City Council decision on Mayor Jasiel Correia tabled until next meeting

FALL RIVER --- The matter to declare embattled Mayor Jasiel Correia II unable to perform his duties due to his federal legal issues was postponed again after last week’s special meeting as well as a vote of no confidence and a request for him to step down.

City Councilor Derek Viveiros was absent from Tuesday’s meeting and wrote a letter to City Council President Cliff Ponte, requesting the matters stay tabled until the next meeting so he could weigh in.

During the Special Meeting, the issues were essentially tabled after city councilors Steven Camara and Joseph Camara voted to object on all three motions.

Correia was arrested early on Oct. 11 by Massachusetts State Police in Bridgewater and arraigned on 13 counts of wire and tax fraud.

During Tuesday’s meeting, it was revealed Correia had been at a concert the evening before, reportedly in Boston, and had been using the city’s fleet Chevy Tahoe. City Administrator Cathy Ann Viveiros said that after he was taken into custody someone was driven to bring the vehicle back to the city but didn’t know if it was a city employee or not.

During public input, several opponents and proponents addressed the council, including recall organizer Dawn Saurette, who called the city’s reputation as “mud” due to Correia’s arrest.

“We need you to step up and save us from this fiasco,” said Saurette.

Manny Lindo questioned some of the councilors’ contentions that Correia is unable to perform his mayoral duties.

“If you’re going to take a vote and declare someone unable to complete their job tasks as described then I think there should be at least some evidence,” said Lindo.

Joseph Camara said he believed that the council removing the mayor was not the proper procedure.

“I said last week we should recall the mayor and we should let the voters decide who the mayor will be going forward,” said Camara.

Approximately 25 people holding signs in support of Mayor Jasiel Correia II gathered outside Government Center before the City Council meeting on Tuesday, where agenda items regarding the second-term mayor’s current criminal legal issues would be discussed.

“We’re here to show our support for the mayor. We all believe in he is innocent until proven guilty. He’s doing a great job and he’s the best mayor since Carlton Viveiros,” said John Garcia, who passed out signs to other supporters.

Garcia’s sign read “Together we stand by our Mayor.”

Correia’s parents were among the sign holders and his father, Jasiel Correia, politely declined to comment to a reporter.

Garcia said that he opposed some city councilors' attempt to temporarily remove the mayor. Leading the charge is City Councilor Shawn Cadime, who is using a portion of the charter that states a mayor would be temporarily replaced if unable to perform duties of the office due to sickness or “other causes.”

Corporation Counsel Joseph Macy in a prepared opinion disputed that the council has the right to remove the mayor under the present conditions. Correia is facing 13 counts of federal wire and tax fraud.

Macy indicated if the council votes to remove the mayor temporarily the matter will likely end up in a court battle between the mayor and the council.

“It will take us more money to remove him,” said Garcia. “What if the court agrees with him (Correia) and he comes back and his lawyers come back. It’s putting us backwards instead of forward.”

There is currently an effort to organize a recall of Correia.

“I hope they don’t bring it to me, I ain’t going to sign it,” said Garcia.

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com