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WEST MILFORD - Two councilmen say they're through
(by David M. Zimmer - Staff Writer - September 25, 2008)
WEST MILFORD - West Milford Councilmen Carmelo Scangarello and Salvatore Schimmenti say they won't be seeking reelection in the next two elections, citing health and safety concerns.
Councilman Schimmenti still has one year left on his term, while Scangarello will open a seat for a new council member by not running in November for reelection with fellow Republican Councilman Philip Weisbecker Jr.
Schimmenti, who has been dealing with chronic health concerns, said he's taking the next eight weeks off, removing himself from all council proceedings for medical reasons.
Scangarello, meanwhile, said the stress of the position and attacks in local newspapers have been detrimental to the safety and security of his friends and family.
Schimmenti and Scangarello were missing from a budget vote on Sept. 3, raising suspicions in an article published in the AIM West Milford. An opinion piece published on Sept. 11 claimed that Scangarello and Schimmenti were in Paterson the night of the budget vote attending a Republican fundraiser.
Scangarello denied the accusation, attributing his absence to a flu-like illness. There wasn't even a fundraiser in Paterson that night, he said.
“I had to call into work to request sick time on Wednesday (Sept. 3)&hellip to keep my job intact for the security of my family. Why would anyone jeopardize their employment, especially knowing they are in the public eye?” Scangarello said.
Scangarello also said that council candidate James Warden purposely used the false information in an editorial to seek political gain during an election season where the council majority will be up for grabs.
Warden denied any purported mudslinging and said he thought the claim was factual. He said Scangarello’s plea against attacks from Democratic rivals was more politically driven than his editorial, which was simply trying to examine the loyalty of local politicians.
Schimmenti simply called the claims “disgusting.”
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