Emory Layne – Simple Information to Take to the Polls

By Emory Layne

When you vote to fill LOCAL political offices on November 4, it’s not too difficult to consider what politicians and residents have clearly identified as the important issues in North Plainfield. And it’s not difficult to make reasonable decisions, if you look at the issues logically instead of emotionally.

TAXES

Taxes are the result of spending. If there were no costs in running North Plainfield that couldn’t be covered by fines, registration fees and other income, there would be no need for taxes. Taxes should be the minimum amount the borough needs to provide the services it offers its residents.

Politicians like to point out the percentage of our total tax bill that goes to Somerset County (13.5%) the school district (60%), and the municipal government (27%).

So let’s deal with them individually.

Oleh Kaniuka – Splitting Your Ticket

By Oleh Kaniuka

It has recently come to my attention  that many registered voters do not realize that it is completely permissible and acceptable to split your ticket between National and Local elections.

For example- if you and your family are lifelong Democrats, you can still vote for the Democratic candidates nationally, and for Robert Gatto and his Republican peers locally. You are allowed to vote for every individual person who you believe will do the best job representing you.

Additionally, your vote is secret – this is guaranteed by the US Constitution. There is no mechanism in place that can “track down” how you voted. Such a mechanism would be illegal and would fall under federal law enforcement jurisdiction.

Remember- when you are in that voting booth, your vote is your own- no one can take that away from you, and no one can bully you into voting a certain way.

Vote with your intellect- vote for the candidates who you believe will do the best for you and your family – regardless of their party affiliation.

Emory Layne – One Last Time, Let’s Stick to the Facts

By Emory Layne

Katherine Watt and I, and other posters, have caught a good deal of flak about alleged “partisan” postings.

But how can a fact be partisan? Factual information simply cannot be argued. When we post a tax rate or a figure from a budget or register, it’s a fact. There’s no gray area.

Similarly, when we post a quote from a newspaper, it’s a fact. People always had the option of demanding a retraction from the newspapers if they were misquoted; such retractions appear just as readily in media searches as do the original quotes. I’ve found NO examples of any elected official in North Plainfield claiming that any quotes or data attributed to them in the media over the years was incorrect; and as for press releases, it would be ludicrous to claim you misquoted yourself.

This blog has provided a tremendous service to the community PRIMARILY because it allows freedom of expression without restriction. Ms. Watt’s rules for postings are extremely clear. And to her credit, Ms. Watt posts any and all communications that fall within those clear and basic rules.

But lately, I’ve become concerned about a “return” to the baseless-statement method of political discussion. We’re seeing examples of it here and on other blogs, and we’ve found any number of examples of it in published media pertaining to North Plainfield over the years.

Recently, for example, a sitting Council member claimed that debates had been held in North Plainfield as recently as 2 years ago. She provided no copies of the fliers promoting one; nor a link to a newspaper article. She simply said she “remembers” participating in one.

I get tired of having to fact check people who don’t do it themselves.

First, I don’t get paid to provide that service.

And secondly, I don’t participate in that kind of “I hope it flies” kind of communication.

Such alleged statements of fact without corroborating support is exactly what has brought North Plainfield government to the ‘openness cesspool’ it is today.

Individuals can often be excused. Correspondents to this blog have occasionally made statements that offered no ‘proof’ beyond their sincere belief in them. Usually, someone comes along to either support or rebut the statement.

Sometimes, the statements can be offensive; i.e. “all Republicans are racists,” a statement that is about as provable as saying “all left-handed people are weird.” Recently, I was particularly offended by a reference to North Plainfield as “Mayberry,” a statement that I find racist and offensive; I’ve never referred to any area in or around North Plainfield as “Harlem” or “Mexico,” but if I did, could you imagine the uproar?

The problem is that baseless statements are as likely to take hold in the hearts and minds of voters as well-researched, documented statements.

A classic example of this happened during the 2004 mayoral election. In a campaign piece distributed just days before voting (available in this blog’s document library), Mayor Allen and this year’s Council reelection candidates (Righetti, Hitchcock and Stabile) stated the following as fact:

“Mayor Janice Allen’s Democratic Team – a Record of Accomplishment: Vigorously pursuing property maintenance violations – more than 900 inspections have been conducted and a comparable number of notices of violations have been handed out so far THIS YEAR (emphasis added).”

In 2004, there were about 250 work days; to believe this claim, the Zoning office averaged 4 inspections A DAY for the entire year, and handed out about 4 violations A DAY.

