Cherry Hill mayor apologizes to homeowners president over angry exchange at May meeting

CHERRY HILL – Mayor Susan Shin Angulo says she believes she has made peace with Windsor Mews representative Valerie Katz over an angry verbal clash the two had at a May Township Council meeting.

The May 23 meeting turned combative over a recent animal attack at Windsor Mews.

Township officials and residents say a dog badly mauled a 4-month-old puppy being walked in the neighborhood. Residents said the attacking dog was supposed to be leashed and muzzled when out, due to an incident a year earlier, and that police were slow to respond.

More:Port-based manufacturing jobs on horizon in Paulsboro, two steel plants under construction

More:Explosion kills Cumberland man working on truck in Gloucester County, police say

Angulo said in an interview on June 22 that she quickly realized she had made a mistake in how she handled criticism from Katz.

“And literally the next day, I went to her house, was welcomed by her, apologized,” Angulo said. “I said, you know, ‘We shouldn’t have said this. I’m so sorry that it escalated.’”

Angulo said the Katz family has invited her to an upcoming community block party at Windsor Mews.

“And so, we continuously have this wonderful relationship,” Angulo said. “And we knew we were on the same page about this. And we want to make sure that every community in Cherry Hill is protected.”

Katz could not be reached for comment. She is president of the neighborhood’s home owners association.

Angulo said she has no intention to resign over what happened, nor has she been asked to resign. A former Camden County freeholder, she was sworn in as mayor in January 2020.

The confrontation last month rankled council members, with several bringing it up at the caucus portion of the June 15 council meeting. The mayor did not attend that meeting.

Councilman Jennifer Apell led off, saying residents were upset, she was very upset, and that the mayor had “crossed a line.” Council President David Fleisher, speaking last, said he agreed with criticisms of the mayor.

Apell and Fleisher did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

Katz actually spoke twice at the May 23 meeting.

Katz, in her first remarks, said police took 15 minutes to arrive. She said police also did not immediately remove the dog that attacked the puppy and some residents were considering buying firearms. Other residents followed her with like comments.

Just before the public comment period began, Fleisher briefly had spoken about a tree management measure pending before the council. Two residents then raised concerns about its potential impact on homeowners.

Fleisher told them they could contact the township to learn details. Angulo then said she would be willing to meet with residents to explain the ordinance.

That comment from the mayor brought Katz to the podium a few minutes later. Katz pointedly noted the mayor had not offered to meet with Windsor Mews residents.

Angulo said simply was waiting until everyone had spoken before bringing up Windsor Mews.

“Oh, then I would appreciate that,” Katz said. “Yes, ma’am.”

Her response upset Angulo, who said she was showing “unacceptable” disrespect.

“I have absolutely no respect for you,” Katz answered.

“Excuse me,” the mayor said. “I am speaking. I am speaking.”

“Your office does not respond to the community,” Katz said. “Your office does not respond to individual constituents. Shame on you.”

“Yes, it does,” Angulo said. “Yes, it does.”

Township officials said the dog that reportedly attacked the puppy has been euthanized.

A fundraising campaign had raised most of $9,000 needed to cover medical expenses for the puppy. The owner only recently had moved into the community.

A man also reportedly was bitten while trying to stop the attack.

This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Mayor mends ties with community representative after public argument