Ridgewood councilwoman Gwenn Hauck says she’d vote on Valley Hospital expansion
Tuesday June 11, 2013, 9:40 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck says she would not recuse herself if the council were to vote on The Valley Hospital’s expansion plans, despite her previous connections to the facility.
Hauck, who was elected last summer, said during a meeting that she would participate in a council vote on the expansion if Ridgewood’s Planning Board approves the plan. Hauck previously served as The Valley Hospital Auxiliary’s vice president, a volunteer position charged with raising money for the hospital.
Valley’s proposed expansion of its floor space by 77 percent and addition of a parking garage are before the Planning Board. If approved there, the plans would go before the council.
Lorraine Reynolds, representing Concerned Residents of Ridgewood, a group opposing the expansion, asked Hauck if she would recuse herself from the council vote, implying he has a conflict of interest.
“I’m no different than anyone else,” Hauck said, adding she could remain objective in a council vote on the hospital project.
“I think you’re lying to yourself,” Reynolds responded.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/Ridgewood_councilwoman_says_shed_vote_on_Valley.html
Did you really expect that she wouldn’t???? Come on people the fix is in!
This is her whole reason for being on the council.
What can the tax payers do to prevent this or retaliate if she does vote?
Why is there a shit storm now about this woman – everybody knew that when she ran for election she had strong connections to Valley and that it was a dangerous move to vote her onto the VC – as we all know, a conflict of interest is a set of circumstances that creates a risk that professional judgement or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest. In other words, it can lead to a corrupt practice and if Gwenn Hauck decides to participate in the vote pertaining to Valley’s expansion, then, when her financials are checked, even from her election campaign, and evidence is found that there were contributions to that campaign by senior executives from Valley, then Hauck will be in a lot of trouble – US law on government (federal, state and local prohibits such practice so not only will she face the issues from the state, but she could find herself in front of a Federal judge. She doesn’t appear to be that smart but yet people voted for her. How unwise.
What is truly amazing is that in a town that supposedly consists of a larger percentage of more highly educated people, she was able to get elected based solely on her position to vote “yes” on something that, if allowed to proceed further, will give a whole new meaning to the term “Village of Ridgewood.”
No wonder that even people who don’t live here are questioning what is going on.
Some of us thought that she had some semblance of morals and an understanding or propriety.
It’s a shame, and she should be ashamed!
Obviously, her being “ashamed” will have nothing to do with it. She will, however, look very good to her friends and relatives who helped put her in a position to destroy the basic fabric of this town. To her,that is all that really counts.
I do not have a problem with the fact that she was elected. But I am shocked that she does not know enough to recuse herself from a vote on Valley. She must know but does not care.
Gonna het that building named after daddy!
This is all about personal agendas,nothing more.
” I am no different than anyone else” Hauck said. Trusts funds, Country Club, friends in high places that can be bought and sold…Really Gwenn?
You people are really nasty. Take your attitudes back to Rutherford where you came from.
I don’t know who “Rutherford” is a swipe at. There are a lot of people who do not like your friend Gwenn. She is not cut out for poiltics, lack of integrity is her biggest problem. Followed by a lack of spine.
OK Gwenn , spoken like a true Ridgewood elite