| Author |
Message |
    
Beach
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 12:47 pm: |     |
As a member of the Community Pool, I was more than a little surprised while watching the TC meeting on TV to hear Mr. Eugene McNany(sp?), a lifelong resident of Maplewood, and apparently one of the founding members of the pool, bring up the topic of the $175,000 taken from the pool fund by the TC. He also stated that this has never been done in the history of the pool. During Mr. McNany's comments regarding the pool fund, I could very clearly hear you mumbling "just not true" several times into your microphone(which obviously worked fine by the way).
Now Jerry, isn't this the same "pool fund" that was brought to this board's attention last summer by then candidate Ann Marzano? And wasn't it you and your cohorts that turned Ms Marzano's allegations into one long nasty, on-going joke at HER expense. I didn't see you so much as crack a smile during the meeting last week when Mr. McNany brought this up. And you certainly didn't ridicule him and make him the butt of your jokes. Even when it came time for you to speak "personally" during your "you must think I'm nuts" speech did you even address the pool fund issue, which was done under your watch.
I have always thought the way you treated that issue raised by Ms Marzano last summer was extremely unprofessional given the fact that she was running for the seat you now sit in. But considering the recent events in this town, I would think she is thankful she didn't win that election.
You may avoid this topic publicly, or ridicule and lambaste anyone that brings it up on this board, but as a member of that pool I'd like to know the real story.
I also think that Ann Marzano deserves an apology from you for your treatment of her on this board regarding that issue. |
Tip
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 1:17 pm: | |
Beach,
Is it true that this money was taken from the pool fund? If so, how was this action justified? I was under the impression that the Community Pool was funded strictly by membership dues and operates soley on those funds? If this is true, how can monies be taken from the pool? Does anyone know for what purpose this money was used? While I think the Community Pool is a beautiful facility, improvements can be made. The broken chairs on the upper deck are an eyesore. You can buy alot of lounge chairs with $175,000!!!
As for Ms. Marzano, I met her on a couple of occasions while campaigning. She appears to be a highly intelligent woman who had much to offer this town. She was born and raised in this town and I walked away with a sense that she truly cares about what happens to here. It was obvious to me (especially after watching some candidates turn her into a microphone passer during the debate)that they tried to make her look silly and I think it worked to a certain extent. I wonder Beach, if we had an election next week, if the same people would win. Would do you think? |
Gerardryan
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 2:27 pm: | |
Beach: You heard me mutter "just not true" to Mr. McNany's accusation that the Township Committee took money from Library behests and gift funds, which is just not true. The Township Committee eliminated a $50K reserve fund that the library had been keeping. No gift funds were tapped for revenue. People give money to buy books or buy furniture, and books or furniture are bought out of those funds.
A lot of things were being thrown at the Township Committee that night: I'm sorry if you think that my remarks should have addressed the pool and library statements as well, but I was (and still am) focusing on the revaluation. I did not, and do not, think the topics were related.
Two years ago some pool surplus was used as an item of revenue in the township's budget, by unanimous vote of the TC at a public meeting. This was a perfectly appropriate use of utility surplus funds, done in a manner that was both perfectly legal and handled very badly by the TC in general and me personally. It was justified by the observation that there had historically been a number of things that the township did for the pool that were not charged to the pool (that procedure was changed by the way), by the fact that the pool traditionally carried a large surplus, and by our feeling that it was good policy to keep taxes as low as possible. It should have been discussed with the pool advisory committee and it wasn't... and when I finally did discuss it with the pool advisory committee, I handled it very badly and angered the committee members even more, something I am not terribly proud of.
Regarding the pool discussion on this board last summer, I suggest that you go back and read it. In an extended discussion about 3rd quarter tax bills, in a long posting from Ms. Marzano that hits quite a few topics, Ms. Marzano says: "On another issue, are we doing any creative financing with monies that are to be designated to the town pool?" I reply (in a long message on a bunch of topics): "If by "creative financing" you are complimenting me for prudent fiscal management, thank you! If by "creative financing" you are making an accusation or some veiled insinuation, please stop it. If you have something to say, please say it." On this board (and in other places) during that campaign, I was accused of being underhanded, personally lining my pockets, having conflicts of interest, being criminal, or being just plain stupid. Some folks said those things to score political points, and some say them because they believe them to be true.
Lots of people said lots of things about all four candidates during the election, on this board and in other places. Since I was nothing but polite to Ms. Marzano throughout the election, I don't think I need to apologize to her. If she thinks otherwise, I'd like to hear from her.
The "microphone passer" remark from 'Tip' is unfair, by the way: Ms. Marzano passed up her right to speak to a number of questions that were asked of all candidates. Nobody made her into a microphone passer except herself.
You may think I avoid topics, or ridicule or lambaste people that disagree with me. That's your right but I don't think it's so. I think you'll find that both in public and on this board I try and engage in fact based discussions on issues, and that I am generally a pretty good source of information. I think this board's archives bear this out: in some conversations between you and I, for example.
