POST CONVENTION

"Politicians are the craftiest and most cunning of all con artists and salesmen. They can manipulate even the most cherished beliefs and intellectual arguments to convince you to give them immense coercive power over other people and eventually, even over you. They're so good at it that they can even convince many to become fanatic supporters, and themselves to believe their own bullshit." -- Rick Gaber

This quotation should summarize the past two weeks gab fast in prime time.

Neither candidate gave a memorial speech. Neither candidate spoke factual goals instead of generalities. Today, we have no clearer idea what programs either will propose than we did a month ago.

One fact; Obama did say he would raise the income tax for those earning over $250,000.00. But what other changes in the tax law and the closing of specific loopholes remain unsaid.

In foreign policy: Romney would pursue an aggressive policy against Iran’s nuclear weapon program even if it meant war as last resort. Obama would rely on talk.

The Republican Platform pledged active support to our ally Israel; stopping short of active military action. It continues to re cognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The Democrat Platform initially dropped all previous support for Israel and its capital. It took a floor fight and 3 (three) votes to reinsert recognition of Jerusalem as the capital. There was no military and political support mentioned but later in Obama’s speech a declaration of the right for Israel to exist.

Despite Booker’s assertions that the omissions were unintentional

. The prolong floor fight to reinsert something that the President and their candidate desired raises questions on the sincerity of a Democrat Administration and Congress if push comes to shove.

As the next 60 days unfold we may get a definitive idea where each party stands on many issues

ABOUT MONDAY'S AGENDA

Monday' agenda has 15 Resolutions of which 12 are on the consent agenda. Three resolutions will require individual approval. Still missing and not opened for reconsideration is they resolution to obtain a collection agency for outstanding Court fines.

Since there are no discussion items or reports on the agenda; as it stands the Gibson's Councils record for brevity of meetings may be in danger.

FRIDAY THOUGHTS

The circuses are over and we can go back to a more normal life watching reality shows and sports on TV. Of course we will now have TWO MONTHS of intensive rhetoric prior to the election.

There are just two groups of voters in the USA; those who have already been indoctrinated and those who are undecided.

The first group members no matter what will never change their vote.

The other group of those who have not decided some will read and listen to all the "crap0" that will be thrown at them and make a decision on election day. The rest will either toss a coin, vote not for but against someone, or just stay at home and complain for the next four years.

Next week my house will be company free and I will no longer have an excuse not to post. I am sure that for the next 8 weeks most will be political in nature both locally and nationally. Later today or tomorrow I shall comment on Biden's and the President's speeches.

All commentators have agreed that today's job reports may be crucial; this is a flash from the NY Times: Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Friday, September 7, 2012 -- 8:45 AM EDT
-----

U.S. Added 96,000 Jobs in August; Unemployment Rate Fell to 8.1%

The economy added 96,000 jobs in August, well below expectations, adding pressure on Federal Reserve policy makers, who have hinted they will act to stimulate the economy when they meet next week.

However, the jobless rate fell to 8.1 percent, from 8.3 percent in July, an indication that more unemployed workers were discouraged about the propsects of finding new jobs.

POST CLINTON BLOG

Last night one of this generations greatest orators and demagogues held sway at the Democrat Convention. In a hour long nominating speech for President Obama; ex-President Clinton waving his famous "I did not have sex" index finger presented point after point why there should be "Four more years". It was a effective and powerful indictment of the Romney/Ryan promises as well as a recounting of the positives of this administration.

The only problem was that he talked too long and may have lost some of his non-partisan audience.

I had heard earlier this week that Dave Wynn had resigned his position as head of the Recreation Division. It should be hoped that there will be a complete and honest investigation of the rumors of irregularities in that office. There were too many to sweep under the rug.

COUNCIL MEETING

I figured that my Son-in-law and Daughter were able to amuse themselves so off to the Council meeting I went.

Obviously their presence for this week will cut into blogging time; so don’t expect too much in the way of meeting reports. Other attention grabbers include the Giants/Cowboys’ game, the Democrat Convention, college football etc.

However, since the Council meeting being held on an unusual night, Tuesday was over before 9PM; I can dash off this brief note.

