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Message |
    
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 175
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 10:50 am: | 
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Did I really see what I think I saw last night? Did the Village President really threaten to arrest Joel Dranove, a criminal defense lawyer and long-time resident of SO, who was at the podium during remonstrances trying to speak during the formal period of a public meeting allotted for just this purpose? I think I saw and heard it, but can hardly believe it. I will view the video, but can anyone else report what they witnessed? On what grounds would he arrest Mr. Dranove? I hope the chief of police makes it his business to learn in great detail what would happen if he allows the police to be used for illegal purposes.
The Village President should resign from office even to think this. His public admission of contemplating such an outrageous and illegal act is a hideous and grostesque abuse of elected office. It suggests he is in the habit of thinking such thoughts and taking such actions without objection, challenge or opposition.
Hear this Mr. Calabrese, you make any attempt whatsoever to use your office illegally to silence and arrest citizens, and you will have far more than Mr. Dranove to deal with, though I expect he can more than take care of himself.
The lack of respect for the law in this town appalls me. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3706
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 10:58 am: |
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SOrising,
Yes...I was shocked by that, too.
The problem, I think, is that Mr. Calabrese THINKS he OWNS this town and is above the law. Did you see the look on his face when he was made to recuse himself for the SID discussion and then again for the Sayid discussion?
He has DIRECT conflicts of interest and he has an issue voluntarily recusing himself?
He is been "in power" WAY TOO LONG and it has gone to his head. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 387
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
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Revolution! |
Elaine Harris
Citizen
Username: Elaineharris
Post Number: 133
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 2:39 pm: |
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SORising: For what this is worth, that was the SECOND time I witnessed the VP threatening to forcibly remove someone from the public meeting room. A few weeks ago, more or less, VP instructed (from the dais)that Laura Harris (John Gross' assistant) should call the police to remove a citizen who was clapping in support of another speaker. I happened to be sitting next to that person and I can attest that he did nothing wrong or out of the ordinary. The citizen left before the police arrived to avoid confrontation, but the police did arrive and the threat was just the same. Thatdisplay of power was the action of a bully and a thug. This is what the citizens of South Orange have voted in as their President. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 182
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 2:48 pm: |
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Then I agree with MHD. If we are pushed to collecting 2000 signatures on a petition, it won't be over a pittance half million.
Someone needs to advise village staff and the police what to do when given an illegal order. Even military personnel in combat don't have to obey them. |
Walker
Citizen
Username: Fester
Post Number: 250
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 2:59 pm: |
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I would not put it past him to take punitive action against any officer who failed to obey his order, let's be real he is asking to have someone arrested, not for breaking the law or even being disruptive but for having a dissenting opinion.
He would not ask to have someone arrested for clapping in praise from him he would smile instead of looking like he was chewing nails like he did last night.
Bill please grow up!
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2692
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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Actually, if someone has the time, it might be a useful thing to get arrested for this, then suing the town (or at least getting newspapers to cover the issue. I cannot imagine the penalty could be more than a couple of hundred dollars (at worst), and I would be willing to pony up for someone's defense on this.
I would bet that the charges would be dropped the next day.
Joel D, any interest in taking a case like this? |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 392
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:19 pm: |
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I volunteer wholeheartedly. If you can wait until May. |
michael brant
Citizen
Username: Mbrant
Post Number: 176
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:34 pm: |
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It's obvious that we are in a mess here. The bulk of the BOT and without question the VP are scrambling and are obviously stressed to the max. Expect it to get worse before it gets better. You see they are learning that this is a new South Orange. We are not Bill Calabreses old South Orange who voted him in because he is our Pharmacist. This is a new South Orange who is much more on top of what is going on in the Gov't. We are a South Orange that paid $600,000 to 1.1 million for a house not $50,000. We are a South Orange that has had enough of this disgrace of a government. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1131
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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Let's be fair. When Calabrese was first elected he had some fresh good ideas and he did good things for this town. But he's been in for too long, and he's turned this town into his private fief, where anything he says is law. He's filled the administration with his yes-men, and ourtown is fast becoming a wasteland of empty lots, run down buildings and meaningless promises. He needs to go. |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 240
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:44 pm: |
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Yes, it's true, and I have removed my prescriptions (if any), from Bill's establishment.
All this, after the first day of the third week of a federal criminal case in Manhattan.
He reminds me of that Hermann Goring remark: "When I hear the word "kultur" I reach for my gun."
Bill: "when I hear dissent, I reach for my gunmen."
Imagine the civil rights suit, arrested under color of law for speaking in public!
