| Author | Message | ||
     pseudonymous Citizen Username: Berry_festival Post Number: 245 Registered: 9-2003 |
indeed! it's making him look like a little weenie. | ||
| johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 1617 Registered: 5-2001 |
Based on Risa's account, in my opinion David tried to get away with one. He left the scene of an accident (illegal) and did not report it to the police or the owner of gate immediately (illegal). The guy then got busted by the eyewitness at a meeting and only then did he contact Fred. | ||
| letters Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 552 Registered: 5-2005  |
Without getting into what was told to me because, as I have stated earlier, it is only one side of the story, this new information is different and surprising. Honesty is something I just expect from people when I talk with them. If they do not wish to explain something that I ask of them, I would rather be told that it is none of my business. I can live with that. The next time I see David, I will now have to ask him again about this. It matters more to me that he is honest than if he did it or not. Accidents are just that, accidents, but lying or deceiving is deliberate. That being said, I agree with Greenetree. This should never have made it this far and with this kind of publicity. Nobody is coming out of this looking good. Outside of character, which for a pol is or should be important, the rest of this is trivial in the face of more pressing matters. David, if you did something, fess up and pay up. Fred, if Risa's account is correct, then you knew David did it but did not call you for eight days. Why didn't you call him during that time? I would have. It seems to me, according to Risa, that each party may be guilty of making some bad decisions. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 899 Registered: 8-2001  |
Dearest Ms. Olinsky, "As a Democratic district leader, I acknowledge that I have long been a political supporter of Fred Profeta, but that has nothing to do with what I saw and have described above." Oh. Riiight. Thankey. | ||
| Sarah Macyshyn Citizen Username: Sarahzm Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2003 |
Greentree - aquaman - your posts would be more effective if they had a semblence of objectivity - this is a new twist... Blame the witness, especially when you dont like what she has to say. Risa Ollinsky did absolutely the right thing, and in doing so did an inadvertent favor for David in spite of being a supporter of Fred. It would have been much worse for David if the article in the news record had been headlined " Town committee member skips out on damage to historic gate on property of his rival." Risa saw damage and reported it to both Fred and David. She could have called the police ( now THAT would have been a story). Her heads up gave Huemer the impetus (or forced him) to do the right thing. She seems to be the only person in this whole mess including many posters on this forum who is acting like a responsible adult. All this would have been avoided if at the time of the accident David had pulled out his cell phone and called Fred or knocked on his door or even left him a note and said I just hit your gate - let me know if there is any damage and what it will take to fix it. I think Fred has been a great Mayor and am a supporter but I think it is ridiculous to tie a fender bender to ones ability to serve on a township committee - acting with integrity and responsibility is another matter. | ||
| letters Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 553 Registered: 5-2005 |
"I think it is ridiculous to tie a fender bender to ones ability to serve on a township committee - acting with integrity and responsibility is another matter" Exactly. It's very unfortunate, IMHO, that this came to light through the vigorous investigative reporting of the "Wretched News" and as has been stated many times now, Fred and David are both taking some serious hits here. This would have been better handled in one of those notorious smoke filled back rooms. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7589 Registered: 5-2001  |
What lack of objectivity do I have? I don't know either guy; I don't live near either of them. I pulled a lever based on a program I liked in a campaign. What, exactly, did I blame on her? Other than stirring the pot which looks suspiciously like a political move. Or, are you saying that the district Dem leaders may have drugged Huemer, placed him behind the wheel of his car and conveniently rolled it into the gates? If they did that, sure, then I'd blame her. I don't kow RO, but now I don't think much of her, either. Hey, Objective Distric Leader, can you post something as detailed, factual and literate about the solution to our property taxes? To call me unobjective compared to Olinsky needs a much better icon than this one:  | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11435 Registered: 5-2001 |
The interesting point here is that while apparently David has spoken to various posters including Letters and Sbenois and given his side of the story, nobody (including David himself who has an MOL screen name) has posted his "side" of the story. Risa's post was straight forward and clear. Why start blaming her or, essentially, accusing her of being less than truthful when the other side hasn't been posted? | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7590 Registered: 5-2001 |
