Sunday without football and more than a month before Baseball camps begin.It will be also two months before the BOE elections unless the Council i its fiduciary role passes a Resolution mandating the change to the November date.
If the City chooses to hold the BOE?budget election coinciding with the General election; we will be committed for four years. That will give us time to judge is it was a wise move.
While we wait perhaps someone will take the time to give us an update on the "Shotspoter" program. Have we signed a contract? If so what are the terms/provisions? Is the Administration and Council aware that Trenton backed off expanding its one square mile trial application. The reason; a man was serendipitously found shot dead it the middle of the covered area; an obvious failure.
Other questions that need an answer or explanation at the next weeks Council meeting include;(1) when did the Council approve the appointment of a Special Corporation Council to represent the Mayor, and (2) how much compensation including miscellaneous expenses did he received,(3) where in the Charter is legal representation authorized for the Mayor if it is an in house investigation?
I am sure by next Monday I will remember more open items.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
BOE ELECTIONS CHANGE
Thanks to Maria Pellum I have learned that the LAW states that either the Council or the BOE can pass a Resolution moving the School Board elections to coincide with the November general election. The link is Here . click on it to read the entire law.
The election is to occupy a special section of the ballot and is still to be non-political(?).
Since there is an early February deadline for the application the Council must take appropriate action at Feb. 6, meeting.
The election is to occupy a special section of the ballot and is still to be non-political(?).
Since there is an early February deadline for the application the Council must take appropriate action at Feb. 6, meeting.
FRIDAY; JAN. 27, 2012
I took a "sort of " sabbatical Thursday to reflect that a year ago that date we had one of the biggest snow storms in my memory, and that is a long time. Well, one excuse is as good as any other when there is little positive material for a blog.
I am pleased to read that Jerry Green the Chairman of the Plainfield Democrat Committee as come out in favor (Dec. 26) of moving the School Board elections to the November General Elections.
One of Plainfield's glaring tragedies is its dysfunctional BOE/PSS. Perhaps the blame can be leveled at the public's lack of interest at the annual School Board/Budget spring election. Yes combining that election with the significant general election should ensure a more representative turnout. That will be most true this year; a Presidential election year.
Maria has been doing the community a great service by aggressively pointing out backed with facts the failures of this and past boards to compile with mandated State DOE requirements. She has reported on hidden expenditures that have digested large sums of funds that would be better used for our children's education.
SLAM has proven to be o better than its predecessors. The promise of transparency and a positive direction have proven to be no more than words.
Assemblyman Green calls for the Council to take action in moving the BOE election date , but doesn't the BOE have to recommend changing the election date?
I am pleased to read that Jerry Green the Chairman of the Plainfield Democrat Committee as come out in favor (Dec. 26) of moving the School Board elections to the November General Elections.
One of Plainfield's glaring tragedies is its dysfunctional BOE/PSS. Perhaps the blame can be leveled at the public's lack of interest at the annual School Board/Budget spring election. Yes combining that election with the significant general election should ensure a more representative turnout. That will be most true this year; a Presidential election year.
Maria has been doing the community a great service by aggressively pointing out backed with facts the failures of this and past boards to compile with mandated State DOE requirements. She has reported on hidden expenditures that have digested large sums of funds that would be better used for our children's education.
SLAM has proven to be o better than its predecessors. The promise of transparency and a positive direction have proven to be no more than words.
Assemblyman Green calls for the Council to take action in moving the BOE election date , but doesn't the BOE have to recommend changing the election date?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
STATE OF MY UNION
Two great speeches; the President' s State of the Union address and the Republican response. Agreed that they are dissonant but both make critical points that should be accepted by both parties.
The President's talk covered too many facets to analyses quickly, and I am not a paid pundit who must make a pronouncement within 24 hours. They also have the advantage of receiving a copy to study beforehand.
I do hope to write something in the days to come but don 't sit on the end of your seats. However, at this moment several things struck me as noteworthy; At times the President sounded like a "liberal Republican". He even in the discussion of reforms in Education sounding like Christie when he said we should reward the good teachers and get rid of the bad ones. That may be a crux to the failure to keep children inter ested in leaarning and school.
