Gilbert stepping down as Council prez

Councilman-at-large Leonard Gilbert announced last night that he would be stepping down as Council President at next week’s annual organization meeting.

Gilbert told the stunned crowd at last night’s Council meeting that he’s looking forward to not getting the 3 a.m. phone calls anymore and to being “on the other side” from now on.

While he’s often been at odds with the two independents on the council, the Hillside Democratic Committee-backed Gilbert thanked 4th Ward Councilman Gerald “Pateesh” Freedman and 2nd Ward Councilwoman Shelley-Ann Bates for their “constructive criticism.”

Gilbert hinted that 3rd Ward Councilman John Kulish, a council veteran, would be bumped to the president’s chair, saying “he will receive my recommendation, at least.”

Why would Gilbert step down from a high-profile spot when he faces re-election in May?

Some observers suggested Gilbert is stepping down from the leadership position in order to skirt responsibility for the council’s yearly property tax increases.

Could this also be a protestation by Gilbert, who is privately upset that many in the HDC view Councilman-at-large Jerome Jewell, a newbie, as the favorite to replace Mayor Karen McCoy-Oliver next year?