Of course, this is a complete fantasy. Such a heavy workload would leave a long paper trail of violations, court appearances, fines and such. Problem is, people who looked into this area found the exact opposite – evidence of few if any inspections, few if any violations issued, and few if any convictions and fines levied. See any of Frank D’Amore’s FACT-BASED posts on this topic.

Saying “100″ probably would have carried some weight in that campaign piece – but 900? Seriously? I sincerely doubt that there have been 900 inspections performed in the last 12 years, let alone in 2004 by itself. But did anyone offer any supporting evidence of this? All of those violations would be public record information – anyone ever consider publishing a list?

Nope.

They Just made the claim, because to many people in North Plainfield, saying it is as good as actually doing it.

There’s a very good reason why the voting age is 18. Children believe in Santa Claus. Sooner or later, they begin to suspect the whole concept. (Many maintain the appearance of belief to increase their holiday haul, and props to them for shrewdness.)

Eventually, you have to give up beliefs in childish myths to achieve maturity. If any good has come out of the political scandals of the last 40 years, it’s that people, HOPEFULLY, have realized you can’t accept a politician’s statement at face value. You need to look at the facts and track record to ascertain the truth.

One of the more problematic ‘myths’ circulating these days is that Republicans or Democrats in North Plainfield are tied to a national party. As I pointed out in a prior dispatch, Robert Gatto has never barbecued at Camp David with George Bush or John McCain, and Mike Giordano has never hosted a dinner party with Bill Clinton or Barrack Obama. Those national bigwigs couldn’t care less if North Plainfield disappeared off the face of the earth tomorrow.

The ONLY place where your vote can have a direct effect on what happens in the future in North Plainfield is in North Plainfield.

At this blog, I and other posters have presented facts for readers to consider. We’ve never sunk to the level of posting rumors, gossip and baseless accusation. Unfortunately, this has been a repeated approach taken by those who have run North Plainfield for an extended period.

North Plainfielders are smart enough to know the difference. How willing are you to allow your smarts to affect your decisions?

No one knows what lever you pull in the voting booth.

Vote with your head.

Robert Gatto – Responding to Debate Followup Questions

By Robert Gatto, Mayoral Candidate (R)

1) For those of us struggling to pay our ever increasing taxes, I would like to know why the zoning was not well enforced over the last several years. I want to see our tax dollars go to the children that live in town legally. Improved schools improve the real estate values for everyone.

Since enforcement is dictated by the incumbent party which has held the majority for the past 12 years, they have to be held accountable for these issues. I also would like an answer from them regarding these questions; however their response to the enforcement issue on the night of the debate was that things were not as bad as we (the challengers) were stating. I think this statement speaks for itself.

2) What can the Republicans do to enforce our codes that the Democrats have not?

Borough Employees are going to understand that fair and equal enforcement is what the town wants.

It’s as simple as (firmly) encouraging everyone in Borough Hall to do their job.

There are so many things to be done but a short list would be:

• Phone calls will not only be returned but acted upon.
• Employees will go into the community and review complaints at the appropriate times (overcrowding will not be inspected at 1:00PM in the afternoon but at 8:00PM when everyone is back from work).
• The Board of Education will be “directly encouraged” to verify every students’ place of residence so North Plainfield School resources will only be committed to North Plainfield Residents (I believe this process should shared by, the Board of Education and the Municipal Government regarding enforcement).

This simple mantra of fair and equal enforcement has been repeated year after year, but I believe it has been the policy of the incumbent party to turn a deaf ear to this cry from our residents and direct employees to take the path of least resistance when it comes to North Plainfield in general. This fundamentally flawed approach and attitude will come to an end. Just as our constant attendance at Borough Council meetings (with Frank D’Amore leading the charge) shows that we have tried everything in our power to influence the direction of the town, but if we as a team of 5 are successful next Tuesday, our strong and decisive actions will then speak for themselves.

3) Do the Democrats (Mayor and council) in office now know what our new taxes are [under the revised property values from the reassessment process]? If yes, why are the results not being announced or released until after the election? Are we supposed to trust someone who is not forthright with information such as this?

Again, this is a question that should be directly addresses by the incumbents. The reasons why no pertinent information regarding the reassessment have been posted has not been made clear to anyone. I think it is obvious why this is so and smacks of the worst kind of political manipulation of information to benefit the incumbent party in North Plainfield.

4) In a city so overwhelmed with illegal residents, what do you plan to do to protect against voter fraud and what steps will you take to prevent illegal balloting?

