To the editor:
One would think newly elected Mayor Peter Calamari of the Township of Washington would be a man of his word and his campaign slogan, “It’s time for a new township,” but sadly we will continue with the same shenanigans that we have had for years, nepotism at its best.
Calamari knows there has been a payment issue for years with the town attorney. If he can be a salary employee or contractual employee, so here was the chance to break free and get the second best attorney out there and pay him legally, not leaving it up to the director of law who is our attorney for a decision.
He also appointed the same risk manager and the same police director. All have deep ties to the Calamari family, all have been well compensated over the years, and all are part of the well greased Republican machine in town.
I have to compliment the new council who represent us, the people, when Calamari read off his appointments for attorney – risk manager – police director/EMO director, and recreation director as each one was read aloud the new council did not motion for it. Lack of a motion should mean this mayor should respect the voice of the people (the Council) and pick all new people for those positions.
But that will not happen. Calamari will not be allowed to do that by his advisors, who are the people he is trying to appoint. The correct thing that should happen is the attorney – the risk manager the administrator and the recreation director should respect the voice of the people (the council) and resign, but that will never happen either so, as I said, we have no change.
Calamari knew this may happen but he chose to be just like the past mayor and mayor before.
Take a picture, people. Nothing will change and all the friends and associates will still be taken care of.
Joe D’Urso
Township of Washington
The writer is a former township councilman