Council member accuses mayor of reckless misinformation campaign

During a recent council meeting in Ridgewood, public comment focused heavily on the controversial remarks made by Mayor Vaziano regarding the state of local schools. Resident Laurie Weber criticized the mayor for allegedly misrepresenting data related to student-to-teacher ratios, which he attributed to Board of Education member and village council candidate Hyun Joo Kwak.

Weber argued that the mayor's claims were based on selective statistics from the school district's website, lacking the historical context necessary for a fair assessment. She pointed out that the New Jersey Department of Education provides comprehensive data that contradicts the mayor's assertions, suggesting that he failed to conduct proper research before making his statements.

Weber expressed concern that the mayor's comments not only targeted Kwak but also undermined the entire school administration, including the superintendent, whom she praised for his engagement and innovation. She accused Mayor Vaziano of using misleading information to create a political narrative against Kwak, which has led to divisive reactions within the community and online harassment directed at the candidate.

In her closing remarks, Weber called for the mayor to uphold the standards of civility he often preaches, urging him to engage in more responsible discourse regarding the education system. The meeting highlighted the tensions surrounding the upcoming elections and the impact of political rhetoric on community relations.