FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2019

IN BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION HAMILTON COUNCIL BLASTS MAYOR, ANNOUNCES OVERRIDE VOTE OF KELLY YAEDE’S SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION VETO

Hamilton, NJ – Hamilton Council members Ileana Schirmer, Jeff Martin, Rick Tighe, and Anthony Carabelli, Jr., issue the following joint, bipartisan statement regarding Mayor Yaede’s veto of the Hamilton Senior Citizen Advisory Commission.

“I find it appalling that Mayor Yaede would veto creating a Commission to help senior citizens advocate for issues unique to their stage in life,” said Council President Jeff Martin. “Council will hold an immediate vote at the next Council meeting, which appropriately is at the town Senior Center, to override her veto and reverse her short-sighted, mean and vindictive decision. Our senior citizens already contribute so much to our town that a $1,000 expense out of a $100 million budget – one which Mayor Yaede approved – pales in comparison.”

“Shame on Kelly Yaede for continually making life more difficult for our town’s senior citizens,” said Council Vice-President Rick Tighe. “First, Kelly Yaede took away waivers for permit fees on health and safety projects from our seniors and now she takes away an outlet for them to bring issues to the town’s attention. We recognize that with the growth of 55+ communities in Hamilton, the number of seniors in our community will also continue to grow, and therefore our services will also need to grow.”

“As Council, we recognize that our town’s senior citizens have issues specific to their stage in life”, said Councilman Anthony Carabelli, Jr. “We have been contacted by senior members of our community on issues involving transportation for medical appointments, recreation services, and health screenings and recognize they need a formal Commission to bring these issues to the attention of their elected officials.”

“Council created this Commission by a unanimous 5-0 vote and Kelly Yaede is upset she is not getting any of the credit,” said Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer. “Maybe if we put her name as part of the Commission she would have approved it. Her action to veto this Commission should speak volumes to our seniors who have contributed so much to this town.”

“For these reasons, we have today instructed our municipal attorney to plan the proper paperwork for Council to take a vote to override Mayor Yaede’s veto,” said the Council members. “Assuming the vote is successful, in addition to representatives from Council and our Department of Senior Services, we hope to also have an ex-officio member of Mercer County’s Office on Aging to better collaborate services to Hamilton senior citizens. We know this advisory commission will give our senior citizens a more direct connection to their local and county government.”

Hamilton Council members previously announced their intent to create the Hamilton Township Senior Citizen Advisory Commission on April 5, 2019.

The next Council meeting is to be held Tuesday, July 16th at the Hamilton Township Senior Center.

The Council and Mayor approved the 2019 Municipal Budget with $1,000 dedicated to the Senior Citizen Advisory Commission to be able to execute their mission.

Read Yaede’s response here. 

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