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News Front Page July 23, 2009 Search Archives Search
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Heated debate marks City Council session
Greg Bean's Column
Obituaries Officials, residents tout need for openness in gov't, postings
Sports BY JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — The City Council held a public hearing on the proposed 2009 budget last week, but what most in attendance wanted to
talk about were the rumors of government wrongdoing.
During the council's comment portion of the meeting, Mayor John O'Leary reemphasized that he has no respect for the people looking to
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slander him without identifying themselves.
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Featured Special "They are gutless," O'Leary said. "And they are inadequate in their own lives."
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The mayor has been on the defense since a nine­page anonymous letter containing numerous allegations about the mayor, his family and other
government officials was circulated around the city last month, setting off rumors and chatter on Internet forums.
Councilman John O'Connell said he has grown frustrated with the attacks, some of which have been aimed at him. He said people have
attacked everything from his military record to his home address, which some dispute is not within the city.
"He has every right to claim this city as his own," O'Leary said, adding that O'Connell has served both South Amboy and his country well. He
pointed out that O'Connell's efforts in South Amboy have led to many of the transportation­related improvements the city has seen.
Council President Fred Henry spoke of the transparent nature of city business.
"We have had nothing but open government here," Henry said. While residents and the council can disagree on the issues, "the name­calling is
way out of line," he said.H
enry and O'Leary both denounced one particular online comment in which someone referred to the City Council as Nazis. "To call this
council Nazis, you people have no idea what you are talking about," O'Leary said.
At the close of the city officials' comment portion, O'Leary opened the floor to members of the public, telling the approximately 40 people in
attendance that anyone who had something to say against the council, particularly O'Connell, should go to the microphone and publicly make
their comments.
Several residents did get up. Many asked about specific items in the budget, asking for justification of the city's legal costs and for more details
about the construction of a ferry terminal. A few questioned if the ferry is a viable endeavor for the city to take on.
About Us Resident Kate McLaughlin spoke about the condition of the parks, particularly Pine Park. She suggested forming a community project to
Archive clean the parks so it would not cost the city any money.
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Later, she asked the council questions about whether the city would need to take land by eminent domain for the ferry terminal construction.
The exchange became heated after McLaughlin said she had a right to access public records. O'Connell said accessing public records was of
course her right, but added that what "you and your friends have done" was not. McLaughlin denied that she knew the identities of anyone
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involved with making allegations against the officials, and added that when she posts in online forums or on her blog, called "Change for South
2000 ­ 2009 Amboy," she is happy to sign her name.
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Terms of Use & Resident Saverio Sagliocco spoke in reference to Henry's comment about transparent government, and asked if the city would post council
Privacy meeting minutes and agendas online. Though O'Leary agreed with him, Henry pointed out that the minutes must be approved before they can
be released, and that can take several weeks. City Business Administrator Camille Tooker pointed out that limited staffing makes posting such
items online a challenge.
"Part of the issue is we do not have a deputy clerk," Tooker said.
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software and services The mayor and council did take time to discuss their efforts in creating the best possible budget for the city. But the economy, O'Leary said,
has had an impact on South Amboy, adding. "We're feeling a lot of those recession problems right here."
Login O'Leary said the city is looking for ways to cut costs while still positioning itself as an attractive place for business.
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"We hope we can poise ourselves for an economic turnaround," he said.
While Henry said the budget was still a work in progress, Tooker said after the meeting that it largely depends on a proposed change to
garbage pickup whereby residents would pay a separate bill for the service. If that ordinance, which faced opposition at a special July 13

2. has had an impact on South Amboy, adding. "We're feeling a lot of those recession problems right here."
Login O'Leary said the city is looking for ways to cut costs while still positioning itself as an attractive place for business.
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"We hope we can poise ourselves for an economic turnaround," he said.
While Henry said the budget was still a work in progress, Tooker said after the meeting that it largely depends on a proposed change to
garbage pickup whereby residents would pay a separate bill for the service. If that ordinance, which faced opposition at a special July 13
meeting, passes, the average tax increase, according to published reports, would be about $7.
Tooker said she hoped a decision would be made on the garbage ordinance within the next two weeks
"We have a lot to look at," she said.
The July 15 meeting also was the last for O'Connell, who accepted a temporary military post in Washington, D.C.