The Candidate in His Own Words
In my last blog post, Byram Township Voters – Be Informed for the Upcoming Election, I made the statement regarding candidate Carlos Luaces that “He is hot-tempered, arrogant, ill-informed and often practices purposeful deceit to try to make his ill-conceived arguments.” I stand by that statement.
Since that post, several people, including the candidate himself, have accused me of a ‘personal attack’ on him. Incredible, since he himself has personally attacked me as “immoral and unethical” on a number of occasions, (including once in the article mentioned below).
So let’s just use a Byram Council meeting as an example of what I and my fellow council members experienced with him at almost every meeting until he quit halfway through his term.
In less than three minutes, (listen) he shows his complete lack of decorum, his arrogance, his hot-temper and his ignorance:
After a statement by the Township attorney: “I totally disagree…this is ridiculous! …it’s absurd! It’s absolutely absurd! I refuse to vote on this! I’m not going to vote on this!”
Then, after having voted “Here” during roll call on the vote, while the clerk continues to take the roll, he blurts out, “Hold on! Did I just vote on this whole ordinance?”
Yes, Carlos. You did.
“I’m voting absolutely not! I don’t want to discuss this at all! This should be tabled 100%!”
When Mayor Oscovitch tries to explain to him that he’s already voted, his response is, “What are you gonna do, throw me in jail? NO! I’m taking my vote away! I WILL NOT VOTE ON THIS AT ALL!”
Then the grand declaration: “Do I have to throw over a god damn table? This is ridiculous!” He then stumble and grumbles until the attorney suggest he is abstaining, to which he says, “Yes.”
The vote is finished, it passes 3-0, with two ‘abstains’, to which he shouts “Congratulations!” and begins clapping. Then scatters paperwork on the dais.
As Mayor Oscovitch tries to continue the meeting, Luaces shouts “Yeehaw! This is a total cowboy move!” To which the Mayor agrees, and Councilwoman Raffay quietly adds, “On your part.”
You think this is hard to believe? That I’m making this up? Listen yourself by clicking here.
You can also read how the New Jersey Herald covered the meeting by clicking here.
And read an email sent to the entire Town Council by a resident upset by what he read in the paper and listening to the complete tape of the meeting by clicking here.
“…I was not at the meeting but I read about it in the paper and have listened to audio of the meeting. I want to say how disappointed I am in the way councilman Luaces acted. …I do not know enough about the Highlands Act to comment on the Act itself but from what I heard and read, there are some opposing views on the council. After listening for about 15 minutes I still don’t know much about the Highlands Act but do know that I don’t care for Mr Luaces style of governing. “
Dealing with Carlos on a regular basis back then, and on the VERY few occasions where he bothered to attend Municipal Building Sub-committee meetings recently, I still stand behind my statement – I believe he is completely lacking the moral character that Byram’s residents deserve of their elected officials.
Cast your vote wisely on November 5, neighbors. There is no place on your governing body for a person like this.
Respectfully,
Scott Olson, Byram Councilman