What would happen if the election were held next week? Who would win? Who knows? One candidate was absent from debates and all but a couple of days of campaigning. The other three candidates, Ms Marzano included, all expressed their support for the need for a revaluation during the campaign. Would people change their positions knowing what they know now?
My guess is that this year's election will have even more participation that the 72%+ turnout we had last November. And that would be a good thing.
Jerry |
Ucnthndlthtruth
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 3:06 pm: | |
"I was accused of... personally lining my pockets"
Really?
Wow, I must have missed that (and I don't miss much)
Who said that? When? What were they referring to? |
Ffof
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 3:18 pm: | |
I know that the pool needs to be re-plastered (is that the right term - re-lined?) according to Roger Brauchli. Anyone who has been to the pool knows of the "cloudiness" due to deterioration of the pool "lining". This is a huge expense. Would Roger usually go to the pool surplus fund to fund a job like this? Will this much needed job still be able to be funded? How? Roger said last summer that it would be done this spring. |
Gerardryan
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 4:04 pm: | |
U: I got several faxes and an email from Al Domenick.
Ffof: it is called "re-marciting" and it is still expected to be done this spring. It will be done out of pool funds. There was a request from the Pool Advisory Committee to pay for it out of the town budget that is under consideration. |
Nilmiester
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 6:04 pm: | |
I also read the pool fund posts. No Jerry, you did not explain anything at that time. You said it was total nonsense and not a bit of truth to it. Only a few weeks ago there was an article in the News Record explaining what you did. That's what you should have explained "on line" and that Mr. McNany is none too happy considering his involvement in building that pool when you were probably still in school. |
Tip
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 7:22 pm: | |
Nilmiester,
I went back and read the "pool fund" posts. Gerry, you did say that it wasn't true that you were using pool funds. Being handled badly doesn't really capture the truth. I wonder if there are any members on the pool advisory committee out there who would care to comment. Jeez....nobody ever answers my question about the chairs. I realllllly do think we could use some new chairs. Silly - but true. |
Nilmiester
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 5:59 pm: | |
And the attitude when the question was asked was "How dare you question the almighty OZ! Complete with a peanut gallery of munchkin chime-ins. As if it was her fault for ASKING. A district attorney might think differently, I'll let you know. |
Ejt
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 8:48 pm: | |
Beach is absolutely right!! I invite all to go back to the archives and read Jerry and Company's posts regarding the infamous "pool fund". Of COURSE he denied it and raked Apm over the coals for having the audacity to bring it up!! And lo and behold I'm watching that TC meeting last week and some irate resident gets up to the mike and accuses them of the VERY SAME THING! I almost fell off my couch! I also heard Jerry mumble denials into the mike. And now he says he was denying the library and gift funds, but the pool fund issue is true? Wait, don't tell me "that depends on what the definition of 'is' is, right?" And Beach is also right about turning it all into one long (humorless) joke at her expense! I also agree with Beach about some kind of apology or even an admittance that she was onto something back then.
And yes Tip, they desperately have to ditch those antiquated adirondacks(yes!! adirondacks!! At a community pool!! Um, hello!!!) and get some lounge chairs. How expensive can they be? Then again, if they don't have the funds........ |
Aruba18
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 4:24 am: | |
Let's not just talk about it, let's have a new election NOW!! It's quite obvious that at least three members of the TC don't really care to listen to us, so let's get a new group elected NOW! I am sure we can find suitable candidates who don't have their own agenda's and aren't out to work their way up the political ladder, and I can GUARANTEE that there will be substantial voter turnout. |
Tip
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 12:36 pm: | |
I bet the turnout percentages would be pretty high this time around.
Can ANYONE from the pool advisory committee clarify that these funds were used? And what about NEW CHAIRS???????????????
And EJT, I am glad somebody finally recognized my complaint about the chairs. I thought I was "whispering"....that's why nobody answered. |
Aruba18
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 9:41 pm: | |
Jerry-while it is true that you have been posting all over the board about the reval's, you have failed to understand one concept, which is as follows: The TC acted in a secretive manner, as has Certified. I understand that you are building a large addition onto your home-how interesting that neither you or DeLuca will have an increase in taxes!! Maybe it's a perk that goes along with being the mayor.... |
Lseltzer
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 11:22 pm: | |
>>how interesting that neither you or DeLuca will have an increase in taxes!!
In fact, Jerry is set up for one of the biggest tax increases in town. 69% or over $6000, according to the latest data. Perhaps you ought to check your facts before you go spreading innuendo in public.
Vic lives in Hilton and virtually everyone in his neighborhood is getting a cut and they deserve it. They have been overpaying for years. |
Nilmiester
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 8:36 pm: | |
And the eyes in his head, see the world spinning round.... |
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