Edison, NJ – Carl Zimmerman, a 74-year-old Edison resident and recently retired town employee, took the opportunity at a recent council meeting to speak out about his experiences during his final three years of employment.
Zimmerman, who retired just 90 days ago, expressed his frustration with the proliferation of signs and litter around town, claiming he was unable to perform his duties due to threats and harassment from from Councilman Joe Coyle.
“I did my job,” Zimmerman stated, “but for the last three years, I was threatened and couldn’t do my job. Don’t go to a meeting or you’ll be fired” he was told. Zimmerman described the experience as “hell” and accused Councilman Joe Coyle of putting him through unnecessary hardship. “Go ahead keep laughing Joe, because you know it’s true” as he pointed to Councilman Coyle on the dais.
As Zimmerman’s allotted six minutes for public comment expired and the buzzer sounded, Council President Nish Patel interrupted him and ordered him to stop speaking. In a display of authority reminiscent of previous encounters, Patel threatened to have the officers remove Zimmerman from the meeting if he refused to comply.
Despite Council President Patel’s attempts to silence Zimmerman, Councilman Ajay Patil took a moment to express his appreciation for Zimmerman’s service to the town. “You were always great to this council and the residents in town” Patil stated. “I personally value your contributions while working for the town. To me, you are a very good guy, so thank you for your service.”
Zimmerman, served as a township inspector responsible for property maintenance and the removal of illegally placed signs. His role put him at the forefront of ensuring the town’s aesthetic appeal and adherence to local ordinances. However, Zimmerman’s public statement has raised questions about the workplace environment within the Edison government and the effectiveness of its policies for addressing harassment and intimidation.
Zimmerman’s decision to speak out after his retirement highlights the difficulties some employees face in reporting workplace misconduct while still employed. It also underscores the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for all employees to voice their concerns without fear of retaliation.
While the Edison Town Council has not yet issued an official response to Zimmerman’s allegations, Councilman Rich Brescher took the initiative to address the township attorney during the meeting. He stated that Zimmerman’s claims aligned with concerns he had previously raised regarding DPW workers being forced to attend meetings without pay. This suggests a potential broader issue within the township’s workforce management practices.
