Mayor and Council Meeting February 9, 2010

Once again the Mayor and Council meeting resembled POLITICAL POSTURING
The Republican majority answered claims defending their position on the importance of spending up to $200,000.00 for a Paramus Borough Administrator. Of course the Democrats started off on the other side lead by Councilman Rich Conte.

The riposte was started and continued down the line included in the Council Reports. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I had to leave early and did not hear Mayor Tedesco's rejoinder to the fray which I am sure he made.

I believe that Council President Cathy Bentz summed it up after her Report saying that we should get back to the business of Paramus and the good of the residents. Of course she had joined the verbal fray as well. Councilwoman Maureen O'Brien had gone to the trouble of visiting the website of the International City Management Association and making copies for the audience to read. They pointed out the need for an Administrator. I hate to say it, but if she had gone to the National Rifle Association website, I'm sure she would have had sufficient ammunition to back up a proposal as to why every citizen should be able to carry concealed weapons.

There was a change in the manner of conducting Council business. Prior to this time, informal meetings had been discussed downstairs in the Caucus Room. Newly appointed Borough Attorney Brian Giblin was sitting upstairs in the Council Chambers. It seemed that there was an objection to the fact that there was no recording/sound system downstairs so the meeting was moved upstairs. Mayor Tedesco pointed out that it was cumbersome because if an Executive Session was needed, either the audience or the Council members would have to leave.

In my opinion, the bright side of the meeting was recently appointed Borough Clerk, Toni Falato. Fashionably dressed, she smiled at everyone, a complete departure from the previous clerk.