Race or Ego issues in Paterson City Council?
Jul - 02 | By: john | 74 comments.
Filed under : Politics
There’s still no Paterson City Council President. One is looking to perpetuate his presindency others looking to bring change and step up to the task.
BY MEREDITH MANDELL
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER
PATERSON — The City Council deadlocked on its vote to elect a council president Wednesday, angering members of the public who contend city officials can’t work together.
None of the nominees for council president — Rigo Rodriguez, William B. McKoy and Aslon Goow Sr. — was able to muster a majority during city government’s annual reorganization.
For McKoy, who served as council president for the last year, the vote failed, with council members Rodriguez, Andre Sayegh, Goow, Julio Tavarez and Jeffery Jones voting against him. Along with McKoy’s vote for himself, Vera Ames-Garnes, Anthony Davis and Ken Morris voted in his favor.
Likewise, votes for Goow and Rodriguez failed, with Goow getting only three votes — from himself, Sayegh and Tavarez — and Rodriguez receiving four, from Sayegh, Tavarez, Goow and himself.
After rounds of failed votes, members recessed for about an hour to discuss the stalemate in their chambers, but returned without an agreement.
In frustration, Rodriguez abruptly got up in the middle of the meeting and left.
“This is a joke,” he said bitterly. “I cannot support such things.”
City Attorney Susan Champion said that because council members couldn’t agree, they would need to select a temporary council president for each meeting until they appoint a permanent president.
Residents who came to speak during the public portion of the meeting expressed anger with the indecision, some hissing or muttering, “disgrace, disgrace.”
“A small group cannot agree to pick a leader — I think that says something about the state of Paterson’s political climate,” said Tom Watterson, 88, a lifelong resident. “It was the race card.”
Wilkin Santana, a middle school teacher and former city council candidate, said he also felt the council was divided along racial lines.
“The person should be chosen on merit — not on race, gender or ethnicity,” Santana said.
Others simply expressed disappointment with the lack of cooperation.
School Board member Jonathan Hodges said that the stalemate is an example of why Paterson often gets a “black eye.” He said elected officials frequently let down the public.
Davis said the contention stemmed from disagreement about how the public portion of the meeting is run, though he would not specify what the complaints are.
“This isn’t about race; it’s about ego,” said Davis. But, it was good the stalemate was aired in public, he said.
“It shows how divided we are,” Davis said. “This didn’t happen overnight; this has been brewing.”
The next council meeting is scheduled for July 14.
74 Responses to “Race or Ego issues in Paterson City Council?”
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I must say, I was very surprised that some of our Paterson politicians were not on the Federal buses this morning…..? I was atleast expecting our Deputy Mayor Mantilla….followed by Joey then Andre…..and the list goes on. Elsa maybe now you should have your accountant come up with some numbers….hahaha. They are watching soooo bee ready. I know that alot of Alka Seltzer was consumed today. But I am sure it wont end today…..the probing shall continue…….BE CAREFULLLLL!
When is the FBI going to catch this corrupted council persons who are committing all kinds of abuse of power. It’s so obvious. Just look at where all the problems in Paterson take place. Look at who turns a blind eye. FBI needs to stop being afraid of Paterson corrupted politicians.
I hope they spend the rest of their lives in prison. And, I hpe we get some FBI attention because this councilmen/woman think they are above the law. They dont do their job, but collect a check from us. They even complain when we go to speak at the council meeting, so we dont know all the dirty work they do. FBI please open up an office in Paterson before this town becomes ghost town due to the corruption everybody wants out of here
I was thinking about the same thing when I saw/heard the news. People in Paterson should be careful and I am not talking about the councilmen/woman. But up in the ladder.
anonymous 43 and 46:
Only two words applies to you: IGNORANCE AND EGOIST.
Important announcement:
To Paterson residents: Beware: CARAS VEMOS CORAZONES NO SABEMOS. OR NO TODO LO QUE BRILLA ES ORO.
I would like to comment to all who posted negative things about Councilman Rodriguez: Please be advised that Councilman Rodriguez is an HOnest and very sincere Person. Atleast he has tried to do something for the city is not like he’s in it to get extra Income or because he needs it!!! For those who do not know he has a REALLY good business that brings ALOT of Income which he does not need from the city. But yet he decides to run for office because he wants better for his community…and the HATERS that are posting ONLY negative things about him, is critizing him. Its a shame how ignorant people can be to even post this about you Councilman!! Keep your head up!! Atleast you are trying and believe me you’ve gotten better!! Don’t listen to all this nonsense that’s are being said from haters….this can only make you stronger!!!!
I would like for all elected officialts to disclose ther income tax returns. That way, we will know where are their fortunes really coming from?
We need the FBI in Paterson to arrest the people who are milking the system here.
Want don’t you start by disclosing yours.
That’s right, these Paterson elected officials need to disclose their income tax returns, that way we make sure they are not doing nothing fishy out there. When is the FBI going to open up a branch in Paterson. Holy Lord! We need them here!
to #’s 41,&40 I’m deeply shocked at your display of blatant display of ignorance, to say that you are black and you don’t vote for black people is definitely nothing but stupidity you must make your family and friends very proud of you. And as far as us only being for black people that is an all out lie, I’m for what’s right and to not show the African American pictures isn’t right. When I know that this site was there, so before you hide behind a blind blog site please get your facts straight. I was out in the community fighting for all people long before you knew how to spell fight let alone actually speak up for a cause.
I agree with writer #61 you should be ashamed to have the audacity to come on this site and say that you’re black but you won’t vote black again, I sincerely hope that you are a female because that is definitely something only a woman would allow to come out of her mouth. It’s no wonder that this great city is going to the dogs, I’m willing to bet that you probably don’t even vote. This is the reason why we strong minded people that know what side of our toast has butter on it must recognize and speak out against absolute stupidity. Can this person really wake up in the morning and with a clear mind go on with your daily agenda after seeing your face, I hope not.
Mr. minster: Can black people vote for someone who is not black if he or she is not doing a good job (Look at the 1st Ward, 4th Ward and yes the 3rd Ward). Also, can Dominicans vote Rigo out since he’s not doing a good job. Its win win situation.
To # 63 yes we all certainly as american citizens have that right, if an individual isn’t doing a decent to good job. But for some one to say they don’t for someone just because of race is puuure ignorance. And let’s before we begin to point our fingers in the direction of politicians look at our selves first and ask what are we doing to make our communities better.
The Minister has spoken
ps. stay tuned
Most of the people posting these ridiculous comments are simple. Paterson, Paterson… What a beautiful city… allowed to wallow in such a state of degradation! Why? Our elected officials are incompetent and ineffective in improving our quality of life. Why? No accountability!!! An ignorant public!!! Yes it begins with improving and enforcing quality of life issues. Enforce the current laws against loitering, maybe raise the fine to a level that makes people not want to receive another ticket. It would also bring revenue to the city. Too many people are allowed to hang around on our street corners with no objectivity. Why is this nonsense allowed. Well my friends it is because many of our landlords do not care enough to make it an issue and our elected officials have not given the directive to the police department to enforce the laws. Yes, many tickets will be written and maybe some arrests will be made… but as word gets around people will begin over time to realize and accept that it is not ok to just hang out on the street corners and make noise at all hours of the night. As a result, crime will reduce and property values will rise. Paterson homes have ample backyards that can be used to hang out. Again anyone that feels that it is ok to just “chill on the corner and kick it with your people” obviously does not care about the honest hardworking citizens in the community and does not have a 9 to 5 job. Hire meter maids to ticket anyone that allows their properties to look like dumps by allowing their sidewalks to be strewn with litter… give property owners till nine o’clock every morning to clean up or be ticketed a decent amount. Create a law allowing the city to take over any boarded up properties that have not been rehabilitated.. give the landlord six months to provide plans to the city or lose the property. Stop the nonsense that goes on in the council meetings and begin to work together to ameliorate the problems affecting our city. Create a plan for our future and have the will to follow through and accept responsibility for our successes as well as our failures and remember that it is our responsibility to improve our city. I have personally seen what can occur when quality of life issues are made the forefront of a community’s efforts to clean up… and it is amazing!!! It can be done… start by enforcing the quality of life laws that are on the books now and do not stop until the streets are cleaned up and neighborhoods become family oriented and safe. Yes… many people will be upset with all the tickets and fines that they’ll be given… but those are the people that we don’t want in our community. They can move elsewhere if they are unhappy.
Great comment Jayson. But the problem we have is councilman jones, goww, rodriguez and sayegh are all too busy worrying about trying to become mayor. No one is actually doing their job. Vera Ames stop caring long time ago. Davis in the 1st, no comments. And Julio is always fighting with the current mayor. Mckoy is absent from the 3rd Ward. You cant get anything done unless you work with people that often disagree with you. I say let’s vote them all out!
Councilman Davis and Councilwoman Ames don’t do anything for the community. The 1st and the 4th ward need a new leader since these two individuals are doing a horrible job. They need to go. I will even go as far as supporting a Dominican in both wards to run this two do nothing council person out of there.
Remember, FBI is watching you!
