When you Have No Checks & Balances, You Have a Dictatorship

You know, under the Faulkner Act, our government structure is commonly referred to as a 'Strong Mayor, Weak Council' form of government.

Well, given the latest disconcerting circumstances being brought to light by Keith Hahn, that's half-true.

We have a 'Weak Council.'

Hahn raises a good question about a lawsuit settlement back in September 2022 - 'Can someone explain how Mayor Joshi was able to settle a lawsuit for $752,000 with Democratic Committee woman Fran Bar-Eli when on December 10, 2019 it was then Council Vice President Joshi who led the charge to eliminate her position at the Library?

Seems a lawsuit was settled by Mayor Sam 'Mr. Shrink-flation' Joshi back in September 2022 without Council approval.

Now, how is that possible that such a settlement can bypass the Council, responsible for the purse strings, and be unilaterally done?

Even if it's paid through the insurance fund, doesn't the Council get to have a say and People of Edison have a right to know about this settlement?

When you have a Mayor making such unilateral decisions that completely bypasses any Checks & Balances - you don't have any form of representative government - You Have a Dictatorship.

Here's Hahn's video of 'Mayor Joshi in December of 2019 telling the Library Board they do not have to listen to their attorney in eliminating the position of Democratic Committeewoman Fran Bar-Eli. One lawsuit later and a secret $752,000 settlement later and three words pop into my head; pompous, arrogant and wrong.'

Wow - according to Hahn, 'in 2019 then Council VP Joshi led the effort to eliminate the position of Fran Bar-Eli at the library, leaving her without a job. In September of 2022 he secretly settled the lawsuit for $752,000. None of the Council members were informed of, or approved the settlement.'

Kudos to Keith Hahn for highlighting something that has long been a reality in this all-Dem party town - We Have No Checks & Balances here in the 'DemBadLands of Downtown Edison.

Anyhoo, looks like the town has gone off the rails under the ill-prepared and ill-equipped stewardship of Mayor Sam 'Mr. Shrink-flation' Joshi, aka Big-boy pants, the Weathervane Millennial and the Council has turned a blind eye to it.