A FEW QUESTIONS

We are almost at the end of the first 9 months of the Mapp era. There remain a plethora of unanswered questions that were inherited or promised for this year. Most should be answered by Administration, others by Public Authorities or Boards, a few by Council, and of course some by developers. The Public is entitled to comments if not answers.

For example; regarding the ‘Monarch” although we know that Council  has approved arbitration about Dornoch’s claim for I believe over 200K owed for finishing the Senior Center we do not know the basis for that claim. Did not the $1 agreement provide for a functional Center to be owned by the City as a condo partner?

Why has not the City gained possession of the area designated for the Veteran’s Center?  If the agreement brokered by Jerry Green through the Union County Development Authority was for a deluxe condo development not rentals, has not Dornoch broken their contract? Its provisions regarding that space can no longer be met.

Tax abatements were granted for the units as a sales benefit. If the units are now rentals should not that agreement be voided by the City and the property owner charged taxes at the same assessed rate we peons are?
There were several attempts to pass an ordinance granting the tax abatement, the last one was finally withdrawn  by Administration in Sept. 2009. I thank Bernice for her references to her  old files. I have posted my 4 blogs from that period.

What has happened to the pre-election promise of a forensic audit of the City’s finances? To date all we have had is a word that Recreation’s finances are being reviewed and we should have a report by October?

At the Planning Board a recommendation that a clear title search should be made before the Consultant’s recommendation of rezoning portions of the Muhlenberg Campus be enacted. Who was to do it and was it done?

What happened to the street resurfacing program in 2014? Who was responsible after Director Jackson was granted leave and his subsequent resignation? Were plans made? Were grants sought?  

The Bombshell appointment of the “most qualified person” begets the question about when and if PFQs were requested for the Directorship of the Department, or where and how often the vacancy was publicized? And what responses where received?

What is the status of the Tepper basement? How is it carried on the City’s books? 

What is John Stewart's position and functions since the Council refuse to fund the  Chief of Staff position?

Space is limited but what has happened to all the various grants to Developers for Apartments in Center City and  for other properties such as the Appliance-A-Rama warehouse on Front Street?  Is there a time limit on their rights to the specific plots? In other words can they be the approved developer in perpetuity excluding any other viable party?

Included in the above is the proposed Senior Housing in the parking area behind the stores on Front street east of Roosevelt Ave?  If this is not a viable project how could the proposed one by PHA be a good deal? Why was the Town House development never  consummated? Has  PHA an answer?

Has there been any organized plan to try to revitalize needed health care facilities in Plainfield, a hospital? Who is in charge?

I could go on but will an Administration that promised "transparency" provide some answers to these?