If this Stacy Park debacle paralleled a mob film or television series, say, like The Sopranos, key characters would identify with recognizable tags. For instance, Paul Harris, interim executive director of Recreation, Natural Resources & Culture, May deserve a “Pigeon Paulie” reference becau se as this investigation unwinds of monies used potentially illegally and certainly deceptively for the Stacy Park project, Harris looms as the fall guy. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, who touted the clearing of woods of 32 acres near the Delaware River as a project that recaptures the city’s glory days, referred all detailed questions to Harris after news reporters raised concerns and eyebrows about laws skirted or broken during the man-made disaster that initiated without NJ Department of Environmental oversight and consent. And, despite pals of Maria Richardson getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for questionable work performances, Harris’ former boss dragged him under the bus, claiming the Stacy Park project belonged to him alone. If forces continue to line up in such fashion, Pigeon Paulie may find himself up Schitt’s Creek without paddle accessories. Harris should not fear a rubout fate delivered to Sopranos DiMeo family crime member Salvatore Bonpensiero aka Big Pussy turned FBI informant, but he should watch his back. “They started this project on the 27th of July,” Harris states in a October 2024 video posted on YouTube. Harris and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora introduced Julio (Mercedes) in the near seven minute video filmed in Stacy Park. The project start date occurred one day after Gusciora named Harris interim director of recreation. A reasonable assumption places Harris as the man in charge although when Gusciora pressed the interim director for more info, Harris said the project had been on the drawing board for two years. Mercedes needs a nickname based on his apparent influence in political circles. The Jersey Vindicator published this insight about how Mercedes, owner of E&E Outdoor Maintenance Service, landed a $195,000 city contract, divided into smaller amounts to circumvent regulations regarding thresholds for no-bid deals. “In an interview, Richardson, Trenton’s interim business administrator,  acknowledged that she knew Mercedes and his wife personally: She was a patron of Sabor Latina (restaurant), where both had worked. During the pandemic, Richardson said, they lost their jobs, and Julio Mercedes “asked me for work at the parks over the weekends.” Richardson said his fine work on smaller tasks made him a candidate for Stacy Park. It was of no consequence, she said, that Mercedes and his wife had done private catering jobs for her. Speaking about the administration and E&E, Richardson said: “Neither one of the parties involved decided, ‘We’re going to screw the city.’” So, the Richardson connection with Mercedes had a history. One can imagine Richardson holding court at Sabor Latina and handing out job opportunities. In fact, a reasonable request involves public knowledge of all jobs under $17,500 offered to local businesses. Maybe the aforementioned players had no intent to “screw the city” but it seems they screwed proper protocol. This all seems incredibly shady and worthy of investigation. Finally, proper perspectives on Stacy Park demand accessing three important parts of this political jigsaw. Watch the YouTube Oct. 7 video of Gusciora, Harris, and Mercedes in Stacy Park; view the March 18 YouTube video of Trenton City Council meeting, Start from the 4:00 mark to 18:00; and read The Jersey Vindicator published article on March 30. The Trentonian inquired last fall about many aspects of this Stacy Park initiative, including whether authorities had asked state officials for guidance. Buckle up. Many more questions await city officials as this Stacy Park project offers twists and turns. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com. ...read more read less