Mayor Joshi is facing accusations of political maneuvering and disrespect following his decision to abruptly dismiss two dedicated library board members. Board President Pat Massey and Vice President Sue O’Neal, each with a decade of service to the community, were shocked to discover their positions were being filled without any direct communication from the mayor.
Their replacements are Democratic Committeewoman Pallavi Kabadi (District 40) and Democratic Committeewoman Rinki Singh (District 5) to the library board have fueled a growing perception that personal gain, rather than the betterment of the library, is driving these decisions. Concerns are escalating that these appointments are less about selecting the most qualified candidates and more about Mayor Joshi securing Democratic Committee support for next years primary election.
“How can someone manage to politicize the library board” asked former Councilwoman Joyce Ship-Freeman. “Mayor Joshi is angry because the residents of Clara Barton stopped him for closing the Clara Barton Branch last year and now Pat Massey and Sue O’neil are the victims of his political war to control the library board. It’s shameful, immature and irresponsible.”
Many residents fear this latest move is another attempt to stack the board with individuals who align with the mayor’s political agenda, potentially jeopardizing the library’s neutrality and independence. The lack of transparency surrounding the decision has only fueled these suspicions.
“It’s just wrong, to lead everyone to believe Pat Massey and Sue O’neill would be reappointed only to find out when the council agenda comes out on 4:45pm on Friday December 20th that they will be replaced at the council meeting on Monday December 23rd” said Councilman Richard Brescher. “It’s a horrible way to treat people and a very sneaky way to avoid public scrutiny. I will be asking the council to table these appointments until after the new year. If Mayor Joshi can not provide legitimate reasons for not reappointing two very experienced board members and replacing them with committee people I believe that would make a very strong case for political retaliation.”
The loss of Massey and O’Neal deprives the library board of valuable institutional knowledge and community perspectives. Their dedication to the library has been praised by residents and colleagues alike. This incident sends a chilling message to those considering public service: your time and commitment may be disregarded without warning.
“Pat Massey not only serves on the Edison library board, she is president of the New Jersey Library Trustee Association and on the board of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians,” stated Joe Romano Vice President of the Board of Education, emphasizing the significant loss of expertise. “Sue O’Neill has served this board very effectively for 10 years as well. I just don’t know how we let that kind of experience go; they’re both great people and an asset to the Edison public libraries.”
This latest controversy surrounding the library board isn’t Mayor Joshi’s first foray into questionable conduct involving this vital community institution. In March of 2020, a Change.org petition titled “Stop Joshi Stop Corruption in Edison” garnered nearly 2,000 signatures, highlighting a pattern of concerning behavior. The petition cited Joshi’s poor attendance record as council liaison to the library borad missing a significant number of meetings, 40% 2018 and 50% in 2019.
It also criticized his oversight in the hiring of a library director who was later federally convicted of making false statements. Furthermore, the petition alleged Joshi directed funds to a friend’s bank and attempted to improperly influence hiring practices for a library position. This history of alleged misconduct raises serious questions about the mayor’s respect for ethical governance and his commitment to the integrity of the library board.
The town council is scheduled to vote on the mayor’s recommendations Pallavi Kabadi and Rinki Singh tonight. Concerned citizens are urged to attend the meeting and voice their opposition to this blatant disregard for dedicated volunteers. They demand transparency and accountability from their elected officials. The future of the library, a vital community resource, hangs in the balance.
This situation raises critical questions about the health of local governance in Edison. Will the city council uphold the principles of fairness and transparency? Or will the mayor’s political ambitions overshadow the needs of the community? The answer will have lasting consequences for the city and its residents.
Tonight’s Council meeting starts at 6:00PM. Mayor Joshi and Chief of Staff Bob Diehl did not respond to request for comment.
