Edison, NJ – The Edison Council meeting Wednesday night has been dubbed the most bizarre to date, after Council President Nish Patel had a resident removed for wearing a mask – while Patel himself was also masked. This incident has further fueled calls for Patel’s resignation, with residents and activists alike criticizing his actions as hypocritical and an infringement on First Amendment rights.
The controversy began when resident Christo Makropoulos, known for his “First Amendment audits” which often involve filming public officials, attempted to address the council while wearing an Anonymous mask. Patel, citing unspecified rules, ordered Makropoulos’ removal by police. This sparked outrage among attendees, who questioned the legality and consistency of Patel’s order.
Adding to the absurdity, the meeting saw other unusual participants, including an individual dressed as an 8-foot bong and a puppet mimicking New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. These unconventional “speakers” were seemingly a satirical protest against Patel’s mask ruling and his recent attempt to limit public comment, highlighting the arbitrary and potentially unconstitutional nature of restricting masks during public comment.
This latest incident comes on the heels of growing dissatisfaction with Patel’s leadership. Councilman Brescher, echoing the sentiments of many residents, pointed to the smooth operation of Monday’s meeting led by Council Vice President Margot Harris as evidence of Patel’s unnecessary and disruptive control. Brescher emphasized the need to “respect the rights given to the people and listen to the people,” a clear rebuke of Patel’s recent actions.
Further stoking the flames of discontent is the recent change in Edison TV’s broadcasting format. The decades-old practice of showing both the speaker at the podium and the council members has been replaced with a single, static camera angle focused solely on the council dais. This change effectively erases the public from the visual record of the meeting, leading to accusations of a lack of transparency.
Resident Ralph Bucci, a vocal critic of Patel, has been gaining support for his call for Patel to step down. The incident-free meeting chaired by Vice President Margot Harris has only strengthened this movement, with many residents now questioning Patel’s ability to lead fairly and respectfully.
The events of last Wednesday’s meeting have thrown into sharp relief the ongoing tension between the Edison government and its citizens. As calls for Council President Patel’s resignation grow louder, the council finds itself at a crossroads as the meetings get longer and more bizarre by the week. Whether it will choose to address the concerns of its constituents or continue down a path of authoritarianism remains to be seen.
