2/10/16 Council Meeting • Go to end of story to read pertinent documents. Click on them to enlarge.
PERTH AMBOY – Truxton Avenue Resident William Mason inquired about the lawsuit filed about Susan Batista over a year ago. “What are the legal bills so far?”
Law Director Arlene Quinones-Perez said, “The fees are covered by the City’s insurance company carrier that has a rider attached to it.”
Truxton Avenue Susan Batista inquired again, “Was Peter Pelissier ever an Acting Mayor before January of this year?”
Council President Lisa Nanton said, “He was only the Acting Mayor from the January dates that were listed on the previous agenda when the Mayor was out of town.”
(Mayor Diaz came back at an earlier date than originally scheduled because of the snowstorm.)
Resident David Caba said, “I should apply for a City Pension because I’ve been coming to the Meetings for over 20 years. Nobody wanted to run against Joe Vas for many years. I respect Pelissier as a Veteran. I have a right to come up here because of our Veterans fighting for our freedom.”
When Caba started to speak about an 85 year old man who was a Veteran who he considers as a second father, Councilman Fernando Irizarry interrupted him and said, “You’ve told this to us many times already.”
Caba became agitated and responded, “I can come up and speak as many times as I want – Even if it’s on the same subject! 35% of the people voted for Mayor Diaz. The other 65% did not want her.”
Resident Alan Silber came up to speak. He addressed Councilman Joel Pabon. Silber questioned Pabon about an ordinance that Pabon said the Council should have pulled from the December 9, 2015 Council Meeting Agenda:
2. An Ordinance to Amend An Ordinance Entitled “Ordinance Fixing and Establishing A Schedule of Salaries and Salary Ranges and Increments for Officers and Employees of the City of Perth Amboy” (Ordinance No. 218-79 As Amended) Adopted July 3, 1979. Re: Management & Non Union – January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2018.
Silber stated, “This Ordinance was signed by Council President Nanton, Mayor Diaz, City Clerk Elaine Jasko and Law Director Arlene Quinones-Perez. It was on the January 7, 2016 Agenda that made Pelissier an Assistant B.A. You can’t trust people who said they’ll run for two terms, and then break their promise.”
He questioned the Council, “Are you part of the Administration? Or Separate? She (Mayor Diaz) doesn’t appoint. You have to consent. How are sick/vacation days determined? We’re talking about dollars here. I’ll say one thing – Frank Hoffman was one of the City Employees who went to the Vas trial everyday. I’ve been speaking to people in the Ethics Department in Trenton about the Mayor not following the ordinances. The people in that Department wanted to know why isn’t the Council doing anything about it?”
Law Director Quinones-Perez interjected and said to Silber, “I’ve worked with many people in different State Departments and the Governor’s Office. I know a lot of them. Who did you speak to?”
Silber mentioned two names: Max Henry and James Donnelly from the State of New Jersey Comptroller’s Office.
From www.nj.gov: The Office of the New Jersey State Comptroller is an independent office created to bring greater efficiency and transparency to the operation of all levels of New Jersey’s government. For more information go to www.nj.gov
Silber then became agitated with Quinones-Perez and said, “I really didn’t have to give you those names. I’ll tell you what – have the DeCotiis Law Firm call me.”
Before sitting down, Silber said to Quinones-Perez, “It’s because of your attitude that a lot of people don’t want to come here (to the Council Meetings).
Businesswoman Virginia Lugo said, “I’m appalled. The City Codes are not being followed. You (the Council) have non-caring attitudes. You are supposed to question when something is amiss. You guys are rubber-stamping everything. That is what is wrong with the City.”
Perth Amboy Republican Chair and Businesswoman Sharon Hubberman had several subjects she wanted to discuss, “I witnessed City Employees who came to support their Directors. These employees who spoke said, “We haven’t had this sort of exemplarity leadership in years. A lot of individuals state their views and as public servants, you are indifferent.”
Hubberman used as an example Water Street: Dan Hedberg’s concerns about his property next to Bayview Park. “Where is the transparency and checks and balances? Are we looking at changes through politics or public interests? There’s a separation between the Board of Education and the City. If the Board of Education sees there is something not in line, they question it. I have respect for individuals who respect the ordinances.”
During the Council Comments, Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “I heard an Auditor might be under indictment.
Gonzalez stated that the City is ordering a lot of vehicles. He wanted to know who is driving these vehicles in the departments that is ordering them.
Councilman Joel Pabon said, “We need clear-cut answers just like what the public is questioning. If I feel as if someone is disrespecting me, I just won’t answer you. We’re only human.”
Councilman Bill Petrick said, “It was encouraging to see the Employees supporting their Directors.”
Council President Lisa Nanton said, “I understand your (the Residents’) frustrations. This is our fourth Business Administrator. We were given letters of appointments and other correspondence at the last minute. We hear you. We understand.”
Assistant Business Administrator Peter Pelissier commented, “I want to thank every single employee, the Department Heads, the Mayor, the Business Owners and the BID/UEZ Members who I have worked with. I’ll be leaving here with more than just being a TV Personality Show. It’s been a rewarding experience. I have done nothing illegal. I work for the Administration and not the legal body. There are three envelopes I will leave in a desk drawer for the next Business Administrator. The first envelope says: “I will blame my predecessor; The second envelope will say: What do I do now? – It will simply say ‘Reorganize,”; The third envelope will say: Prepare three envelopes and leave it in the left hand drawer for the next B.A. after you.”
Mayor Diaz came up to speak, “We can only take advice from our advisors. Employees do care about how their departments are handled. I make assessments of individuals that I put in place. They’re open to suggestions. I know Adam Cruz (the new Business Administrator) will have a tough job. In a short period of time, I had to find a replacement for the last B.A. who left on short notice. The person (Pelissier) I chose is one had experience in making us a transit village. I wanted someone short term until we could find a long term B.A. We needed a change. Peter had military service and I worked with him day in and day out. He was very disrespected by some residents. I will not allow Fernando Gonzalez to distort what was said. I have always been a supporter of the schools. It was the public who told us about the Board of Education changing their election dates. Let’s be clear. It was because of fraud that a special election was made.” The Mayor again praised Pelissier for his service. “He’s a brave man. He defended our Country and he took abuse from some residents.”
Council President Lisa Nanton ended the evening with the following quote: “It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.” Quote from Robert W. Service.
The next Caucus is Monday February 22, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall Chambers. The next Regular Council Meeting is Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 7 p.m. at City Hall Chambers.
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