>> yes. >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to record. Is there anyone wishing to address the council? >> Yes. Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning, members of council. >> My name is David America Connor and I'm >> My name is David America Connor and I'm an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne Morris. I'm here to provide public Morris. I'm here to provide public comment on behalf of my client Benjamin comment on behalf of my client Benjamin Moore and Company, which has operated a Moore and Company, which has operated a paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city of Newark since 1925. of Newark since 1925. The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark facility are 114 to 120 Listister facility are 114 to 120 Listister Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is proud to call Newark its home, and it proud to call Newark its home, and it has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the city for decades. Benjamin Moore has city for decades. Benjamin Moore has made continual investments in its made continual investments in its property property in its decades of operation and it in its decades of operation and it employs 84 people at the facility, many employs 84 people at the facility, many of whom are residents of the city of of whom are residents of the city of Newark or Essex County more broadly. We Newark or Essex County more broadly.…
Show full comment (3198 words)
>> yes. >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to record. Is there anyone wishing to address the council? >> Yes. Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning, members of council. >> My name is David America Connor and I'm >> My name is David America Connor and I'm an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne Morris. I'm here to provide public Morris. I'm here to provide public comment on behalf of my client Benjamin comment on behalf of my client Benjamin Moore and Company, which has operated a Moore and Company, which has operated a paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city of Newark since 1925. of Newark since 1925. The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark facility are 114 to 120 Listister facility are 114 to 120 Listister Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is proud to call Newark its home, and it proud to call Newark its home, and it has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the city for decades. Benjamin Moore has city for decades. Benjamin Moore has made continual investments in its made continual investments in its property property in its decades of operation and it in its decades of operation and it employs 84 people at the facility, many employs 84 people at the facility, many of whom are residents of the city of of whom are residents of the city of Newark or Essex County more broadly. We Newark or Essex County more broadly. We are here today to provide public comment are here today to provide public comment are here today to provide public comment in this forum because our efforts to in this forum because our efforts to engage the Department of Economic and engage the Department of Economic and Housing Development and the Department Housing Development and the Department of Law on a matter of significant of Law on a matter of significant importance to Benjamin Moore have been importance to Benjamin Moore have been unsuccessful. unsuccessful. Those departments have not responded to Those departments have not responded to a letter that I sent on June 23rd, a letter that I sent on June 23rd, copies of which I have for each of you, copies of which I have for each of you, and numerous follow-up letters and phone and numerous follow-up letters and phone and numerous follow-up letters and phone calls. In brief, the issue is as calls. In brief, the issue is as follows. Benjamin Moore's property on follows. Benjamin Moore's property on Listister Avenue has been within an area Listister Avenue has been within an area Listister Avenue has been within an area designated as blighted since the 1960s. designated as blighted since the 1960s. After decades of inactivity, in 2017, After decades of inactivity, in 2017, the city entered into a redevelopment the city entered into a redevelopment agreement with the Morris Companies, agreement with the Morris Companies, purporting to grant to the Morris purporting to grant to the Morris Companies, or an entity of the Morris Companies, or an entity of the Morris Companies the power of eminent domain to Companies the power of eminent domain to Companies the power of eminent domain to acquire property for redevelopment. acquire property for redevelopment. Obviously, Benjamin Moore was and is Obviously, Benjamin Moore was and is quite concerned about the possibility of quite concerned about the possibility of quite concerned about the possibility of losing its manufacturing facility. losing its manufacturing facility. Efforts to litigate the validity of the Efforts to litigate the validity of the blight designation were unsuccessful as blight designation were unsuccessful as the courts affirmed that Benjamin Moore the courts affirmed that Benjamin Moore was too late to challenge the was too