Cirilo DWI Trial Scheduled for Wednesday
Court official: West Orange council president will appear in Verona Municipal Court for Nov. 9, 2012 incident.
West Orange Council President Victor Cirilo’s twice-postponed trial on drunken driving charges is scheduled to take place Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. in Verona, court officials said Tuesday morning.
Cirilo is charged with driving while intoxicated following a Nov. 9, 2012 police stop after he made a turn from Bloomfield Avenue onto Mount Prospect Avenue (Route 23) just after midnight, Verona Police Chief Douglas Huber said at the time.
On Jan. 2, Verona Municipal Court Administrator Jean DePoe said that postponement was granted at Cirilo’s lawyer’s request.
At the time of his arrest, Cirilo was administered a field sobriety test, Huber said, but he refused to take a blood alcohol test.
Cirilo also faces careless driving and failure to keep right charges. He was originally scheduled to appear in Verona Municipal Court on Wednesday, Nov. 21, but that date was also postponed.
Cirilo apologized for the arrest in a letter to the editor immediately after his November arrest, saying he intends to fight the charges and asking residents to not make a rush to judgment.
West Orange officials refused comment on the arrest at the time, according to a statement released by township public information officer Jessica Glicker.
Cirilo, who won his first council term in 2010, was elected in the township’s non-partisan elections. His current term expires in 2014.
He is employed as the executive director of the housing authority of the city of Passaic and has served West Orange as a board member of the Downtown West Orange Alliance and the John Renna House, as well as serving stints on the West Orange Public Library Board and the West Orange Valley Revitalization Committee.
Cirilo also served as the field director for Sen. Robert Menendez’s suburban Essex County campaign operation and as chief of staff for state Assemb. John McKeon.
Steven Serebrenik
1:01 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Not a particular fan, but anyone can make a mistake...
john anthony prignano
2:11 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Steve Serebrenik Cirilo is innocent until proven guilty .However, anyone guilty of what he is charged with should be punished severely. He put people's lives in jeopardy. As the saying goes, there are mistakes, and then there are mistakes.The mistakes Cirilo is charged with could easily result in one or more fatalities..
wohopeful
8:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Mr. Serebrenik, making a wrong turn, misplacong a piece of paper, or forgetting an appointment is a mistake. Getting behind the wheel of a 6,000 pound machine with over 300 horsepower at your disposal after consuming alcohol is lack of judgement.
wohopeful
7:25 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Thank you WO Patch for covering this important story. It is important that the community know the level of moral turpitude of those who want to represent and serve us.
Kate Farrell
11:37 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
This is a breaking news story? Really? What is going on with the patch?
Gunny
12:28 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Kate, I agree with you. Headlines? Really?
M
1:43 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Too bad he didnt just go to the first court date and get it over with. Stalling does NOT look good. I am curious to see what his excuse is going to be. He probably needed the extra time to research an excuse up. Probablygoing to be "medical" something or other.
Glad this is Headlines news, it should not go away quietly in light of these charges & diverting attention to the Patch, like its' the Patch's fault is ridiculous.
Jack Durschlag
1:46 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Just to be clear here...The other court dates were postponed at the request of Mr. Cirilo's attorney, according to Verona Municipal Court Administrator Jean DePoe. The judge granted the postponements based on those requests. A Verona municipal court judge is scheduled to hear the case today (Wednesday) beginning at 5 p.m.
Tom
7:05 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
There has been another armed robbery in West Orange.
I ask that you direct some attention to the Crimewave that we are suffering through and become more vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity or people. and perhaps If you think it may help contact the mayor and council and police department to encourage them in more proactive policing.
Thank you