Mayor Issues First Veto in Recent Memory

Mayor Jordan Glatt issued the first mayoral veto in at least the last 16 years Tuesday night.

Glatt used his power as the chief executive officer of Summit to overturn an ordinance passed by council 5-2 in September which authorized the police department to to alleviate strains on the department due to injuries.

"While I realize this veto will probably be purely symbolic in nature being that council voted by two-thirds majority to approve it, I cannot in good conscience fix my signature to it," Glatt said.

His two main reasons for issuing the veto were that only one qualified candidate applied for the position and therefore Police Chief Robert Lucid had no real choice in who to hire and the person was also not interviewed by the safety committee. But Glatt also said the city is spending approximately $37,000 training the part-time officer who will have no loyalty to Summit and will leave at the first offer for a full-time position elsewhere.

"I do expect that council will override it but this goes under what I call 'having to look in the mirror the next day' and I just don't think it's the right thing for council or for me to support," Glatt said.

Council President Dave Bomgaars said the personnel committee has not yet had a chance to discuss the mayor's veto so no discussion or action can be taken at this time.

Councilmen Steve Murphy and Michael Vernotico voted against the original ordinance in September.

City Clerk David Hughes said the only veto he recalls during his tenure with the city occurred in either 1974 or 1975 under Mayor Elmer Bennett. However, the veto was over technical issues with an ordinance rather than on its merits.