Why did Cirilo apologize for the incident{s} if he didn't do anything illegal. Personally, I would not apologize to anyone if I were being accused of a crime or crimes I didn't commit.

this is a complete joke. if this was you or me we would already be taking a bus. this guy should be ashamed of his self and he won't ever see another vote from me. I'm sick of politicians and the famous getting a free pass while the common person foots the bill

The Patch keeps saying "Cirilo apologized for the arrest in a letter to the editor..." of what?

The accuracy of sobriety tests is controversial, and can be challenged in court and can sometimes result in acquittal of DWI cases due to some technicality. This could be the reason behind the expert testimony of the personal physician. If it were I, I will just plead guilty since I have already apologized to the town, instead of spending all that money for lawyer fees. It was a stupid mistake, but we are all human, especially if this was his first DWI arrest. I have a bad feeling that prolonging this with all the delays may only make things worse than they already are.

Raymond Helfrich Shakespeare, "As Brevity is the soul of wit, I shall be brief." From Hamlet's soliloquy......the laws delay, the proud man's contumely, the arrogance of office..... GREAT comment.

The accuracy of sobriety tests is controversial, and can be challenged in court and can sometimes result in acquittal of DWI cases due to some technicality. This could be the reason behind the expert testimony of the personal physician. If it were I, I will just plead guilty since I have already apologized to the town, instead of spending all that money for lawyer fees. It was a stupid mistake, but we are all human, especially if this was his first DWI arrest. I have a bad feeling that prolonging this with all the delays may only make things worse than they already are.

I called it...the "medical" excuse when this was first postponed. What a piece of work this guy is! I guess bad publicity is better than none. Yikes!

M Your "medical excuse" comment was the first thing I thought of when I read this article. Oscar Wilde said " The only thing worse that being talked about is not being talked about."

The Oscar Wilde quote should read " The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." Why does Cirilo accept full responsibility for any blemish to our Township and apologize to our citizens? That's FULL responsibility.

As much as I respect everyone’s opinion in regard to what is happening to the Council president and how you may or may not feel as residents, there are a few things that have been presented that don't sound accurate to me.
For example, often it is said that he already admitted guilt with his “apology letter.” In that regard, I don't understand why his apology was taken like that, first because his accepting full responsibility for any “blemish” to the township and as a result he apologized to the residents. That doesn't mean he admitted he is guilty. As a public and elected person this situation sure brings some “blemish” to our town due to his role as a councilman. The reporter indicated that “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”. But yet, we are rushing to make judgments and thinking his position is buying him an easy way out. How about we think that MAYBE his position is not quite helping him? The Judge as well as the prosecutor may be more careful to not been seen as someone helping a “public servant” to get off easily! That is the point, we will not always agree with the the court’s decision and think that justice is being served, but in order for justice to be served, we need the process to take its own steps.

would think that not only the Judge but also Cirilo are aggravated by the delay, since as a result he is still unable to speak on his own behalf about his acts and he is still paying legal fees, but most importantly the aggravation this can bring to him, his family and his professional and public duties. The reasons behind changing lawyers, seeking medical expertise, etc., is part of the process and how his legal representation feels is the right way to proceed with Cirilo’s case. Also, it was the lawyer who requested the time or the extension--I know, as someone who has translated in court before, that only the lawyers are the ones allow to address the court. Most importantly none of this mentioned so far indicates that he is or is not guilty of charges. To me it only indicates that he is seeking for an fair opportunity to defend himself. So I would like to know, would any of us not look and do the same if it was our own case?

“Breaking news”- I will disagree on that as well. For me yesterday’s "breaking news" was the President presenting the Gun law, or George Norcross backing Sen. Barbara Buono and bashing Sen. Codey, or a pair of robbers pistol-whipping an Orange man- which WOPatch did report about. For me personally it was Booker’s expression on the Rachel Maddox’s show...”I am a Prisoner of Hope” .

My intention here is not based on the act that Cirilo is a dear friend of mine, but to clarify my points and to request from all of us not to rush ourselves in judgements and pronouncing verdicts since in the end it isn't our position to do so. Respecting people’s privacy, even those that are public people, is important. I, as a friend, will support him with what the judge rules at the end because guilty or innocent the hope is that justice will be served, and knowing Cirilo I know that is what he is looking for as well. Thanks You!

It is not my place to pass judgment on whether Mr. Cirilo will be found guilty or innocent. I question the wisdom behind the strategy of prolonging the trial. There is no doubt in my mind that the arresting officer had enough grounds to perform a DWI arrest; otherwise he faces the danger of performing a false arrest with the ensuing consequences. Putting myself in Mr. Cirilo’s place, I will make sure that I have a qualified lawyer who can minimize the damage by obtaining a ruling of not guilty due to some technicality associated with the field sobriety test.
Having said that, damage has already been done, purely based on being arrested in the first place. The perception in most people’s minds will not change, whether the verdict is guilty or not guilty due to some technicality. Although an overkill, this brings to mind OJ’s infamous case of being found innocent since the glove did not fit. Most people still think that he is guilty. My 2 cents opinion is, (regardless of what the final verdict is,) the multiple postponements, whether truly justified or not, added to the damage in the case.
Lastly, Mr. Cirilo is lucky to have a loyal friend in you. I too know Mr. Cirilo at St. Joseph Church, and personally like him.

If anyone wants to see what a real person Cirilo is just find him on St.Patricks parade day. I was at a bar where he was so drunk and out of control. This is guy should be ashamed of himself

Thank you for your kind words "Concerned" , I really appreciate them! - I heard you and may agree with you in some of the statements and probably I will make a change here and there or complete some of the others :-) . Still is an open case/investigation therefore isn't much what can be said .
Sadly, the perception in people's mind is a tricky thing. Time will do its part and I believe Cirilo will address that on its time, to the best of his abilities. What I am really hoping for him as I will for any person, is the opportunity to receive a fair opportunity. Concerned, again thank for your kind words, wishing the best to you and yours! Alex DeRonde

george Great comment. More than one person stated that there was a Councilman drunk and out of control at the St. Patrick's Day parade. Now we have a name.

Perhaps his ytue freinds and family will urge him to seek the help he needs for alcoholism.

What was Mr. Cirilo's reason for having to find a new legal team? Was it that the first lawyer was not on board with the plausability of his using a medical excuse to explain his behavior ? Or perhaps the first lawyer is not so convinced of his former client's innocence.

60 Park Grill, Newark, Devils Advocate LLC

Should read " I think thou doth protest too much ."