8/7/2019 01-05-2011 - Council Shakes Up Administration at Reorganization Meeting - North Jersey

1/2

Screen Name Log in Register | Email A le rt s Lost Password? Mobi le Forums Subscr ibe Place an Ad Class ifieds Legals Garage Sales Jobs Cars Homes Deals!

32.0F

Search

Home : News : Bergen

Comments: 7

E-mail this story

Print this story

Decrease Font Size

Increase Font Size

Story tools

0

Share

Like Be thefirst of

your

friends

to like

this.

vote

now

Click here for more news from: Englewood Cliffs

Council shakes up administration atreorganization meetingWednesday, January 5, 2011

BY AMANDA BASKINDNORTHERN VALLEY SUBURBANITE

Staff Writer

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS - The Republican-controlled council voted against

reappointing some current borough employees at the reorganization meeting on

Jan. 2. The borough administrator was among the officials who failed to win

reappointment.

Council President Robert

Agresta, a Republican, said in

an e-mail message that the

moves were made to "save the

taxpayers money." He added,

"The taxpayers deserve an

administration capable of

efficiently working in their

interests to reduce the

spending."

The council's 4-2 Republican

majority chose not to

reappoint Borough Attorney

Fred Semrau; the labor

attorney, Fred Knapp; and

Borough Administrator

/Clerk Ilene Cohen.

"I'm still in shock," Mayor

Joseph C. Parisi Jr., a

Democrat, said a day after the

reorganization meeting. "I am aghast of the treatment of the borough employees;

it's inhumane."

Parisi said he has been trying to get information from the Republicans about these

appointments the last three weeks. He said there was no indication that changes

were going to be made. "Everything came as a surprise to me." Parisi said, adding

that he has yet to receive the names of any people who might fill the vacant

positions. The appointments that were not approved by the council will be carried

over for 30 days.

E-mail: baskind@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6700

Buy this photo

STAFF PHOTO BY JOE CAMPOREALE

Englewood Cliffs council members at the

reorganization meeting on Jan. 2 opted

not to reappoint several key officials,

including the borough administrator.

Reader Comments (7)

Reminder: Our comments section is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Saturday January 8, 2011, 3:22 PM - ECFD says:

It's really sad that those terrible Republicans don't understand. They should leave

everything as is because the Democrats know best because they are experienced.

They really know how to work the system and many municipal positions have been

filled by people they chose. So you know they are good people. In addition, the

Democrats are open minded about new ideas and accept contrary points of view,

1.

Please report comments that violate the terms of service.

News Towns Obituaries Sports Health Real Estate Arts & Entertainment Food & Dining Community Events Shopping Travel More Traffic

cil shakes up administration at reorganization meeting - NorthJersey.comhttp://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/112946189_Council_sh

3/27/11 1

8/7/2019 01-05-2011 - Council Shakes Up Administration at Reorganization Meeting - North Jersey

2/2

even from people inferior to them. Plus they are very classy people (see previous

comments)and only they can tell when someone has the best interests of the

residents. That's why the comments about Carol, boys, etc are not really as infantile

as they sound. It's only infantile when you are wrong, and they know better because

they are experienced good guys. I am lucky to have the Democrats looking out for

my interests. I support their position to increase taxes because the residents

demand the best and most expensive municipal services. After all, we are

Englewood Cliffs and we are (soon) Democrats.

Thursday January 6, 2011, 9:35 AM - bushes says:

Ah ha! Now we get to the bottom of the EC GOP despicable shenanigans at the

reorganization meeting. ITS ABOUT THE SPOILS! They are soiled with spoils

(another word for payola). In a civilized world, victory at the voting booth does not

entitle you to loot the town but the republicans choose to dump all qualified

employees and replace them with.....SPOILS. To all residents: watch what happens

to your taxes after the "boys-agresta, petrone and deli man) get finished putting intheir buddies. we will all pay twice for the same services that the present employees

are admirably performing.

2.

Wednesday January 5, 2011, 9:17 PM - freetobeme says:

Nepotism-definition: undue favoritism in awarding public appointments to one's

relations....Last I heard, none of the people that are loosing their jobs are related to

any of the Democrat's. If this is for the good of the town, can't wait to see what the

Republican majority has in store for EC next. Good luck!! I will have to guess that

the spoils will be going to the Republicans..right? the winners. At least that is what

they call themselves...lol..for now. But wait we will be paying more taxes for the

new attorney's and for a BETTER administration. WHAT A JOKE!!!!

3.

Wednesday January 5, 2011, 3:59 PM - tcsh says:

Hey Freedom, the only problem with you argument is that the Republicans were the

ones that appointed these people to begin with last year when they took over. This

was done for purely political purposes because Carol and the boys weren't getting

what they wanted to hear from their appointees. So their solution fire them all, and

put even bigger cronies in. Look at their planning board and Board of Health

appointments, all of them flunkies for the majority. (Consalvo, Bancroft, O'Shea,

Halas, etc.) Oh and please show some evidence of the nepotism that exists currently

in EC. It's a nice red herring to throw around, but I suspect when you actually look,you will find little if any of that happening.

4.

Wednesday January 5, 2011, 3:04 PM - FreedomforNJ says:

I see is that the Republicans have done what had to be done and that is to get rid of

the nepotism in the town. These borough employees are not working for the town,

they work for the old administration and keeping them in power, never looking after

the towns best interest. The republicans must put in place a new system of hiring

for borough employees. A system similar to that used in NYC and other towns where

people take a test and are added to a list, and as positions open up the next one in

the list gets called without skipping or preferential treatment. This will stop the

nepotism in the towns for both parties. The system must be put to vote by the

people of the town via referendum. This will keep the council members or any future

administration subject to it and a majority not overturning it. Only way to overturn

would be by the people of the town. To the republicans, please make sure that you

put good qualified people in these opened positions. No more friend and families like

the democrats have done for many years. The mayor still thinks that this is his

personal playground and that needs to end. Independent Voter of Englewood Cliffs

for better Government.

5.

Wednesday January 5, 2011, 1:50 PM - tcsh says:It's all a game to the majority. How can Carol and they boys say that this is going to

save money when it is going to result in a lawsuit and going to add costs of bringing

new people on. This screams of political toadyism by people who have no interest

the functionality of local government. Just hope the town can survive until these

people are voted out in November.

6.

Wednesday January 5, 2011, 1:02 PM - Vincognito says:

Parisi you reigned long enough, to the winner goes the spoils

7.

Share your view:

You have to register before you can post comments or use our advanced features.

User Name:

Password:

Lo In

Our Partners:NorthJersey Images | Bergen.com | (201) | (201) Bride | (201) Health | Parade | 1010 WINS | MyFoxNY | My9 | boocoo auctions 2011 North Jersey Media Group

Open Footer/Site Directory

cil shakes up administration at reorganization meeting - NorthJersey.comhttp://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/112946189_Council_sh

3/27/11 1