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Former Palisades Park

mayor appointed
borough clerk in
Englewood Cliffs advertisement

was cut, just as the borough was set to begin

negotiations with the police union.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011

BY GIOVANNA FABIANO
Democrats Ilan Plawker and Melanie Simon
The Record abstained from Tuesday’s vote, saying they
STAFF WRITER had never met Spohn or seen her resume.
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS — A divided borough
Douglas Doyle, of Decotiis, Fitzpatrick and
council appointed a former Palisades Park
Cole, was appointed as borough attorney and
mayor to serve as the borough clerk and
labor attorney, replacing Fred Semrau and
administrator, despite a crowd of more than
Fred Knapp.
100 residents who turned out to show their
support for the women who were ousted
The vote widened the rift between council
from those positions this month.
Republicans and Democrats, who vehemently
disagreed with the decision and held a rally
The council voted four to two in favor of
on Jan. 14 in support of Cohen and Duffy. A
Susan McGinley-Spohn, a former
crowd also turned out at a regular meeting
administrator, mayor and councilwoman in
last week, and on Tuesday the council was
Palisades Park — at a special meeting
handed a petition signed by 380 residents
Tuesday night, with the two Democrats
asking them to reappoint the women.
abstaining.
Democrats and several members of the
Spohn will replace the ousted clerk, Ilene
council chastised Council President Robert
Cohen, and deputy clerk, Lisette Duffy, who
Agresta and Councilwoman Carrol
were let go in a surprise move at the
McMorrow, both of whom are Republicans,
reorganization meeting on Jan. 2, along with
saying the Republican majority was being
Borough Attorney Fred Semrau. The
“secretive” by refusing to name their
borough’s labor attorney, Fred Knapp, also
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recommendation to replace Cohen and Duffy

before Tuesday.

Democratic Councilwoman Melanie Simon

then introduced a motion to appoint former
Borough Clerk Joseph Favaro to his old job advertisement
for $15,000 a year, with no health benefits.

The Republicans voted against the measure,

drawing jeers from the crowd.

Cohen and Duffy had agreed to work until

Tuesday, and were present at the meeting.
Cohen sat on the dais and took roll call for
each measure, including those that pertained
to her job.

Republican council members largely declined

to comment when asked by the public why
they decided to cut Cohen and Duffy, when
Spohn would make the same salary as
Cohen.

Cohen, a borough resident and former

school board member, made $75,000 a year
as borough administrator and clerk.

Spohn would replace Cohen at the same

salary. Under Agresta’s plan, Duffy’s position
would be eliminated.

E-mail: fabiano@northjersey.com

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