02-04-2011 - Update- Parisi Responds to Lack of Trust Statement From McMorrow, Agresta; Questions...

8/7/2019 02-04-2011 - Update- Parisi Responds to Lack of Trust Statement From McMorrow, Agresta; Questions Appointment…

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/02-04-2011-update-parisi-responds-to-lack-of-trust-statement-from-mcmorrow 1/5

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!

32.0°F

Search

Home : News : Bergen

Comments: 25

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

Update: Parisi responds to lack of truststatement from McMorrow, Agresta;questions appointment processFriday, February 4, 2011LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2011, 2:55 PM

BY AMANDA BASKINDNORTHERN VALLEY SUBURBANITE

Staff Writer

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS - The two Republican council members at the center of the

controversy surrounding the hiring of a new administrator/clerk said they did not

inform the mayor and specifically Councilman Ilan Plawker because of trust issues.The mayor and Plawker are Democrats.

"My opinion is we don't have

a comfort level that Mayor

[Joseph] Parisi and

Councilman Plawker act in

good faith with us for the

benefit of the town," said

Republican Councilwoman

Carrol McMorrow on Feb. 3,

speaking for her and

Republican Council President

Robert Agresta. "Having

served on the council there

are numerous instances inmy opinion where

Councilman Plawker and

Mayor Parisi misrepresent

facts to our residents."

McMorrow's comments came

after a heated public meeting

on Feb. 1 to appoint a new

borough administrator/clerk.

The meeting also resulted in

steps taken to eliminate the

deputy clerk position.

The council majority voted to

appoint former Palisades Park mayor, councilwoman and administrator Susan

McGinley-Spohn at a salary of $75,000, replacing Ilene Cohen.

Democrat Councilwoman Melanie Simon and Plawker both abstained from voting

on the appointment, stating that they never saw Spohn's resume and had not met

her. Parisi hadn't seen Spohn's resume or had the opportunity to meet her either.

"I don't know why they wouldn't trust me," said Parisi on Feb. 4. "It would have

made less of a spectacle and I could have made the transition smoother," he added.

Parisi noted whether Agresta and McMorrow trust him or not, they still have to

follow the proper procedure for appointing a borough employee. "They didn't follow

the procedure of appointment and they violated our personnel manual," added

Parisi.

According to Parisi, the proper procedure of appointment is the council gives the

mayor names of candidates, the mayor reviews resumes and interviews candidates,

LESLIE BARBARO/THE RECORD

Borough Clerk/Administrator Ilene

Cohen, Mayor Joseph Parisi, Jr. and

Borough Attorney Fred Semrau listen as

a resident speaks out against the

council's lack of transparency in

replacing Cohen and Deputy Clerk

Lisette Duffy and requesting they

remain in their positions, during a

special meeting to appoint several new

employees Tuesday night in Englewood

Cliffs.

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

te: Parisi responds to lack of trust statement from McMorrow, Agres... http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/115216184_McMorrow

3/27/11 1



Click here for more news from: Englewood Cliffs

and then the mayor makes a recommendation.

"That's nonsense," said Plakwer on Feb. 4 in response to Agresta and McMorrow's

statement about trust issues. "I don't know what they think there is to hide," he

added.

Agresta and McMorrow both met and interviewed Spohn prior to the special

meeting. Although Republican Councilmen Eric Petrone and Carlo Bartolomeo

never met Spohn, they both voted for her appointment. Petrone and Bartolomeo

did not respond to e-mails seeking comment.

Plakwer said "something very strange is going on" because Patrone and Bartolomeo

never met Spohn, yet voted for her appointment.

Prior to Spohn's appointment, Simon motioned to appoint former Borough Clerk

Joseph Favaro for $15,000 a year with no benefits. The Republican-controlled

council voted against that measure.

Parisi said the plan would have appointed Favaro as administrator/clerk for

$15,000 and would have allowed Lisette Duffy to retain her position as deputy clerk

at $30,000.

Cohen, who served as the administrator/clerk this year was making $75,000. The

plan to appoint Favaro and Duffy would have saved the borough $60,000.

"I believe in saving money," said Parisi in an interview on Feb. 2. "They don't

understand."

Agresta said the hiring of Spohn will help chart a new course for the borough.

"I think an outside perspective will be a good thing for Englewood Cliffs," said

Agresta on Feb. 2. "I think someone coming in from out of town, like Susan, will be

able to offer new and different ideas."

