Willingboro, New Jersey — A township council meeting turned contentious after Councilwoman Rebecca Perrone said “Mexicans know what to do with grass” while discussing landscaping contracts, prompting criticism over racial stereotyping in a public forum.
The remarks came during a discussion about hiring outside contractors for vegetation management, where Perrone argued that specialized crews should handle the work rather than general municipal staff.
Full remarks surface from meeting discussion
Perrone’s comments were made at length during the exchange, where she repeatedly linked landscaping expertise to ethnicity while advocating for experienced contractors.
“So certain cultures of people that just know what they’re doing, and Mexicans know what to do with grass. I’m not kidding with you. Hire a firm, get a firm. They know what to do with grass,” Perrone said.
She continued by describing tree work near her home: “They cut a big tree down by my house, all Mexicans. The tree was bigger than Empire State as far as I’m concerned, and they’re not tall people. They know what to do with vegetation, grass, whether it’s in the middle of the road, on the side of the road, on the corner. Hire them. Get them paid.”
As the exchange progressed, another participant cautioned against generalizing about ethnicity. Perrone acknowledged the pushback but continued.
“Okay, I’m not supposed to say Mexicans are good at grass… But we’ll look into some options of contractors,” she said, before returning to her broader argument about hiring skilled workers.
Perrone also used a comparison to explain her view on specialization: “You don’t get pizza from the Chinese restaurant. I’m just saying, we don’t… You hire people that knows what they’re doing and they’re skilled. That’s their area.”
At another point, she added: “As far as I’m concerned about insulting anybody, I’m picking up a certain culture of people that knows what they’re doing when it comes to grass. So if I get sued for saying that, sue me.”
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Key Points
• Rebecca Perrone said “Mexicans know what to do with grass” during a public meeting
• She defended the remarks while arguing for hiring specialized contractors
• Comments drew criticism for reinforcing ethnic stereotypes in government discussion
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Debate over intent and public responsibility
Perrone framed her comments as praise for the work performed by experienced landscaping crews, emphasizing that municipalities should rely on trained professionals for technical outdoor work.
“It’s like to build the Empire State Building, you didn’t have somebody that cleans toilets. You have somebody that knows what they’re doing,” she said.
However, the remarks drew criticism for tying job performance to ethnicity, even in a positive framing. Another speaker during the meeting explicitly referenced “generalizing about specific ethnicities and racism,” highlighting the tension as the discussion unfolded.
Public officials are typically expected to focus on qualifications, cost, and safety when discussing contracts, particularly in open meetings where statements become part of the public record.
Broader context and local impact
The exchange reflects a broader challenge for municipalities balancing operational needs with inclusive and professional communication standards.
Industries such as landscaping and construction often include diverse and immigrant workforces, but experts caution that public officials must avoid framing those realities in ways that generalize or stereotype groups.
In Willingboro, the immediate issue remains unresolved: how the township will proceed with landscaping contracts and whether the council will formally address the controversy stemming from Perrone’s remarks.
What comes next
As of now, Perrone has not issued a formal public statement outside of the meeting clarifying or retracting her comments.
The Willingboro Township Council has not announced any disciplinary action or agenda item addressing the incident, though the remarks continue to circulate and draw public reaction.
The status of any official response or policy change tied to the controversy remains unclear.
Willingboro NJ, Rebecca Perrone, council remarks