Mayor: Employee who made insensitive remarks about displaced tenants removed from planning board
A Change.org petition with over 1,000 signatures has been calling for Carmencita Pile to be removed, not just from the Planning Board, but from the city Democratic committee and the nonprofit grant program she works at.
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A Plainfield City Planning Board member who made insensitive remarks about tenants displaced from a condemned apartment building has been removed from the board, according to Mayor Adrian Mapp.
A Change.org petition with over 1,000 signatures has been calling for Carmencita Pile to be removed, not just from the Planning Board, but from the city Democratic committee and the nonprofit grant program she works at.
Pile faced criticism for saying, “All you need is an ICE truck and they’ll be running,” regarding the tenants of the condemned building who were out protesting. The building located at 501 West 7th Street was condemned earlier this month due to unsafe living conditions.
Pile spoke to News 12 New Jersey on Monday and apologized for her comments.
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“I did the wrong thing. And I apologize. I took my cell phone. I wasn't in their face, but I zoomed in, ‘Are you documented? Are you documented?’ Pile told News 12. “And I made another stupid statement by saying call ICE and they'll run. You know? So I sincerely apologize for that.”
The mayor issued a statement Tuesday night following the outrage about the comments.
“I want to assure the residents of Plainfield that appropriate action has been taken regarding this regrettable behavior. The employee has been removed as an appointment from the Planning Board, and disciplinary actions regarding her employment are underway,” Mapp wrote.
The statement continued, “As is the long-standing policy of the City of Plainfield, specifics cannot be shared. Still, I can confirm that the actions taken reflect how seriously we feel about the incident and the sentiments expressed.”