The state of New Jersey has procedures in place to prevent illegal balloting. The final line of defense is the poll workers who are trained to assist all who have the right to vote to exercise that right, while preventing those who do not.

Many people might think that just being a citizen of legal age gives them the right to vote. If they are a resident of North Plainfield and can prove that by documentation but are not in the voter registration book at the polls then they can execute a provisional paper ballot. The Board of Elections in Somerville will determine whether or not to count that vote after a brief investigation.

All Candidates are also automatic Challengers who have the right to review the process from inside the polling place and point out any irregularities to the poll workers. Challengers cannot address the potential voter but must direct all their comments to the Board Workers. I have been a Challenger many times and the most common thing I have come across at the polls is that people do not fully understand what they have to do in order to vote.

People must register to vote in the County and town they currently reside in. This can be done up to 21 days before an election. It can be done in person at the Board of Elections at 20 Grove Street in Somerville, or by mail. If a person registers by mail providing no ID in this process then their name will be flagged in the voter registration book at their designated polling place. The Poll Worker then must ask for ID and if the individual refuses he or she can be denied the right to use the voting machine. They can still be provided a provisional “paper ballot” by the poll workers that have to be reviewed by the Election Board before the actual vote count can be certified. Individuals can be challenged on the basis of:

• Citizenship
• Age
• Residency
• Criminal Disenfranchisement.

An Affidavit must be executed by the Challenger stating why the individual should not be allowed to vote. The individual must then complete an affidavit with documentation displaying current residency. The board workers at that table review the voter’s documentation and determine eligibility. Majority vote “Affirmative or Negative” determines the right to vote. A tie vote 2-2 allows the voter to vote. The voter always has the right to appeal before a Judge of the Superior Court (one is always standing by at 20 Grove Street in Somerville) and the board workers will direct him to the Judge with a copy of both affidavits. The Judge has the final say as to voter eligibility.

5) With the increasing number of taxi cab companies who serve our [...] community, who summon their passengers by blowing their horns at all hours of day or night, do you plan on enforcing the long-standing ordinance below? Or do you lack the courage?

Just ask our team member Frank D’Amore his opinion on enforcing this long standing ordinance and I think I can predict the answer. Many people have complained about this very issue to me, particularly when it comes to early morning or late evening violations. This is a quality of life issue that all residents can easily agree on. Drivers are just going to have to get out of their vehicles and knock on doors from now on.

Linda Darge on Property Revaluations

By Linda Darge

Project Status (as of October 1, 2008). The following information is excerpts from the web-site of Appraisal Systems, Inc.  

Letters introducing the Revaluation program, approved by the municipality have been sent. This mailing also included a two color, four-page brochure that explains the reasons for the program and the methodology to be employed.

Key personnel of Appraisal Systems, Inc. rode the entire town. As a result of this effort, preliminary homogenous neighborhoods were established.

The firm in cooperation with the assessor has established all criteria, essential variables, and cost parameters to be employed for use in the revaluation program.

A procedure has been implemented to identify record and analyze all the usable sales for the purpose of establishing preliminary values.

With respect to the income approach to value a statement of income and expenses as provided under N.J.S.A. 54:4-34 for income producing property has been requested in accordance with the controlling statutes.

All properties that have sold more than once in a particular sampling period have been identified, recorded and analyzed for purposes of establishing the trends in current market conditions as they apply to residential and commercial properties.

As of this date we have inspected 100% of the residential and commercial properties. Field inspectors from Appraisal Systems Inc. have gathered the necessary data needed to determine the value of your property by visiting each property in the Municipality. During the inspection, the interior and exterior of each property is inspected and the building dimensions are determined.

It’s important to point out that the valuation of your home will be based on the total living area in terms of square footage rather than by a room count, although the inspector will list the total number of rooms for descriptive purposes. Aside from the living area, other features which will affect the valuation of your home include: bathrooms, kitchens, finished basements, central air conditioning, decks and patios, fireplaces, pools and saunas, garages, and the overall condition of the home.

Photographers have visited each property to take photographs of all improvements. If your property has not been inspected you are encouraged to contact the firm to set up a mutually convenient time to inspect your property. If the firm is unable to conduct an interior inspection the interior information will be estimated at its highest reasonable potential.

All the information that is believed to have some bearing on the value of a home is being collected, reviewed and analyzed in order to make a proper determination of the full and fair value of each property. This information, along with the findings of the field inspector, is used to establish true market value. Additionally, real estate market value trends are analyzed by conducting a sales study. This includes an examination of all sales which took place within three years of the date of the revaluation, a delineation of neighborhoods, and an analysis of any land sales which may have taken place during that period.

