Please see below for a statement by Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora regarding the May 2nd council briefing call. 

“I do regret interacting with Robin Vaughn on Saturday’s COVID briefing call with Trenton City Council. She has had a history of causing disruptions at Council meetings and attacking other decent people, based on their religion or ethnicity, who want to move our City forward. She has also remained steadfast in her opposition to economic development or any other sign of progress for our City.”

“Vaughn has been relentless in her attacks of members of my Administration and regular City workers trying to do their jobs. She is in violation of a Court Order for her to refrain from such conduct. The prior pass given the Councilwoman for her anti-Semitic comments begs the question, “when is enough?””

“However, my frustration became especially palpable on the briefing call when Councilwoman Vaughn made the assertion that federal grant dollars were going to “do-nothing” organizations. Among them were Homefront, Catholic Charities, the Rescue Mission and the Trenton Health Team. I took this personally because I know first-hand the hard work these organizations have been undertaking in the response to COVID-19. They provide healthcare, rental support, food access, emergency shelters, and a whole litany of other critical needs.”

“Government leaders at all levels will disagree on the best course of action, and sometimes emotions can get the best of us. But Councilwoman Vaughn chose to launch into a vitriolic attack full of homophobic slurs, false accusations, and hateful comments. This was beyond the pale. The toxic and harassing language used by the Councilperson has no place even in the most heated of arguments.”

“The City is facing difficult decisions regarding the path forward in the face of a global pandemic. I am putting my focus and energy towards figuring out solutions to our challenges. As I have always done, I will continue to work with those members of the City Council that want to advance initiatives that benefit the citizens of Trenton. We simply do not have time for those that refuse to consider the collective good.”

“My actions have always spoken louder than my words, and my actions have been and will be to work tirelessly on behalf this City. It is time for an end to the divisive and disruptive behavior of Councilwoman Vaughn”