1st COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING

Before I remark on my impressions of this years annual anomaly known as the Council's Budget hearings I need to digress and make a personal remark to one of those non-ipseity "anonymous" wits (???) who has made the following comment to at least five of my last post " Anonymous said... I kno ur olde annd stobbourn. Butt u shold raelly tri usin SPELL CHECK"!

It matters little that I have used an oxymoron because if one is "non ipseity" they are of course do not exist and they fall in to that great cesspool of anonymity. But such humor should not be ignored especially since it denotes a degree of cowardly bigotry which could be turned on anyone. In this period of economic crisis and evidence of bigotry whether directed towards any ethnic or religious group can be turned by zealots into an attack on this country's values and political standards. This is what we, each and every one of us, must constantly be on the guard against. We must be ever vigilant that the most susceptible teenage and early twenties age groups are not brainwashed. That will be more difficult the longer the job market is in default.

AS to nitwit's "cute" remarks I am this quote as My identification for the blog :"olddoc

Plainfield, NJ

Over aged, Trying to be "the last angry man".about any and all improprieties of stated interest.For some unknown reason has been listed for years in various editions of "Who's Who"(America, World, Science) I deny any responsibility for typos, spelling and poor punctuation. Hunt and peck has it faults. Speech transcribing does not seem to be the answer. Enjoying a second career as a self appointed advocate for the public vz local government excesses"

In all respect I will say that I double check with the "speller" and often the Dictionary- and I have two+ before I post any article. Has any one who has used "word" or the Internet providers spelling checker they are not perfect. They do miss words and occasionally change a word they don't like into something that fits their fancy and has no meaning with the subject. No spelling checker I know of can differentiate from : to,too,two; or their, there. There are many others so look in ti your mirror before finding fault in others.

Ipseity, if you wish to point out errors I have missed please advise me so I can correct them. I would be most happy if you would sign your name.

Well that leaves little space for last night's budget hearing. Since the time was devoted to the essential services of City Court (Justice), Police and Fire departments.there is little if any wiggle room as to the number of personnel. The questions unanswered are about the TO and if top heavy what corrections are being contemplated. Also are work schedules most efficient. Director Helwig did say that the 4 on, 4 off schedule gave little wiggle room. If the is true the some other one must be mandates. AS the old saying goes "If you cant--- get off the throne"

Elliot Simmonds raised the question of "give backs" And Dashield said that there were discussions but they were privileged and he could not comment. I question his interpretation, since the knowledge and status of such discussions are vital to the Council and all those intimately involved in making the ultimate budget decisions. Although I am very interested, I with no official contact to the council or the Citizen's advisory committee need not know until the final agreement is made public.

Other segments to come for review will have a greater exposure to job loss, and job requirements and performance. The issue of furloughs, or cut back days will be easier to address.

One last thought; Should not the Councilwoman elected for the 4th ward be invited to participate in these meetings. She will be a vital part of the discussion come 1/1/2010. I am disturbed by her lack of interest and if I missed her I apologize.