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Post Info TOPIC: Hammonton 1st Mayor and Councilman seek to remove police chief
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Hammonton 1st Mayor and Councilman seek to remove police chief
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Hammonton News story 10/18 Click here to read.


The following story appears in the Press of Atlantic City 10/17.


What are your thoughts about this story?


By MICHAEL CLARK Staff Writer, (609) 272-7204
(Published: October 17, 2006)


HAMMONTON — Town officials are seeking the dismissal of Police Chief Frank Ingemi, accusing the chief of willful disobedience, improper influence and harassing and threatening Mayor John DiDonato, according to a municipal personnel document.

The mayor and Town Council issued a disciplinary action Oct. 12 informing Ingemi of the charges and notifying him of an executive session scheduled for Nov. 9 to consider his removal and any other disciplinary actions. The letter was signed by both DiDonato and Councilman Rock Colasurdo.

Ingemi, who has been police chief since 1999, would not comment on the charges Monday, but his attorney, Lou Barbone, called the charges ridiculous and has countered with a lawsuit challenging the government's authority to oust Ingemi while also being witnesses to the alleged incidents.

“It doesn't take a brain scientist to find out that there is something wrong with this,” said Barbone. “The chief is a life-long public servant. Charges like this are not going to dissuade someone of his character from continuing to do his job effectively.”

The document lists and specifies six alleged incidents of misconduct, including threats and harassment directed at DiDonato on two separate occasions last month. The document says that on Sept. 25, Ingemi told the mayor: “‘When someone would come in here and tell Chief (Michael) DeLaurentis something, he would throw them out of his office and tell them he had no bosses. Chief DeLaurentis told (one resident) that he better lock his doors and watch what shows up in his car. I am trying to work with you, but I'm not going to be pushed around and I can be like the old Chief if necessary,' or words to that effect.”

The other incident of harassment was far less specific, alleging that on Sept. 28, Ingemi shouted and screamed at DiDonato “in an offensive, abusive and/or harassing manner” near Town Hall with municipal employees present.

The mayor declined comment on the charges and lawsuit Monday, as did Town Solicitor Brian Howell.

The town also took issue with Ingemi's revelation to a Press of Atlantic City reporter last month that Colasurdo asked police to investigate Ku Klux Klan sabotage at the old town hall. Federal investigators discovered asbestos in the soil underneath the 119-year-old building two days before it was to be moved, and Ingemi said Colasurdo suggested Klansmen planted it there.

The document also states that on Aug. 30, Ingemi told both DiDonato and Colasurdo he would “take care” of a traffic ticket incurred by Councilwoman Christine Massarelli and offered to “make it go away” during a conversation with the mayor.

The accusations, which also include Ingemi's alleged refusal to wear his police uniform while on duty, are all based on incidents that occurred within the last three months, the document says.



-- Edited by Admin at 07:36, 2006-10-18

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Anonymous

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This is absolutely ridiculous. It is obvious that Rocky was embarassed by the KKK statement he made, it backfired on him and now he wants to turn the attention somewhere else. Unfortunately he is just embarassinf the Town even further by using this method. He was also embarassed by his confrontation with the chief over his dress code, even though the councilman was sitting there in his white polo shirt while representing us.


I'll bet the Chief's lawyer is salivating over this one.



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Anonymous

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Why anyone would still support HF after this fiasco?  There's just 3 weeks left before election.  We've had enough of HF.  We need people who will deal with the remaining 4 on council.  Vote Row B for a Better Hammonton.  Vote Diaz, Glorioso, and Santone. 



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Anonymous

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Anthony Falcone needs to demand a retraction from the Hammonton News!  That rag misquoted him again just like in the McCloud Group fiasco.


At the Police Chief's request, Town Council voted on a resolution to bring in an independent judge to hear this case.  The vote was Monday.  Anthony voted FOR this item.  The vote was 7-0.


The Hammonton News reported that the vote was 5-2 with Anthony as one of the NO votes which would deny the Chief's request.


THe Hammonton News owes Anthony a retraction and must clarify it's reporting.  That newspaper has been wrong several times now with it's bad reporting.  Enough is enough.


The Dems have to demand accurate reporting.



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Anonymous

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I don't think either paper have given fair coverage to the Democrats.  This has been the party's most energetic campaign in the last several years.  They surely have been the most visible to the general public.  I hear people talking about them more and more aside from complaining about HF.  The Democrats have been standing up to HF.  I strongly believe they can get at least 2 seats this election.  It's still to close to call but like Wuillerman would say I'm entiltled to my opinion.

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Anonymous

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Everyone unite: VOTE BERTINO & DIAZ Keep a Dem and a Rep on council! Then vote whoever for the third seat.If all the D&Rs unite by voting the top of each ticket, we can keep the "broom" in the closet.

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