Target of recall effort, Rockaway Twp. councilman resigns

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Councilman Victor Palumbo, who last month said he would not step down in the face of a recall campaign, resigned on Tuesday, said acting Township Clerk Christina Clipperton. 

"In light of the primary results I have decided to resign," Palumbo said, but would not elaborate. His term was set to expire at the end of 2021. 

A committee of three, Eric Wekilsky, Suzanne Reck Barrett and Mary Noon, started the recall process in February, and said they wanted to hold the Ward 1 councilman accountable for his voting record. The recall petition garnered more than 800 signatures by last month - 724 were needed. 

Palumbo would not elaborate on his decision, but last month he said the committee went after him because it was easier to get him off the council than a councilman at large, which would have required more than 4,000 signatures. Such was the case with last year’s failed recall attempt against Councilman Jeremy Jedynak, which never achieved the required threshold. 

“It’s a political move to recall someone because they do not like the way the person votes,” Palumbo said last month. 

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The resignation breaks up the voting block of Palumbo, Jedynak, Patricia Abrahamsen, Tucker Kelley and Phyllis Smith, which held the majority throughout a controversial year that included a number of lawsuits and judicial actions that stemmed from council decisions.  

Palumbo said he was never a rubber stamp for anyone and he’s done nothing wrong. 

Clipperton received his resignation letter Tuesday, which will save taxpayers the price of a special election and allows Republicans to keep control of his seat because a special election could have included Democrats. 

The Republican County Committee has 15 days to present the Township Council with three choices for Palumbo’s replacement. 

Email: myers@northjersey.com