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Civility for one is Civility for all Mr Mayor

Paul_Aronsohn_theridgewood blog

Civility for one is Civility for all Mr Mayor

August 6,2014
the staff of the Ridgewood blog 
Ridgewood NJ, At the August 5 Village Council meeting several people spontaneously applauded when Councilwoman Knudsen made an impassioned statement about saving the Schedler House.  Mayor Aronsohn immediately shushed these people and reprimanded them for lack of “decorum.”  That a positive “comment” in the form of brief applause would be squelched seems particularly contradictory from one who constantly calls for civility – there were no boos, hisses, or comments that would be considered rude.  At the previous meeting, on July 15, when resident Jim Griffiths spoke passionately about the discussion regarding the title of Ms. Matthews’ Human Resources position, applause broke out from some in the audience.  Mayor Aronsohn said nothing and did not reprimand these individuals.  Why this inconsistency?  Here’s why:  he agreed with Mr. Griffiths and he disagreed with Councilwoman Knudsen.

It is also noted that in some instances the Mayor stops a citizen from speaking at the stroke of 5 minutes, whereas in other cases he allows the speaker to proceed long past the five-minute mark.

The times when an individual has been badgered and verbally harassed under Mayor Aronsohn’s leadership are too numerous to count.  Coucilpersons Riche, Walsh, Knudsen and Sedon,  Chief Ward and Clerk Mailander, as well as some members of the public,  have all been maligned by Mr. Aronsohn, by some of his elected colleagues, or by members of the public who have spoken at the podium.

A mayor should conduct meetings in a civil, consistent, and fair manner.  Mr. Aronsohn’s obvious attempts to control the commentary are extraordinarily unprofessional and unbecoming to one who has been entrusted with authority.  While entitled to his own biases and opinions, he is not entitled to control the public conversation to his liking by shushing the people he doesn’t agree with while allowing others to go on (or clap on) at length, and by attacking (or allowing others to attack) those he does not like.

Mr. Mayor, you should be ashamed of yourself.  You are behaving like a petulant child who is not getting his way.  You are abusing the power of your office by running the meetings with great bias and inconsistency.  Remember how badly you wanted this job?  Well, why don’t you treat this position with respect by conducting the meetings more professionally?