Opinion: Reina Should Apologize And Resign | G. Sonnenfeld

With the Jackson Township Council set to repeal discriminatory ordinances that banned yeshivas and dormitories in the Township, let’s not forget who got them into this muck in the first place: Mayor Michael Reina.

Reina will, of course, be going around telling his Orthodox Jewish constituents that he was never really in favor of the ordinances and that he really wants to help them. Don’t buy it for a minute.

Mr. Reina was the Republican mayor in a Township led by Republicans. Does anyone believe he was in the dark when Rob Nixon spied on Jews, or when three officials, pals of his, attended a CUPON meeting? Was he unaware that Barry Calogero would call in the National Guard on Jews? Of course not. Mr. Reina’s oft-repeated claim that he simply had no idea that these things were happening make him one of two things: a bald-faced liar or an incompetent mayor who has nothing under control.

Here’s the bottom line: Reina knew what was in the ordinances, supported their passage, and lied to his Jewish constituents about it. His feigned ignorance is not only shameful, it’s a slap in the face to every Orthodox Jewish resident of Jackson. There is ample evidence showing that Reina spoke out of both sides of his mouth when discussing these ordinances.

Mr. Reina, your behavior as mayor has been an embarrassment to the entire Jackson Township. You have undermined the peace and harmony sought by your Jewish neighbors. You have stood in the way of true progress being made. Don’t blame this on others – YOU are the mayor, not them. If you had any moral integrity, you would apologize and resign.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. I heard that Mr Reina is already blaming tonight on Mr Bressi. Mr Reina has his men out working to put his spin out, well Mr Reina we all know the truth on why things are occuring. Yes the truth hurts

  2. I am not a lawyer but as far as I can tell, if he won’t resign on his own, in NJ, he can recalled. It’s not so easy because ultimately 25% of registered voters must sign a petition for a new election The first step is a “committee” of three Jackson registered voters to notify the mayor in writing of their intent to recall with their names and addresses. That is what is called the petition of intent. A special election can be called if and when 25% of registered voters sign another petition and what is vaguely called by the law as a financially viable election. The other option is that he be removed however, that cannot be done until he is incarcerated. An arrest and conviction is not enough. If he is merely fined it doesn’t count.

    So… it’s not so easy. I’m sure Agudah and others are on top of it, but I believe it will take a conviction and incarceration for violation of the constitution under the first and fourteenth amendments that protect the right of religious freedom. That could be a long and expensive legal battle, but the evidence may speed up the process but a judge must decide the case which may be in his favor and then an appeal would have to be made. By the time the whole scenario is over with what could be wasted time and money, they could elect someone else who holds the same views but has no evidence against them. In any scenario it is unlikely that Reina will only speak well of all his constituents whether he means it or not. He can man up and apologize and never say another word about Jews but that may not be enough to determine a legal outcome despite the evidence. If it is deemed that he was responsible for inciting others to commit actual crimes and they corroborate that under oath that would be another charge, especially if it put others in physical danger, destruction of property or some other crime.

  3. Mr who admitted that he is only fighting Jews and not churches has attracted much attention resign now and apologize before your condemned by national figures and more

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