McMorrow cited experience as a reason for appointing Spohn,

"Susan is a certified registered municipal clerk. She has over 12 years of leadership

and management experience in the local government and was a mayor and

four-term councilwoman," McMorrow said. "We will be saving money because she

will be doing the job of administrator, clerk and deputy clerk. with a savings of

about $50,000. In addition, we look forward to leveraging her experience to be able

to run the borough in the most cost effective manner for our taxpayers."

Douglas Doyle of Decotiis Fitzpatrick and Cole were was also appointed to the

positions of borough attorney and labor attorney, replacing Fred Semrau and Fred

Knapp.

E-mail: [email protected] or call 201-894-6723

Reader Comments (25)

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

Monday February 7, 2011, 10:14 PM - sitbak says:

Why is Carol at borough hall everyday, is she checking in on the employees? Who is

the new Clerk - I googled her...not very clean.

1.

Monday February 7, 2011, 9:08 PM - gojets says:

I love how this mayor says ,well now I can save money by hiring people for

cheaper,Well, duhhh, why didn't he do that in the first place before all this hoopla???

What a genious.

2.

Monday February 7, 2011, 5:33 PM - moveit says:

whether you like the mayor or not, the question is what has he done for the town in

his reign? For the taxes we pay, ec should be the jewel of bergen county. ec needs to

move forward and be the town we could be proud of. update our infrastructure! why

does our town lose power for days whenever there is a storm? where is our

library/rec.center?why aren't the broken post lamps on witte field fixed? why does

the dpw building look like it is about to cave-in? why are the tennis courts on new

street in total disrepair and an eyesoar? why are the streets riddled with potholes?

the mayor should have been tending to the town instead of the concentrating on all

of the infighting.he should be a mayor and run the town with pride and integrity and

not treat his position as his means of a social scene.

3.

Monday February 7, 2011, 12:57 PM - bergen632 says:

I liked the mayor's dad (rumor has it that he was a closet Republican, and only

changed parties to run in EC, just like Ed Aversa), but this mayor is a complete joke.

If you like him, it's because you either party with him on the weekends or you're an

Obama super liberal.

4.

Please report comments that violate the terms of service.


3/27/11 1



Sunday February 6, 2011, 12:54 PM - Recall says:

The Majority put absolutely no thought into this change of clerks. No transition!

What business does that? What business hires without interviewing, advertising, or

at least meeting the candidate? The new clerk has NO experience in a Municipality,

was an Administrator for a company, not a Municipality, and is drowning in a sea of

work because of a lack of experience. Agresta told us she was experienced, that is

not true and she is the first one to admit it. Carol wanted to have someone to mold

and say yes to all of her demands, perhaps that is why she voted yes to the new

clerk. She is at Borough Hall every day working the phones or "helping". This is NOT

a commission form of government. She does not belong in Borough Hall! The

attorney appointment is a whole other issue. Check his recent dealings in Ridgefield

online. This is what we want for EC? What are these people doing to Englewood

Cliffs? Dems, Reps, and U's need to fight for OUR town now! Please stop by Borough

Hall and see for yourselves. Come to the 2/9 meeting at 8PM and demand answers!

How does this help EC and how does this save money? That is the very least wedeserve. Remember...Recall!

5.

Saturday February 5, 2011, 11:22 PM - tcsh says:

@ Bergen632, has it occurred to you that the mayor and large number of residents

are looking out for the best interests of the town? Maybe you should make the same

comparison to the hundreds of people who signed the petition, or the hundred or so

people who showed up to the last two meetings. The problem is, is that the majority

has no defense for there reckless actions, so what is the result, you send out the

Parisi haters, like that hasn't been done before. It does not work, it never worked

and will not work. Maybe you should focus your rage at your Republican majority

who really stepped in it and continue to do so. You had two dedicated employees

who when compared to other towns offered EC a real cost/performance advantage.

Now you have a county crony making the same salary and padding a pension. BTW

do a Google search on Palisades Park, Spohn, Taxes, see what happened to the

appointed mayor and her 1.5 years in office and what it did to Pal Park and their

taxes. I'll give you a hint, they went up...a lot.

6.

Saturday February 5, 2011, 2:51 PM - bergen632 says:

Tsch, I'm not insinuating anything, what are YOU referring to? I just don't

understand the Mayor's overriding concern with this one employee. Half of the

people in the Town Hall videos are just instigators who refuse to admit that theirboys Obama and Parisi are huge failures. I thought these people embrace "Change"?

7.

