THAT MEEING IN OZ (COUNCIL 2)

Time to return to OZ: Despite some of the comments in this blog and by the many commentators to both Plain talker II and this blog, there was a passionate break in the quadruple alliance when near the end of the meeting Council President Rivers gave the Mayor Holly H.

The tale leading up to that outburst began with the failure to receive the required 5 votes by R373-13 – to transfer an unspent $1,115,176.61 from the budget lines those monies had been assigned to other lines.

Among items that Williams, Storch, and Mapp questioned was $163085.28 to a PMUA line, and more contentious was $131091.38 to Police for S&W.

Among the transfers was $592,750.00 to go for unbudgeted Health Benefits part was to come from $150000.00 Insurance OE; $9,000.00 to Recreation S&E, and $27,000.00 to Recreation Seasonal S&W. Note there were no funds to be transferred to Recreation OE. Economic Development was to receive 72k for salaries! Which had been unfunded when the budget was adopted; and supposedly the staff not provided for although the director had since resigned. The others can be obtained by reviewing the backup material.

Mapp had questioned the source of and the reason for the new PMUA allocation.  He was told by Chairman Green of the Emergency Response Section that it was FEMA funds for the after Sandy cleanup in which PMUA was a vendor and was owed the money.

As it appeared that the transfer to the police line was for salaries for the newly promoted police officers Williams etal would not approve this bill. Williams offered an amended resolution removing the Police line. That failed by the 4:3 split. And a vote on the main resolution failed to receive the 5 votes needed.

Down the tube went among other things; funding for Recreation, School Crossing Guards, Health Benefits (insurance?), as well as 55K for IT/Media, and wonder of wonders not questioned $29,150.00 telephone.

ealth

During the public commentary portion earlier a citizen had complained that the school gyms were no longer open for the youth basketball program. When questioned a member of Recreation staff had remarked that the School District had increased the fees for use of the facilities including charges for services that it had absorbed in the past. I am glad that the BOE and Superintendent are considering the welfare of Plainfield’s youth.

The spokesperson added that the funds were no longer there.

Cathcart made a passionate speech during the terminal public comments period of the business session. I believe it was at this point that Council President Rivers publicly chastised the Mayor.

Councilor Storch moved to reconsider the resolution which was approved after Greaves had questioned what they were voting on.

Storch then proposed a substitute resolution including several essential lines which failed to receive the needed 5 votes.

It was obvious that the group of four had not understood that they were cutting off their noses to spite their face.

At this point Cathcart went into an on the floor rant which was not interrupted by the Council President about the Councils action.

That led to another reconsidering motion in order to pass a resolution which would transfer I believe $15K to Recreation.

After a 2nd suspension of the meeting it was reconvened and the motion passed.

Since I am not completely sure of the exact sequence I would suggest that you turn to the local cable channel and watch the show which I understand is already being played.  

Off to PT.