An Open Reply to Councilwoman Shapiro

Here is a direct quotation from , written on August 11, 2011:  "Shortly after my election last November – as I sat down with leaders of the Asian community, I learned of their desire for greater communication with municipal officials and of their interest in creating a Mandarin language charter school. " Further "I embraced the desire of our Asian Americans neighbors to pursue the feasibility of a charter school because I believed it was one way – and just one way – of helping the Asian-American community as well as the community at large."

I am not sure what "embraced" means - does it signify that you agreed then to be listed as a founder, not just a supporter? If merely a supporter, as a private person (as you state in your blog), you should not have submitted a letter to the Commissioner of Education referencing, in two places, not just the opening paragraph, that you are a Livingston Councilperson! This could easily be interpreted as an attempt to influence his decision, in an offical capacity, not a personal one as a mere resident. Even an appearance of this is an ethical violation. On the other hand, if you knew then and had consented that you would be listed as a founder, which meant you went beyond just being a supporter, you doubly acted in conflict of interest, both in voicing at a Council conference meeting and, I recall, at a public meeting as well, your opinion that a portion of the Senior/Community Center should not be leased to an Essex County organization, and then, subsequently, asking that such space be leased to a charter school (presumably the one in which you were a founder!)   

Additionally, in your blog you state: ""My goal from inception was to create a bridge to our Asian American neighbors, not to erect barriers to community tolerance." 

The concept of an outreach committee was first raised by Mrs. Shapiro at the April 4, 2011 Conference meeting (see minutes on the township's website @ http://www.livingstonnj.org/councilminutes.html), at which I spoke in the Public Comment portion of the meeting, supporting this concept. (The minutes are disjointed, as the Public Comment portion came after the recommendation, not before it). 

A "bridge" supports two-way traffic, not just traffic going one way. Absent from the minutes are my comments indicating that one of the reasons for my support of the concept, was to have members of various Town committees on this committee, so this vibrant part of our community would meet a number of Town volunteers and leaders who would both explain and mentor these residents in community operations and procedures, as well as solicit members of their community to offer their assistance, advice and expertise by becoming volunteers themselves. This would be a true bridge and benefit the Town immensely.

Whenever and wherever I go throughout Livingston, as a liaison or member of the various committees and/or organizations I serve on, as well as being the attorney who formed and obtained tax-exemption qualification for Asian Indians in Livingston and Livingston Robotics Club (whose membership is predominately Asian), I regularly and continually talk to people about the Town, how it operates, how to navigate through the bureaucracy, and, to me, most important, solicit people to get active and volunteer as I do.  

I also suggested that the committee not be limited to members of the Asian community, but also should have members of other ethnicity groups and community volunteers.  To me, this is what an "outreach" committee should be - people of different cultures reaching out to each other and offering to assist one another, as well as receive assistance, plus learn about our differences. I volunteered to be on any such committee and have obtained the consent from prominent Town volunteers to likewise serve on this committee, if and when it is formed. 

Deborah: You refused to authorize the release of the Conflict Opinion when I requested you do so at a Council meeting, necessitating that I and others file an OPRA request, initially denied but subsequently you issued the Opinion. In typical fashion you cited the statement that by being a founder of the school you had no conflict, but neglected, overtly or covertly, to mention the ethics violations. This was an act of a "true politician." By doing so, you necessitated this response.

Deborah, take some personal responsibility, tell the entire story, and don't continually blame others for your actions. You do owe the citizens of Livingston a public apology!