Questions Linda asked Glen Sherman of Appraisal Systems Inc., by phone:

1. What considerations are given to current market prices, because we are all aware of current market conditions that have reduced values some 20% or more?

All values are being established as of October 1, 2008. The market conditions that exist as of that date is what will prevail. We are placing most emphasis on the 2008 sales to reflect the current market conditions. However, there are sales that are deemed to be “non-usable” for assessing purposes, such as estate sales, foreclosures, distress sales and the like, which will not be used to establish value.

Commercial property or properties that were purchased for investment purposes are examined in terms of their income-producing potential. As a result of this extensive research, the value of a given piece of property and the improvements to it can be determined, establishing the true market value of a property as of October 1 of the pre-tax year.

2. Commercial property…how is the Villa property assessed? Commercial? Residential? Why?

We are in the process of analyzing the Villa property. It will be valued according to its highest and best use. Preliminary assessments have been established for approximately 80% of the residential properties and are being reviewed with the municipal assessor. Sometime in late November, Appraisal Systems Inc. will begin to notify each property owner via first class mail regarding the preliminary assessment of his or her property.

3. How long to complete review with the municipal assessor? (What is his/her name?) Why not notify everyone at once? Why “begin to notify”…how long to completion?

The assessor’s name is Barbara Flaherty. Her review should take a couple weeks. We will sit down with her to review the proposed preliminary assessments and give her the opportunity and the time to digest the information, make any suggested changes, and approve the values.

We do not notify everyone at once simply because it would put a strain on the phones. We want taxpayers to be able to call and not get a busy signal. Everyone who calls will be afforded an informal hearing regardless of when they are notified during this process.

If you have any questions or if you disagree with the preliminary valuation, you will have an opportunity to schedule an appointment with a representative of Appraisal Systems Inc. to discuss your concerns.

4. In case of disagreement, how soon can one “have an opportunity”? When will scheduling begin?

The informal hearings will begin in late November and continue through December.

An informal hearing will be available for property owners who have questions or concerns about the preliminary assessment of their property. The interview can be scheduled at a time convenient to the property owner and will take place at a location within the municipality. You will be provided a number to call to schedule an interview should one be necessary.

The interview process will be informal and will focus on a discussion of your property. It is important that all the information presented about your property is accurate. If you feel that there are conditions that diminish the market value of your property, the interview is your opportunity to bring those factors to bear. All appropriate comments will be reviewed and considered to determine if an adjustment is in order. You will be notified via first class mail of the results of the informal hearing.

5. Who participates in “informal hearing”? Assessor? Property owner? Appraisal Systems representative? Who makes final decision?

Any taxpayer who would like to review their assessment or has any questions regarding the revaluation can meet with a representative of our company. The meetings are one on one and would take place in a location within the municipality for the convenience of the taxpayers. We will hold hearings during the day, at night, and Saturdays to accommodate everyone to the best of our ability.

The representative of ASI will notate any pertinent facts regarding the property that is brought to our attention and then it will be reviewed by one of our appraisers and the assessor before any changes are made.

During the period of informal interviews, information regarding your neighbors’ property values may not be available. However, once property owners have had the opportunity to discuss the data regarding their own property, the results will be made available in the form of a preliminary tax list on or about January 1, 2009. This will be available for review at the tax assessor’s office during normal business hours.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation during the revaluation process. Any questions regarding the revaluation process can be directed to the firm at 1-800-994-1999.

Property Revaluation Update

Appraisal Systems Inc. posted an update on the process at their website on or about October 1.  At the April revaluation meeting sponsored by NPCCR, the appraisers told the public that detailed data about property values, neighborhood characteristics, etc., would be regularly posted at that same website, so people could go and take a look as the results were entered. 

I’ve been checking regularly to see if that data has been made available, and it has not.

Contractual violation? Here’s the link to the contract.

Debate Follow-up

NPCCR Chair Mark Williams sent in some additional questions submitted by NP residents, questions which were not addressed at the Oct. 21 debate.

If Mayor and Council candidates wish to respond to these questions at the blog, please send written responses to communityrights@gmail.com for posting.

1) For those of us struggling to pay our ever increasing taxes, I would like to know why the zoning was not well enforced over the last several years. I want to see our tax dollars go to the children that live in town legally. Improved schools improve the real estate values for everyone.

2) What can the Republicans do to enforce our codes that the Democrats have not?

