Space filler

Three space fillers instead of useless words of wisdom.
An Amish farm yard -early 60s faded but before the great commercialization.
Fisherman's wharf San Francisco-don't look too close, the copy was reversed-read the sign
The Arch St.Louis- one of the wonders of America.





A little help needed. I received an Email with some illustrations that I would like to reproduce for this blog. The problem is that when I copy the email and paste on the new blog page the drawings do not reproduce only a small box where they should be. So many of you seem to have no trouble doing this. I am not above receiving or asking for advice from those who are knowledgeable. Thank you.

ELECTION 2008 #2.10 & BUDGET

This is additions to earlier posting:

• Obama has and is spending 4 times as much money on TV spots as McCain has. McCain has little opportunity to counter not 100% claims. This is winning the battle in the swing states. The power of money is great, the public can be brain washed.
• Obama does not have to "character attack McCain". The media does it for him. What importance in this election process is Cindy McCain's comfort in Washington? Or is the Times first page spread an attack on McCain for divorcing his first wife Carol who was popular with the "clubby Congressional wives"?
• Same article, what does Cindy McCain's medical history have to do with the Presidency? Addiction to pain killers is not rare, but unfortunately more common than people admit. Mrs McCain did seek treatment. This information need not have been a major or any part of her profile.

On another subject, the city's finances; I am amazed that few have commented on the budget hearings or the revelation of the typo error that has cost the city an enormous sum which we taxpayers will ultimately have to make up.

Since I think I remember previous budgets reflected similar errors or lost opportunities to obtain state funding to which we were entitled. I think a complete examination of the city's financial practices including the competency of the auditors is required. In all due respect, this should not be limited to the present administration.

ELECTION 2008 #2

As this Blogers most learned political guru, I have only a few remarks for today's blog.

If the McCain who appeared on Letterman's program Thursday had been the one at all three debates there would have been no question who won. This is such an ambiguous statement that it should be interpreted any way you want. I expect that Palin's appearance on tonight's Saturday Live will gather the highest of listener ratings.

The newspapers are not prejudiced. I grant that they are supporting a specific candidate. I am referring to their "polls" and letters published. An example; Friday's New York Times published 13 letters regarding Obama and McCain, supposedly relating to Wednesday's debate. The time element suggests that they were all submitted by Email. Of the first three 1 was for McCain, 1 for Obama, and 1 noncommittal. That seemed fair enough. The next 10 were either all pro Obama or anti McClain. If my math is correct and this represents the country only 7.69% are for McCain. Another 7.69% still have not decided, and a whopping 84.62% are for Obama. We have seen votes like that in Russia and other "Totalitarian Democracies:

Seriously, with the economy the way it is, even "JC Himself" could not be elected as a Republican. That does not mean that all those who oppose Obama might as well stay home and not vote. That could be fatal. Polls do influence an election and are too many are designed to do that function. The election is decided in the voting booth and too often the quoted polls prove wrong.

COMPENSATED ABSENCE LIABILITY

Plaintalker's article of Oct 15/16 about "Compensated Absence Liability" only increases the concern everyone of us should have about the imminent financial future of the city.

This is budget time and I fear that the process will be business as usual. Home foreclosures will have depleted the taxable base. Reliance on state aid is looking for a pie in the sky. The city has mortgage its future with bond issues, pension plans, self insurance, and unrestricted Compensated Absence Liability. I refer you to Plaintalker's article's figures as to how much is owed to date.

Since those of us who had saved for retirement have seen our resources evaporate as much as 40% to date, it seems to be a case of financial rape by employees protected by union contracts to be able to received full days pay for days that they did not use as sick or personal time for which they were already paid, This is another case of good intentions being abused. Also since business puts limits on those days why has not municipalities and state/county agencies not done so.

Unless this city and others can not come to some relief agreement with the unions for relief from the money perks written into their contracts the only salvation will be bankruptcy. All parties should review what financial obligations union contracts have force the city to agree with in light of today's money crisis.

I support Unions except when they put themselves into a position to blackmail their employers, in these cases the municipality. Sometimes in the commercial field their actions can backfire. An example was the Mack Truck Union which made such demands that the company moved out of the state and abandoned a plant that was already cost inefficient and antiquated. A little give would have kept them here for more years.

When it comes to civic unions they often use the blackmail of stooping services and in effect endangering the community. These unionists must learn that a government can only support so many jobs and a limit to expenses or else it must declare bankruptcy. I would presume in that case all contracts would become null and void. Perhaps some of our legal readers could enlighten us?

In the next few weeks we will get a true picture of Plainfield's financial status. I hope that I am crying wolf.

Addendum: 8:00 AM-I learned this morning that the Social Security COLA has bee set at 5.8% this year. If true that would be a limit level that the lowest echelon of workers could use for pay increases. I would hope that the Unions would take into account that for the past several years the Social Security payout has increased at 2% + or- despite the true cost of living. Mandated city raises have been greater. I hope that those with adequate pay scales will see fit to waive their raise this year.

What happens to employees if their job position with its description is abolished and a new titled position with an altered description but doing the same general functions replaces the original job? I know that the BOE seems to have done that to give large raises, would not the contrary be applicable?

A SCHOLAR and ATHLETIC STAR

This is from today's Roanoke, VA. Times. Most remarkable he is playing on a lousy team this year. Too bad neither area newspapers have given him any press. Boldface is mine.