late to challenge the designation. So Benjamin Moore took a designation. So Benjamin Moore took a different approach asking the city to different approach asking the city to conduct a new study and consider conduct a new study and consider redesating the property. The city did so redesating the property. The city did so redesating the property. The city did so and in August 2024, this council adopted and in August 2024, this council adopted and in August 2024, this council adopted a resolution designating the properties a resolution designating the properties as a non-condemnation area in need of as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment and directed the central redevelopment and directed the central planning board to create a new planning board to create a new redevelopment plan for this area under redevelopment plan for this area under the modern local redevelopment and the modern local redevelopment and houses law. Since then, it appears that houses law. Since then, it appears that no progress has been made on the new no progress has been made on the new redevelopment plan. We are asking that redevelopment plan. We are asking that the city follow through on its promise the city follow through on its promise to develop a new redevelopment plan and to develop a new redevelopment plan and to involve Benjamin Moore in discussions to involve Benjamin Moore in discussions to involve Benjamin Moore in discussions about the future of its property. In about the future of its property. In addition, given the facts just addition, given the facts just described, we also believe that the described, we also believe that the current redevelopment agreement between current redevelopment agreement between the city and the Morris companies is the city and the Morris companies is invalid for two reasons. First, Morris invalid for two reasons. First, Morris missed a required deadline to acquire missed a required deadline to acquire properties for redevelopment or to properties for redevelopment or to request from the city the authority to request from the city the authority to condemn properties. condemn properties. >> I to say, thank you for your time. I >> I to say, thank you for your time. I >> I to say, thank you for your time. I mean, thank you for your comments. mean, thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, your time is expired. Unfortunately, your time is expired. >> Understood, Mr. President. Thank you. >> Understood, Mr. President. Thank you. >> Understood, Mr. President. Thank you. Can I leave copies of the letter that I Can I leave copies of the letter that I sent for each of the members of council? sent for each of the members of council? sent for each of the members of council? >> Absolutely. Um, Sylvester, if you can >> Absolutely. Um, Sylvester, if you can >> Absolutely. Um, Sylvester, if you can get that. get that. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your time. >> Deborah Salter, City of Newark. Now, I >> Deborah Salter, City of Newark. Now, I was trying to let uh things be. As you was trying to let uh things be. As you all know, I teach safety. I teach OSHA all know, I teach safety. I teach OSHA 30. I teach CPR, first aid, AED 30. I teach CPR, first aid, AED training. I did a class for the uh training. I did a class for the uh affirmative action here in city hall. affirmative action here in city hall. Um Kathy, who was in charge, uh Um Kathy, who was in charge, uh would enter my class several times, you would enter my class several times, you know, and uh know, and uh >> trying to find out what's going on or >> trying to find out what's going on or >> trying to find out what's going on or whatever. And whatever. And >> it was more like, you know, she was >> it was more like, you know, she was >> it was more like, you know, she was deciding who would who would and who deciding who would who would and who would not get their cards. would not get their cards. >> Fast forward, there's a student who was >> Fast forward, there's a student who was >> Fast forward, there's a student who was not not uh if I could say, up to snuff. He was uh if I could say, up to snuff. He was not doing the work. He was on his phone. not doing the work. He was on his phone. not doing the work. He was on his phone. He actually bucked up at me telling me He actually bucked up at me telling me all I do is run my mouth and all of this all I do is run my mouth and all of this all I do is run my mouth and all of this stuff. So, he was not getting certified stuff. So, he was not getting certified by me. He's not getting authorized by by me. He's not getting authorized by me. From that day to this one, I have me. From that day to this one, I have been harassed constantly by Kathy. Um, been harassed constantly by Kathy. Um, sent uh harassing text messages, phone sent uh harassing text messages, phone calls when I would not respond. So, the calls when I would not respond. So, the last two threatening ones I received, last two threatening ones I received, one was last week, well, I'm going to one was last week, well, I'm going to the mirror on you. Okay. Well, you don't the mirror on you. Okay. Well, you don't the mirror on you. Okay. Well, you don't know me. Okay. So, the last one was know