VIDEO: Garwood Resident Asks Councilman Mathieu to Step Down Because of Clerk's Lawsuit

Garwood resident, planning board member and faithful council meeting attendee Bruce Paterson asked Councilman Jim Mathieu to step down from his office at Tuesday night's council meeting.

"We do not disrespect the councilman himself; however, his deleterious implementation and actions he has performed in discharging the duties of his council seat has now led the borough to a lawsuit with much turbulence within the borough system and our employees," read Paterson from a printed statement.

Ariemma's suit states Mathieu led an effort to "get rid of" her, and “prompted” and “promoted” borough salary changes that would affect her. (Read the full PDF of the suit in our gallery, right.) Mathieu has previously told Patch that a majority of the allegations against him are untrue. See our full story on the suit, .

Paterson's statement was signed by another resident, Rosemary Snow, and distributed to councilmembers and press.

Paterson asked for a yes or no answer by the end of the meeting, but it never came. Mathieu had no comment or response to the request.

Paterson said he plans to take more formal action if Mathieu will not step down, perhaps beginning a recall petition.

Paterson claims that after the first time he requested Mathieu step down at the Feb. 14 council meeting, he received email correspondence from Mathieu indicating that he would not vacate his seat.

Paterson said he does not fault Mathieu for his views, just the way he goes about expressing and acting on them.

"This is a grassroots movement started about two weeks ago by me and Rosemary," said Paterson after the meeting. "This isn't personal. He's an activist and so am I, but he's ruining the fabric of Garwood, employee relationships, council relationships. He's detrimental to the governance of Garwood itself, and I raise my head up when Garwood is being hurt."