Mahwah Mayor Cancels 9/11 Ceremony, Draws Public Ire. Again.

MAHWAH, NJ — Mayor John Roth discovered a line the public thinks he shouldn't have crossed just as he was stepping over it.

On Facebook, Roth announced the cancelation of Mahwah's annual 9/11 ceremony, which was met with outrage, confusion and little support from members of the Township Council, who say they were either not informed, or were not asked to provide input on the decision.

Roth cited the coronavirus pandemic as the reason for the cancelation.

"While we have made much progress in containing the spread, we are still experiencing one to two new cases per day," said Roth. "Our paramount concern continues to be the safety and well-being of all of our residents. Accordingly, with great regret, we must cancel this year’s 9/11 ceremony in Veterans Park."

Jim Wysocki, a council member who is running against Roth for mayor, addressed his comments, and voiced frustration that his colleagues weren't asked to provide input.

Wysocki has a special interest in this event, as he is a retired police officer and volunteer fireman in the township.

"Mayor, I find this hard to comprehend due to the fact this is the first I'm hearing of this. Our township council, me included should have had the opportunity to weigh in on the decision making process. We can gather in public but we can't gather for our fallen brothers and sisters. Speaking as a township volunteer fireman and a retired police officer this decision is very disappointing. Memorial Day services were held without incident, in my opinion which obviously doesn't matter to you."

Roth responded to Wysocki by saying he was wrong, in part, to say that no council members were notified.

The Council President and Event Chair were notified, Roth said, as were "other internal parties." He added that an online event was being considered, but Council President David May followed up to indicate that Roth perhaps was taking too much credit for ideas that weren't his own.

May added that, though he was notified, he wasn't offered the chance to add input into the decision to cancel the event. Further, it was his idea to consider an online celebration, not Roth's, he said.

Council member Michelle Crowe-Paz also responded on Facebook, stating her frustrations with the Mayor, and adding that she didn't support the decision.

"Mayor John F. Roth: Since this announcement is coming via social media, so will my response:

I 100% disagree with the decision made to cancel Mahwah’s 9/11 ceremony. Clearly that edict came from you, and you alone, because nowhere is there any record of you having a CONVERSATION addressing your concerns with any of the people involved (Town Council, Coordinator DiGiulio, DPW, Police, Fire, EMS, Rec Dept).

9/11 is important to our community, especially in these pandemic times, when people want to see some semblance of community spirit. Of course, we would need to be socially distant and most would probably need to participate online (like they did for Memorial Day) via Zoom.

I think it’s disgusting that you took the opportunity to remember and to be united in what makes our nation great away from our residents without so much as a discussion.

No bueno."

Township resident Kim Bolan cited that, as the plan currently stands, Mahwah Public Schools students are expected to attend in-person classes before Sept. 11.

"Mayor Roth, if our kids can safely return to school, our township employees can safely return to work, patrons can safely shop and dine etc, the very least we can do is pay our respects to those who perished at the hands of evil on 9/11/01. The ceremony will be different. But isn't everything different today?" she asked.

Roth is no stranger to controversy, and has been at odds with the township council since a June 12 meeting in which they passed a unanimous vote of no confidence.

The vote does not double as a request for the mayor's resignation, nor does it affect his power within the township, according to the council.

Roth came under fire after reports surfaced of his drunken behavior at a January party, in which he took his pants off and passed out in the homeowner's bed, who is also a township employee.

He later apologized for his actions, but did not resign despite efforts from a group of residents.

According to a Patch report at the time, an anonymous letter was sent to township department heads and council members about what happened at the party. There were also claims he engaged in "inappropriate touching of a female employee" at the party, Roth said during an apology news conference.

The letter, signed by two dozen employees, demanded private apologies or the mayor's resignation, he said. It was obtained by media outlets, Roth said, which caused "embarrassment and hurt" and was an "unnecessary distraction for the township."

Mahwah's labor attorney, Raymond Wiss, determined "no crimes had been committee, no laws were broken, no assault or inappropriate touching occurred, no property was damaged and no complaints have been filed with the township by anyone," the mayor said at the time.