2008 AND MUHLENBERG

Jim Pivnichny wrote in his April 17th blog about the CAQ meeting the following "When I asked Mr. Ventantonio why the city had passed up the opportunity to ask the Appellate Division for a stay of the hospital closing two years ago, which was mentioned prominently in the recently issued appellate decision, he immediately replied that he would have to defer to the Mayor, but then went on to answer the question himself. His initial response leads me to suspect that he was not involved when this obvious tactical error was made. He indicated that an error may have been made in this regard, but that it is difficult to judge now the appropriateness of what did or did not happen two years ago."

Jim, when it became obvious during the public comment section of the Council meetings, I repeatedly requested that the Council take proactive action. Council President Gibson supported by members of the Council asserted that they had done so in an earlier resolution and any other action would be up to the Administration which was working on it. Among my protestations was that great resolution was a bland one passed in the consent agenda.

The Muhlenberg situation was one of impetus for my becoming ab blogger and in 2008 I posted the following:

Perhaps if local and county political leaders of both parties were truly interested in public welfare the present impending catastrophe would not be possible. Past actions or the lack of any discernible positive efforts by our represenatives in State government would reinforce that impression. 4/12/08

I do not believe that our local governments can or will help keeping Muhlenberg open as a functioning full health facility If our representatives cannot find the will to act or give a believable explanation why they did not, we who voted them into power should remember at election time., 4/18/08

Others talked about the impact upon Plainfielders and one (ME) asked them to be proactive and enact a Resolution authorizing the city to seek an injunction in case the CON is granted. There was no reaction to this request. We will see if this Council is truly concerned about Plainfield’s health needs. 4/28/08

Both the Plainfield government and its tax payers must take the initiative before the opportunity pass. The alternative for lack of action is a health disaster, and the blame will be upon ourselves not Solaris.

I would surmise that legal action will be necessary, and unless some attorneys with give their services "pro bono" we know that lawyers do not come cheaply. However we have only a limited time to bite the bullet. 6/25/08

I wrote the following after the May 30,2008 Council meeting

My frustration continued during the period for public comments at the end of the meeting. I had remarked about how disappointed I was that in view of the fact that Solaris had in effect closed Muhlenberg hospital as a functioning unit without waiting for approval of its request CN, the Council had taken no strong proactive action. I suggested that even at this late date it could pass a resolution calling for all the concerned area municipalities to act in concert to prevent Solaris from leaving MRMC’s service area without acceptable health care.

The only comment was by one Councilman to the effect that “the Council does not have the authority to take such action.” (not true-see the City Charter states under Article II the City Council; 2.1 Legislative Power (“ Off the record; a ” question after the meeting’s close about who in the city government does have such authority met no response. )

Under articles 1.5 Powers and 1.6 Self-government generally, I can find no wording denying the Council the right to initiate action. The description of the Mayor’s duties (3.4 and3.6) there is no mention of the right to initiate action, only to recommend to the Council to adopt resolutions and/or ordinances which the Mayor is required to enforce.

Why have the City Government and specifically the Council let the public flounder? Why has no one been willing to “bite the bullet”? Is it incompetency, or the result of political pressure? Plainfielders deserve an answer. 7/1/08