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Public commenters press Hudson County on privacy breaches and labor negotiations
Summary
During public comment, residents and union representatives accused county staff of a privacy error that exposed a Social Security number and sought records on provisional appointments and cost-of-living adjustments; a separate speaker made incendiary allegations about a family death and threatened subpoenas.
Several public commenters used the Hudson County Board of Commissionersmeeting to raise privacy and labor concerns and to ask the county for records and further response.
Constance Weidman told the board that her Social Security number appeared in a document the county circulated and said the disclosure left her "mentally sick at this point." She asked for a public meeting and a written response and said she would seek legal counsel if she did not receive resolution. County staff responded that the matter relates to personnel and said it would be handled privately; the county administrator and county executive said the document was shared in error, that the contents were internal, and that steps would be taken to ensure redaction in the future.
Union representatives pressed the board for transparency on labor issues. Augustine (Agustin) Sanchez, who identified himself as a union staff representative for ASKNI Local 2306, said comments made at a prior meeting insinuated the union was withholding information about retention-pay arbitration and demanded such inquiries be directed to union leadership. Sabara Alexander, president of AFNI Local 1697, requested a copy of a list she said had been sent to civil service and asked why nonunion managerial staff received COLA adjustments while union members did not; she said her unions negotiation request for COLA was rejected during bargaining.
A separate public commenter, Ray Mitchell, delivered an agitated statement alleging mishandling of his father's death and said he intended to subpoena officials; staff curtailed his remarks when his time expired. Board members repeatedly reminded speakers of time limits and of distinctions between personnel matters and items appropriate for the public forum; county officials said they would meet with individuals after the meeting to discuss personnel issues privately.
The board did not take formal action on these public concerns at the meeting but recorded offers by staff and counsel to follow up with affected individuals.