I have lost lot of faith on our Politicians…they have promise us better Education for our kids, lower taxes. etc. I’m just disgusted with Paterson….we just keep hiring out of town teacher that do not care about our kids…they do not invest their money in our town, that we are trying to work so very hard to keep clean & open new bussiness. Most of our home owners are loosing their homes, We need honest Politician that are willing to REALLY help us & work with us. I’m not asking for a miracle. If it comes out of your mouth that your are going to do something…please do it…that’s it..God bless Everyone.. n race should NEVER be an issue…
Well i agree with a lot of what my patersonians have to say…but on the other hand..Don’t talk bad about other cultures, races or religions. That what makes USA a better place that we are all different but want the best for our families!!! Some of the comments are hurtfull & simply on call for. That’s one of the reason that i do not move from paterson because, my kids go to school & eat lunch from kids around the world, I think that is a great experience for my children to play baseball with kids from all over..and not see color or religion…;0)
To Jayson353:
I can tell by reading your post that you have no idea what you are talking about and more than likely are not involve in any type of community improvement activities. You have no idea how government works and thus it is that makes you think the way you do. For instance, did you know loitering laws are illegal: http://www.libertarianrock.com/topics/curfew/chicago_loitering.html
This site is truly for fools that do nothing for the community but love to hide behind a computer to complaint about the work others do.
Everybody on here needs to stop complaining. The politicians in Paterson are no different than politicians elsewhere in the world. We sit here and complain about them, as if they are the cause of all of our problems. Yes, some of them are terrible, BUT it’s the RESIDENTS of our city who need to CHANGE there ways! The politicans cannot replace every child’s mother or father. The problem in our inner cities, such as Paterson is that people REALLY DONT CARE. Kids are having kids, and raising them in a place where they are not taught right from wrong, and they learn from role models that just got out of prision. As far as loitering….there is no such law in the State of New Jersey; however, where are the parents when you have 10,11,12,13,14 year olds hanging out on Straight/Broadway, Rosa Parks/Godwin, Temple/N.7th, Jefferson/N.Main? Where are they? When kids can do whatever they please, when they want to, they will grow up without a sense of authority. A philosopher named Immanuel Kant observed, “If a man be allowed to follow his own will in his youth, without opposition, a certain lawlessness will cling to him throughout his life”. This is exactly what’s going on in Paterson. Kids having kids, no role models, poor living/housing conditions, government dependence, and absolutley no desire to make the city better.
ab121, why dont you start by voting Vera and Davis out of the city council. They dont do #$% for the community.
Patersonians: This is not what our forthfathers fought or,and this is certainly not what Dr. King stood up for. We can not discriminate or choose our elected officials based on their race because divisions will get worse and worse, If we say choose only a black politician, then there will be the inner fight: why not a Jamaican? a Haitian? etc. same goes if a Latino is chosen, then there’ll be the fight: why a Puerto Rican? why a Dominican? etc..
So let’s choose our politicians carefully: based on their deeds and deiciation to the entire city of Paterson.
There are very important elections coming up in May, that of Mayor and council.
MAYOR RACE 2010
Honestly both Mr. Torres And Mr. jones have great qualities and each one wants to take the city in a different direction, so choose which direction you feel is better and elect your candidate.
COUNCIL RACE
I must start by saying how obvious it is that Santana himself writes comments praising himself! please the only reason hes doing taht scholarship fund is to make a name for himself, what a joke ! second highest vote getter??? lol! out of three isn’t much!! no way I would ever vote for him!
I honestly feel that we need a good mix of both senior council members and fresh young faces.
We nedd tjhose who have lived all their live sin Paterson and have chosen to stay and improve the city ! I would like to see someone elected who doesn’t belong to a “political team”. I have my eye open on a few candidates..
As for our African American parade: kudos to mayor Torres for having a float form the city of Paterson participate, I also saw participation from the Jones for mayor team, and Davila for council team. but what happened to the rest of the council aspirants? or is our African American Parade not important enough for your participation?
Everyone is watching…
“Bunch of Fools,” love your computer handle. How fitting. At least we know your affiliation! As far I’m concerned, I probably do more for the community than your above average citizen. Yes, “fool” probably more than you. I’m simply sharing ideas like everyone else, glad you can read… Interesting how your so concerned with people’s right to hang around on the street corners at all hours and do exactly What?????? Demonstrate against Violence? Fight the Power? Demonstrate for Lower Taxes? I think not!!!!! I’m just concerned that we live in a town that has become accustomed to blaring music at all hours, fights, drunks, drugs, and blighted neighborhoods. Where do you stand? I’m sharing my ideas on the comments section of this article. Who’s hiding? I read your link…. Wow. So we should all just go away and not care about the fools(probably your boys) hanging on our corners. I guess your also for hiring private companies to police our neighborhoods. Great just what we need in Paterson!!! I suppose according to your article link we all would just take money from our pockets to pay for this extra service. We already have a police department. Like I said before, I have seen what the enforcement of “quality of life” laws can do in other communities. I guess “Bunch of fools” loves this site. Glad that my bit of writing got you excited enough to share your views. I don’t care for people like you who make excuses. I simply see an impotent police department and an unwilling city council. I’ve watched a few council meetings and honestly laughed!!! They should create a reality show. Seriously….. These people can not work together. How can they in turn provide guidance and vision for our city?