IT I S TIME

 ”Now is the Time for All Good Men to come to the Aid of their Country.”  This phrase attributed perhaps falsely to Patrick Henry was, actually a typing test developed by Charles E. Weller in 1867.

That does not detract from its appropriateness today. Our Country needs our help at all levels; Federal, State, County, and important to us the local level. To free itself from the self-serving politicians who are in charge. These persons of both parties’ main interests are staying in office and by hook or crook increasing monies received either in compensation or perks or even through hidden kickbacks.

  In Plainfield the situation has become critical\

 On Dec. 8 I ended my blog with these words:

 “Perhaps a unified concerned citizen’s group can get injunctions blocking these criminal raids on the public funds. They will need a pro bono legal staff since the costly legal actions will be funded by both Administration and Council resorting to the City attorney resources to defend their actions.

Yes we will have to pay, unless the courts decide otherwise, for legal action against ourselves. The use of government funds to defend illegal actions or personal atrocities has been documented but not reported in the Trump Administration as well as that of Nixon and Clinton”

   The reason for that comment can be found six fold in the agenda for the farcical combed “Agenda Setting Session” and Business Meeting to be held Monday Dec. 11 starting at 7pm. No longer does this Council first discuss what items will be up for enacting but will act without sufficient time for the people they are supposed to represent to review, understand, and express any objection.

   Dan in his Plainfield Today blog remarked “most of the interest is liable to be focused on four of the ordinances up for second reading. “ They are: MC 2017 - 36 Muhlenberg Hospital Property -- granting a tax exemption to the developer;

·       MC 2017 - 39 Replacement of the current SID with a new, city-controlled one;

·       MC 2017 - 40 Raising the Mayor's salary (to $75,000 per annum); and

·       MC 2017 - 41 Raising Council member salaries (to $25,000 per annum)

He forgot MC 2017-39 which will change the city change in the SID relationship; putting it under the Mayor’s control.

  There are resolutions that will impact on our taxes. The worst one being a settlement awarding Yates Reality $396,000 for a botch job. This was authorized by the late Eric Watson. Yates Realty had no expertise in demolition and hired a subcontractor who after causing damages to adjoining buildings causing businesses to close and relocate initial without compensation, left the demolition incomplete. Shades of the Puerto Rico Utility executives who signed a multimillion dollar contract with a firm that had at the most 10 employees to replace the storm damage that had destroyed most of that island’s power grids.

    Others are awarding dollar contracts without stating if competitive bidding was used or the wording of any RFP; as well as two contracts for emergency facilities without explanations. And of course another for 45.5K to another law firm. How much are our annual legal costs and how much has each firm/individual received? How are outside law firms selected? Are we informed how are dollars are used?

  If this Council passes any of the questionable items without public justification it is time for citizen action. Will you  act or sit passively because you can't fight City Hall?