ACT 3-COUNCIL MEETING

The next and even more contentious discussion item dealt with the group of four’s attack on the cars purchased for the use of the Mayor and the City Administrator out of funds designated for vehicle purchases by the Police Division of the Department of Public Safety.

Gloria with Bridget’s support led the attack. In fact some of Gloria’s remarks made me regret that she had not been on the Council during Sharon’s Administration when there was no true oversight over purchases or use of monies designated for one purpose for something else.

Gloria did correctly say (not verbatim) that money appropriated for one Department could not legally be used for another without Council approval (by resolution). Such improper action was not going to happen on her watch. That monies appropriated for the Police Dept. had to be used by that Department.

City Administrator Smiley noted that the Public Safety Department’s agreement to use a State contracted vendor was the most inexpensive method of purchasing a vehicle, and that was also applicable to vehicles purchased through Public Works. It did infer that the Police’s contract was most favorable.

Smiley also noted that previous purchases for vehicles used in other city divisions had been done through a similar method. Both the CFO and the Corporation Counsel when asked by Bridget for their opinion vacillated in that could be a choice involved between what was documented (City Charter, Ordinances, or regulations) required and previous customary usage. They would not venture an opinion about which was the right one in this case.

When Bridget demanded that Smiley give up his car he exploded; ”I will not” and noted that the Council had voted the City Administrator a car and he could get one anytime by requesting one from police.

Once again there was an exchange between Taylor and Williams when the latter objected to Taylor's inferences that something criminal had taken place.

It remains to be seen if there will be a Council walk on resolution on this matter at the Business meeting next week (June 16).

My Viva Gloria was due to her remark that a city owned vehicle should never be used for private use. Her reference was implied that Mayor Mapp was using his to go to his full time job in Orange. If that is true, she is 100% correct. That must immediately be stopped. Too bad Gloria was not around when Hellwig was using his assigned car for long trips including out of state to and from his home or for assignations in northern NJ. Or that the last Mayor had a driver for her use whatever the time was or the need.

The next discussion item "National Night Out" was an unresolved acrimonious exchange between he Council President and the City Administrator. It had been traditional since Elizabeth Urquhart's days on the Council for the Council to organize that affair. The date is a national one  and t is a peoples protest against neighborhood crime.

Traditionally in Plainfield the "celebration" started on the City Hall steps. However Smiley stated that the Council sponsored affair could not take place  there this year because  Administration has planned an affair there on that date at that time. Smiley never said it was a "Night Out" affair but that was assumed in all the talks until Councilor Tolliver pointed out that omission.  I never heard a conformation that Administration was  sponsoring such an affair.

This is a Community event and  there should not be a fight of whose event it is.  A Council member was the first one to take the lead in organizing Plainfield's celebration and there is no reason for Administration to try to usurp control of the event if that is what Mapp/Smiley is doing.

By its nature all elements  of he city government should be cooperating in this  event. This time it is Administration  who is being petty and vindictive. That is the state of government in OZ.