- sigh - I'm getting off this thread now. I blamed RO for nothing except stirring the pot. If she is a witness to a crime, then surely Fred has advised her that posting her testimony before she has been deposed is not a good idea. When people start questioning my objectivity, I start being reminded of other politicians who attempt to incite minor issues in order to deflect the more urgent ones at hand. I don't blame Risa for the gate thing. I don't thing it belongs here and I am saddened that the very first post by a self-identified political leader addresses this issue more than taxes, schools and resources of our local police department. Until someone shows me reliable research that demonstrates a correlation between reactions to a traffic accident and the tendancy of an elected official to serve the community, I don't really give a flying fig about this. But, I am getting disgusted at all the energy going here. How much advantage did Bin Laden take of the US's attention to Clinton's affair with Lewinsky? No, I don't think that gangs are planning to shoot bullets into town hall, but I'll be really pissed off if anyone even mentions my tax dollars going towards some inquisition. Which, from the vitriol being whipped up, wouldn't surprise me. | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 15006 Registered: 10-2001  |
Dearest RDS, Thank you for your eyewitness account of what happened. Some questions: 1) When Mr. Huemer got out of his car, did he see the extent of the damage to the gate? 2) If so, did you point out to him that this was new damage? 3) When he got back in the car and finally pulled away from the gate, did he get back out of the car again to reexamine the damage to his car and the gate or, did he just drive away with difficulty to Highland Place? 4) Was the scraping metal sound that you heard related to the single piece of gate that was missing or to some problem with his car (i.e. metal that was twisted which belonged to his vehicle). 5) Do you have any idea how this incident made it into the News-Record? Thankey. | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 900 Registered: 8-2001 |
Risa, You: 1. Heard accident 2. Alerted Fred Profeta 3. Called News Record Next time: 1. Call Police. 2. Make Report. 3. Shut Cake Hole. Thankey. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11437 Registered: 5-2001 |
One thing you always have to say about Aquaman is that he is a real class act...not.  | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 508 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thank you for putting it so well Greenetree. I don't think David or Fred look to good in this silly incident, but we elected them so I'd appreciate it if they got down to the really important business and away from this stupid "incident"....I don't even care who is at fault, just MOVE ON. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5071 Registered: 9-2001  |
FWIW, killing the messengers is not going to change the facts or circumstances! Nothing else after the fact trumps David’s lack of consideration for the rights and feelings of his fellow Maplewood residents. None of this follow-up would have had to happen if only David didn’t act so arrogant, inconsiderate, and irresponsible. This was never a political issue or about the left or the right, it’s just about right and wrong... I'm sorry to say that I am also really disappointed with a lot of people who have put in their two cents on this issue. I'm amazed at the comments from some of you who I have considered among the smartest and brightest on this board. Bringing Fred Profeta, the war, and all sorts of unrelated issues to this matter is very political, distracting, and personally very discouraging. Meanwhile, my hat goes off to the three witnesses, especially Risa who showed a high level of courage and community responsibility to publicly contribute information about what she had seen first hand. It’s sad that others have chosen to ridicule and chastise her. David, IMHO, it certainly appears to me that you screwed up. You left the scene of an accident, (first base) one where a simple knock or note on the door, (second base) or a phone call (third base) would have avoided all these public repercussions, (home plate). FWIW, because this was already front page news in our local newspaper, I believe we’re all entitled to have some closure on this matter "from you". I haven’t seen you in person as did Coach Sbenois or Mr. Letters, but you know I’ll tell you what I think about how you handled this to your face the next time I see you... Until then, as you are an elected public official, I hope you’re willing to make some kind of public statement before the next Township Committee meeting. If not, please count on me asking you some serious questions about this matter during the Public Comment segment of the meeting... | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 901 Registered: 8-2001 |
>>>>> Not again, Aquaman!! >> Yup. >>>>> Banned again? >>> Losers. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11441 Registered: 5-2001 |
Aquaman, Lewellyn Park.  | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5075 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Not again. Yup. Banned again? Losers. Lewellyn Park???????????????????????? What's up Bob? Will you stop jerking around with that jerk and stay on topic please? | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6131 Registered: 5-2001  |
Art - It's Henry, not Bob! | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5567 Registered: 3-2002 |
my name is Henry | ||
| Aquaman Supporter Username: Aquaman Post Number: 902 Registered: 8-2001 |
