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Public commenters allege mismanagement at Linden Housing Authority; residents raise safety concerns
Summary
During public comment, a speaker identifying herself as Laurie (from Rahway) alleged wrongful termination, excessive overtime and irregular resolutions at the Linden Housing Authority; Virginia Malek raised pedestrian and school‑bus safety concerns. Council acknowledged comments; no council action was taken at the meeting.
The public‑comment period drew several items of local concern, including an extended statement about operations at the Linden Housing Authority (LHA).
Laurie, who identified herself as representing the Linden Housing Authority (speaking from Rahway), alleged that her husband—an LHA employee of 20 years—was terminated without proper notice after a leadership change in March, and that executive statements about payroll cuts did not match subsequent pay records. She also alleged excessive overtime and irregular handling of resolutions at the housing authority and urged accountability, saying videos and records of LHA meetings should be reviewed. Her remarks were framed as public comment; council members replied that the LHA is a separate entity and that the city council's direct authority over LHA staffing is limited.
Another speaker, Virginia Malek, spoke about safety concerns: school‑bus procedures where children are not escorted to buses, pedestrian safety on busy corridors (DeWitt) and the prevalence of distracted driving. Malek said she had discussed these issues with the chief of police and asked the council to pursue better relationships with certain communities to improve safety practices.
Fred Castle, the city historian, invited the public to a December lecture on Linden history scheduled at the library and left flyers.
What happens next: Comments were placed on the record. Council members noted jurisdictional limits (the LHA is a separate body) and acknowledged receipt of public concerns; no formal council directives or votes regarding LHA oversight were recorded in the meeting minutes.
