10/26/15 Caucus & 10/28/15 Council Meetings
PERTH AMBOY – 10/26/15 Caucus – Interim B.A. Peter Pelissier directed a remark at Resident Stanley Sierakowski of a personal nature. Pelissier made a reference to Sierakowski’s still living with his mother at his age. Several members of the audience were taken aback by what they deemed an inappropriate attack.
Interim Business Administrator
Peter Pelissier
At the 10/28/15 Council Meeting Former Councilman Kenneth Balut said, “The new B.A. made a comment about someone living with his mother. He (Pelissier) sued for sick pay when he worked for another City. We are giving him more money. If we gave the last B.A. (Barrick) more money, maybe she would have stayed. Her resume was impeccable. He (Pelissier) was totally unprofessional in commenting about someone staying with their mother without knowing the circumstances. There are a lot of employees who are afraid to speak up about wrongdoings. The PBA filed a lawsuit against the Mayor pertaining to some of the recent promotions made.”
Resident David Caba spoke next about the incident, “Sometimes in life we make mistakes. What this man (Pelissier) said on Monday was mind-boggling. A speaker came up here to apologize to Pelissier for comments made by rude speakers. Is this the person (Pelissier) for the people or the Mayor? I’m here because I care, not because I need something. It’s unprofessional to attack someone about living with his mother.”
Resident Reinaldo Aviles mentioned that we need a functional attorney with everything that’s going on. I’m assuming the Interim B.A. regrets what he said. I think something that was said triggered his comments.”
Aviles questioned the Council if they were actively doing a search for a permanent B.A.
Council President Lisa Nanton answered, “Yes, and Pelissier is helping.”
Resident Wilfredo Soto commented that it’s not easy not being on the Council. “Decisions are not easy. You have to give the new people time. You have to listen and grow. We accomplished a lot in 3 years. God Bless You All.”
Mayor Diaz again defended her decision on the hiring of Pelissier as an Interim B.A. citing his experience on redevelopment. She also mentioned that there was to be a news conference on November 3rd at the E-Port Logistics Center Ground-breaking Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at 960-1000 High St. There are more projects coming in, developers and small businesses. The recent Business Expo and Taste Of Perth Amboy brought in newcomers. We did not have a tax increase.”
P.A. Democratic Chair Billy Delgado mentioned a flyer circulating that talked about the Mayor and Quinones being corrupt. “It’s (the flyer) sickening. Some of the individuals in these law firms go rogue and stain the reputation of those firms. Everyone complains about lawyers until they need one. I commend the Council and people who make constructive criticism.”
Interim B.A. Pelissier addressed the comment that he made a the 10/26/15 Meeting where he made personal comments about Sierakowski. Pelissier stated, “At the last Meeting I said something that I regretted. When I was called a Military Coward it affected me.” He related some of his experience when he served in Vietnam. “I’ve met with Gold Star Mothers. (The American Gold Star Mothers Inc. was formed in the United States shortly after World War I to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag in the window of their homes. *Wikipedia) Please accept my apologies. I have been attacked at every meeting. I’ve had failures, but I’ve learned from them. I’ve had successes as a father and as a Business Administrator. Let’s praise the Police and Fire Departments. I don’t know why I and the Acting Law Director are always attacked. If I didn’t believe in this Mayor, I would have left in the first week. I’d like to see the Mayor and Council come together. The Finance Office located in the basement work diligently and have saved the City millions.
He also mentioned meeting the town Historian as he was walking to the Taste Of Perth Amboy. He asked the historian about the Elm Tree in front of City Hall. With that, Pelissier took out a piece of paper supplied by the Historian which gave the history of that tree.
Councilman Fernando Irizarry said, “There was wrong on both sides when remarks were made at the 10/26/15 Caucus Meeting. If I was looking at these meetings on TV, I would be afraid to apply for a position if my resume wasn’t squeaky clean. You can express yourself, but do so respectively. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion.”
