By: centraljersey.com
Allison Musante
Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR – Fiery comments urging Councilman Charles Morgan to drop his lawsuit against Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh fell on a silent speaker box at the council’s meeting.
"No comments" was the response from Mr. Morgan, who was out of town and participating in the meeting via conference call, after several members of the public and the other four council members called the councilman to drop a civil suit that has cost taxpayers thousands to defend the mayor.
Resident Lindsay Diehl has drawn a public petition calling Mr. Morgan to not only end the suit but also repay $14,000 to the township as remediation of tax dollars spent on the mayor’s attorney.
She referred to Mr. Morgan as a "bully on the council" who is "creating havoc in our government" and a "threatening environment."
Mr. Morgan’s civil suit against the mayor was thrown out of the Mercer County Superior Court several weeks ago. He has since filed two new motions with the court – one for Judge Douglas Hurd to reconsider and another to amend his original complaint. He has said he would seek a reversal in the Appellate Division.
Council President Kamal Khanna said Mr. Morgan should drop the suit "unconditionally," and added that residents should not feel that the council is "bogged down" with litigation.
In his third action against the mayor in two years, Mr. Morgan’s most recent suit, filed last January, claims that the mayor failed to give him a report about the 2010 municipal budget, which he thought he was entitled to receive under state statute. He has said in previous interviews that the values at stake are transparent government and making the mayor accountable to his council.
Councilwoman Linda Geevers said she agreed the statute was vague and was interested in reviewing the corresponding town ordinance.
"But not under the threat of litigation," she said.
Councilman George Borek and Vice President Diane Ciccone also called on Mr. Morgan to drop the suit.