No. My name is Henry. Thankey. Dr. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 352 Registered: 4-2006 |
It all sounds like the War of the Roses to me. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1822 Registered: 5-2001 |
FvF - you talkin' to me? (I referenced War of the Roses several posts back) Here's the funny thing. I back up everything. I mean everything - with a hard drive. If anyone attacks me because I opted out of the Profetistas, I will fight tooth and nail to set the record straight. I served my term and that was that. Now I'm hearing that I've joined the "dark side" and assorted nonsense, believe you me, I want nothing to do with either side. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5568 Registered: 3-2002 |
Lydia, That "dark side" line cracks me up every time I hear it...it means "we cant categorize you or count on you, so you must be against us" when in most cases, "dark siders" are folks who've just had enough and have plenty of better things to do. One of the things about this thread I find noteworthy is that many people who have cut through the politics of this whole story and who do not appear to be anyone's operatives have all said the same thing pretty much...cut it out and get back to governing the township. I have a lot of respect for our elected officials who put in the time and make the commitment that they do, but unfortunately, it seems a lot of time and effort is also spent on building and maintaining factions, at the expense of the time and effort needed to tackle the major issues we face. When I first heard this latest tale, I chose to see the satirical potential in it, because if I didnt, Id be incredibly angry about how this latest chapter has unfolded. The News Record approach...what a classy touch this time around. The hint that David was under the influence somehow is shameful. The only signs Ive seen of folks under the influence in this whole story are those drunk on some perceived poliitical power. What is really unfortunate about the front page story is that it overshadowed what I believe was a truly positive and significant story that Fred was involved in -- his donation and kick-off for a field improvement project for the high school. It is really a shame that folks seem more likely to discuss the gate thing rather than the high school field fund drive (in fact, not one person has said a thing about it in any conversation Ive had since the N-R came out last week). A political writer recently said that politicians dont lead anymore, they strategize. It makes sense to me and that seems to be a pattern we're seeing locally unfortunately, and its a shame because there is a lot of leadership capability and intelligence on the TC. Cut it out, guys...lead and govern and make decisions. Noone is enjoying watching the gamesmanship...you may enjoy it as a participatory sport but most of us arent enjoying it as a spectator sport...I suppose those that claim to enjoy it havent gone over to some "dark side" (just yet). | ||
| anon Supporter Username: Anon Post Number: 2701 Registered: 6-2002 |
Imagine, a political scandal that has to do with actual gate. ONLY IN MAPLEWOOD. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 362 Registered: 4-2006 |
Personally, I would call in Jack Bauer. | ||
| Lydia Supporter Username: Lydial Post Number: 1823 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hank,
Beautifully put. Thank you Lydia | ||
| Rds Citizen Username: Rds Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2003 |
In response to online speculation regarding the facts of David Huemer’s collision with the Hickory Drive gate, last night I posted my first message on MOL for the purpose setting forth the facts of what I witnessed. The purpose of this posting is to respond to follow-up questions that have been posed. 1. When Mr. Huemer got out of his car, did he see the extent of the damage to the gate? Answer: I don’t know and could not tell you what David saw. My main concern was that he was not hurt. 2. If so, did you point out to him that this was new damage? Answer: I did not discuss anything at all with David at the time of the incident except, as I said in my first posting, to ask “are you Ok?” to which he answered “yes.” I then left to go to work. My next door neighbor (who also was there) went down to see if she could help David when he was having trouble driving his car. 3. When he got back in the car and finally pulled away from the gate, did he get back out of the car again to reexamine the damage to his car and the gate or, did he just drive away with difficulty to Highland Place? Answer: What I saw was David trying to drive his car onto Ridgewood Road and then down to Highland. At that point I left and went to a work appointment. My neighbor walked down the hill to see if she could help. 4. Was the scraping metal sound that you heard related to the single piece of gate that was missing or to some problem with his car (i.e. metal that was twisted which belonged to his vehicle). Answer: I don’t know. It could have been either or both. 5. Do you have any idea how this incident made it into the News-Record? Answer: No. When I was contacted by the News-Record the following week, I waited to return the call or to speak to the reporter until I had the opportunity to speak to David. In addition, someone else asked the question about “why didn’t I call the police?” My answer is: Why would I? I would not think that this was something that was appropriate for me to take into my own hands: a community member and