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sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 11244
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 1, 2004 - 8:53 pm: |     |
In his opening remarks tonight, Mayor Profeta announced that he held a special meeting with Dick Codey recently and he learned that McGreevey's budget bill has a tentative provision to kick $10 million towards Abbott Rim districts and it also includes $32 million additional for direct aid to townships. Of course there is no telling as to how much of this Maplewood might get or if these items will even take shape, but it's nice to see that Mr. Codey is looking out for us. If he comes through with some help for our town, Codey deserves to get re-elected big time.
The Mayor also mentioned that the State may be able to help us with some funding for the new Police Building.
Every penny helps. Even the thought helps.
Nice job all around. Speaking of nice jobs, once again this meeting shows why we've got such a great town. Robert Roe is giving his report to the Board of Health and I've got to say this guy is always on target. He's extremely well prepared and knowledgable...
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ajc
Citizen
Username: Ajc
Post Number: 2691
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 1:33 am: | |
Sbenois,
Now add the recent mini township meeting in the Village, with more to come around town in the future, and before you know it this will be one of the best places to live in America.... again.  |
fringe
Citizen
Username: Fringe
Post Number: 439
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 9:01 am: | |
Not to be a wet blanket - again - but today's Star Ledger has a story on page 17 about an additional $155 million for the Abbott/dfg A districts above the $3.4 billion already allocated. The kicker - the "special needs" districts claim that the new money is not enough -and are preparing to sue. If successful, say good-by to the Codey cash.
It should be remembered that the rim-district funding idea was originally pushed by former BOE member Shelly Slafkes while a staffer for Assemblyman McKeon. |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1024
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 9:57 am: | |
Thank you for that clarification, Tucker, lest someone get the impression that the idea of increased funding for Abbott Rim Districts sprang fully formed from the imaginations of either Codey or Profeta. The idea was supported by the entire (former) leadership of the BOE, not just by Shelley Slafkes, and I believe that the major support and introduction of the bill did come from McKeon. |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 11248
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 6:32 pm: | |
quote:Thank you for that clarification, Tucker, lest someone get the impression that the idea of increased funding for Abbott Rim Districts sprang fully formed from the imaginations of either Codey or Profeta.
Never said it, never even implied it. Further, I'm completely aware of the history of the legislation, McKeon's role, etc. etc. etc. |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1025
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 8:30 pm: | |
You may be personally aware of the history of the legislation, but your post conveyed no history. Anyone who was unaware of the background on the issue could easily get the impression from your post that the kudos offered were deserved only by the persons mentioned. Tucker noticed that, and so did I. |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 11256
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 8:36 pm: | |
I'm sorry that anyone got that impression.
Next time I'll give the entire history of every aspect of everything that I write about regarding everything that is mentioned in Town Hall.
For those of you watching last evening and didn't understand the house painting issue, let's begin with Chapter One: The History of HEPA Filters
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh |
Reflective
Citizen
Username: Reflective
Post Number: 477
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - 9:48 pm: | |
Sbenois:
You gave us the virtual update with your breaking news from town hall.
You didn't need to clarify anything. And besides until someone responds to a post , the originator doesn't know what else is relevant. It's a waste of time to second guess and anticipate.
Others generally will follow up if they feel it's important.
And we have some real nitpickers, who must have the last pluperfect word.
Too bad Fringe beat jem with the facts behind the scenes.
I echo you with a Double Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 369
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:50 am: | |
I would like to know why Senator Codey, according to last night's comments by Mayor Profeta, has a position against a State Constitutional Convention.
Prior to last night's meeting, SOMA.com had a show with Mayor Profeta and Councilman Huemer discussing many issues concerning the state taxing regime. What currently we have and alternatives in the funding mechanisms. These issues are relevant to all municipalities and I think a State Constitutional Convention is long overdue. Do you believe the people of this State are deserving of elected officials to speak to the issues and allow the public to participate in the decision making process? Why can't the Public Vote, upon recommendations put forth in a State Constitution Convention?
Mayor Profeta and Coucilman Huemer, thank you both for this discussion and please further pursue these inquiries in the near future. Mr. Mayor, perhaps your next show could have Senator Codey invited to share his thoughts and reasons.
Edit to Note: Until then, Mr. Mayor, you're right, we'll be watching Baseball.
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John Davenport
Citizen
Username: Jjd
Post Number: 342
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 2:18 am: | |
I believe the Rim funding bill did not come through. The Abbott's districts got even more, due to threatening to sue. Only a constitutional amendment can deal with this nonesense. My view of how the distribution side of the equation is changing. The Abbott's folks have pushed too far. I supported this back when Florio was governor (none of you knew me then) but I would now have to say that throwing money at this problem has not worked. It has improved facilities, teacher salaries, etc. but not student performance, and too much of the 15k per student spent in Newark is going to corruption. It is time to end this. |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 419
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 2, 2004 - 8:12 pm: | |
You're right, it is one of many issues requiring consideration at a state constuitutional convention. However, if politicians are more comfortable in making deals for the sake of maintaining power, and if they think the answer is to throw money at a problem with no positive correlation in improving student performance or in providing services, then what does that tell you about our representation in Trenton.
Unfortunately, the majority of individuals don't question their Party's Leadership or set a bar for expectations. The NJ Budget is 28 Billion dollars, less than 10 years ago it was 16 Billion dollars. The current budget borrows 2 billion to offer an increase in "middle class" property tax relief. Borrowing to pay yourself is a bad idea, and IMHO, unconstitutional. The courts will soon address this issue, so we'll see. We truly need to rethink how things are done and set the bar higher. Discussions of public issues need to be addressed publicly and not behind closed doors. Let the people decide! Do we need a State Constitutional Convention? I believe we do, more than ever.
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tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 354
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 3, 2004 - 1:22 pm: | |
Mr. Davenport:
I would respectfully wish to differ with you on your assessment of the progress of children in the Abbott Districts. I live in an Abbott District, namely, Phillipsburg. I have raised two boys here, and followed their progress closely within district schools.
My older son, now twenty, did fairly well, but the flow of information that he had to handle with six different content-related periods per day in high school helped to limit his learning. I say this because my younger son has (thanks to the Abbott designation) been able to take classes such as honors chemistry, pre-calculus, AP history and English, each lasting an hour and half per day, brand new textbooks, real computers in the tiny library, real materials in science where before they were severely limited, has gained immensely. He has achieved National Honor Society, honors grades, has joined the debate team, participated in the music program, in art classes at Lafayette College, many and varied, wonderful programs. When we moved here, we hoped we could sell our house before our children attended Phillipsburg High School. We had no buyers, back in 1990. Now, I am rather glad we did not. Our younger son has had such a wonderful junior year. We just wish this had all happened in time for our older son.
Of course, I am sorry that it means that your district will have to have diminished programming. Someday, perhaps, you will visit an Abbott district, and find out what they were like before the ruling, and after. You will see how the schools have changed for children like mine, their friends and community.
The increased attention that the schools have had as a result of the Abbott ruling, in addition to the tangible results of improved scores on standardized tests for children in Jersey City and elsewhere, tend to disprove your statement that the ruling has not helped us. |
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