North Caldwell mayor apologizes for comments about Muslim congresswomen

The mayor of an Essex County town is apologizing for insensitive comments he made on Facebook about two United States congresswomen.

News 12 Staff

Jan 15, 2020, 10:35 PM

Updated 1,555 days ago

Share:

The mayor of an Essex County town is apologizing for insensitive comments he made on Facebook about two United States congresswomen.
North Caldwell Mayor Joseph Alessi said that comments he made Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib were insulting, xenophobic and wrong. He went on to say that he should have known better, especially since his father was an immigrant from Italy in 1913.
“As an elected official, I represent and work for and owe duty to the people of this great community. No matter what their race, their color or their creed, or their political beliefs. Please accept my heartfelt apology,” Alessi said at a recent town council meeting.
News 12 New Jersey reached out to the mayor for an interview but did not hear back.


More from News 12
1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

2:10
Rain showers return tonight in New Jersey; temps warm up for the weekend

Rain showers return tonight in New Jersey; temps warm up for the weekend

NJDOT looks to complete emergency repairs on Route 71 Bridge in Belmar by Memorial Day

NJDOT looks to complete emergency repairs on Route 71 Bridge in Belmar by Memorial Day

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

0:36
NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

0:24
Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

2:32
Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

0:25
NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

2:19
Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

0:25
New Jersey native Jack Leiter makes pitching debut for Rangers as they beat Tigers 9-7

New Jersey native Jack Leiter makes pitching debut for Rangers as they beat Tigers 9-7

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

0:29
GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

2:43
‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

0:27
Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility