Major items at the Council meeting were related to the presentation of the Rescue Squad situation, and the first reading of the Ordinance creating a position of "Director of Data Processing". The squad problem has been adequately covered by the news media ( Courier today 2/19/09), and Assemblyman Green's blog as well as Plainfield Today, Plainfield Plaintalker, and I hope this one.
Today Plainfield Plaintalker addresses the Data Processing Director ordinance in detail. I have alluded to it earlier and will do so again today. However before doing so I would like to call every ones attention to Plaintalker's posting on Black History Month. This is a must read.
In my youth, Plainfield had a bigoted element that exercised social and political power. The black community occupied an area that mostly extended between West 3rd St and the railroad tracks, from Plainfield Ave. to Grant Ave. There was an extension along West 4th Street from Liberty to Spooner Ave. and gradually spreading south and west.
Liberty Street from the tracks to 4th Street and West 3rd from Liberty to Plainfield Ave was the locality of a thriving Jewish commercial and residential area. Long before the riots but after WWII that area had been replaced by the 'projects".
To return to the Council meeting; action was taken to use a grant for the summer concerts in the downtown square. Also to participate in the county's " First Alert program" as well as approving funds for the Bryant Park Restroom facility.
To return to the Ordinance creating a cabinet level directorship of IT; I consider it to be ill advised at the present time. I am no denying the need for a responsible individual to fill that roll, but in the present economic times there will be many qualified individuals seeking employment and who would readily accept a lesser salary to be employed. Today, it is a buyers market and the city should be able to get great value for its buck.
I need not remind the Council that if it were not for Administrations entering into a contract that was never satisfactorily completed for development of IT systems several years ago, the present disorganization would not exist. There has also been a question about the then rubber stamp Council's pre-approval of the contract. See Plainfield Today old blogs.
There is however no reason that such a division could not be created by resolution under the director of finances etc. and the salary level be appropriate established at the time of fulfillment.
The Council needs not to be reminded that this is time for draconian measures in the not yet filled 2009 and the pending 2010 budgets. Although the state unions are contesting the 2 furlough days for the 2009 FY there will have to be a greater tightening of the belt for2010. The state of Ohio despite workers resistance has already instituted a one week furlough sans pay for the present year and are talking about further cuts. All political venues are facing similar situations and in some both union and salaried workers have cooperated. In any budget review the necessity of all position s should be subject to an in depth review.
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Congratulations are in order for Dr. Gallon for exposing the Plainfield Board of Ed regarding how poorly they have conducted themselves these past years. My advice for the good Doc(Gallon that is) is this: start looking for another district to be superintendant over. For the simple fact that once the New Democrats realize a person, Dr. Gallon in this case, wants to do his JOB and stand for the students, and to have told the public how bad they have conducted themselves while under the leadership of Pat Barksdale and Adrian Mapp and the gang… not only would they be embarrassed, but they will certainly want to go for political blood.
ReplyDeleteWith Adrian Mapp complaining about the Public Safety Director’s use of his city vehicle for his city-job, then I’m certain that Dr. Gallon will not want Adrian Mapp to go after his Range Rover, which is sale priced over $100,000. its only a matter of time before Adrian and his Grand Ol’ Party begin to start looking into all the perks Dr. Gallon has in his contract; a contract so sweet that every other superintendant in Union County envies. Nor would Dr. Gallon be so keen on them looking into some of his friends he brought with him from Florida.
Get your popcorn and potato chips ready for this one Plainfield. It seems like the New Dems are about ready to fight with everyone. They most certainly will not be happy with Dr. Gallon, with the Sharon, nor with Carol Brokaw. ::We already know how they feel about Asm. Green, that’s water under the Bridge to Nowhere::
Now we’re beginning to see just why the school district and the City cant get ahead.
Doc,
ReplyDeletein yesterday's NY Post there was a very racist and hate-filled cartoon illustration, depicting President Obama as a monkey, murdered by two police officers. what are your thoughts on this controversal issue..?
twosmokinbarrels.blogspot.com wrote a response. it was tasteful if i may add. I'm suprised no one else around here has said anything about it.
SemperFi
SemperFi, I was not aware of the Post cartoon until I heard about it on the TV news this am. I also did read after your comment twosmoking barrels blog about the cartoon.Unlike a few of his bitter comments,It is well written, a characteristic that I would expect from a person of his education and intelligence.I must agree 100% with him, bigotry and hatred still exists but has no place in the media.The "monkey" depiction of blacks is as onerous as the enlarged nose Islamic and white supremacist's anti-Jewish cartoons.Also members of the white and Afro-American communities should actively counter the expanding anti- Hispanic violence.
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