Saturday February 5, 2011, 12:36 AM - compromiser says:

"I don't know why they wouldn't trust me," said Parisi on Feb. 4. who are you

kidding, Joey boy?

8.


bergenec - you are on to something. I wish King JP II put as much effort into

promoting our town and its businesses as he has in promoting the unlicensed ladies

who've been running Town Hall. I understand he's even using internet social network

resources to make appeals to "take back the town" yadda yadda yadda. From the

videos I've seen, the only turnout he's getting are the same old faces who always

show up when the King demands it. Most people don't care or think about who

works in Borough Hall? As long as garbage and leaves are picked up and the streets

are plowed - everyone is happy. Just as it is suspected that Republican County

leaders recommended the folks who were just appointed, there is no doubt that the

King will find places for the unlicensed ladies in other towns or, at very least, at the

prestigious offices of Otterstadt Insurance - especially since (as the big sign in Fort

Lee tells us) they are one of the nations's leading insurance agencies. G-d help us

all.

9.


We should have term limits in Englewood Cliffs. No one should serve more than two

terms. The system that has allowed a single family to rule this community for over

four decades must be fixed. We are a community of good people, yet we are saddled

with leadership that does not mirror the character, intelligence, and compassion of

our residents. At the root of the problem is the corrupt Parisi Monarchy, supported

by savage profiteers like Plawker - the most contemptible man, who is completely

lacking in integrity. Sadly, there is no compromise with the Parisi herd. Like the

oppressive regimes we see collapsing around the world, our Mayor must have

complete domination. Those who object to him (who we call “Republicans” under our

silly system) will inevitably be scorned, bullied and blamed. It takes real guts to

stand up against the king, and my hat is off to everyone in the last 40 years who

had the guts to challenge the king. The best thing we can do is unseat the king and

his courtiers - and even after that, it will probably take years to build the kind of

governance structure that we deserve.

10.

Friday February 4, 2011, 10:24 PM - tcsh says:

Wow, just when I thought you hit a new low with "ECFD", you guys start insinuating

an illicit relationship. Is that the best you trolls can come up with? WOW!

11.

Friday February 4, 2011, 7:14 PM - bergenec says:

bergen632, it's very strange, there must be more to it, if he is so concerned, he has

a business, let him hire her and save the taxpayers money.

12.

Friday February 4, 2011, 6:51 PM - bergen632 says:

-Eileen wasn't a certified borough clerk. -"Parisi...would have allowed Lisette to

retain her position", why does he care so much about her?? Strange.

13.

Friday February 4, 2011, 11:55 AM - Bimbohemp says:

wow and OMG Tommy Toscano and the democrat law firm Decotis supporting an

administrator who when she was on the council in Pal Park did nothing when the

corrupt cops robbed and plundered that town

14.

Friday February 4, 2011, 1:01 AM - tcsh says:

Wow, you couldn't have proven my argument better, thanks "ECFD" your bizarre

rantings have only alienated your party further from the residents of Englewood

Cliffs. Keep it up, because the more you say, the more your anger, venom, hatred

and stupidity is exposed to those around you. I sure hope that you're just a kid

trying to get a reaction, because if you are a grown adult, God help you.

15.


3/27/11 1



Thursday February 3, 2011, 11:54 PM - ECFD says:

Tush, please change your handle as you you are an insult to legitimate a-holes

around the world.

16.


Tush, you must be Pinnochio Plawker because you sound as illogical and out of touch

with reality as he does.

17.


Cont'd while the meeting is in recess, why is that conciliation? 10) If pinnochio

Plawker suggests that the town set up a legal fund to defend itself against not

rehiring Cohen/Duffy, in effect inviting a lawsuit, why would you say anything? 11) If

the voters reject the school Budget, and Parisi and Pinochhio Plawker say lets raise

taxes, why would you think they are listening to the voters? 12) When the Dems say

the are worried about the impact of replacing the labor attorney, is that a concernconsidering our ALREADY VERY highly paid PD - and history of sweetheart Police

Chief retroactive payments? Trust Parisi and Pinnochio Plawker? Really?????????

18.

Thursday February 3, 2011, 11:42 PM - tcsh says:

Hey look it's the ECFD poser aka Halas,Mungioli,O'Shea, or any of the other usual

crew of Republican neanderthals who can make comments about the mayor beating

his wife or calling him a "little Hitler" and then blame the other side for being uncivil.

