file photo Boyd Loving
Aronsohn pokes fun at Mahwah Town Council Re: recent meeting fiasco
March 26,2015
Boyd Loving
Civility For Thee…
…but not for me. As if his verbal thrashings of former village council members were not enough, a certain someone is at it again. While pontificating on the importance of “civility,” he performs the nearly impossible feat of serving up a heaping helping of boorish incivility to yet another colleague. The next nonsensical forum Mr. Mayor convenes should be an in-depth analysis of why the fellow to his left can’t seem to mind his manners. The unintended consequence of those “transparent” public meetings is a never-ending video stream of reference for anyone who may have forgotten just how uncivilized Frick and Frack can be. Aahhh, Mahwah..such a lofty goal.
Ridgewood NJ, Just moments after Ridgewood Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli and Councilwoman Susan Knudsen got into a rather heated verbal exchange on the dais (over a report Knudsen had requested from the Village’s new Building Department Director Thomas Yotka), Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn publicly poked fun at Mahwah’s Town Council in connection with a recent meeting in Mahwah, captured on video, at which the tempers of several Town Council members flared up.
This longtime Blog reader and contributor now wonders if Mr. Aronsohn actually listens to or looks at anyone but himself during meetings of the Ridgewood Village Council.
Because if he did, he would certainly recognize that the behaviors of many people sitting on the dais along side of him (both elected and appointed representatives of the Village) are far from being what I would classify as respectful of others. Phrases such as “. . . don’t flatter yourself” and body language like a deliberately exaggerated rolling of the eyes (in response to an impassioned speech by a member of the audience or Councilperson) have no place on the dais.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. An old, but appropriate, proverb with respect to Village Council actions of late.
https://politickernj.com/2015/03/council-members-criticize-mayor-after-mahwah-meeting-meltdown/
The goings on in Mahwah seem similar to Ridgewood. A new mayor make it his business to fire an existing manager who happens to have the wrong political affiliation. Important votes are complicated by unsolicited suggestions that one or more council members suffer from a conflict of interest and should therefore recuse themselves. Same stuff, different town.
Great posting. CIVILITY – NOT
Councilwoman Knudsen was very civil. She was a model of proper behavior, as always.
Her two counterparts Gwenn and Albert were very rude. We are all sick to death of the nasty words that come from the mouths of those who preach civility. We hear this nastiness from them in public, and some of us have had the opportunity to hear nastiness from them via emails, messages on answering machines, and in face-to-face confrontations outside of a meeting. Enough. We deserve better.
James – you selected an excellent photo from your archive of photos. Paul and Albert look annoyed (as always) and Susan is actually studying the papers that are being discussed (as always). Too bad Gwenn’s face is not in the picture with the reflection of her iphone shining blue in her eyes (which is all she does at meetings, except when little bits of nonsense or nastiness spew from her mouth)
The three ran on the same ticket it would serve Mr. Aronsohn well to either reel in his Deputy Mayor or distance himself from him if has any hope of winning the next election
Just look at the smirk on Alberts face. That says it all.
When people want to hide their shortcomings they always point out someone else shortcomings
You cannot rein in the deputy mayor. He is who he is, and he cannot control his outbursts
hey there Mr. Mayor
you chair the meetings. Surely you are well-versed in Roberts Rules of Order. As such, you know that part of Roberts Rules reads as follows: “Avoid all personalities. Never allude to another person by name or to motives.” Under points of order it reads, ” Infraction of the rules or decorum in speaking must be raised immediately after the error is made.”
So do you mind telling the citizens of Ridgewood why you allowed TWO of your elected comrades to speak so nastily and dismissively to Councilwoman Knudsen? Why didn’t you rein them in, or at least reprimand them immediately and publicly ? Some leader you are. You certainly have no regard for civility.
Al and Gwenn were completely uncivil to Susan, in different ways. Al, by not being able to control himself and say to Susan, “it’s not all about you, don’t flatter yourself”. Gwenn was uncivil by gushing over the data that Tom had provided and inferring it was a waste of his time. Wasn’t he just doing his job? Isn’t that data important so the council members can vote having actual facts? Susan always delves further to get the whole picture before voting. I may not always agree with her, but I am confident she never votes without having the facts.
the way thing’s are going on in the village, you three are next to go. OH’ I MEAN OUT SOURCE YOU THREE. you think your shit don’t stink. yeah wake up .you don’t know what the hell you doing. you have a manager that should not be a manager, she is in the fog, it’s take years to learn how things work . and she is getting the wrong info fro some one.
you look like and sound like a real jack ass. go back to your office al, and look at your self and say what the hell am I do in village hall. do I need this shit. it’s time to find a new hobby.
Hey eye ball he does go back to his office and look at himself in a floor to ceiling mirror but he doesn’t to the conclusion you posted rather he tell himself that Ridgewood could not do without him.
you may be right , boy ridgewood was much better off with out him
Albert says to Susan, “don’t flatter yourself.” Meanwhile all Albert does is flatter HIMSELF, constantly.
Just watched the ustream video and watched in horror as Hauck and Puca relli treated Knudson so badly. What’s wrong with Susan asking for information from staff? That’s the job of our elected coun cil members. Gwen is a bully with a bad smile. She should check her bulling at the door. Al is a narcissist. He should check his narcissism at the door. The mayor is an a**h***. He should check his a**hole*** at the door.
Good job Susan you should keep up the good work and not be bullied by the uncivil three amigos.