"Greg retired," said Bill Ayala, the mayor's chief of staff. "Greg is good. We're even planning to throw a party for him." When asked if they have been expecting Racelis' retirement, Ayala replied in plain terms, "yeah."

I placed a call to Racelis' realty office and Cita, his wife, also confirmed her husband's retirement but added that Racelis remained the "Filipino liaison to the mayor's office"since "the mayor liked him." However, according to Cita, Racelis was out "on the road" and would return my call when he arrived.

As usual, my inquisitive mind was racing: "Was there a falling out between Racelis and the mayor?" I thought Racelis was the mayor's friend as Racelis really worked hard for him during the mayoral campaign. But in business and politics, it makes no sense to keep that friendship when work or image is concerned.

Leadership becomes an issue and a decision has to be made. That is why we've often heard that phrase "it's strictly business, nothing personal." And I'm sure that's the same comment we'll hear from the mayor.

He would acknowledge Racelis' dedication to his campaign and that he was and still is Racelis' friend no matter what happened at work. After all, Racelis even planned a trip to Manila for the mayor and his wife including two of his office staff. And for this purpose, a "fundraising event" was held, which netted about $11,000.

"That is intact," Cita, said, "it is not our money but you better ask Greg about this when he returns." And Cita was definite about the mayor's trip to Manila, which she said would be happening next year, after its cancellation.

Now that the money is safe and the trip is assured, that should give some relief to some people who had contributed to the fund and were wondering about the money. However, Racelis has to confirm all this. It should really come from the horse's mouth, to use a popular jargon.

You see, sometimes, what the wife says may not be what the husband knows. But I was more interested in Racelis' losing his job in City Hall. What really happened? Was he made the fall guy so that an alleged lawsuit against Racelis, his boss and the mayor could be dropped?

If Racelis was the mayor's friend, why was Racelis office transferred to a windowless room, some insiders call the "men's room?" Could it be that his transfer to this room was a prelude to his departure?

There could be more to this Racelis' "retirement," which City Hall authorities are sugar coating or keeping under the rug. If a retirement party was being planned for him, should they have not held it on the day or before Racelis' departure?

And if I were in Racelis shoes, I would have not allowed them to send me to that windowless room. I would have not accepted that humiliation and quit right there and then. But Racelis is Racelis. He probably wanted to keep things running smooth to the last day at his job and was expecting some magical wind that may alter the direction of his fate.

But I will not completely fault the mayor or his staff from exercising their right to hire and fire. Was it more of an agreed termination or early retirement to soften the blow? Maybe Racelis had something to do with his own sudden retirement, after less than a year or so at his job. Which left the mayor with no other choice.

Racelis is considered a community icon in Jersey City. He has long served the community with pride and dedication, sometimes going at odds with some people, like Ador Equipado, over political and even mundane issues. Or ruffling some feathers that put him guarded when he was challenged. Which maybe what happened in City Hall?

He still has this fire in his belly to do his best to serve his constituents. Unfortunately, his style may not be acceptable to some, like colleagues in his former office. I understand some Anglo person has been eyed to replace him and will be reporting for work next week.

Will Racelis replacement be that immediate? It all depends on how City Hall wants to act on it and show that they've contained a raging fire. For now, he may be back at his realty office, quite different in decor and ambiance compared to the City Hall, which he was getting used to as some abode of the influential and the almighty.

And he would still be expecting that call from Ayala for his retirement party. If that ever happens, I think it's just a way for the mayor's office to save its face. Even without Racelis admitting it, I can sense that he did not like his retirement; one I think that was forced or mutually agreed upon. Was Racelis the fall guy?

Ricky Rillera can be reached by e-mail at rickyxpres@aol.com.