PERTH AMBOY – Resident David Caba directed a question to City Attorney Mark Blunda at the 3/25/15 Council Meeting. “I need clarification of the policy for the Freedom of Speech when it comes to City Employees. I think you (Mr. Blunda) were here when Mr. Fehrenbach (former B.A.) implemented the policy. Now there’s another City Employee that made a disparaging comment on social media. This employee said, ‘The cockroaches are out!’ We should all be offended by this. We have doctors, lawyers and other professionals living in this town.”

Blunda stated, “Under Federal and State laws, you have  freedom of speech and (even employees) But there are limitations if an employee says something that is dangerous to others. We are prohibited from discussing employee issues in public unless that employee gives permission to do so. This matter is a civil service issue. Labor relation unions protect the employees’ free speech. The issues you have addressed previously are under investigation.”

Caba said, “We as taxpayers need to know what discipline is taking place and I understand that you have to protect the employees.”

Blunda ended by saying, “The cockroach statement was inappropriate and reprehensible and this will be looked into. I am speaking for myself and not for the Business Administrator.”