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“This is Embarrassing!”

The Plea

2/6/17 Caucus & 2/8/17 Council Meetings

Council President
Bill Petrick

PERTH AMBOY – Regarding Resolution R-67-2/17, the Council retaining the services of the Law Offices of Robert L. Tarver. Councilman Jelmin Caba had concerns about the Council having their own Attorney. He stated: “Now the Mayor is suing the Council. This is embarrassing! Dragging this through court is going to cost us more than we are going to recoup. Let’s move forward and get rid of this. I don’t wish to entertain or participate in any of this.”

Council President Bill Petrick responded and said, “We,the Council didn’t initiate this lawsuit. They are taking us to court.”

Caba wanted to know, “Are we going to countersue?”

Petrick responded, “Maybe the Mayor can withdraw her suit?”

Caba was still adamant, “We’re going to end up paying more than the money we are trying to recoup. Taxpayers are paying for all of this. Behind closed doors we can come to a compromise.”

Petrick responded, “We need to have legal representation, even going into remediation.”

Councilman
Jelmin Caba

Councilman Fernando Irizarry added to the conversation, addressing Jelmin Caba, “Maybe you need to abstain on R-67. Maybe we can take out the whereas clause.”

Some of the public responded. Resident Jeremy Baratta sated, “The Mayor filed two lawsuits. Who is she suing? I could see (Councilman) Caba’s point about wasting taxpayer’s money, but where do you draw the line? If you don’t fight her (the Mayor) on this one, then you become her lapdog.”

Resident and Businesswoman Susan Batista commented, “Who is paying for Wilda Diaz’s attorney and what did they restrain you with? You have a date for the 15th (February 2017). You’re not allowed to talk about certain things. In my suit, I’m suing Fehrenbach (Former B.A.) I then added Pelissier and then Cruz to my suit. Those previous lawyers that I named are not from the DeCotiis Firm. When we get to trial, I will get three times as much as I requested. All professional services have to go out for bid.”

At the end of the Meeting, Councilman Caba continued his plea, “I’m asking the Mayor and Council to drop all of this – this nasty politics! The losers will be the taxpayers of the City.”

Councilman Fernando Irizarry was frustrated and reiterated some of Caba’s sentiment, “Is their any room for compromise here? This is going to wind up losing the taxpayers money. It’s not going to get everything that we want. Let’s not inflame the situation.”

Arguments about the Mayor’s lawsuit spilled over to the 2/8/17 Council Meeting.

Former Councilman and Resident Ken Balut said, “The Council needs their own lawyer and it should be in your budget. The Controller’s Office should look at this conflict with Pelissier – not a lawyer. We’ve had three different DeCotiis lawyers, and on a legal document, they didn’t have the Mayor’s name right and had the City in the wrong county.”

Resident David Caba came up to speak. He wanted to know: “How much did Tarver (Council Attorney) give to elected officials.”

The Council responded, “He didn’t.”

David Caba responded, “Oh, he’s an independent.” He continued, “The Mayor goes on social media about the lawsuit. Let the people know that you (Some of the Council Members) took money (campaign contributions) from North Jersey. North Jersey is running the City. Tarver is independent and he is the one who has not given any political contributions.”

He also questioned who was paying for the lawsuit (filed by the Mayor).

Council President Bill Petrick responded, “Taxpayers are.”

Resident Caba finished by stating, “And the Mayor states she is looking out for the taxpayers.”

Resident Jeremy Baratta said, “Anytime there’s a lawsuit, the Council has to go into closed session. How will this be handled? I wonder if this will be a conflict.”

Acting Law Director Judy Verrone answered him, “I don’t represent the Mayor in this lawsuit. The court will make the determination as to how the suit will proceed. The court will not have the Council make the decision.”

Baratta continued, “I see there are three filings.” He wondered how many hours and time was spent.

Council President Bill Petrick answered him, “I haven’t seen the bills.”

Resident and Lawyer Daniel Gonzalez said, “People are paying attention to politics because of Trump.” He went on to congratulate the Council Members who were recently elected and re-elected and who have been on the Council. “We have to deal with Diaz and Cruz. I was offended by the Mayor suing the Council. Why can’t the Mayor admit to doing something wrong? When I see the Mayor telling the City she  is saving them money by suing, I’m telling the Mayor just to relax – you already won the election. Mr. Jelmin Caba is my neighbor and a gentleman. We can all be friends and address the issues together.”

D. Gonzalez then commented, “DeVos (Secretary of Education (at time of the 2/8/17 Meeting Nominee)) is against cities like us.”

During the Council Comments, Jelmin Caba stated, “I am pleading with the Mayor and Council about this suit To Mr. Daniel Gonzalez, I appreciate your comments. Our decision can’t be politically motivated. In the surrounding town, the Mayor is the one who appoints PARA Members. We should work with the Administration and not undermine them. I also want to congratulate Edison Jasquez (B-Men Founder) for their work. I also want to thank the Department of Public Works for treating the streets for the upcoming snow storm.”

Councilman Fernando Gonzalez said, “I must make it known to the citizens if proper procedures are not followed. If the Council made a mistake, we will admit it. On February 15, 2017 at 10 a.m., we have to appear in Superior Court. After the statement that the Mayor made on Facebook, I reached out to her.”

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