The last public open session of the "City Council Agenda Setting Session" scheduled for 7:30PM did not start until past 8:20 PM. During that 50+ minute delay the City Hall Atrium was packed with approximately 50 citizens who had no place to sit except on the stairs.
Perhaps that is why last night (March 9, 2009) at 7:20 when I arrived for that nights meeting there was NOBODY waiting to be permitted into the meeting room. Obviously they either had been forwarnded-unlikely- or the public is again becoming discouraged about participation in local affairs.
At 8:00 PM when the closed Executive session ended there may have been a half dozen individuals waiting. Ultimately all the audience chairs in the meeting room were filled.
If the executive sessions which include a meal are going to last more than 90 minutes perhaps they should be scheduled to start at 5:30 instead of 6PM. Or the public meeting rescheduled for 8PM. I can foresee greater logistic problems when the present format, executive session plus agenda setting meeting is only once a month. It seems that for expediency sake it is once again a case of the Public be dammed.
In Regards to the Public session, Plaintalker has covered in detail the over an hour discussion on the "IT" question. I will post my take plus the "Concerts in the Plaza' program later today or for tomorrow.
Unfortunately Councilor Storch was unable to attended and present his report on the Economic Development Committee with its focus on the "Transit Village" concept. . This would have been a highlight of the meeting. I have previously expressed some opinion on the subject, and feel that a long range plan should not be limited to the main railroad station Netherwood station corridor but encompass the entire railroad corridor through Plainfield. And no plan will ever succeed without revitalization of the present downtown area.
The prospect of not supporting the July 4th parade is probably in the city's best financial interest. Long gone are the days when Plainfield in its glory produced the outstanding 4th of July parade in Central and Northern New Jersey. The days when spectators arrived hours prior to the parade to stake out their viewing area. The days when marching bands felt it to be an honor to participate. The days when there was a spirited competition to enter floats that required planning and hours of preparation. The days when my wife suffered through hours of heat or bad weather so that four children could watch that event. Now the parade has degenerated to a smattering of organization floats, siren blowing fire engines, and some delightful local marching and music groups. The latter will be missed, but the rest is a luxury that we do not need in these bad economic times.
As an afterthought the Corporation Counsel in his report announced, I think, that there was a settlement in the Santiago vs City suit. I am sure we will never know the terms or how much it has cost the taxpayers.
The Courier article on the North Plainfield Rescue squad financial problem is symptomatic of today's bad economics . People are not giving to non-profit organizations. Charity has decreased over the years and the tithing that supported many civic voluntary functions is now almost nonexistence. Local governments must share increasing port ions of the financial burden if the community is to be served.
Governor Corzine's draconian budget message to be delivered tonight should be heeded by all municipalities and especially the work forces. Accommodations must be made or the taxpayers will no longer be able to support any type of local government. Selfishness will propel us into anarchy.
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ReplyDeleteRe: Santiago settlement. This story appeared in a late February Courier News.
Plainfield offers to pay $275G to settle suit with ex-police chief
By BRANDON LAUSCH
Staff Writer
The city tentatively has agreed to pay former police chief Edward Santiago $275,000 to end a long-running whistleblower complaint connected to Santiago's disputes with a former public safety director, officials said.
The settlement, reached Wednesday, Feb. 25, could end the claims in a May 2005 lawsuit Santiago filed in connection with a series of disagreements that led former Public Safety Director Michael Lattimore to suspend Santiago for five days over an unspecified management issue.
However, the chief was restored to his position the next day when then-Mayor Albert T. McWilliams rescinded the suspension.
Santiago's court filing initially claimed that negative publicity generated by the suspension, as well as the city's apparent failure to repair his work record, had damaged his reputation.
The $275,000 payout — which is subject to City Council approval — covers compensation for any remaining claims in the suit, as well as Santiago's attorneys' fees and court costs, officials said. It carries no admission of liability by the city.
Dan Williamson, the city's corporation counsel, said the settlement will be paid through the Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund, a statewide shared-services program in which the city participates.
RECORD CLEARED
Another part of the agreement, a Santiago defense attorney said, is that all charges brought against him in 2003 will be dismissed and his record will be cleared. Williamson said he could not confirm that portion of the tentative deal.
Although the settlement also dismisses one complaint Santiago filed over a 2008 reorganization of the city's police force — which included the abolition of the police chief's position — he still is appealing the plan through the state Office of Administrative Law.
Santiago has argued that the controversial move to abolish the chief's position and create the post of civilian police director was a blatant effort to oust him from the job. But city officials countered that it added greater accountability and a fresh management style to the Police Division.
In April 2008, facing the choice to either retire or accept a demotion after more than three decades on the force, Santiago opted to stay with the division as a captain.
Santiago also has appealed a state Superior Court judge's ruling that upheld current Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig's authority to rotate captains within the police department's bureaus. In that matter, the State Police Chiefs Association is arguing on Santiago's behalf.
This week's settlement was negotiated during a three-day period with state Superior Court Judge William L'E. Wertheimer, sitting in Elizabeth. Santiago was represented by Patricia Breuninger and law partner Susan Fellman while the city's case was presented by Jack Gillick and David L. Minchello.
"He's pleased that it's over," Breuninger said of Santiago, who has declined comment. "That's really all he'd say."
Brandon Lausch: 908-243-6606; blausch@MyCentralJersey.com
-MS
Thank you, I now have a vague memory of that article. However as Councilor Burney says, I am a data person. What was our legal fees to Gillick and Minchello? Any other costs? It is the gross cost that matters.
ReplyDeleteWell where are those photo's of the Grand Ol Parades ? That should keep the scanner busy for awhile !!
ReplyDeletePeculiarly although I have probably hundreds of pictures scattered in various drawers, boxes, closets and a few albums very few of the children have survived. You have suggested a project, the sorting of old photos which may occupy my spare time. I am not sure how many if any of the 4th parades. If the Courier's morgue still exists perhaps someone will reproduce some for the paper. That would be great.
ReplyDelete