leader had an accident (and accidents are just that - accidents). I would not run to the police to report something that I would simply think David would take care of himself –- perhaps if it involved a stranger who did not live here I might have thought that appropriate or necessary -– but it didn’t even cross my mind with David. Honestly, I think that if I went running to the police that truly would have been a terrible thing to do to David, i.e., not to trust him to report the accident himself. Telling Fred about the accident that night was a courtesy to my friend and neighbor. If something like this had happened on my property, I would expect the same courtesy from my neighbors and I would also hope that the person who was involved in the accident would contact me directly. Talking to David at the Chamber of Commerce meeting several days later was a very uncomfortable thing for me to do –- to approach David and ask him to make the call –- but I thought it was the right thing to do. He assured me at the time he would do it right away. By speaking with him, I was trying to help, not “fan the flames” as someone has put it. Now, to conclude, I would prefer not to keep this absurd and unproductive thread going on MOL. I do not have much respect for gossip or for people who are not willing to speak openly and put their names on their comments (except for the few that clearly do – I thank you.) If you have additional factual questions for me, you are more than welcome to call me; I’m listed in the phone book. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5078 Registered: 9-2001 |
"The only signs I've seen of folks under the influence in this whole story are those drunk on some perceived political power." Hank, what in blazes are you taking about? What gamesmanship? All I keep reading about are comments from you "Spin-master" making excuses for David and blaming Fred and some perceived people looking for political power. Some of you have to get real about this, there's only one issue here and that issue is David. David hit the fence, he left the scene of an accident, he waited over a week to respond, he lied about what happened, and he has refused thus far to make a public statement and come clean so we can all get back to business... BTW, you lost me Mem. If Bob is Henry, then who's Henry? This is getting confusing. Sbenois is pitchen a bitch while David is running the bases after he already struck out. | ||
| letters Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 554 Registered: 5-2005 |
AJC, This is not the only thing that is confusing. Consider this: "I did not discuss anything at all with David at the time of the incident except, as I said in my first posting, to ask “are you Ok?” to which he answered “yes.” I then left to go to work." "What I saw was David trying to drive his car onto Ridgewood Road and then down to Highland. At that point I left and went to a work appointment." I am sure that this is just an oversight and can be explained. But really, someone can't leave before he moves from the gate but then also leave after he has left the scene. There is a timeline problem here. I am not suggesting anything. I am just pointing out the inconsistency of the statement. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5569 Registered: 3-2002 |
Art, I respectfully disagree with you (especially regarding the comments you made about me). | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5079 Registered: 9-2001 |
... Hank, I'm sorry, it's not just you, I meant to say from you "Spin Master's", meaning everyone who is trying to make this look like some kind of political game some people are playing. This is not political with me. I don’t have a horse in the Democrats in-fighting race, although I have to admit I believe Fred is the better Democrat if there is such a thing...  And, in case you haven't noticed, I'm damn sure not playing around. Listen, if anyone thinks about it, Patrick Kennedy also had a car accident last week and tried to cover it up. It was all over the news and then he came clean and it all went away. Meanwhile this stupid incident continues because David won't speak up publicly. If David was just some local resident nobody would give a rats •••. David has made it clear he wants to be our next Mayor. IMHO, that rises to a whole different level, and requires him to publicly clean up his mess. It's not Fred's mess, it's David's! It appears to me that you along with several others want to just dismiss this as nothing and have us believe we need to get back to governing the township. This issue at the moment has nothing to do with governing the township, and you know it. As for the other article about Fred's $50,000 donation, that also has nothing to do with governing the town. Fred has continued to support this community in many ways; the least important is what he does financially. IMHO, over the years his time and talent has continued to be his greatest contribution to our town. BTW, how do you view the wise cracks and unflattering comments toward him? These are the folks with a political agenda who should get back to governing their own lives... | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 15008 Registered: 10-2001 |
 | ||
| Straw Kennedy Supporter Username: Strawberry Post Number: 7183 Registered: 10-2001  |
