Mayor Notes 'Poor Judgment' in Council's Decision to Meet on Passover

The Olivette city council's decision to meet on Tuesday night during the second night of Passover—and vote on a controversial measure—sparked alarm by some members of the city's Jewish community and the Anti-Defamation League on Thursday.

Today, the city's mayor acknowledged it was "poor judgment" to meet that day and in a statement, said it wouldn't happen again.

"Many of the residents who live in Olivette are of the Jewish faith," Mayor Arthur Merdinian said in a statement emailed to Patch Friday morning. "The decision to hold the council meeting on Tuesday, the second night of Passover, was poor judgment. Moving forward, the city will make sure that council meetings are not held on important nights conflicting with religious practices."

The city council that night approved a measure to allow gas stations in the city to sell alcoholic beverages—an issue which was contentious for some residents and business people. This issue was considered council member Missy Waldman, who was at a home in Olivette for a Passover seder meal, and who had earlier raised objections to meeting on that day.

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