The problems keep coming for Community Board 9.
James Coccovillo, the board’s chair, wants a do-over after a recent vote to keep on board member Sam Esposito.
At the November meeting, Esposito called for a public vote in order to avoid the board going into executive session to call for his removal. Coccovillo obliged, and Esposito was saved with a 34-10 vote.
Esposito was the subject of rumors within the group after he clashed with three other members. He was accused of being anti-Semitic, but said he “isn’t anti-anything.”
Late on November 18, Coccovillo distributed a press release, unbeknownst to the majority of the board, stating the last meeting did not adhere to CB 9’s bylaws and the issues raised then will therefore have to be dealt with again in December.
“I would not have known about it had I not seen it on Twitter,” said one board member.
The chair met with members of the borough president’s office, who confirmed Coccovillo “wrongfully allowed CB 9 bylaws to be bypassed, a fact that needs to be rectified to sustain the confidence and trust of the board as well as the public.”
Esposito maintains his innocence and said the problem lies within his support for District Manager Mary Anne Carey, who Coccovillo attempted to remove from the board in June.
“[Coccovillo] did so without the knowledge of any other members of the board,” Esposito said. “He restlessly continued on his quest to harass and intimidate the staff from the time he became chair until now. What we are doing is protecting these girls who have worked tirelessly through the years.”
Consideration for the removal of Esposito from CB 9 will be addressed again at the December 10 meeting.
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