IT HAPPENS IN OZ

That which was not on the agenda once again was the most earth shaking events of the Council Meeting.

Yes it is true that only in Oz could the City Council whose members pay lip service to a large voting segment and not reality; create by a 5:2 vote another commission which will ultimately receive public funding. The fact that this “Commission” could reduplicate the purpose of existing but not supported by the Mayor Commissions is immaterial.

No one should be against improved relationships between the large African-American majority and the substantial Caribbean Plainfield population. But are the Latinos of South American origin to be excluded? There is no specific reference in the Ordinance.

 This is a poorly conceived self serving politically motivated action  that should have required consideration and refinement before being voted upon.Yet only two Councillors would  rejected it..

The Resolution to permit the Maree group to produce a Rodeo failed to receive approval to be placed on the agenda. It never should have even been considered since it had been rejected in the City Clerk’s office for failing to meet the 45 day pre-event requirement by City Ordinance.

Mr. Maree's protestations that he was unaware of the 45 day requirement and that he had believed that only 30 days was needed lacks credibility. He is too good a business man.

During the Public Comment period Mr. Maree protested the impact of the recently passed Ordinance that would require him to close loud entertainment at 9pm.

When he was granted permission to hold his September event the Ordinance required a 10pm closing and his plans conformed to those standards.

The Council never gave him an answer. I would believe that legally no subsequent changes in laws should be applicable.

The TWO BIG Bombshells appeared during the Public Session. 

Former Councilwoman Hollis raised a question about how the Mayor received the right to hold an “Anti-gang event: at the same time as an approved Civic event sponsored by the 4^th Ward Councilors, Rivers and Greaves. Although the Mayors event seems not to have taken place the Rivers/Greaves affair had to be postponed.

Questioning about this affair led to a discussion about the funding of the Mayors event. There is a question if the Mayor once again has improperly used municipal funds, once a gain on the Recreational budget line. Did she act as “Acting City Administrator” to approve these funds?  Will Reid say it was only $4000.00 and not worth fussing over? Will there be a meaningful investigation? Will anyone investigate potential misuse or possible illegal of city dollars? Past experience says NO.

At best Department Director Restaino's explanation was an exercise in discombobulation-ship. 

Since the Mayor was denied the Party line for reelection she seems to have adopted a course of being destructive to the City's interests in favor of some unknown agenda of her own. The latest one is delaying in signing the agreement with the UCIA  to settle the  financial problems with the Park Madison building.

At the end of the Public Comment Session, Rev. Thomas delivered what was essentially an ultimatum from JFK that if the Council does not consider (and approve of) its plan s to profit from the Muhlenberg property it would ease all health care operations in Plainfield.

JFK has already raped this city by appropriating or not accounting for all the endowment funds for Muhlenberg. Its actions in closing the hospital were supported by Trenton in the pre Christie days and not given strong objection by our local politicians.

Now we are being blackmailed to agree to a project that is against any reasonable local interests.