involved in has submitted a bid. Redevelopment Law is this law firm specialties.”
When it came time to vote on Resolution R-6-1/15 Councilman Fernando Gonzalez abstained and the rest of the Council voted “yes.”
On Resolution R-13-1/15 Petrick moved, Pabon seconded – the resolution passed unanimously.
On Resolution R-21-1/15 – the motion was moved by Councilman Bill Petrick and seconded by Councilman Joel Pabon. It passed unanimously.
On Resolution R-25-1/15 Councilman Fernando Gonzalez abstained, citing what he believed was questionable ethical practices from this firm in a case in another municipality.
There was a bit of a controversy pertaining to late starter Resolution R-46-1/15 thru R-50-1/15. These were appointments to the Zoning Boards of Adjustments. They were removed from the Agenda.
Candidates for the Zoning Board of Adjustments were interviewed at the 1/12/15 Caucus Meeting. 6 positions were open – 5 Regular and 1 Alternate. Some of the candidates were seeking to be re-appointed. 5 Appointees were listed on the Late Starters.
