PR Commission Member Resigns After Lawyer's Retort to Cease-and-Desist Letter Goes Viral

The West Orange man whose attorney's response went viral this week to a township cease-and-desist letter regarding his client's community information website has resigned from the public relations commission.

Citing "open hostility" by a township employee and members of the commission, Jake Freivald resigned Thursday from the volunteer position.

Freivald's resignation comes just days after his lawyer's response to a cease-and-desist letter from West Orange Township to take down his website. The site, westorange.info, contains links to a local forum, news publications, tax information and the official township.

Freivald cited "open hostility" by the township's public information officer, Jessica Glicker, as well as two member of the commission. 

Freivald declined to comment on who the two members were. According to the township website, the members of the commission are: Prakash Khaitan, Michelle Cadeau, Cynthia Cumming, MaryEllen Morrow, Jonathon Ridley, Josefina Velez and Patrecia West.

His letter also attributes his resignation to his lawyer's letter going viral as well as Glicker's alleged lack of transparency. Glicker is the township liason to the public relations commission.

Freivald said the popularity of his lawyer's letter could cause people to believe he's not objective, hindering his ability on the commission.

Glicker did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.

Freivald's resignation letter was emailed to Councilman Joe Krakoviak. Krakoviak is friends with Freivald and appointed him the public relations commission. [Attached as PDF]

Although Krakoviak said he has fully supported Freivald and his response to the cease-and-desist letter, they could not agree on how to end this issue.

"What the mayor and township attorney have done to Jake has done immeasurable damage to the township's reputation," Krakoviak said. "I think everyone involved should do what they need to do to settle this issue as quickly as possible."

Frievald said he will address the Township Council again at Tuesday's meeting in Town Hall at 7 p.m.

Mayor Robert Parisi said Friday he considers the matter closed. 

"We had no intention of pursuing the matter further anyway," he said. 

Retracting the cease-and-desist letter would be the only proper closure, Freivald said in response to Parisi's statement. 

"The situation is what it is at this point," he said.