Councilman
Kenneth Gonzalez

Responds to Residents Siberry and Sierakowski Statements

PERTH AMBOY – At a previous Council Meeting resident Stanley Sierakowski posed a question to the city attorney. That question was: “Is it illegal for a Council Member to accept a position or another form of compensation not to run for re-election?”

The city attorney said, “I will have to get back to you with an answer.”

At a subsequent meeting, Sierakowski posed that same question, this time addressing the Attorney and Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez.

The attorney advised Gonzalez that he did not have to answer that question since Sierakowski mentioned Gonzalez when he questioned the lawyer again. Gonzalez took the attorney’s advice.

Councilman Kenneth Gonzalez finally said at a meeting held in late May that he was neither offered a position nor was he offered any compensation to not run for re-election.

Stanley Sierakowski

Resident John Siberry read a letter a the 5/12/14 City Council Caucus Meeting where he accused Councilman Gonzalez with unethical and immoral behavior.

Siberry mentioned Gonzalez’ illegal use of a handicapped placard in 2012. That case was closed in 2012 in court in Woodbridge because of the statute of limitations.

In 2012 Siberry produced photos and documentation as evidence against the Councilman to state his case.

In the statement that Siberry read at the Council Meeting dated 5/12/14, he accused Gonzalez of being offered a judgeship position in exchange for not running for re-election.

Besides this issue being discussed in that statement, he also accused Gonzalez of representing clients who received grants from the City of Perth Amboy in real estate closings, while he was a sitting Councilman.

John Siberry

The Amboy Guardian decided to contact Councilman Gonzalez in reference to the statements that John Siberry has made against him.

Gonzalez’ statement sent to the paper said: “The City Attorney has issued a legal opinion in 2010 citing no conflict and permitting me to represent real estate clients who apply for City first time home buyers grant funds since the Council has no say over who gets the funds. The decision is made based solely on who meets the criteria. The identity of the attorney who represents the person plays no role in the process. Mr. Siberry is aware of all of this but he is seeking to malign my character for political ends. Mr. Siberry continues to harbor a personal vendetta against myself and my family for reasons unknown to me,”

The City Attorney Mark Blunda was unavailable at those meetings. Another attorney from his firm was present who advised Mr. Gonzalez about the matters discussed in this article.