3) Do the Democrats (Mayor and council) in office now know what our new taxes are [under the revised property values from the reassessment process]? If yes, why are the results not being announced or released until after the election? Are we supposed to trust someone who is not forthright with information such as this?

4) In a city so overwhelmed with illegal residents, what do you plan to do to protect against voter fraud and what steps will you take to prevent illegal balloting?

[Editor's Note: Link to Brennan Center for Justice comprehensive 2007 report on voter fraud. The section about alleged fraudulent voting by non-citizens is at pages 18 and 19. Voter purging of eligible voters is a far more significant problem for democracy. It would be interesting to hear the candidates' views on both these issues - how to prevent non-eligible voters from voting, and how to ensure that eligible voters can vote, and have their votes counted.]

5) With the increasing number of taxi cab companies who serve our [...] community, who summon their passengers by blowing their horns at all hours of day or night, do you plan on enforcing the long-standing ordinance below? Or do you lack the courage?

3-7.4 Ringing of Bells, Blowing of Horns, Etc. for Public Sales. No person shall, on any street, road, avenue, park or other public place within the limits of the Borough, ring any bell or blow any horn or make any public outcry at or for any public sale, auction or venue, or to advertise any goods, wares or merchandise for sale, or to attract any attention to or gain passengers for any cab, taxi-cab, hack or omnibus.

Judy and Steve Romeo on Retaliation

By Judy and Steve Romeo

We thought it might interest readers to hear that we received two citations from the borough on Thursday. Apparently a neighbor complained about ‘trash’ and natural overgrowth in the back of our yard and for failing to maintain the paint job on our carriage house.

We find the timing very interesting, and suspect it is not a coincidence given our recent post on the website and the signs that we recently put up supporting the North Plainfield Republican candidates.

Emory Layne – Equal Opportunity Employment in NP? Hardly

By Emory Layne

It has come to our attention that in the past year, definitely ONE and quite possibly TWO people were hired to work for the Borough of North Plainfield who are … the spouse(s) of people already employed by the borough.

Finding out more about the situation became, as usual, an exercise in running up against brick walls.

The fact that at least one Borough job opening was filled in the last year by the wife of a borough employee was brought to the attention of Councilwoman Barbara Habeeb. With her permission, I relate here what she encountered when she tried to look into the matter.

Ms. Habeeb requested records related to 2008 job openings and hiring for the borough from Borough Administrator David Hollod. In response, Hollod referred Habeeb to Section 2.5.2 of the Borough code:

a. Each Department shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council. Each Department Director shall serve during the term of office of the Mayor appointing him, and until the appointment and qualification of his successor. Department Directors shall, with the approval of the Mayor, appoint such subordinate officers and employees within their respective departments as shall be necessary for the proper and effective operation of the departments, within the limits of available appropriations for the department.

b. Each Department Director shall submit reports concerning the operation and functioning of his Department to the Business Administrator as shall be requested by the Business Administrator.

Key phrase: ”Department Directors shall, with the approval of the Mayor, appoint such subordinate officers and employees within their respective departments as shall be necessary for the proper and effective operation of the departments, within the limits of available appropriations for the department.”

The Mayor hires the department heads at Borough Hall.

The department heads hire the people who report to them.

So what’s wrong with that?

Plenty.

According to Hollod, openings for union positions must be advertised. This includes police, fire and public works jobs. Of course, we haven’t seen much turnover in those areas in recent years. But if a position were to come open, there are specific rules that benefit members of unions.

But if the position is non-union - most administrative positions in Borough Hall - you and I and other members of the “taxpayers’ union” are out of luck.

First, the positions, if they are existing jobs vacated by someone leaving the Borough’s employ, are usually not advertised beyond posting them at Borough Hall. Think about that. North Plainfield residents may be fully qualified for a paying position downtown, but unless you just happen to visit Borough Hall, and happen to know which bulletin board these openings are posted at, you’d never know the job was open.

Brilliant, isn’t it?

It would have taken a tiny effort, at any time in the past God-knows how many years, to add the phrase: ”Department directors shall advertise any available positions in the publication designated as the official newspaper of the Borough.”

What harm would such a provision have caused? It would have been easier to pass than any dog poop, storage container or campaign sign ordinance.

Those problems got addressed – this didn’t.

Clearly, the insider approach directly benefits existing employees, their relatives and their friends. They get first dibs on rather lucrative civil service jobs.

My first thought on learning about this was “Equal Opportunity Employment,” and it suddenly expanded the entire concept for me. EOE is supposed to insure that everyone has a fair shot at jobs – including minorities, people of different religions, and the handicapped.

