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[miked]

Guttenberg council fails to show for first meeting after mayor's indictment
by Charles Hack Wednesday October 10, 2007, 9:51 AM
The Guttenberg Town Council, set to meet last night for the first time since Mayor David Delle Donna was indicted on corruption charges, abruptly canceled its meeting last night, offering by way of explanation only a sign announcing that it could not reach a quorum.

As late as 3:30 p.m. yesterday, three hours before it was set to begin, town officials said the meeting was on. But the roughly 20 residents who showed up - one of whom was planning to read a statement asking Delle Donna to resign - will have to wait until next time.

[Guest]

maybe they all disappeared like the AC mayor Levy?

anybody see councilman draseff around lately isn't he running the recall?

[Guest]

looks like the galaxy and the town use the same kind of tricks to stay in power.
could they be coached by the same boss?

[Barry]

Guttenberg cancels first meeting since mayor scandal
by Charles Hack
Wednesday October 10, 2007, 8:30 PM

GUTTENBERG -- So much for public accountability.

The Town Council canceled its caucus at the last minute Tuesday night, denying disappointed residents their first opportunity to hear from the council since Mayor David Delle Donna and his wife were indicted on corruption charges.

Roughly 20 residents who showed up for the scheduled meeting were met by a purple sign saying the meeting was canceled because the council did not have a quorum -- enough members to hold a vote.

"The council still has to run the town," Gonzalo Perez, a 70th Street resident. "The mayor's indictment is encroaching on town business."

Delle Donna and his wife Anna were indicted on Sept. 28 on charges they diverted campaign cash. Each was charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and extortion.

As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, town officials confirmed the meeting would be held as scheduled.
Mario Falato, of 68th Street, said he planned to deliver a letter to the town council saying the indictment of Delle Donna and his wife casts a "dark cloud" over the governing body and asking them to demand the mayor resign or the council would bear the "stigma of wrongdoing."

"It is in the best interests of the town if the mayor steps down," Falato said.

Council members, Delle Donna and the Town Attorney Charles Daglian did not return multiple calls today.
In Guttenberg, the mayor attends council meetings and caucuses, and in the event of a tie vote, the mayor casts the deciding vote.

Ingrid Reed, a policy analyst with the Eagleton Institute of Politics, said that although indicted officials are innocent until proven guilty, it's in the best interest of the public for them to temporarily hand over the reins while their case works its way through the legal system.

She also said that government officials should explain to the public what's going on.

"There are plenty of examples where officials have realized that when they are under indictment they can't give their full attention to the position and serving the public," Reed said. "It is in the best interest of the public that they know who is in charge and who is making the decisions."

Town Clerk Linda Martin said today that Tuesday's meeting was canceled when officials realized there wouldn't be enough council members at the meeting. She refused to comment further.

The next caucus and council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Town Hall.

[Local]

looks like busines as usual in Guttenberg. yes, the Galaxy and Guttenberg go hand in hand. We take out a loan, they take out a matching loan, could the money be flushed back and forth?

Who knows, and why would we let a town official be our electoin coordinator!!!!!!!!!!!?? That is a confliot of interest for the average citizen, but for some it works out really well!!

Is it true that Guttenberg was founded as a money laundering town for the former North Bergen race track??

that is what the old timers say, is it true that bad habits die hard.