At 7:55 the meeting convened with 3 bloggers, 3 citizens, and 3 Councilors physically present and Councilwoman present by speakerphone making the quorum. Council President Mapp’s new position required him to be at that community’s regularly scheduled Tuesday night Council meeting

There were no items for discussion to prolong this meeting.

In the Public comment session in response to a question by Bernice Paglia on Resolution G for a request for a $37,500.00 grant from Recreation; it was learned that this was for painting lines and repairs of outdoor asphalt courts. The $37,500.00 is to be matched by the City. The County will have to approve the vendor. One proposal was over $100,000.00 with additional cost for asphalt repairs.

Director of Public Works; Eric Jackson who was sitting in for City Administrator Berry remarked that the city’s liability could not be for more than equal to the Grant.

As expected, three Councilors voted not to place item C on the agenda. This was to seek a collection agency to attempt to recoup some $700,000.00 in outstanding Court fines and fees. The Councilors feared that such an agency would harass those that owed money.

Their motives are admirable since collection agencies are notorious for such practices. However, they ignore that these are individuals who most likely are flouting their transgressions against the law; in fact some are likely multiple offenders.

Also disregarded that even given the collection agency’s fee of about 20%; if all funds were recovered the City would be $560,000.00 richer. That is an overstatement since some of those fees/fines are earmark for Court costs, but whatever is recovered lessens the load on the taxpayer.

There was time to tune in the Democrats. I was impressed by the Governor of Massachusetts and of course by Michelle Obama who is a gifted public political speaker. Unfortunately I catnapped during the Keynote Address so I can’t comment.

TWO OBITUARIES

Two Obituaries in today's Courier merit especial mention:

Pres. Henry was "Rapps". It is impossible to adequately describe his presence in the community. All who knew him considered him to be their friend. He also involved himself in Community affairs including the Neighborhood House. He and his wife Corliss a dedicated nurse educator represented the type of citizens that every community needs.

Dr. Harrison Fertig was one of the great physicians that made the staff of MRMC the equal of any university medical school hospital. His tradition of excellency continues in the Central Jersey Cardiology Group which he and Dr. Lomnitz founded.

Both passings reflect once again the loss of the past glory that was Plainfield.

SUMMER IS OVER

The fall season starts with Labor Day. The pools are closed. In the olden times whites and/or seersucker slacks and short sleeve shirts went into hibernation till next Memorial Day.

Now-a-days there is a month of baseball before the “Post-Season play”. College football has started and the pros this week. Hockey preseason will not be far behind.

There will be three days of silliness in Charlotte NC and the name smearing will be on in earnest for the next eight weeks. In Plainfield normal (?) life will return with the Council Agenda Setting Session Tuesday night setting the pace.

With the Library closed over the long weekend there is no opportunity to research the background material for the items on the short agenda. Thus any comments are purely speculative.

There are 6 Ordinances to be presented for second and final reading; two have to do with “union contracts” and one creating if I recall a position of Financial Officer in lieu of CFO.

Three that I do not remember being on any agenda in August are for ‘re-adoption” of Bond Ordinances relating to the street repavement projects. All are presented as “(State Local Finance Board Requiring Re-Adoption)”. No reason is given but I would assume that the original Ordinances were either improperly written or enacted. Either should be inexcusable since Plainfield has an extensive high priced Corporation Counsel department with full time staffing.

On the short list of 12 Resolutions to be considered most are of routine nature. However of the 3 that are of interest two require clarification that should be in the support material.

“B” is for submitting a Grant application for the implementation of the “Plainfield Municipal Ailiance Programs”. The amount requested and the nature of the programs is not evident on the agenda.

“G” is to authorize the submission and acceptance of a “Kids Recreation Trust Fund Grant Application for Open Space Improvements and Recreational Improvements in the amount not to exceed $37,500.00. Again to particulars but this recalls a reject Resolution last month to authorize engineering fees for a ‘Concession Stand” purchased by Recreation that did not meet the expectations of the Council as originally approved. Perhaps there is a better explanation.

“C” should be a no brainer; authorizing competitive contracting for a vendor to collect nearly a million dollars in outstanding Municipal Court fees/fines. Last month thee of the Councilors objected to the concept that the collector would “harass’ the debtors in order to attempt to collect money. TS . Sometimes I wonder about priorities.