Is “hypocrisy” the gold standard in the McCormac Administration?

The seating arrangements at the Woodbridge Township town council dais were recently shuffled, but the players and the game seems to be the same: Spending for votes and doing the Mayor’s bidding!

As records will show, there have been times when a town council president was asked, prior to calling for a council vote on a resolution, to explain how much money was being allocated and for what purpose.   Sadly, on at least one occasion, the town Clerk had to provide details of the resolution to the council president, in order for the president to answer the question.  Well, at least most of the council members know where to apply their rubberstamp.

When it comes to ensuring the mayor’s bidding gets done, the counsel and the mayor’s administrative minions have no compunctions about using insults, threats of removal from the council chambers and even possible arrest to dissuade a dissenter from speaking vehemently, but without foul or inappropriate language, against an administration plan or request.

It is astounding how council members and administration officials will try to stifle a speaker by interrupting and/or belittling them.  At times, they have even admonish the entire gallery for supportive outbreaks of a speaker, but allow those you praise the council, the mayor or his administration, much latitude in speaking and applauding.  Is that hypocritical of them?

At most council meetings the prominent spokesperson for the McCormac administration, and a frequent responder for council members who are stumped for answers, is the township’s Business Agent, Mr. Robert Landolfi.

Some see Mr. Landolfi as a person capable of both articulating the administration’s positions and intentions, as well as defending them.  He will go to great lengths to ensure the interest of the council and the administration are protected.  After all, as a non-resident employee, he has to protect his position and pension with all the options and tools at his disposal.  It may appear to some, one such option is a double standard.

At the February 7, 2012 Council meeting Mr. Landolfi was in true form.  With the mayor at his side, he lampooned township residents for being insensitive and political for speaking about subjects the mayor and the council did not want discussed.  But the height of the man’s hypocrisy was reserved for his closing commentary; a time in the council proceedings when the public is forbidden to speak.

Mr. Landolfi, playing to those in attendance and for the TV35 camera, implored everyone to allow the system to get to the truth about the excessive force/brutality allegations leveled against a Woodbridge police officer.  I completely agree that the officer deserves a fair hearing on the matter and that people should not rush to judgment. But how disingenuous is it of Mr. Landolfi to plead for tolerance, when he has excoriated others that also had allegations of wrong doing brought against them. Some of those allegation and charges were made by the township which employs him. In his zeal to accomplish the goals of his employer, Mr. Landolfi has, on several occasions, cited the alleged wrong doings of those individuals, knowing full well the parties were still seeking redress of the charges in the courts.  Perhaps, being unsure of and impatient with the system, Mr. Landolfi preferred to have the matter tried in the town council chambers, where he could take on the unchallenged roll of prosecutor, judge, jury and… well, you get the picture.  Can anyone see a kangaroo in any of this?