Corea Says Firing was Politically Motivated

CAPE MAY — Former City Manager Luciano V. Corea Jr. has released a statement following a $100,000 settlement with the City of Cape May over his firing in 2008 which he said was politically motivated.
Here is a March 25 press release from Corea:
“Cape May’s Council recent approval of a contractual settlement, I believe fully vindicates me and proves that my release as Cape May City Manager was politically motivated and without cause.
In part, it resulted from a mayor who blamed me for costing him his reelection. He never got over losing his power when it changed to a Council/Manager form of government. As a matter of fact, he and the city went to court in an unsuccessful attempt to overturn the vote to change. Well-heeled political contributors also pressured my release due to the apolitical way I handled my responsibilities.”
“As a result, I was removed from my position largely in part for supporting the enforcement of the ordinances of the city, equally, without regard as to how politically connected individuals would have been affected.”
“I always tried to treat everyone equally; if something was done for one person, it would be done for everyone. I believe that the majority of the residents of Cape May were happy with the even-handed way that I approached enforcement of Cape May’s ordinances and many of them have graciously taken the time to let me know that they were.”
“Sadly, it is the tail that wags the dog in Cape May. It is a city where a few long time and politically connected individuals control what actions will affect all its residents. Should one of these individuals object to an issue, the council will attempt to re-invent the wheel to try to please them.”
“It is a classic example of the squeaky wheel getting the grease. Nothing is done without several committees, usually staffed with “friendly’s”, meeting endlessly to discuss trivial items which usually results in little being accomplished. However this does mean the council does not have to make a decision on its own, and if there are any complaints, they could be blamed on the committee.”
“In the end, Cape May Council members now have what they wanted, control back as it was under the old Small Municipalities Form of Government, where the mayor had all the power, as the current city manager appears unwilling to object to the usurping of his statutory authority. At least one of the incumbent council members recently stated that she is not happy with the way things are now being handled and this is one of the reasons she is not running for re-election.”
“I would like to thank all those that supported and believed in me. It is times like this that demonstrate who you can rely on and those who will desert you for fear that they may in someway be associated with your actions. I am glad that this issue is behind me and my family, who also suffered under the unjust accusations, so we can now move on.”
The resolution that terminated Corea in 2008 noted the move was based on his failure to follow policies and directives established by City Council by not permitting operators of patios on the Washington Street Mall to continue to operate the patio businesses over Memorial Day weekend based on their failure to submit permit applications before the start of the weekend.
In addition, council’s resolution noted Corea’s failure to confer with each council member individually on matters of importance to the city on a regular basis by not advising each of them of his decision to either close (or not direct the police to permit the reopening) of certain patio businesses on the mall.
Corea’s lawsuit named the City of Cape May, Mayor Edward J. Mahaney Jr., former Mayor Jerome E. Inderwies and former city councilman David Craig and current councilpersons Niels Favre, David Kurkowski, Terri Swain and Linda Steenrod for damages and loss of income from his firing earlier this summer.