The more things change, the more they stay the same -- UPDATED

Well well well, that took all of a day didn't it? The day after the wonderful swearing in of Mayor Fulop and the city council, Joyce Watterman who won an at-large seat on the council -- wait for it -- wants to hire a family member for her staff. Yes Watterman wants her daughter Jennifer to serve on her staff and be paid the commensurate $15K a year salary.

So there's part one.

New council President Rolando Lavarro wasn't quite sure what to say in his first big test. After getting after Bill Gaughan's use of a family member on staff (And be clear, Jersey City has a looooong history of this sort of thing) Rolando seemed a lot less troubled about Watterman's decision:

Lavarro said hiring a family member “is not the approach I would take." But Lavarro said it’s difficult to find someone to do all the work of a council aide on $15,000 a year.

“It’s their decision, at the end of the day,” he said, adding that he believes Jennifer Watterman is “qualified” for the job.

Rolando Lavarro, you have Mayor Fulop on line 1:

Lavarro called about an hour later to reiterate his position: "I don't approve of it. Period."

Good to know Fulop has the city council president on speed dial. Now, there's nothing legally Mayor Fulop can do about this choice. The council chooses who the council chooses. But Fulop did strike the proper tone on this slippery slope:

"While by law her aide is only her decision and Jen is great, I think the appearance is not something I would think is favorable for her," he said. "I think another route would be better."

We agree with the Mayor. We here at the Jersey City Desk have nothing against Jennifer Watterman. We're certain she's a tip top professional who would serve her mother proud. The heck of it is this is bigger than just an appointment. This is the old Jersey City we're all trying so hard to move beyond. It's unfortunate those before Joyce Watterman abused the system.

It just sends the wrong message.

UPDATE: Ms. Watterman has decided against hiring her daughter. We commend her choice and once again say it's not about the fact her daughter wouldn't do a great job. It's just the message it sends at this point in time.