Pessina Reacts to Public Safety Commission Outburst

From Common Council member and Public Safety Commissioner, Phil Pessina.  Pessina reacts to the publication of a video of a segment of the most recent Public Safety Commission meeting in the Middletown Eye.

What was more egregious was the fact that there were two high school students who were from a government class at Middletown High School who viewed Councilman Serra and Kasper leave the meeting and had to listen to Councilman Bob Santangelo's verbal tirade.

Bob was so focused on the topic of the investigation and directed accusations against my integrity, that he never knew that the students were in attendance nor observed them come into the meeting shortly after it had commenced.

After the meeting was abruptly ended, I immediately spoke with the two students and apologized to them on behalf of the Public Safety Commission, Councilwoman Kleckowski and myself for the inappropriate verbal outburst and behavior of Councilman Santangelo. I explained to them that due to Councilman Serra and Councilwoman Kasper walking out of the commission meeting in protest to what was being stated, we could not conduct city public safety business due to a lack of quorum.

It was quite apparent that Serra, Kasper and especially Santangelo did not review their commission packet prior to the meeting which was received the end of the previous week. This was evident by Councilman Santangelo's question to me as to how this report got back on the agenda. This review is normally done to prepare for any questions or additions.

I was taken back and disappointed by Councilman Santangelo's behavior, accusations and lack of self control during the beginning of the meeting. It should be noted that at our September Community Council Meeting none of the Democractic Council members were in attendance, except for the Republican Minority Members.

Councilman Santangelo's actions led to the inability of the Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs of the Fire and Poice to conduct the business portion of the meeting with the commission members.

It is very clear in this video which shows Councilman Santangelo's intent to stop the meeting, with total disregard for his responsibilities as Public Safety Commission Chairman and the need to conduct a very important part of our city goverment.

As we were leaving the meeting and Council member Serra, Kasper & Santangelo returned to the room, I overheard them questioning Acting Chief McMahon as to how this report got onto the agenda.

On behalf of myself and Councilwoman Kleckowski I apologize to you the public for the actions of my collegues on that evening.