ROSELLE—The Division of Local Government Services (LGS) may impose fines on Roselle borough council members for failing to adopt a budget in accordance with state law due to the political manipulations of Council President Jamel Holley.
LGS Director Marc Pfeiffer warned in his March 26 letter that if local officials continue playing politics, he could impose fines and order state officials to strike a tax rate and spending plan for the municipality.
Holley has been playing a game of political tug-o-war with Mayor Garrett Smith since winning control over the governing body in last year’s election.
Holley replaced officials appointed by Smith and hired several additional attorneys, including state Assemblyman John Wisniewski and John Hudak, who is the subject of controversy because his appointment as $100,000 a year assistant city attorney was vetoed by Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka.
Rev. James Moore, the former school board president, is challenging Holley in the June 8 Democratic primary election.
The item left out the $250,000 budget hole by the stopping of state aid which has to be plugged. Also, the recent audit that was done during the Mayor Smith/CFO Mapp control of the budget demonstrating many questions as to their financial stewardship.