To the editor:
After a botched attempt to fire well-performing Borough Administrator and CFO Jon DeJoseph on Sept. 10, and despite an amazing lack of understanding of what they were trying to do, the Hillsdale Council voted on Oct. 1 to fire DeJoseph. I have never seen such a poorly prepared group try to make a decision. It was embarrassing to watch. (You can watch it on the borough website) They acted despite public outrage over their obviously unprofessional and unjustified actions.
Under DeJoseph’s management, the town is running better than it has in years. More roads are paved, leaves and snow are removed efficiently, DPW has new and better equipment, the bandshell in Beechwood is rejuvenated, and Hillsdale has gotten more grants than it has in years. The list of grants and improvements is too long for this letter.
DeJoseph holds state certification as a qualified purchasing agent and has saved the borough thousands through savvy purchasing and watching out for our tax dollars, something this council has failed to do. That is why Mayor [John] Ruocco and Councilman Zoltan Horvath voted against his firing.
Councilmembers [Frank] Pizzella and [Abby] Lundy will now be searching for a separate BA, CFO and QPA. We will pay a lot more for new people at a critical time with union negotiations, budget and many other immediate projects. How can anyone trust their judgment on any new hires? Will quality candidates come to work for Hillsdale when they learn how this council treats employees? Taxpayers should be on the lookout for cronyism, which is rewarding their friends.
It is also time for residents to question the tens of thousands of dollars that Pizzella has wasted on his confused redevelopment dreams. Despite threats of lawsuits from property owners, he continues to push his plans. Do we really need our property owners suing Hillsdale? Pizzella’s plan will create over-development and more traffic gridlock in Hillsdale. It will also have a negative impact on our schools. He is sacrificing our quality of life to accomplish his personal goals.
Hillsdale deserves better. While Pizzella speaks out against tenure for any employee, he inexplicably requests a third term. Voters should respect his denial of tenure, and reject his request to be re-elected. We need a new bi-partisan council to stop cronyism and group think. I am supporting Republican Janetta Trochimiuk and Democrat Ian Askins for Council. I urge all Republicans and Independents to do the same.
Douglas Frank
Former Republican Mayor of Hillsdale
Editor’s note: For background, see “Hillsdale Council Resolves to Break Up Admin/CFO Role,” John Snyder, Sept. 13.
