On July 29, 2021, at 12:28 am., a NJ Globe story was published by David Wildstein, the infamous convicted co-conspirator of “Bridgegate” during the Gov. Chris Christie administration.
At 12:54 pm., on July 29, 2021, Harrison Neely, the communications director of the NJ State GOP and former state senate Republican majority leader executive director, shared Wildstein’s story in the Westfield NJ Facebook group.
Westfield town councilman Mark LoGrippo featured the GOP hit piece on his political Facebook page on July 29, 2021.
Westfield GOP town council candidates Amanda Como, Denise Garrett, Shawn Mullen, and James Restivo also shared the NJ Globe story on their campaign pages between July 29 and August 2, 2021, as did the Westfield Town Republican Committee.
Candidate Denise Garrett went further and promoted a libelous Facebook post that was authored by former small business owner Rory Chadwick. Chadwick, a local resident groomed and encouraged by Councilman LoGrippo, ultimately received a cease & desist letter from an attorney (Bruce Rosen) representing the Westfield small business owner that Chadwick slandered and maligned in his Facebook post.
WeAdditional cease and desist letters were sent to Westfield town council candidate Denise Garrett and Valerio Bruscianelli, the administrator of Residents of Westfield Facebook group that featured Rory Chadwick’s libelous Facebook post.
The accusations coming from both sides seem quite serious and information coming from biased Facebook posts and blog articles should be taken with a grain of salt. Have any locally legitimate news organizations (Star Ledger, ABC, CBS, NBC) reported this story?
ReplyDeleteAs one respected Westfield resident has said, “I’ve seen the receipts,” so have I. I have “the receipts.”
ReplyDeleteWhile you may call the blog stories and Facebook stories “biased,” I challenge you to refute what has been presented.
The silence from the GOP candidates regarding the allegations is deafening. None of the candidates have responded to the posts and comments on their campaign pages seeking comment.
Local news outlets such as TAPInto and the Westfield Leader have reported the NJ Globe story but neither have contacted TFoTM.
Stay tuned to the next Westfield Town Council meeting, that is of course, if Councilman LoGrippo is in attendance.
The reference of Facebook/blog bias in my comments applies to both sides (republicans and democrats). The reliability of news information that is shared on social media, especially when politics is involved, is suspect at best. That’s why I asked if any reputable better known New York metropolitan news organizations which have reporters that have more experience investigating and reporting allegations (unlike TapInto and the Leader) like this been provided the receipts you have. Seems to me this would help expedite answers from both sides instead of having to wait for it to be mentioned with silent responses during the personal comments of the weekly town council meeting.
DeleteFirst of all, since when have NBC, CBS,or ABC been considered local? How often does the Star Ledger ever report on Westfield? Since when have any of them NOT been biased?
ReplyDeleteNext, why is it that the supporters of a cause always attack the messenger? They ignore the failure of the accused to rebut. The supporters could choose to ask the accused if they could see E-mails or text messages. They might ask Public Works when the next tour of the dump is being offered. The accused might even offer to answer questions.
No! It's easier to attack the messenger.
I'm glad they weren't around when Paul Revere made his famous ride. He'd be ridiculed and the British would have had an open road.
New York City based WCBS, WNBC, and WABC have all covered stories based in Westfield. Can do a search on the Westfield NJ Facebook page where people have sent screenshots of their TVs whenever they do. I would like to at least see how one of those outlets would report it with their bias
DeleteThe Administration can't just sit silent and allow this to pass. An official of the Town has been accused of abusing his position with a person suffering mental health issues to use him as a pawn. He nurtured and misled this pawn into libel and slander. This transcends politics. It's low, base and beneath the dignity of a public official.
ReplyDeleteThe Administration should not be silent.
Ever wonder if this wasn’t a consorted effort by someone at the DWC, LoGrippo, etc.?
ReplyDeleteMaybe someone upset that Sherry Cronin was sent packing?
Why hasn’t the DWC initiated an investigation through the police department to find out who entered their storage unit, opened a box, and took that picture?
Something stinks here. Thank you to this fact of the matter for laying it all out.
Westfield resident Les Tent where are you?!?!?!?
ReplyDeleteI doubt the DWC wants to antagonize anyone. It is a creation of politics and suffers in quiet.
ReplyDeleteAs far as bringing in the police, that's like asking the present Justice Dept to investigate the Biden computer.
Was Sherry Cronin shown the door to eventually make way for the seesaw guy? Correct me if this is wrong.
ReplyDeletehttp://07090.blogspot.com/2019/08/westfields-dwc-executive-directors.html
Sherry Cronin was replaced by Kathleen Prunty who is now the mayor of Cranford.
DeleteMichael La Place is the current director of the DWC.
according to the website, Bob Zuckerman is the executive director of the DWC
DeleteBoth Neylon and Garrett have specified the need for transparency from government officials. Yet, neither have publicly commented on their roles in perpetuating the spread of false information. Nor have I seen a retraction or apology from either.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else see "do as I say, not as I do" going on among the local GOP candidates?
Michael LaPlace was replaced by Sherry Cronin in 2001, who was replaced by Kathleen Prunty in 2019, who was replaced by Bob Zuckerman in 2021. Zuckerman has many "brilliant" ideas like seesaws, tote bags, and allocating $20,000 to hire a consulting firm to create a retail strategy. The buck stops with him, right?
ReplyDeleteMichael LaPlace’s term as resident director ends 12/31/23.
DeleteYou are correct on the executive director succession.
The DWC obtains money from member retailers. What they do with that money is up to them.
Think of all the promises made by BOTH sides. BEFORE they get into office, politicians are always in favor of openness and Transparency. As soon as they get in, everything has a confidentiality clause, is "under investigation" and not subject to comment, or receives the silent treatment.
ReplyDeleteIf he shows up at the next meeting, Mr. LoGrippo will imitate the sphinx if asked about coaching a man with mental issues. Mrs. Brindle will do the same if asked about why she hid behind secrecy when she "fired" the former chief of police.
Openness and Transparency are conditions most touted but never required by incumbents.
With all the Republicans have to talk about, they should hang their heads in shame at creating this BS and more so, because of the manner in which they did it.