WEST NEW YORK — West New York Mayor Dr. Felix Roque fired a town construction official via letter on Jan. 19, according to town officials.
The letter claims that the fired official took a one-week vacation without informing the appropriate officials in the Building Department, “which is under my directive,” Roque stated in the letter.
The official was escorted from the building by police the same day. Town Attorney Gilberto Garcia said Monday that the escort was necessary because the official had filed a lawsuit against the town last November, based on “several different allegations,” so they had to be careful.
“Given the situation that exists, we thought it was a cautious move to prevent discussions or arguments,” Garcia said.
“He had reckless behavior combined with a cowboy attitude,” Roque said of the fired official Monday. “The fact that he takes off and doesn’t notify his superiors is an act of insubordination.”
He added, “as the mayor and a military man I will never tolerate that from a public servant. There are laws and we have to follow them; the taxpayers’ money is at stake and I will defend every penny.” –Gennarose Pope