His remark that it should be mandatory for children to stay in school until age 18 doesn't solve the problem of educating those unwilling to learn. Our BOE's must provide the wherewithal that will create an atmosphere in which even the poorest studebt wil wish to learn. That also includes the teachers that provide a reason for schooling.
On another subject; Tax Reform he is right thatthe present system has mutated through loopholes into one that puts an abnormal hard burden on the middle class as well as the senior citizen living on retirement plans.
A simple graduated scale or even equal scale over all income levels including the billionaires is a must. One must note the income from government bonds should remain tax free in the political unit sponsoring them. Those bonds are essential for a government to work, and the incentive to invest in them with their low rater of return is the tax benefit. Likewise the existence of many of our nonprofit and cultural organizations is dependent on the ability to deduct contributions from gross income. That must be preserved. Federal aid to various business should be on an individual basis and free from political manipulations. Of course when that day comes and the two parties agree on anything related to taxes especially in an election year it will probably be the day the Mayan Calendar ends.
Finally for today; Governor Daniel's observation that no country or person can avoid financial disaster if they spend more than they earn. Bankruptcy does not work for nations and it impoverishes its citizens.
The President's talk covered too many facets to analyses quickly, and I am not a paid pundit who must make a pronouncement within 24 hours. They also have the advantage of receiving a copy to study beforehand.
I do hope to write something in the days to come but don 't sit on the end of your seats. However, at this moment several things struck me as noteworthy; At times the President sounded like a "liberal Republican". He even in the discussion of reforms in Education sounding like Christie when he said we should reward the good teachers and get rid of the bad ones. That may be a crux to the failure to keep children inter ested in leaarning and school.
His remark that it should be mandatory for children to stay in school until age 18 doesn't solve the problem of educating those unwilling to learn. Our BOE's must provide the wherewithal that will create an atmosphere in which even the poorest studebt wil wish to learn. That also includes the teachers that provide a reason for schooling.
On another subject; Tax Reform he is right thatthe present system has mutated through loopholes into one that puts an abnormal hard burden on the middle class as well as the senior citizen living on retirement plans.
A simple graduated scale or even equal scale over all income levels including the billionaires is a must. One must note the income from government bonds should remain tax free in the political unit sponsoring them. Those bonds are essential for a government to work, and the incentive to invest in them with their low rater of return is the tax benefit. Likewise the existence of many of our nonprofit and cultural organizations is dependent on the ability to deduct contributions from gross income. That must be preserved. Federal aid to various business should be on an individual basis and free from political manipulations. Of course when that day comes and the two parties agree on anything related to taxes especially in an election year it will probably be the day the Mayan Calendar ends.
Finally for today; Governor Daniel's observation that no country or person can avoid financial disaster if they spend more than they earn. Bankruptcy does not work for nations and it impoverishes its citizens.
Monday, January 23, 2012
CELL PHONE INTERNET PROBLEM?
If you have trouble with your Internet be advised that it is not the residue of the Republican Debate but may be due to a solar flare. (Click this link.)
POLITICAL MONDAY
Alan, thank you for recalling that blog about Gingrich click here to read. When I reread it I became amazed by how perceptive the author ( I) was about Gingrich and his chances. My comments about the rest of the Republican Candidates still seems valid.
Columnist Maureen Dowd in Sunday's Times discusses the weaknesses and failures of the Obama Presidency to date. For an avowed Democrat she is frank about why he will be extremely vulnerable this election.
The reactionary movement that embraced Gingrich in South Carolina perhaps best reflects her analysis.
In the same issue notable Columnist Thomas Friedman writes about the issues that will determine who will be our President in 2013. He also reports why 2/3 Americans polled would vote for a Third Party (not Paul I hope) Candidate who would promise to act on all their concerns.
Monday was a very foggy day; locally weather wise and nationally politically. The best advice is to enjoy the melt and prepare for winter later this week. Some clearing although I doubt it ; may result from the Florida primary a week from Tuesday which may determine the future of the Republican Party and perhaps a Draft Christie movement.