The truth is your side blew it BIG TIME, and your comments show that you are

either in denial or to stupid to realize that more you open your mouths at meetings

or post on these message boards, the more people realize that Carol and company

are a big cancer on the borough of Englewood Cliffs. Also please don't post under

ECFD, you insult the men and women who volunteer their time to do good for the

community, while you just seek to spread hate and anger.

19.


The conspiracy theory sound nice, but a stretch. More likely, they are reluctant to

stand up and say: 1) Ilene is not qualified and doen't do a good job; 2) Lissette has

had numerous positions in the last year, regardless of ability, and without the Dems

following the "Policy Manual'; 3)Pinnochio Plawker is a snake and will lie and

sabotouge any Republican initiative; 4) If we can't get the road repair records after

three months, why not clean house; 5) If I vent to the Borough attorney about beingthrown out of the ECFD, and that becomes the basis for the "BIG MERGER LIE" - and

includes the PD for an added scare tactic, why say anything; 6)If the Mayor says the

Administrator won't have a key to open Borough Hall, while he has it in his pocket,

why would you trust anything he says? 7)If Pinnochio Plawker says experience is

important, but Melanie Simon has no Council experience, why is that OK? 8)If the

Dems always work as a block, why is that unacceptable for the Republicans? 9)If, at

the reorg meeting the mayor pledges conciliation, and then attempts to nominate

and appoint Pinnochio Plawker as Council president,

20.


The conspiracy theory sound nice, but a stretch. More likely, they are reluctant to

stand up and say: 1) Ilene is not qualified and doen't do a good job; 2) Lissette has

had numerous positions in the last year, regardless of ability, and without the Dems

following the "Policy Manual'; 3)Pinnochio Plawker is a snake and will lie and

sabotouge any Republican initiative; 4) If we can't get the road repair records after

three months, why not clean house; 5) If I vent to the Borough attorney about being

thrown out of the ECFD, and that becomes the basis for the "BIG MERGER LIE" - and

includes the PD for an added scare tactic, why say anything; 6)If the Mayor says the

Administrator won't have a key to open Borough Hall, while he has it in his pocket,

why would you trust anything he says? 7)If Pinnochio Plawker says experience isimportant, but Melanie Simon has no Council experience, why is that OK? 8)If the

Dems always work as a block, why is that unacceptable for the Republicans? 9)If, at

the reorg meeting the mayor pledges conciliation, and then attempts to nominate

and appoint Pinnochio Plawker as Council president,

21.

Thursday February 3, 2011, 11:26 PM - tcsh says:

That's rich, Carol McMorrow saying she can't trust the Democrats. Judging by your

recent actions Carol, the public doesn't trust you and your puppets Bartolomeo and

Petrone to be honest with the community. Remember your call for openness and

transparency in the hiring practices of the borough, well you threw that out the

window right away didn't you. (Time will tell if this also results in a civil action

against the town too) And btw why did you have to answer for Agresta, can't the

boy wonder speak for himself or do you have to do it for him. Then again he may be

out of town again. Does he even live in Englewood Cliffs anymore?

22.

Thursday February 3, 2011, 10:57 PM - HoboM says:

Can someone explain to Councilman Agresta the results from last years election?

That "chart a new course for the borough" sailed away two years ago. The council

not letting anyone know they were appointing, just another failed political hack who

had been thrown out of her own town for poor management, while two councilmen

voting to give this $75,000 nominee a job whom they never met? Yes "chart a newcourse" alright, right into the iceberg!

23.

Thursday February 3, 2011, 10:38 PM - NoComment says:

McMorrow and Agresta have no excuse for not responding to the residents of EC.

They looked like idiots at the council meeting. Its something I'll never forget. They

are an embarrassment. They allowed themselves to do what the county republicans

told them to and now they have no idea what to say. Carroll McMorrow is a master

at blaming everyone else for what she does. Then she cries her crocodile tears when

she gets called on it. Its the residents of the town calling you on it now Carol. Blame

who you want. You have no excuses.

24.

Thursday February 3, 2011, 9:31 PM - PaigeAve says:

this is a county wide gang attack on Englecliff Cliff by Bergen Republicans. News

stories report that Republican Doyle cost thousands in Franklin Lakes, by current

Freeholder and the new clerk is a pension pump a Republican. Republicans are

disgraceful and should be ashamed of themselves.

25.


3/27/11 1

02-04-2011 - Update- Parisi Responds to Lack of Trust Statement From McMorrow, Agresta; Questions...

Documents

Transcript of 02-04-2011 - Update- Parisi Responds to Lack of Trust Statement From McMorrow, Agresta; Questions...