Lt. Gov. tries to broker peace between Trenton officials

TRENTON» Enough already.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver met with city leaders Thursday at the governor’s office to “mend fences” between the warring factions, Mayor Reed Gusciora said.

The two branches of government have landed in court several times in their two years in office and have been defined by bitter divide over how to best run the city.

The meeting was attended by Gusciora and council leadership. West Ward councilwoman Robin Vaughn “crashed” the political powwow despite not being invited, Gusciora said.

Gov. Phil Murphy’s second-in-command, acting like a responsible parent settling down rivaling siblings, also requested the meeting to discuss the city’s budget woes.

Trenton is the only fiscalyear municipality that still hasn’t introduced a budget.

“We finally got the final transitional aid figures,”

Gusciora said, adding the administration turned over the budget books to council.

The Department of Community Affairs has warned leaders that the capital city could lose $18.5 million in state aid if it doesn’t move quickly to correct the glaring oversight.

The Trentonian reached out to Oliver’s representatives for comment on the peace talk but hadn’t heard back by 6 p.m.

So much for the alleged kumbaya moment.

Hours after the meeting, Vaughn laid into Gusciora and Co. in a searing 10-minute rant.

Some of the political sniping has led to speculation that Gusciora won’t run for a second term like his predecessor Eric Jackson.

“I’m definitely running again,” Gusciora said, dispelling any rumors.

Asked if there was any chance he’d change his mind, the former longtime assemblyman said he’d have to win the lottery.

For the mayor’s critics, Trenton couldn’t be so lucky.