Since the board can intervene and tell him he is out of line, I would suggest a suit be lodged against all of them, their lawyer, too.
jd |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 393
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:48 pm: |
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"Remember back to your early teachings. All those who attain power, fear to lose it." |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 184
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:49 pm: |
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Walker, any police officer who failed to execute an illegal order would be a bona fide hero because s/he would show respect rather than contempt for the law. I hope all SO police officers think about the oaths they take when they become public servants, sworn to uphold the law and constitutions of the country and districts they serve. If they can take action on the illegal use of public parking spaces, they can also figure out what their responsibilities are if anyone attempts to subvert their responsibilities and solemn oaths for corrupt purposes. They can represent the legitimate intents and purposes of the law when others don't |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 241
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:57 pm: |
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My early teachings did not include that.
Try: absolute power corrupts absolutely.
For years, under the radar, the power accreted, until absolute.
Now, the people are risen, and the power can devolve back to the people, if we vote.
jd
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Debra Davidson
Citizen
Username: Peanutslady
Post Number: 147
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 4:59 pm: |
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Please come on cut Bill Calabrese some slack. The man lose his wife, best friend, partner for life and the Mother of his children two years ago. I think that would through anyone for big loop. Bill Calabrese has very big responsibilities. Running his business, being the Village President and now being both Mother and Father to his children. It's very hard when someone loses their wife, best friend, partner for life and the Mother of their children. Everyone reacts and handle this type of situation in their own way. I feel and do not quote me on this. I could be wrong. This is only my opinion. I think Bill Calabrese could be over wellmed with all the added responsibilities of having to care for his children without the help of his wife. Please Bill Calabrese is great and wonderful person. I commend him for all he is doing. He has a very hard job and I think he is doing his very best under the circumstances. I do not think he meant what he said at all. I think he is just over tiered with all the responsibilities he has to do and he dose them very well. Please cut Bill Calabrese some slack. He is doing his very best. |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 803
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:02 pm: |
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His best simply isn't good enough. Period. |
Hoops
Citizen
Username: Hoops
Post Number: 996
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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Debra - sorry, he is the VP and as such he gets the heat. If there were results in town then he would get deserved credit. He has made false statements, broken promises and now it seems that he is heavily involved in some very shady conflicts of interest.
In person hes a nice guy? Great. Let him resign and run his business and take care of his personal life. Right now he is involved in all of South Oranges personal business. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 395
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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I'm going to sound heartless here. But I really don't give a hoot what he's lost. If it was going to affect his administration then he should have resigned. |
SOrising
Citizen
Username: Sorising
Post Number: 185
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:11 pm: |
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Debra, does your family allow you to do wrong things whenever you want to?
Its a little like that with Bill, only more. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4537
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:31 pm: |
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Hey, I'll volunteer! But then I'd be tossed out of my house and would have to move in with one of you! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4538
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:39 pm: |
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Debra-
While I would normally defend you, and have defended Bill in the past, this time, though entitled to your opinion, I think you are flat out mistaken. As much as I loved and respected Bill's wife, and have supported Bill in the past, he can't blame his screwups on his wife. This was happening why before she got sick. To do this would be total disrespect to the wonderful person she was.
If he has too much on his plate, then he needs to step down as VP. Enough already... |
Walker
Citizen
Username: Fester
Post Number: 251
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:48 pm: |
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SOrising;
I agree with you 100% and have a great respect for the SO police department, my statements where in no way meant to impugn their integrity but rather to point out the petty, childish actions attempted by the Village pres to try and intimidate members of the public who do not agree with him.
If he is willing to do this to a member of the public on live TV what would stop him from taking similar actions behind closed doors against anyone in the towns employ who expresses an opposing opinion.
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Eins Gotten Berlin
Citizen
Username: Parkingsux
Post Number: 364
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 5:55 pm: |
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Well said. The truth is not hard to see. You need to focus on it to understand.
Welcome to the days of past. The schmelt must be put to an end.
Resign, Mr. Calabrese - resign! |
Debra Davidson
Citizen
Username: Peanutslady
Post Number: 149
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
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Please I fully under stand were you are all coming from. Please I'm not say Bill Calabrese is using his wife's passing as an excuse for his bad decisions. What I'm saying that sometime things like can affect people without them even being aware of it. Please what I'm saying is just my option and the way I see things. Please I could be right and I could be wrong. I just do not know at all. Maybe the reason he has not reassigned is, because he made a commitment and he is the type of person that dose not walk away from a commitment that he has made. I do not know I'm just guessing. Maybe he will not run for an other term, because he know he has to much on his plate. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 397
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 7:23 pm: |
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If you don't know at all...don't post.
And I pray he doesn't run for another term.... |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1132
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 7:53 pm: |
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Boo Hoo. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4544
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 8:16 pm: |
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Debra-
That's the problem. He keeps running. I doubt him not stepping down has anything to do with any commitment he made. How can he explain all the mistakes he's made over the years? |
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