Katie Kocijanski is reporting in the Register-Star Hudson Common Council President Claudia DeStefano's decision last month to remove Second Ward Alderman Tiffany Garriga from the Police Committee took center stage at the council's Informal Meeting, Tue., Oct. 11. Michael Chameides, chairman of the Hudson City Democrats confronted DeStefano during the public comment portion of the meeting, demanding that she explain the rationale behind her decision. Garriga, a Democrat, was unceremoniously dismissed from the committee by DeStefano, a Republican, on September 26, in the fallout that resulted from the resignation of former Police Commissioner Gary Graziano 10 days earlier. DeStefano told Chameides she learned of "inappropriate chatter about the police from people on Facebook," that was linked to Garriga. DeStefano said, "I don’t approve of political officials in office doing that; I am very proud of our police department.” Garriga, and fellow alderman John Friedman, accused DeStefano of “using her political position to silence a voice.” DeStefano defended her actions, saying as council president it was well within her discretion to appoint and remove committee members at any time. A resolution presented during the meeting Tuesday would amend the rules to prevent the president from removing committee members midterm. The measure will be voted on by the full council at its formal meeting, Tue., Oct. 18. To hear the full exchange about Garriga's dismissal go to wgxc [dot] org [slash] newsroom. (Audio by Dan Udell from the udellcommunityaction YouTube channel.) Read the full story in the Register-Star.