But the Borough Hall practice, and the pride they seem to take in it, denies just about everyone in North Plainfield an equal opportunity to be employed by the Borough.

Everyone, that is, except the friends and relatives of the people who already work there.

This practice opens up all kinds of possibilities for nepotism and favors. In New Jersey, where the ex-Governor appointed his boyfriend head of Homeland Security, we’re familiar what can and does happen.

Borough Hall officials (i.e. Hollod) want us to believe that the department heads hire only the best people for Borough jobs, while they do just about everything possible to keep availability of those jobs a secret known only to a select clique.

What possible reason can they have for maintaining an ordinance like this? It can’t be cost. The cost of a classified employment ad is low, especially when compared to the benefit of having many skilled applicants from among whom to choose a candidate.

Plus, the town has a website, and it would cost department heads nothing to post job openings on it. Want more people to read the website? There’s one way you might attract a few more regular views.

We hear about “upgrading” the borough website, and the need for “volunteers” to do this, yet someone downtown is paid to manage the website (Police Chief William Parenti). For years, Borough officials have ignored resident requests that jobs be posted at the website, or given the knee-jerk response that ”it would cost more.” That’s simply untrue.

The biggest problem with the reality that people have been hired because they’re related to employees is that they may not be qualified. In the case we definitely know of, it could be strongly argued that the person was not qualified, if ‘past experience’ in the field is a qualification.

More to the point, if the position is entry level, and doesn’t require experience, it’s certainly a job  that should be open to the general North Plainfield population.

Let’s imagine the arguments that might be mounted against open posting of Borough jobs.

“Look, if we advertise these positions, we’ll be swamped with people applying for them. Think of all the labor and paperwork involved; it’s far more cost-effective to simply deal with one person we already know, and avoid all that extra work.”

“Hiring from within” is certainly practiced in private businesses. But private businesses have a very strong motivating factor to make sure they get qualified, efficient workers – profits.

North Plainfield is not a profit-making entity. One of the mayoral candidates (Giordano) recently opined that the only way to reduce taxes is to reduce services – the things we pay these employees to do.

How could any department head justify not taking steps to find people who could provide BETTER services at LESS cost?

The timing of such actions is also troubling. It is the final year of the Mayor Allen’s tenure. When she first took office, she “cleaned house,” bringing new department heads into the zoning office, the Borough Administrator’s office, and the Borough Attorney. It was perfectly legal, and would be perfectly legal for whichever new mayor takes office in January 2009.

Following the same ordinance, those department heads were allowed to hire employees. And a loophole in the ordinance apparently bars the new mayor from firing those lower-level employees.
How convenient. Just as a mayor is about to leave, some jobs are filled by husbands and wives. The department heads may find their positions in jeopardy after the election, but the department staff jobs appear to be safe and secure.

It’s also relevant that the hires must be approved by the Borough Council. If the six-member majority of the current Council never raised a figurative eyebrow when new hires were related to current employees, why expect them to change their approach if reelected?

Remember which of the seven current Council members attempted to look into this issue: Barbara Habeeb, the lone Republican.

Let’s repeat that this system applies to NON-union positions only. Fire, Police and Public Works jobs, all unions, must be and are advertised, although they haven’t been hiring in the last year or two.*

So there’s not much argument about nepotism in the union jobs; we’re talking about unadvertised positions filled by apparent last-minute patronage.

This is a subject that simply isn’t open to debate. Borough Hall has been caught in a tremendous boondoggle. As long as the Mayor and the Department Heads are allowed to continue this method of filling open positions downtown (let alone other identified instances where a position was created where none existed before), the only sound conclusion is that they prefer to freeze out the general public and keep things within a closed circle.

It’s sheer naïvete to believe that such occurrences, happening repeatedly, are just “coincidence.”

This rule must change.

I strongly suggest Borough Council make this change at the next available Council meeting. While they’re at it, they should review hires from the past few years, so we can see the whole list of people getting the jobs we didn’t even know about.

[*Editor's Note: I heard a rumor that the police department had hired a few new police officers recently, to replace the three who retired in the last few years. Confirmation needed.]

Linda Darge – Food Bank Donation Follow-Up

By Linda Darge

Thank you to all who donated items for the Food Bank. Since our request was posted rather late, we were only able to collect a small amount of items, so I would like to extend an offer to anyone who might still want to contribute, to please contact me and I will be happy to pick them up. You can e-mail me at ddarge580@comcast.net and I will respond as soon as possibe. Thank you.