That noted tonight (Monday) the four debated in Tampa Florida. My impressions:
Columnist Maureen Dowd in Sunday's Times discusses the weaknesses and failures of the Obama Presidency to date. For an avowed Democrat she is frank about why he will be extremely vulnerable this election.
The reactionary movement that embraced Gingrich in South Carolina perhaps best reflects her analysis.
In the same issue notable Columnist Thomas Friedman writes about the issues that will determine who will be our President in 2013. He also reports why 2/3 Americans polled would vote for a Third Party (not Paul I hope) Candidate who would promise to act on all their concerns.
Monday was a very foggy day; locally weather wise and nationally politically. The best advice is to enjoy the melt and prepare for winter later this week. Some clearing although I doubt it ; may result from the Florida primary a week from Tuesday which may determine the future of the Republican Party and perhaps a Draft Christie movement.
That noted tonight (Monday) the four debated in Tampa Florida. My impressions:
- Romney was on the offensive against Gingrich blasting his record in DC. He accused him of being a Lobbyist for Freddie Mac &Fanny May receiving over a million dollars in salary as a "Historian". Gingrich of course denied influence peddling claiming he received on $30,000.00 total for his consulting services; the rest of funds went to his company for expenses. Romney will provide Tuesday 2 years tax return stating he paid everything due to the government. The fact that it was only about 15% of his income is the smoking gun.
- Gingrich continues to be the ultimate debater. he can shift subject smoothly without truly answering the question. His aggressive stance on Foreign Policy. and National Economics will attract many voters. His stand on Social Security and health care will appeal to Florida's massive number of retired senior citizens . He pitched to the many "Cubans" in Florida by stating that he would aggressively try to terminate the Castro regime. He would forcefully react against Iran. He makes it sound good but is there substance present?
- Ron Paul presents a most appealing national program especial relating to economics. Once again and he admit ed it, he has no concept of foreign policy except to lift the embargo against Cuba and Iran as being war provocative.
- Santorum was largely ignored by the moderator but he repeated his domestic financial "program and his opposition to Federal Health Care. Since I am prejudiced against him in part because he did use his position in the Senate t o grant "favors" which have been reported (without my being able to confirm) to have benefited him when he lost a reelection bid.
All in all of the two leaders ; Gingrich scares me because I consider him to be dishonest and Romney likewise does not appeal because his positions sway with the wind and are dependent on the direction it is blowing at that moment.
JUST STUFF
A weird weekend to say the least. My snow plower is happy since he was beginning to worry that he would not make any money this year. Forgotten is the fact that most years it is February and often March for the big snows. Also there are most years a storm about Easter time.
One year in the 60s I believe Helen and I had been in New York on Palm Sunday to play in a major Duplicate Bridge tournament. When we left to drive home it had been snowing for several hours in what turned out to be a major storm. As we drove back on 22 there were cars that were stuck all over the place. However through the grace of *** we manage to reach our house on Kenyon Ave safely. Our luck ran out in the driveway where there was a bend to the left at the back of the house; there the car was unable to go any further.
There was also one winter;I think in the 70s when it started to snow in late October and the ground remained snow covered until late March. That was the year we went to a meeting in Miami at the Fontainblau and the conference hall was so cold that they brought in portable heaters and the speakers gave their presentation wearing their overcoats. True story. Oh yes it did snow in Miami while we were there.
We had two dogs at that time. One was a Wired Hair Fox Terrier, a fun dog. The other, Bambi, was a Minature Pincher who though she had to consume all the food she could steal.
For our trip our daughter Paula and Ron who lived in a house in South Plainfield agreed to care for the dogs while we were away. Their house had a back stoop with steps down to the ground. The snow was up to the level of the stoop.
One day Bambi in her hurry to go outside fell off the stoop into the snow and disappeared, She had to be dug out.
How can there be any comment about the South Carolina Republican primary results? There can be no logical explanation how a State that proclaims itself to be a bastion for “true American family values” etc. could so overwhelming support Gingrich.
How about them Giants???
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