Former Councilwoman Sylvia Turnage has raised objections to Councilman Brandon Bernier’s recent call for Roselle Borough’s Code Enforcement division to issue $500 tickets to homeowners with unkempt lawns and said that things are falling apart because recent political hires are unqualified for their jobs.
Turnage criticized a proposal Bernier made during a recent council meeting that highlights what she perceives as misplaced priorities and questionable decision-making within the local government.
“Bernier’s tirade towards the Economic Development Director, who also oversees Code Enforcement, centered on his observations of overgrown lawns while campaigning in the Second Ward,” remarked Turnage. “Instead of advocating for warnings, he adamantly pushed for the immediate issuance of hefty fines, citing a perceived lack of enforcement by the department.”
Turnage further questioned the efficacy of such punitive measures, especially in light of delays and inefficiencies in other municipal services. She pointed out significant delays in the permitting process for home improvements, suggesting that addressing these issues should take precedence over penalizing homeowners for lawn maintenance.
“Councilman Brandon Bernier went on a tirade towards the ‘Economic Development Director’ which also heads up Code Enforcement,” said Sylvia Turnage. “The gist of his tirade was that as he was walking around the Second Ward campaigning for re-election, he said he saw a lot of lawns that the grass was too high and Code Enforcement is not doing their job!”
“Instead of warnings, he wants them to start issuing $500 tickets! He further stated that revenue is down in that department as only a few tickets were issued,” said Sylvia Turnage. “At a time where a homeowner has to wait over two months to be issued a permit to replace a fence? The whole permitting process has grinded to a halt.”
“There is your revenue. Homeowners want to improve their property and are willing to pay for it. Where is the process?,” said Sylvia Turnage.
“Bernier and his Council cronies have systematically dismantled Roselle’s borough government, fired all the experienced workers and replaced them with a bunch of political minions at outrageous salaries and with no experience!,” said Sylvia Turnage. “Giving someone a title does not mean they have the ability to do the job. In the meantime, the residents are not being provided with services that equal their tax dollars.”
“All of this is being orchestrated by a councilman that does not pay taxes and lives at home with mom and dad,” said Sylvia Turnage. “Bernier is so out of touch with the needs of the ward he claims to represent. Now you want Code Enforcement to give out $500 tickets? What a joke.”
Moreover, Turnage criticized what she perceives as a broader pattern of mismanagement within the Roselle Borough government.
She accused Bernier and his allies of dismantling key municipal functions, replacing experienced staff with politically connected individuals lacking relevant qualifications.
“In their pursuit of political agendas, Bernier and his cronies have compromised the effectiveness and integrity of our local government,” Turnage asserted. “The indiscriminate firing of experienced professionals and their replacement with politically motivated appointees undermines the delivery of essential services to our community.”
Turnage’s remarks come amidst broader allegations of political interference and cronyism within the Roselle Borough Council.
Concerns about recent appointments to key positions have critics questioning the qualifications of newly hired borough employees and the motives behind the decisions to oust longtime public servants.
The growing list of political lynching victims includes Police Chief Stacey Williams, Fire Chief Eric Pearson, Business Administrator Rick Smiley, Chief Financial Officer, Superintendent of Public Works, Building Inspector, Zoning Officer, and Code Enforcement Supervisor.
Samantha Carpio, the borough’s new director of Economic Development, replaced Victor Klymenko, who had received recognition for his work and was paid $40,000 less than his successor.
Stafford Township Republican Christopher Laba replaced Pearson as the new head of the Fire Department. Smiley was replaced by wandering political operative T. Missy Balmir.
The controversy surrounding Bernier’s proposal and the broader issues of governance within Roselle highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and a focus on the genuine needs of the community. As residents continue to voice their concerns and former officials raise accusations of corruption, the future direction of the borough remains uncertain.