Former Councilman: Getzendanner, Please Resign

To the editor:

For the good of Summit, I am asking Tom Getzendanner to resign as a Summit Councilman.

Summit has always prided itself on the integrity of its elected officials.  We read about official transgressions in other towns and think "not here."  But now we have a report from retired Judge Edward Beglin concluding that Councilman Getzendanner attempted to persuade the City's attorney to alter the dates on legal bills in an effort to achieve greater reimbursement from the City's joint insurance fund.

This was not an isolated incident; it is a small part of an ongoing disturbing pattern of behavior.  In 2006 Common Council adopted a Code of Conduct.  The vote was 6 to 1.  The only negative vote was Mr. Getzendanner's.

There is no simple mechanism for removing a councilman, so I am asking you, Mr. Getzendanner, for the good of Summit, please resign.

Frank Macioce
Summit Councilman 2004-09
Council President 2005-06