me. Okay. So, the last one was yesterday morning. In fact, I want you yesterday morning. In fact, I want you to hear the disrespect. And but see, to hear the disrespect. And but see, this is what we suffer in the city when this is what we suffer in the city when we don't we're not willing to put our we don't we're not willing to put our credentials on the line just because credentials on the line just because you're cool with the mayor or the chief you're cool with the mayor or the chief of staff. And I will not remain silent. of staff. And I will not remain silent. I will not get myself stuck and get my I will not get myself stuck and get my credentials in trouble. The text said, credentials in trouble. The text said, "You on some egotistical BS." "You on some egotistical BS." So, because I'm following the rules and So, because I'm following the rules and I am not going to compromise, I want I am not going to compromise, I want some egotistical BS. some egotistical BS. This is what happens to those of us who This is what happens to those of us who do work in the city. And if the person do work in the city. And if the person is not pleased, they're going to run to is not pleased, they're going to run to the mayor and tell on us. the mayor and tell on us. I didn't know you were ignorant. I I didn't know you were ignorant. I didn't know you were so ignorant. didn't know you were so ignorant. Um, and I know you got paid, but you Um, and I know you got paid, but you will never do anything for this city will never do anything for this city again. That's why you're banned from the again. That's why you're banned from the again. That's why you're banned from the food drive. you do too much, you're food drive. you do too much, you're useless. This is what was texted to me by the employee that works here. by the employee that works here. So, when you talk about uh corruption in So, when you talk about uh corruption in So, when you talk about uh corruption in the city of Newark and the things that the city of Newark and the things that go on here, this is what happens. But go on here, this is what happens. But see, people are afraid. I'm not afraid see, people are afraid. I'm not afraid because I was already banned from because I was already banned from working in the city in 2018 by MIDI. So, working in the city in 2018 by MIDI. So, working in the city in 2018 by MIDI. So, all right, you're too late. But this is all right, you're too late. But this is what we the residents suffer. The what we the residents suffer. The bullying, the harassment, the constant bullying, the harassment, the constant walk walked up on me. What's up? What's walk walked up on me. What's up? What's up? What's up? up? What's up? Excuse me. Because I'm a professional. Excuse me. Because I'm a professional. My credentials are federally uh uh My credentials are federally uh uh authorized. authorized. I don't play games. I stand 10 toes down I don't play games. I stand 10 toes down I don't play games. I stand 10 toes down on business. on business. >> Thank you for your comments. Next >> Thank you for your comments. Next >> Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Any comments from the council? Any comments from the administration? >> Hi, good morning. Eric Pennington, >> Hi, good morning. Eric Pennington, business administrator. Just briefly business administrator. Just briefly with respect to the comments about with respect to the comments about Benjamin Moore, um I did receive a copy Benjamin Moore, um I did receive a copy of the letter that was referenced by of the letter that was referenced by this attorney. I think it's wholly this attorney. I think it's wholly inappropriate for him to come to council inappropriate for him to come to council inappropriate for him to come to council without reaching out to me uh who is uh without reaching out to me uh who is uh the supervisor of both the law the supervisor of both the law department and economic and housing department and economic and housing development to let me know that there is development to let me know that there is development to let me know that there is some issue. It's not my understanding some issue. It's not my understanding there's an issue with a response. I there's an issue with a response. I think this is a letter that we received think this is a letter that we received from this law firm uh representing from this law firm uh representing Benjamin Moore for the first time. It's Benjamin Moore for the first time. It's interesting that we are uh I'm hearing interesting that we are uh I'm hearing from this gentleman today since the from this gentleman today since the president of Benjamin Moore met with the president of Benjamin Moore met with the president of Benjamin Moore met with the mayor and I a little bit over a year ago mayor and I a little bit over a year ago mayor and I a little bit over a year ago to talk about the issues that we had. It to talk about the issues that we had. It to talk about the issues that we had. It was my understanding that the issues was my understanding that the issues were resolved. Um so now that he's were resolved. Um so now that he's bringing this to the council, I'm not bringing this to the council, I'm not exactly sure