West New York PBA pres. says it took town 10 months to pay cop’s $9k medical bill

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Dozens of West New York police officers stormed the board of commissioners meeting last night, with Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Tommy Mannion demanding answers for why it took the town 10 months to pay a cops lifesaving $9,000 medical bill. 

With about 60 police officers in attendance, the meeting started off simple enough with the commissioners voting on a resolution “directing [our] insurance carrier to make a payment to Atlantic Ambulance Corporation.”

“I just want to commend this body, along with the leadership of the PBA, for coming together in resolve of this and making sure that we come to a solution that is both reasonable and responsible for both the individual involved here, who has given many, many years of service, to this town and this community,” said Cosmo Cirillo, the commissioner of public affairs.

“I am extremely happy, that after the undue stress on your family and yourselves, and the person who was being harassed by … insurers: it’s not easy owing money to a doctor or a service out there: it’s not easy. I want to say it’s very responsible on the commissioners part for making this happen,” added Mayor Felix Roque.

The measure passed unanimously, 5-0, without any further explanation of what exactly the resolution meant.

However, several officers confirmed to HCV that Officer John Alvarez had a sever heart attack in April 2017, an incident that required a Medevac unit. Ultimately, this left Alvarez, who retired in June of this year, with a $9,000 medical bill that the town refused to pay.

West New York Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Tommy Mannion unloaded on just about everyone sitting upon the dais in a speech that lasted nearly 20 minutes, but he was quite clear in showing he was particularly angry with Town Administrator Jamie Cryan.

“Jamie, we’ve been friends since you’ve got here. The way you handled this: me and you are close to not being friends anymore. Seven lies in 10 months: I have every single one of them listed and documented,” Mannion exclaimed.

“But one of the most bizarre lies that Jamie Cryan said, and I argued with him about it, and he had the audacity to open his computer to further the lie. Do you know what he said to me? ‘Tommy, we paid 60 percent of this bill: how could you complain?'”

Mannion also accused Cryan of saying that the Medevac “wasn’t medically necessary,” a charge he immediately denied, prompting Mannion to add “with your track record I can say that you killed Jimmy Hoffa and they’d believe it.”

The head of the WNY PBA also claimed that the town saved $700,000 by not buying two new police cars annually over the past few years and he wasn’t shy in expressing his frustration about it.

“You saved $700,000 not buying [police] cars and you’re gonna nickel and dime me for a bill that saved a guy’s life? You have got to be kidding me. That is nothing more than disgusting.”

Revenue and Finance Commissioner Gabriel Rodriguez pointed out that he offered to try and fundraise for Alvarez, but that idea was immediately shot down.

“I came to you as soon as I found out about this and I said ‘there’s no question that we need to help this gentleman would you be interested in doing a fundraiser?’ and you said …,” Rodriguez began before Mannion chimed in.

“Absolutely not. I don’t do fundraisers for bills that should be paid by the town. I fundraise more than you guys could ever do,” Mannion said.

Rodriguez responded that he was addressing the allegation that no one did anything to help, but Mannion called the notion that a fundraiser would be necessary “embarrassing.”

“I came to you with an attempt at a solution. If that was not the solution that you wanted, that’s something different,” Rodriguez added.

In a text message, Cryan said that he looks forward to continuing to work with Mannion and the PBA, but he still feels his remarks last night went a little too far.

“As Town Administrator, my responsibility is to implement policies articulated by the Board of Commissioners and effectively manage our local government to serve the interests of our residents, taxpayers, and employees,” he began.

“I take that responsibility very seriously, and in this case I am proud that through the leadership of the Mayor and Commissioners we were able to reach a solution that is fair to Officer Alvarez and to West New York taxpayers. I value the relationship I have built with Mr. Mannion and the West New York PBA, and that relationship is based on a foundation of serving others and a mutual desire to keep residents and officers safe.

Mr. Mannion serves his members very well, but I believe his conduct at the commission meeting was inappropriate and crossed a line into the kind of personal vitriol that makes productive dialogue very difficult. I am more than willing to put that aside and continue to work together in a civilized manner for the best interests of West New York residents.”


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1 COMMENT

  1. Jamie Cryan is controlled by Joe Muniz a Scarinci hack. He’s there not independently serving all the Commisioner’s. He’s praying to keep his job after this mutiny by the three Commisioner’s. His professionalism and his Character definitely have to be questioned .
    He doesn’t talk to the Commisiners to help a Law Enforcement Officer for a life saving medical bill. That would make me vote all of them out . Sure thy voted 5-0 that night. Why did they wait all this time and then grand stand and make speeches how important it was to take care of the bill. When all along they knew it wasn’t paid. Jamie Cryan should resign or quit his position for lying to law enforcement ( If you lie to the FBI you can be arrested) I commend PBA President Thomas Mannion for not succumbing to politics and having a voice for his BROTHERS IN BLUE. ⚫️🔵⚫️🙏🏻

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