Actually the amount in question is $25,000.00 which cane from 3 different line items in the City's budget'
- $2,500.00 charged to "General Imp (sic) Ordinance 1237."
- $2,500.00 charged to "Outside Consulting Services."
- $20,000.00 charged to "Hardware & Software Maintenance."
It is obvious that there are individuals in Plainfield who do not believe that following proper procedures in allocating funds is of any importance;
- Resident Roland Muhammad who has been a severe critic of four of the Council's members asked; "Why is this (investigation) so important?'' "We were going out in the city to prevent crime ... so what was done, was that a bad thing?'' (CN 4/13/11)
- Assemblyman Green recently wrote "Already, I see council members spending more time talking about investigation. Whether it is the $20,000 the Mayor spent, or other issues I feel are minor when compared to this year’s budget"
Neither person or the Mayor seem to consider that the cavalier management of the City's funds ,derived from our tax dollars, is of importance. Six years of government with essential positions designated in the City Charter were unfilled for prolonged periods of time despite the fact that they were important to maintain proper fiscal control suggests either a lack of understanding the financial operation of the municipality, or what could be worse, a desire to avoid accountability.
As citizen Darden has pointed out at Council meetings; the annual report by t he City's Auditors point out the same deficiencies in financial control every year and there apparently is no effort to remedy the problem. It was only when the State threatened to fine the Mayor and Council that a CFO was appointed. Despite the fact that purchases were to be processed through the Purchasing Division that procedure was all too often bypassed.
This is in part why it makes no difference what the amount involved is, since even a small amount one time could ultimately lead to improper yes even criminal removal of funds from the City's account. The history of embezzlement from businesses often start with a "borrowing" of a small amount and gradually increasing to large sums. That is why if there were irregularities they should be eliminated and correct procedures followed through. If the incident involved should reveal a pattern of irregularity then of course the investigation should be expanded by a complete forensic audit.
The latter is I believe the fear expressed by those who would negate this investigation. If funds were used improperly then punitive action would be indicated. This of course would be mitigated depending on the circumstances.
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The very people who decry the investigation must giggle and laugh as they write the check for their property taxes each year and think to themselves....
ReplyDelete"If only they would take more from me...I have so much to give a bloated wasteful entitled government."
That or they are part of the gravy train sucking the taxpayers dry. $10 wasted by a financially negligent administration is $10 that NEVER belonged to them. It belongs to the citizens of Plainfield. The Mayor is paid to be the caretaker of these funds ALONG with the City Council. Not paid to be her discretionary slush fund, NOR The Councils. At least 4 people on the city council understand that. And if it takes spending more money to bring that hot mess of a Mayor some financial religion and a bit of humility...SO BE IT.
People like Jerry, the mayor and her lackies don't want to be held responsible to the public. Jerry and Sharon are "public employees", which means that they are accoutable to us. I hope the voters make sure that they hold them accountable and vote them out. I really dislike people who belittle the taxpayers, by telling them that their representatives in government are not responsible to them.
ReplyDeleteFiscal responsibility is a very important and frankly, in this economic climate, more and more we have to look at everything we do.
ReplyDeleteI realize that folks want autonomy, especially if they've contributed in the past, but today is a different day. We MUST be responsible and do things the right way.
We must also have confidence in our abilities so that if citizens want to offer suggestions, they can. Sometimes there may be a gem in one of those suggestions.
We must do a better job with transparancy, we will really be unified if folks know what's going on.
Let's be on our game, collaborate and ALL work for a better city!
Jerry's new post should get you going. I think we live on planet Jerry Green. Someone should point out to him that the council is required to see that the taxpayer’s monies are spent within the bounds of the law and if they neglect their duties, they can be held legally libel and prosecuted. They should leave no stone unturned, least the Prosecutor comeback to them and charge them with dereliction of duty. A Wiseman once said, 'a billion here and a billion there and so you will be talking real money.'
ReplyDeleteIf the council would spend less time and effort "talking" about investigating and more time and effort in actually doing it we would be a lot better off. If the council members can't do their job, who needs them? (Same for the mayor.)
ReplyDeleteDoc - You are right on. The use or misuse of public funds can't be tolerated. Between the city and the PMUA they expend funds like like geese poop. I'm certain that if they were using their own funds they wouldn't waste it the way they do with taxpayer dollars. To make matters worse, you have employees of the governments that come forward to say what a great job they are doing. No one questions the job they do, we do however question the misuse and mis-allocation of public funds.
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