Councilman Manolio: My input is ignored, and sometimes ridiculed - No... http://www.northjersey.com/news/101049904_Democratic_councilman_...

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Story tools Councilman Manolio: My input is

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ignored, and sometimes ridiculed
E-mail this story Thursday, August 19, 2010
LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2010, 1:21 AM
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Decrease Font Size BY AMANDA BASKIND
Increase Font Size NORTHERN VALLEY SUBURBANITE
STAFF WRITER

Englewood Cliffs — Ilan Plawker and Thomas Manolio, the borough’s two
0 Democratic councilmen, threw in the towel at the borough’s council meeting on
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Both said they were tired of the endless arguing, which they contend has plagued
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The two men, who have served on the council for 15 years, read from statements
they wrote before the meeting and suggested that the Republicans had held "secret
vote
meetings" to discuss borough matters.
now
Asked to respond directly to that remark, Council President Robert Agresta, a
Republican, said in an e-mail message on Monday: "Former Councilman Manolio
and Councilman Plawker have been noticed in accordance with the law and
procedure by the borough clerk of every meeting held. They themselves
acknowledged their choice not to attend budget meetings."

In a letter in this issue of the Northern Valley Suburbanite on Page 10,

Councilwoman Carrol McMorrow, a Republican, wrote that "the allegations of
‘secret meetings’ are completely false and sadly part of a larger smear campaign the
local Democrats are conducting to distract attention away from the positive changes
we are bringing to local government."

McMorrow’s letter reads it was regretful that Plawker and Manolio cited "constant
bickering" as the reason for their departure. She writes "debate is healthy and
necessary for good government as long as it is in a civil manner" and that Mayor
Joseph Parisi, Jr., a Democrat, is unaccustomed to working in a two party system.
She urged the mayor to allow for a more bipartisan effort.

Both Plawker and Monolio were up for re-election in the fall.

Plawker a member of the state board of education, served as council president for
12 years. He said he felt his experienced-based input was no longer valued.
"Frankly, other than the bickering we find ourselves engaged in at every meeting
well into the morning hours, our deliberations are of no substantive value," he said.

While Plawker, who’s also a member of the ambulance corps, said at the meeting
that he planned to finish his current term but would withdraw his name from the
November ballot, he indicated in a telephone interview on Monday that his
situation was somewhat uncertain.

"There is a great deal of turmoil about these decisions that may result in a slate not
being finalized," he said, adding that Manolio’s position had not changed.

Monolio, who appeared to be about to break into tears as he read his statement,
decided to resign, effective immediately, and withdraw his name for re-election.

"My input is ignored, and sometimes ridiculed," said Monolio. He said he was not
quitting but merely stepping aside. Manolio said the borough council meeting had
become a "monthly charade, black comedy if you will."

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Councilman Manolio: My input is ignored, and sometimes ridiculed - No... http://www.northjersey.com/news/101049904_Democratic_councilman_...

Monolio walked out of the July meeting after an argument with Agresta. Agresta
was not at the Aug. 11 meeting.

Monolio, a member of the fire department, cited a day in 1995, when the late Mayor
Joseph Parisi Sr. came to his house and asked him to think about running for the
council. "It was one of the proudest moments of my life," he said.

After Monolio finished reading his statement, Parisi, son of the late mayor,
expressed how disheartened he was that both men felt compelled to leave the
council. The meeting then went into a recess.

Some residents cheered Plawker and Manolio after they read their statements and
expressed regrets over their decision when the floor was opened for the public
comments. Many seemed shocked by the statements.

Councilman Eric Petrone, a Republican, said he was upset Manolio resigned but
that the Republicans should not be blamed for the council not working well
together.

The two other Republicans present, Martin Asatrian and McMorrow, did not
comment during the meeting.

E-mail: baskind@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6700

Click here for more news from: Englewood Cliffs

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