NO STIMULUS

Did Dan miss something? The City seems to have done so and I almost did.

Wednesday late afternoon I was again scanning the print Ledger's 1st section and to my amazement there was an article about 18 New Jersey towns receiving $26.8 million stimulus money for additional police.

Elizabeth in Union County received $4.96 million for 17 new cops,East Orange $3.247 mil for 14 new police,Paterson $3.747 mil,Trenton $2.959mil, PLAINFIELD there was no such town listed. Oh yes Brooklawn got$350,081, Frenchtown $204,618, Wildwood $819,120.00 but NO PLAINFIELD.

Obviously we have enough police and no gang or crime problem. Or did we not apply for COPS money because the recipients would only receive enough funds for a three year period and then be obligated to fund the 4th year itself?

Or were we one of the approximately 24 towns that were turned down? Among them were Newark and Camden for past violations. Officials said that these agencies accepted the 3 year ban instead of repaying money owed to the government for misuse of funds. Will we ever know?

Perhaps, our focus for "stimulus money" was centered on a withdrawn request for $15 million to fund another "developer's " plan for condos or apartments without parking space in the center city area. Or maybe there is no tax abatement in policemen.

Or could it mean that the County political powers have more influence in Trenton then our own local Assembly persons? I believe but my memory may be faulty, that the book "Soprano State" mentions a close relationship between Governor Corzine and State Senator Lesniak. .