Woodland Park councilman quits, cites toxic environment. Borough will investigate

WOODLAND PARK — Last week's abrupt resignation of Councilman Ron Arnau, who cited discriminatory behavior toward the LGBTQ community, bigoted comments, backbiting and ineptitude, has sparked an investigation.

Borough officials said Arnau's accusations, made in his June 27 letter of resignation, have alarmed them.

Arnau has also resigned as co-chair of the borough's Democratic County Committee and won't seek election in November as previously planned.

"Given the breadth and depth of these experiences that have occurred over just a short window," Arnau wrote in his letter of resignation, "I see no viable path forward to be an effective councilman, (Woodland Park Democratic Organization) co-chair and resign from all positions effective immediately."

Borough Administrator Sam Yodice said "due to the seriousness of the situation, the borough has decided to launch an independent investigation." He said the "investigation process may encompass tasks such as obtaining witness statements, conducting interviews, gathering documentary evidence, evaluating the evidence, and providing recommendations or corrective actions."

Arnau was appointed in January to the council to fill an empty seat.

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Yodice said the borough is considering hiring the O'Toole, Scrivo law firm to conduct the investigation and is exploring paying for it through its Joint Insurance Fund.

If hired, the law firm will look for evidence such as written documents, text messages or screenshots, social media screenshots or messages, voicemails or recordings, and oral witness testimony, Yodice said.

"If necessary, then the borough will implement any and all appropriate corrective measures to 1. resolve any existing problems, and 2. prevent them from happening again," Yodice said.

Why did Councilman Arnau resign?

Arnau, who was also running for election to the Borough Council in November, said he will no longer be running because he witnessed or was subjected to discriminatory comments about people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their appearance and physicality.

ln his letter of resignation to fellow Democrats, Arnau wrote that "mismanagement of communication, essential information, leadership, organizational structure, prioritization, etc. has resulted in a toxic culture of finger-pointing, unprofessional conduct and attrition."

The Democratic County Committee members will have to provide names to the Borough Council to fill the seat until the election as well as find another candidate to add to November's ticket.

Mayor Tracy Kallert said that due to the investigation, she would not be able to comment on Arnau's resignation.

Councilman Arnau's history with Woodland Park

Arnua was named co-chair of the borough's Democratic Municipal Committee last fall after former mayor and party chair Keith Kazmark resigned to take the job of village manager for Ridgewood. Arnau was appointed to the all-Democratic Borough Council in January.

As recently as June 19, Arnau posted on social media his congratulations to retiring borough police Chief John Uzzolino.

When contacted, Arnau said he "had no comment at this time."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Woodland Park councilman quits, cites toxic environment