what he wants the council exactly sure what he wants the council to do other than perhaps uh put pressure to do other than perhaps uh put pressure to do other than perhaps uh put pressure on my office or litigation or our law on my office or litigation or our law department or economic and housing department or economic and housing development to respond. We intend to development to respond. We intend to respond. we will do so in due course. We respond. we will do so in due course. We respond. we will do so in due course. We have outside counsel looking into this. have outside counsel looking into this. They've raised some complex issues. Um They've raised some complex issues. Um to the extent that they have not to the extent that they have not received a response yet, this is the received a response yet, this is the first time I'm hearing about that first time I'm hearing about that because he hasn't reached out to me. Uh because he hasn't reached out to me. Uh but we will um follow up on that and to but we will um follow up on that and to the extent the council should be made the extent the council should be made aware of things going forward on an aware of things going forward on an ongoing basis. We'll let you know. I ongoing basis. We'll let you know. I don't think that is uh the case and if don't think that is uh the case and if this results in some litigation this results in some litigation obviously you'll find out about it as we obviously you'll find out about it as we obviously you'll find out about it as we as we move forward. But it's in my as we move forward. But it's in my purview. We'll address it. And um to purview. We'll address it. And um to have this gentleman come up here today have this gentleman come up here today without speaking to me, it's a little without speaking to me, it's a little bit insulting, but I'll deal with it. bit insulting, but I'll deal with it. Any other questions? Any other questions? >> Anything from the council? Thank Thank >> Anything from the council? Thank Thank >> Anything from the council? Thank Thank you, Mr. >> Roll call to adjourn. >> Council, >> President CL, >> yes. And >> yes. And >> council president, council members, we >> council president, council members, we >> council president, council members, we are now in the special conference
>> yes. >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to record. Is there anyone wishing to address the council? >> Yes. Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning, members of council. >> My name is David America Connor and I'm >> My name is David America Connor and I'm an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne Morris. I'm here to provide public Morris. I'm here to provide public comment on behalf of my client Benjamin comment on behalf of my client Benjamin Moore and Company, which has operated a Moore and Company, which has operated a paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city of Newark since 1925. of Newark since 1925. The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark facility are 114 to 120 Listister facility are 114 to 120 Listister Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is proud to call Newark its home, and it proud to call Newark its home, and it has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the city for decades. Benjamin Moore has city for decades. Benjamin Moore has made continual investments in its made continual investments in its property property in its decades of operation and it in its decades of operation and it employs 84 people at the facility, many employs 84 people at the facility, many of whom are residents of the city of of whom are residents of the city of Newark or Essex County more broadly. We Newark or Essex County more broadly.…
Show full comment (3198 words)
>> yes. >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment >> We are in the 30 minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have three minutes to speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please state your name for the speak. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to record. Is there anyone wishing to address the council? >> Yes. Good morning. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning. Good morning. Good. >> Good morning, members of council. >> My name is David America Connor and I'm >> My name is David America Connor and I'm an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne an attorney at the law firm of Dwayne Morris. I'm here to provide public Morris. I'm here to provide public comment on behalf of my client Benjamin comment on behalf of my client Benjamin Moore and Company, which has operated a Moore and Company, which has operated a paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city paint manufacturing facility in the city of Newark since 1925. of Newark since 1925. The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark The addresses of Benjamin Moore's Newark facility are 114 to 120 Listister facility are 114 to 120 Listister Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Avenue, 122 to 152 Listister Avenue, and Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is Listister Avenue rear. Benjamin Moore is proud to call Newark its home, and it proud to