My take on the incident... David has an accident that if anything was embarrassing. He did was 90% of us would have done, go home. No one was hurt, it was an old crappy gate (as far as he could tell) and it happened in front of Fred's house.. All told, not a great moment. Fred finds out and the two bitter rivals have a faceoff.. In the end no one was hurt and the gate according to the e-mail will be repaired out of pocket by David.. Happy ending..all is well.... | ||
| Smarty Jones Citizen Username: Birdstone Post Number: 608 Registered: 10-2005 |
Now I know why my regular complaints to town about drivers on Ridgewood Rd. has fallen on deaf ears.....my take away: I've seen a lot of jerks speed down my road (Ridgewood) but I've NEVER seen anyone independently launch their car off the road and into a fence in this town...If he had launched his car onto the sidewalk with kids on it, this would be no joke. Unless someone explains to me otherwise, this dude is now just another one of these drivers. We all have someone on our street who drives like this and who could care less about all the kids on the block. Would you vote for the dude who speeds every morning down your street? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5081 Registered: 9-2001 |
My take on the incident... David has an accident that if anything was embarrassing. He did what few of us would have done, he goes home. Thankfully, no one was hurt, although he drove his car into an historic old gate. As far as he could tell his car was damaged and he was wedged on to the gate. It happened in front of the Mayor of Maplewood's house. All told, an easy out being he knows the Mayor and next year he'll be the Mayor. Therefore, no need to call and apologize, and who gives a •••• about history, I'm not from Maplewood anyway... Fred finds out and expects a call from David that never comes, and a stand on principals emerges between the two that results in the Sing Song known as the, "I'm not calling him Duet." In the end, David's reputation is hurt, so his pals along with the usual bunch of intellectual, high minded wizards, and descendants of Alfred E. Neuman blame Fred and try to play the stupid "bitter rivals" card for all it's worth. Unfortunately for the other players in the game, Ajc has played with these sharks before, knows where the black queen is, and is going for "Hearts". Meanwhile, the gate according to Mr. E-mail will be repaired by none other than Deep Pockets Huemer, the township continues to function, the gate continues to rust, and the political nonsense in the Democratic Party lives on... Sad ending... All is not well.... Little children all over town now think it's OK to run into things, damage other peoples property and just go home and do nothing about it until they are confronted. To be continued.... | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 7607 Registered: 5-2001 |
Little children all over town now think it's OK to run into things, damage other peoples property and just go home and do nothing about it until they are confronted. Art, you have more of a sense of humor than I realized. ......... Uh, you weren't serious, were you? | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 432 Registered: 8-2003 |
“I am sure that this is just an oversight and can be explained.” Letters, Risa Olinsky's driveway is in view of the accident site. In her first post she said she witnessed the accident from her driveway as she was getting ready to get into her car. She then walked to the accident site, spoke with Huemer, returned to her car, looked again at the accident site, and drove away. No oversight at all, but it can be explained. - TC | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 6132 Registered: 5-2001 |
The only big deal happening about this event is being made right here on this thread. At least I got to see how some sycophants change when the wind blows, following their twitching little noses to the next perceived power base. Wow! I said that! Cheers. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 5082 Registered: 9-2001 |
"Art, you have more of a sense of humor than I realized." ...what are you saying Greene? Does this mean you think I can do stand up with Jamie on Monday nights at HTTA? True, a lot of what I say on the board is tongue in cheek, but all kidding aside, this matter is not pleasant, could and should have been avoided, and I'm very much not looking forward to continuing it. FWIW, I believe holding public office is no joke and our officials must be held accountable for what they do or don't do. This is not personal, it’s just the way it is... I guess the only question now on everyone’s mind, (who as Mem says are just the ones reading this thread) is who’s going to get off it first? Look, I'm dead serious when I say this type of public behavior sends bad messages to everyone in town, especially when grown men can't take care of such silly things like saying I'm sorry, let me try and fix it, and OK, no problem, lets move on... I feel common sense should tell everyone who needs to apologize here. However, it appears from what you and others have written, David is entitled to a free pass and get out of jail card. I have a right to disagree and I do. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We are all taught these basic things as children and in our heart of hearts we know this is no way to run a ship, or a township... BTW, speaking of how we run the township, does anyone know if the police are involved in this yet? | ||
| george H Citizen Username: Georgieboy Post Number: 185 Registered: 8-2005 |
Re AJC:"Im very much not looking foward to continuing it",but,"BTW does anyone know if the police are involved yet"?.Nice way to not continue it and to advance your agenda whatever that may be. |
