"And the taxpayers be damned."

"And the taxpayers be damned." (Plainfield Today 12/4/2009)

I have never been more infuriated about Plainfield's government than I am now. I have long ago written off our administration as either incompetent or perhaps more accurately, self serving often with a complete disregard of statutory procedures. The fact that the former Senior Center's landlord was never given the required 30 days notice that the property would no longer be needed should surprise no one. Our Administrator's record of costly financial blunders grows.
What has been the cost to the city in missed opportunities for funding will never be known. What documentation that needs Council approval has been sent to the State without their knowledge?

The City's finances is in one hell of a mess. The budget delay once again has deliberately prevented a realistic control of expenses. If there is any truth to the rumor that the budget the Council is working with is not the same as the one that was accepted by the Council last month then an illegality has taken place.

In this economic crisis the Council will have to make difficult choices regarding services, wages promotions, and department structures. There can be no favoritism in job retentions. All perks that do not contribute to the city's operations must be eliminated.

The Council itself once again as a body has shown lack of respect for the taxpayers by not attending hearings. There may be legitimate reasons for absences and if a quorum will not be available the public most be advised. But this is not the only time Council has dissed the public. Too often their pre public session catered executive meeting has last well beyond, once an hour, the scheduled time for the public session. Meanwhile citizens were left to stand uncomfortably in the City Hall foyer. I never remember hearing an apology.

The only excuses the four Councilors could have for their absence at the stated time for the meeting could be (a) illness, (b) unanticipated family problems and (c) unchangeable professional conflicts. The first two are acceptable and the public needs no explanation regarding illness nor personal/family problems. On the other hand if the City had after 4 years of questionable expenses a working Internet site where changes could be posted the public could have been notified. Unfortunately that site is better known for its lack of information rather than being a source of public knowledge.

Councilor absences due to a sudden change in professional commitments can not be avoided. On the other hand if there were sufficient leeway then again the public and fellow Councilors should have the capability of changing plans.

It is now December 2009 and the snow is about to fall. Last years budget was delayed over 9 months while administration tried to cover an over a million dollar error in the forms submitted to the State. The solution of deferring pension plan deposits has only increased the public's burden
for years to come. This year the repeated excuse laden delay in submitting a budget until after the general election has only increased the task facing the Council.

The Council must now adopt a budget that will be further compromised by the State's reneging on its own promises to municipalities. There is no choice but to bite the bullet and adopt a heavy-handed policy of service reductions, mandatory furloughs, and real job cuts. Some amelioration could be accomplished by voluntary givebacks including elimination of "perk days" and reduction of perk benefits. As of this moment none of the higher level employees or powerful unions seem willing to make that gesture to aid the community and other employees with less seniority.

In response to a question regarding BOE contracts, Dr. Gallon III mentioned "the need to respect labor contracts due to the financial responsibilities that could be acquired if contracts were broken before their due time". Yet it may be expedient for the Council to consider such action or declare bankruptcy which would void all such contracts.

Once more I must emphasise that each and every Councilor has a fiduciary responsibility by virtue of the elected office to intelligently end up with a workable budget. None should willingly skip a single budget related meeting. Even lame duck 4th ward Councilman Simmonds who will have no part in the final product obligation does not end before midnight Dec 31, 2009.

In addition Councilwoman elect Bridget Rivers who will assume office on Jan. 1, 2010 should be present now, so she is completely informed when the final voting takes place. Her absence raises questions as to her commitment to the office to which she aspired.