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Close to 20 Virginia players had done Tuesday interviews this season before the projected No. 1 NFL Draft pick strolled through the door for the first time.

Eugene Monroe's first session with UVa's beat reporters came one week after his 17-year-old offensive linemate, Austin Pasztor, had conducted a teleconference in which he regaled the media with tales of his Canadian upbringing.

Clearly, Monroe doesn't crave the limelight, but he'd better get used to it.

Three years after coming out of Plainfield (N.J.) High School as the nation's No. 1-rated prospect, as chosen by SuperPrep magazine, Monroe stands atop draft guru Mel Kiper's "Big Board."

"I wouldn't say I'm oblivious to it," said Monroe, a 6-foot-6, 315-pounder. "It's unavoidable. I hear it every day. At the same time, my focus right now is getting ready for the UNC game [Saturday]. I look forward to what could happen after the season, but right now it's a distraction."

For all the accolades that accompanied his arrival at Virginia, Monroe has toiled mostly in the shadows. He did not allow a sack last year for a Virginia team that finished 9-4 but was not named first- or second-team All-ACC.

Some of that might have resulted from the attention given Cavaliers offensive guard Branden Albert, who was named first-team All-ACC and later was selected by Kansas City in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Albert and Monroe were fellow members of the Cavaliers' 2005 recruiting class and both played as freshmen, Albert as a starter and Monroe as a back-up to All-American D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

As expected, Monroe took Ferguson's place in 2006, but not until he had spent an entire spring and summer rehabilitating a dislocated kneecap. Monroe played in every game that year but was replaced in the starting lineup by Zak Stair for seven games.

"It was rough," he said. "It was difficult knowing I could play better if I was healthy. I'm just thankful I was able to get back to 100 percent in 2007."

If the all-star voters didn't notice Monroe's play in 2007, the NFL scouts did, based on the early projections for next April's draft. Monroe, who did not turn 21 until April and is nearly 2¹₂ years younger than Albert, did not consider passing up his final season of college eligibility.

UVa head coach Al Groh and Monroe discussed the topic only briefly "because it was not something Gene was particularly interested in from the outset," Groh said.

"It was very important to him that he get his degree, which he'll do in 3¹₂ years, and it was important to him to finish with his class and his teammates.

"He is a player who has clearly profited from playing his full four years. His skill level and his execution this season is substantially upgraded from what it was last year."

ELECTION 2008

Wednesday's night's debate was the best of the three. The format was superior to the other two. The moderator's questions were not slanted. Of course he had the advantage of the Wall Street collapse so he could focus on the economy and to a lesser extent; health care, education, and the right to life issue. Unless I dozed off during the debate, I can not recall the topic of Iraq being an issue.

Granted that the election was decided weeks ago with the large failures in the financial industry, and the disaster in home ownership, these debates will not change the outcome of the election. For two years we will have a Pelosi/Obama government. The Pelosi led portion frightens me as to how socialistic the legislation enacted will be and its long term effect on our economy. Short term could help. If our money is not only spent on entitlements, but used for some of the FDR New Deal programs such as the PWA and the WPA government regulation will be helpful.

However, in health care the Obama promises to reduce costs. That can only be accomplished by;(a) rationing services, (b)restricting accessibility,(c)reducing provider reimbursement, (d) "cookbook" medical treatments, and (e) unfortunately an increased bureaucracy to manage the system.

There must be a better way. McCain's plan offers less dangers to the patient if it were not the fact that the Cignas, Aetnas, Blues etc. have demonstrated that they are interested in their profits at the patients expense. We are really caught between a rock and a hard place.

I thought McCain surpassed Obama this time. If he had campaigned even a month ago that he was not George Bush but represented a true change, he might have had a chance. Unfortunately , he has had an albatross around his neck, the Republican religious right which he had embraced instead of focusing on the Democrat, Independent and Republican centrists.

I have no fear of an Obama Presidency, I do fear as I have stated that a hand in hand legislature and administration can potentially be dangerous.

Oct. 15th. 2008

At last material for a blog. The Council Agenda session set a new world's record of 4 minutes and 26 seconds from the opening gavel to adjournment. There were only "housekeeping" resolutions plus the reappointment of the tax collector. The only citizen who wished to address the Council arrived 45 seconds after adjournment.

The newest incarnation of the Courier suggests that the era of the non metropolis's daily news paper has ended. The typeface, column size and format is reminiscent of the weekly "throwaways". Over the past few years the paper has changed direction several times. Prior to the merger with the New Brunswick paper the Courier had assumed an appearance that was suitable for a "rag". Even the Enquirer was more professional.

There was up until today a readable paper. That has changed. Local news, first, foremost, and unchallenged will dominate. I hope that there will be enough to maintain circulation. Otherwise we will be completely dependent on the Ledger which has ignored Plainfield's major problem.

Wednesday night is the final DEBATE. This will be an exercise in futility for McCain. The Bush/Cheney Presidency has killed the Republican party.

It is unlikely that McCain can convince the public that he can be the antithesis of the present administration. What remains to be seen is; can Obama be independent of the powerful committee chairpersons in an overwhelming Democrat Congress? The prospects of a completely one party government is frightening. What could be best for the country would be a Democratic Congress with a McCain Presidency. The checks and balances that the constitutional framers desired would be operational. Think about it.

A final alarming note. One of the "daily's" reports that our state's pension plan is grossly underfunded. This can be true of all municipality governments, as well as the private sector.