On February 10th, I attended another town council meeting. Some time has passed since my last meeting and the subsequent write-up. In that time, I declared my candidacy for the at-large council seat, and our slate received the endorsement of Mayor Steven Fulop, who is running for governor.
But tonight, I had a specific mission: to ensure that the mayor and council understood the urgency in protecting immigrant communities in New Jersey.
I wasn’t the first to speak. One by one, residents addressed the council, stressing the need for transparency in the development of the town’s master plan. They voiced concerns about environmental issues—solar energy, flood mitigation—along with affordable housing, pedestrian safety, and open spaces, especially in the Third Ward. Frustration was palpable as residents criticized how opaque the master plan process had been since it began in May 2023. The mayor responded with the tired, familiar refrain: “We’re working on it. It’s confidential for now. Rest assured, you’ll find out eventually.” No timelines. No explanations. No accountability.
When it was my turn to speak, I intended to remind the mayor and council that I had written to them on January 23rd, urging them to pass a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act. As I approached the podium, an odd thing happened. Mayor Mundell mispronounced my name—not just mispronounced it, but twisted it into something that sounded almost demonic - Satanic. Was this simply an unfamiliar name tripping her up? Or was there more to it? Either way, it was unsettling.
At the podium, I called on the mayor and council to adopt the resolution, which I had helpfully provided. Mayor Mundell was quick to point out that Assembly representatives Venezia and Morales are co-sponsors of the bill and are urging Assembly President Scutari to move it forward. Commendable.
Except, as we know, the Democrats and Republicans in the Assembly seem in no rush to put the bill on the governor’s desk.
Mayor Mundell explained that they were "looking into the details" of the resolution. When I pressed for a timeline, she cut me off.
Her response left me dissatisfied. I found myself wishing for a mayor and council who would not only pass this resolution without delay but also take tangible steps to reassure our immigrant communities. They could hold Know Your Rights workshops, offer professional development for law enforcement to prevent unintended harm, or simply affirm their commitment to protection and support. Instead, it seems our mayor’s position aligns closely with that of Mikie Sherrill and Governor Phil Murphy— a stance of cautious inaction.
The meeting dragged on, covering other significant topics, including bond obligations—which the mayor wants us to believe aren’t real debt—and the 2025 budget, whose adoption deadline has now been pushed back (to when?). Despite being well into 2025, we’re left guessing what surprise awaits us when third-quarter taxes are due on August 1st.
Yet what struck me most wasn’t the budget talk but the hostile atmosphere of the meeting itself. The mayor interrupted residents who exceeded their speaking time and chastised the audience for clapping. Chief Ricci even crossed the room mid-meeting to confront audience members, telling them to “take it outside” if they dared to make noise.
It was a stark reminder that my vision for a fair and welcoming home for immigrants may be nothing more than a dream. When public meetings feel this adversarial—when elected officials meet calls for accountability with defensiveness and disdain—it’s hard not to wonder if that dream will ever become reality.
Dr. Satenik Margaryan
Concerning my public comment on affordable housing, she obviously cannot fix the real estate they allowed built around town or easily the change the trajectory of their mismanagement of infrastructure. But to your request, Satenik, a statement regarding immigration, on the spot tonight, she could have reassured you that a statement was coming out of the town within a day or a week because they’ve been working on it.
Why would it have to involve the assembly?
Our town of Bloomfield may have its own public policy on immigrants Independent of our state assembly.
Mundell’s response to you shows her true nature and how she feels about immigrants.
Just as with our country, this is what happens when money and noise gets the attention, pandering to the ill-informed gets the support and the majority suck it all up and ignore documented facts because they haven't been paying attention. This is going to be another long reign I'm afraid. I hope I'm wrong. Sometimes I really want to be.