call Newark its home, and it has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the has been a good corporate citizen of the city for decades. Benjamin Moore has city for decades. Benjamin Moore has made continual investments in its made continual investments in its property property in its decades of operation and it in its decades of operation and it employs 84 people at the facility, many employs 84 people at the facility, many of whom are residents of the city of of whom are residents of the city of Newark or Essex County more broadly. We Newark or Essex County more broadly. We are here today to provide public comment are here today to provide public comment are here today to provide public comment in this forum because our efforts to in this forum because our efforts to engage the Department of Economic and engage the Department of Economic and Housing Development and the Department Housing Development and the Department of Law on a matter of significant of Law on a matter of significant importance to Benjamin Moore have been importance to Benjamin Moore have been unsuccessful. unsuccessful. Those departments have not responded to Those departments have not responded to a letter that I sent on June 23rd, a letter that I sent on June 23rd, copies of which I have for each of you, copies of which I have for each of you, and numerous follow-up letters and phone and numerous follow-up letters and phone and numerous follow-up letters and phone calls. In brief, the issue is as calls. In brief, the issue is as follows. Benjamin Moore's property on follows. Benjamin Moore's property on Listister Avenue has been within an area Listister Avenue has been within an area Listister Avenue has been within an area designated as blighted since the 1960s. designated as blighted since the 1960s. After decades of inactivity, in 2017, After decades of inactivity, in 2017, the city entered into a redevelopment the city entered into a redevelopment agreement with the Morris Companies, agreement with the Morris Companies, purporting to grant to the Morris purporting to grant to the Morris Companies, or an entity of the Morris Companies, or an entity of the Morris Companies the power of eminent domain to Companies the power of eminent domain to Companies the power of eminent domain to acquire property for redevelopment. acquire property for redevelopment. Obviously, Benjamin Moore was and is Obviously, Benjamin Moore was and is quite concerned about the possibility of quite concerned about the possibility of quite concerned about the possibility of losing its manufacturing facility. losing its manufacturing facility. Efforts to litigate the validity of the Efforts to litigate the validity of the blight designation were unsuccessful as blight designation were unsuccessful as the courts affirmed that Benjamin Moore the courts affirmed that Benjamin Moore was too late to challenge the was too late to challenge the designation. So Benjamin Moore took a designation. So Benjamin Moore took a different approach asking the city to different approach asking the city to conduct a new study and consider conduct a new study and consider redesating the property. The city did so redesating the property. The city did so redesating the property. The city did so and in August 2024, this council adopted and in August 2024, this council adopted and in August 2024, this council adopted a resolution designating the properties a resolution designating the properties as a non-condemnation area in need of as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment and directed the central redevelopment and directed the central planning board to create a new planning board to create a new redevelopment plan for this area under redevelopment plan for this area under the modern local redevelopment and the modern local redevelopment and houses law. Since then, it appears that houses law. Since then, it appears that no progress has been made on the new no progress has been made on the new redevelopment plan. We are asking that redevelopment plan. We are asking that the city follow through on its promise the city follow through on its promise to develop a new redevelopment plan and to develop a new redevelopment plan and to involve Benjamin Moore in discussions to involve Benjamin Moore in discussions to involve Benjamin Moore in discussions about the future of its property. In about the future of its property. In addition, given the facts just addition, given the facts just described, we also believe that the described, we also believe that the current redevelopment agreement between current redevelopment agreement between the city and the Morris companies is the city and the Morris companies is invalid for two reasons. First, Morris invalid for two reasons. First, Morris missed a required deadline to acquire missed a required deadline to acquire properties for redevelopment or to properties for redevelopment or to request from the city the authority to request from the city the authority to condemn properties. condemn properties. >> I to say, thank you for your time. I >> I to say, thank you for your time. I >> I to say, thank you for your time. I mean, thank you for your comments. mean, thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, your time is expired. Unfortunately, your time is expired. >> Understood, Mr. President. Thank you. >> Understood, Mr. President. Thank you. >> Understood, Mr. President. Thank you. Can I leave copies of the letter that I Can I leave copies of the letter that I sent for each of the members of council? sent for each of the members of council? sent for each of the members of council? >> Absolutely. Um, Sylvester, if you can >> Absolutely. Um, Sylvester, if you can >> Absolutely. Um, Sylvester, if you can get that. get that. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your >> Thank you very much. I appreciate your time. >> Deborah Salter, City of Newark. Now, I >> Deborah Salter, City of Newark. Now, I was trying to let uh things be. As you was trying to let uh things be. As you all know, I teach safety. I teach OSHA all know, I teach safety. I teach OSHA 30. I teach CPR, first aid, AED 30. I teach CPR, first aid, AED training. I did a class for the uh training. I did a class for the uh affirmative action here in city hall. affirmative action here in city hall. Um Kathy, who was in charge, uh Um Kathy, who was in charge, uh would enter my class several times, you would enter my class several times, you know, and uh know, and uh >> trying to find out what's going on or >> trying to find out what's going on or >> trying to find out what's going on or whatever. And whatever. And >> it was more like, you know, she was >> it was more like, you know, she was >> it was more like, you know, she was deciding who would who would and who deciding who would who would and who would not get their cards. would not get their cards. >> Fast forward, there's a student who was >> Fast forward, there's a student who was >> Fast forward, there's a student who was not not uh if I could say, up to snuff. He was uh if I could say, up to snuff. He was not doing the work. He was on his phone. not doing the work. He was on his phone. not doing the work. He was on his phone. He actually bucked up at me telling me He actually bucked up at me telling me all I do is run my mouth and all of this all I do is run my mouth and all of this all I do is run my mouth and all of this stuff. So, he was not getting certified stuff. So, he was not getting certified by me. He's not getting authorized by by me. He's not getting authorized by me. From that day to this one, I have me. From that day to this one, I have been harassed constantly by Kathy. Um, been harassed constantly by Kathy. Um, sent uh harassing text messages, phone sent uh harassing text messages, phone calls when I would not respond. So, the calls when I would not respond. So, the last two threatening ones I received, last two threatening ones I received, one was last week, well, I'm going to one was last week, well, I'm going to the mirror on you. Okay. Well, you don't the mirror on you. Okay. Well, you don't the mirror on you. Okay. Well, you don't know me. Okay. So, the last one was know me. Okay. So, the last one was yesterday morning. In fact, I want you yesterday morning. In fact, I want you to hear the disrespect. And but see, to hear the disrespect. And but see, this is what we suffer in the city when this is what we suffer in the city when we don't we're not willing to put our we don't we're not willing to put our credentials on the line just because credentials on the line just because you're cool with the mayor or the chief you're cool with the mayor or the chief of staff. And I will not remain silent. of staff. And I will not remain silent. I will not get myself stuck and get my I will not get myself stuck and get my credentials in trouble. The text said, credentials in trouble. The text said, "You on some egotistical BS." "You on some egotistical BS." So, because I'm following the rules and So, because I'm following the rules and I am not going to compromise, I want I am not going to compromise, I want some egotistical BS. some egotistical BS. This is what happens to those of us who This is what happens to those of us who do work in the city. And if the person do work in the city. And if the person is not pleased, they're going to run to is not pleased, they're going to run to the mayor and tell on us. the mayor and tell on us. I didn't know you were ignorant. I I didn't know you were ignorant. I didn't know you were so ignorant. didn't know you were so ignorant. Um, and I know you got paid, but you Um, and I know you got paid, but you will never do anything for this city will never do anything for this city again. That's why you're banned from the again. That's why you're banned from the again. That's why you're banned from the food drive. you do too much, you're food drive. you do too much, you're useless. This is what was texted to me by the employee that works here. by the employee that works here. So, when you talk about uh corruption in So, when you talk about uh corruption in So, when you talk about uh corruption in the city of Newark and the things that the city of Newark and the things that go on here, this is what happens. But go on here, this is what happens. But see, people are afraid. I'm not afraid see, people are afraid. I'm not afraid because I was already banned from because I was already banned from working in the city in 2018 by MIDI. So, working