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7

Ledger: Mayor, Council keep on feuding

Filed Under Elbert Smith, June Korzeneski, Nathalie Yafet, The Leadership | Leave a Comment

Hillside residents try to unite leaders

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Friday, March 07, 2008

BY JASON JETT

Star-Ledger Staff

Despite pleas by community residents for them to work together for the betterment of Hillside, political warring continues unabated between the mayor and township council.

Mayor Karen McCoy Oliver and the council majority currently are fighting over the township attorney post, remediation of contaminants at the former Bristol-Myers headquarters and funding for the Hillside Municipal Alliance.

Oliver contends the fighting is one way, with the council doing all the warring by usurping her authority and undermining her administration.

Council members maintain they have to take action, even if it means exceeding their authority, to keep the township functioning because the mayor does nothing.

An effort by a group of community residents to mediate the dispute has met with resistance.

A community forum is to be held 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Hillside Public Library, but Council President Leonard Gilbert and a majority of members have stated they do not plan to attend.

“I’m there,” the mayor said. “I committed myself to being there back in January.”

Also expected to participate are 2nd Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates and school board members Nathalie Yafet, Elbert Smith and June Korzeneski. Read more