file photo Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Resolution 13-87 (April 24, 2013), item #4 reads as follows:
Telephonic or electronic communication between or among Councilmembers or between a Councilmember and a member of the public during public meetings is prohibited.
This Resolution was written by Pucciarelli and Walsh in 2013. Pucciarelli initiated writing it because his conduct had been questioned as a possible violation of The Sunshine Law. He felt that a road-map for proper conduct was needed for council members. It is entitled “Village Council Meetings and Communications Protocol.” It was voted in unanimously.
When a member of the public asked the Council, in October of 2014, whether they were complying with this particular line item, Pucciarelli, Hauck, and Aronsohn all admitted that they do have their phones on and they do receive communications. Sedon and Knudsen firmly stated that they do not. Hauck was outspokenly affronted that her integrity had been called into question. Pucciarelli went on a riff about emergencies and his family having to let him know what is going on. (note to Albert – the POLICE DEPARTMENT is in the building, they can run upstairs if one of his family members calls in an emergency). Aronsohn said his wife sends him little jokey texts (how cute). No matter whether it is a family member or anyone else, these are members of the public who are in touch with members of the Council during Public Meetings.
What is the point in having the Resolution if it is not respected? What is the point of having a Sunshine Law if quiet communications are taking place during public meetings?
This emerging scandal brought about by Councilwoman Hauck’s appearance of being ” handled electronically” during public meetings violates the Open Public Meetings Act. It is also an ethical lapse and poor judgement on her part.
My question is: What authority is responsible for investigation her possible violation of the law and the Councils own ethical resolution? Should not the Mayor, the presiding officer, ask her directly to cease and desist all electronic communication during meetings if that is what is happening?
If Pucciarelli is concerned with security, then the Village Manager should direct the police chief to deploy and officer in the courtroom.
Recall Hauck.
They went to the trouble of writing the ordinance but what’s the consequence for violations? Seems easier to just turn off phones and provide alternate emergency number to family members.
The excuse that the phone/tablet was only being used for internet research will be used. It will be difficult to prove that texting/emailing was being engaged in, unless records are obtained. It would also be easy to wear a small Bluetooth earpiece to get verbal guidance, as the earpiece could easily be hidden under hair.
Why have them at all during council meetings, as for Hauck she is just plain incompetent the other two do not care.
This is just the latest example of our Council majority’s opinion that “rules are for others”. One only needs to look back at the recent civility hearings to find the previous such example.
Time to ditch the 3 amigos and remember that the 2 running in the NJ elections are cozy with them (and the Democrat puppetmasters)
The three of them definitely consider themselves to be above the rules, even rules that they wrote and signed off on. When questioned about it they were defensive, and ms. Hauck got nasty. Blame was passed to the planning board – using the middle schooler tactic of “they are doing it so why can’t we?” What a lame excuse. They wrote the rule for VC meetings ( not planning board or any other meetings) and a good rule it is. Evidently they just made the rule for show, fancy wallpaper. It is disgraceful that they break the rule. It is so completely obvious that communications, quiet secret communications, are ongoing during PUBLIC meetings. Flagrant foul.
Jokey texts can wait until after the meeting. And I do not believe that for one second anyway.
She was bored and watching kitten videos.
Ok I will ask the question. Did she donate money to the RBA for Shedler Field?
9:43 AM – The mayor will not ask her to cease and desist because he is too busy texting cute messages back and forth to his sweetie pie.
Can their conversations during a council meeting be requested under the Open Public Records Act? Can they be monitored by the whole audience and projected on a screen behind their backs? I thought not.
S. Frapz – Well, maybe cell phones could be jammed in the courtroom when meetings are in session. That would fox their boxes.