in the city in 2018 by MIDI. So, working in the city in 2018 by MIDI. So, all right, you're too late. But this is all right, you're too late. But this is what we the residents suffer. The what we the residents suffer. The bullying, the harassment, the constant bullying, the harassment, the constant walk walked up on me. What's up? What's walk walked up on me. What's up? What's up? What's up? up? What's up? Excuse me. Because I'm a professional. Excuse me. Because I'm a professional. My credentials are federally uh uh My credentials are federally uh uh authorized. authorized. I don't play games. I stand 10 toes down I don't play games. I stand 10 toes down I don't play games. I stand 10 toes down on business. on business. >> Thank you for your comments. Next >> Thank you for your comments. Next >> Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Any comments from the council? Any comments from the administration? >> Hi, good morning. Eric Pennington, >> Hi, good morning. Eric Pennington, business administrator. Just briefly business administrator. Just briefly with respect to the comments about with respect to the comments about Benjamin Moore, um I did receive a copy Benjamin Moore, um I did receive a copy of the letter that was referenced by of the letter that was referenced by this attorney. I think it's wholly this attorney. I think it's wholly inappropriate for him to come to council inappropriate for him to come to council inappropriate for him to come to council without reaching out to me uh who is uh without reaching out to me uh who is uh the supervisor of both the law the supervisor of both the law department and economic and housing department and economic and housing development to let me know that there is development to let me know that there is development to let me know that there is some issue. It's not my understanding some issue. It's not my understanding there's an issue with a response. I there's an issue with a response. I think this is a letter that we received think this is a letter that we received from this law firm uh representing from this law firm uh representing Benjamin Moore for the first time. It's Benjamin Moore for the first time. It's interesting that we are uh I'm hearing interesting that we are uh I'm hearing from this gentleman today since the from this gentleman today since the president of Benjamin Moore met with the president of Benjamin Moore met with the president of Benjamin Moore met with the mayor and I a little bit over a year ago mayor and I a little bit over a year ago mayor and I a little bit over a year ago to talk about the issues that we had. It to talk about the issues that we had. It to talk about the issues that we had. It was my understanding that the issues was my understanding that the issues were resolved. Um so now that he's were resolved. Um so now that he's bringing this to the council, I'm not bringing this to the council, I'm not exactly sure what he wants the council exactly sure what he wants the council to do other than perhaps uh put pressure to do other than perhaps uh put pressure to do other than perhaps uh put pressure on my office or litigation or our law on my office or litigation or our law department or economic and housing department or economic and housing development to respond. We intend to development to respond. We intend to respond. we will do so in due course. We respond. we will do so in due course. We respond. we will do so in due course. We have outside counsel looking into this. have outside counsel looking into this. They've raised some complex issues. Um They've raised some complex issues. Um to the extent that they have not to the extent that they have not received a response yet, this is the received a response yet, this is the first time I'm hearing about that first time I'm hearing about that because he hasn't reached out to me. Uh because he hasn't reached out to me. Uh but we will um follow up on that and to but we will um follow up on that and to the extent the council should be made the extent the council should be made aware of things going forward on an aware of things going forward on an ongoing basis. We'll let you know. I ongoing basis. We'll let you know. I don't think that is uh the case and if don't think that is uh the case and if this results in some litigation this results in some litigation obviously you'll find out about it as we obviously you'll find out about it as we obviously you'll find out about it as we as we move forward. But it's in my as we move forward. But it's in my purview. We'll address it. And um to purview. We'll address it. And um to have this gentleman come up here today have this gentleman come up here today without speaking to me, it's a little without speaking to me, it's a little bit insulting, but I'll deal with it. bit insulting, but I'll deal with it. Any other questions? Any other questions? >> Anything from the council? Thank Thank >> Anything from the council? Thank Thank >> Anything from the council? Thank Thank you, Mr. >> Roll call to adjourn. >> Council, >> President CL, >> yes. And >> yes. And >> council president, council members, we >> council president, council members, we >> council president, council members, we are now in the special conference