The Agenda has already been posted on the City site under agendas. Somebody needs to be congratulated for this public service.which I for one appreciate.
Although Item V reads "CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC HEARING, SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE" I believe that is an error since this is not the business meeting of the Council and no definitive action can be taken. The 4 Ordinances are present for discussion prior to inclusion at the Oct. 13 (Tuesday).
meeting.
At the Agenda sessions there has been no provision for public comments prior to action by the Council.
Two items are not listed for the Agenda discussion ; (1) The Monarch Tax Abatement and (2) the promised introduction of the City Budget, for 2010. Either Administration is waiting for the passage of the Ordinance raising the CAP (MC2009-23) as well as the other two raising salaries, before the budget will b e sprung at the last moment to meet a deadline. I hope we will learn more Monday.
WE are now FOUR months late on the budget and at least 1/4 of our 2010 funds have been spent without any controls as to allocation of anticipated revenue.
Other than a provision for 10 minutes discussion on the relationships of The City of Plainfield and UCIA as has been pointed out by Councilor Mapp in his blog there is little on the published agenda that is not routine. However this meeting is the proper time to introduce new items.
That which follows is the blog which I have prepared for this date.
Old fashion and mechanical harvesting the grapes in Southern France.
This of course has nothing to do with politics which has not really changed except the media has improved remarkably. The use of TV has raised the crop of innuendos to an unprecedented level. The Internet, Text messaging and twittering has open vast horizons for falsehoods.The Candidates need no longer go on record what and how they will do, but on need to demonize their opponents. Campaign promises are as valid as the vapor in which they are transmitted. Past records and political associations are the only true criteria we have.
I am having trouble keeping politics out of my comments.In looking at the Union County's allocation of stimulus moneys for road re-pavement; Scotch Plains, Rahway, Linden, Summit, and of course Elizabeth are sharing some 4.5 M. There is nothing listed for Plainfield unless a share of 1.42 for "Road Corridor" improvement is the same thing.
Perhaps our member of the Freeholders or our two Assemblymen (woman) could give us exact numbers.I am not sure if re-pavement is part of "Corridor Improvement" or if the latter just refers to the intersection improvements planned?
Why is it that Republican Senators like John Ensign as well as TV personalities like Letterman get involved in sex scandals. Of course John Edwards and South Carolina's Governor are Democrats, but the 'boys will be boys" and "it takes two to tango". Yes, for every male who has transgressed there has been at least one woman.
However, it seems right now, present day. it is the Democrats that are headliners in money scandals. Rep. Charles Rangel of NYC the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that write tax laws has failed to declare income and combined apartment units in low cost Housing for personal use. His poor explanation has been ludicrous and certainly has not helped this important committee's role in Health CARE reform. Once again too many people who stay too long in power have succumbed to the falsehood that they are above ethical, moral , and legal standards.
IF YOU WONDERED;
In my brief summary of the Council if I did not make it clear, I was addressing the 2010 Council personnel. That is why I did not comment about Elliot Simmons the quiet man of the 2009 Council. Quiet not because he does not speak but is so soft spoken that even sitting directly behind him in the City Hall Library room I can't hear him. Elliot has fulfilled his obligations as the representative of the 4th Ward on the Council and having served his city, chose not to seek another term. His choice not the voters.
OBAMA STICKER;
65 years after the Holocaust became visible to the world and 40 years after the death of Martin Luther King there is still individuals who are preaching hatred against others in this country. The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified groups in nearby New Jersey who worship the Nazis and call themselves disciples of the KKK. Recent events in Edison and the pasting of disrespectful anti Obama posters should alarm all of us. To encourage these groups even passively is support for terrorists and others who would destroy our society to further their narrow minded idealism. But bigotry is a two way street, and any political leader, no matter what the color of his skin, who plays the racial card is also guilty of encouraging ethnic hatred. Such a person does not belong in public office.
It is the duty of every one of us to discourage any such activity, and if aware of any overt act of ethnic bigotry or crime to report it to the authorities.
Doc, as member of the newly created Citzen Budget Advisory Committee member also observed UC Stimulus allocation site. There were two entries for Corridor Improvement, 1)1.42m and additional 800ks. I looked at UC 2009 Budget worksheet. They put Route 27 as an example of Corridor Improvement.
ReplyDeleteThe primary reason for the delay of Budget Introduction was the State delayed its Extraordinary Aid projection. The new date for Muncipalities to submit all documentations for Extraordinary Aid is 13 Oct 2009.
In the spirit of Collaboration and keeping the Citizens of Plainfield informed, I will attempt to gets answers about the 2010 budget to your readers when possible.