| Author | Message | ||
     Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 996 Registered: 9-2003  |
Spoke to Ms Meade, who was again polite. Asked whether there was anything I could do expedite the police review of the situation. Nope. I now have it on my Outlook at work to call every two weeks. Trying to play it as I'm supposed to here. Any other advice? Mr. DeLuca? | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4506 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cynicalgirl: Sounds like a good time to contact a member of the TC and see if s/he can help you get things moving along. A few other things you try: Start a separate thread in Soapbox, which gets more readers. Early on weekday, before the lunch hour is a good time to do this for maximum response. Ask those reading the post to add their concerns. Be sure to indicate in the introduction to your thread the steps you have taken and the time line you have followed, so you get all of this information entered into the record. Wait a day or two to let the responses build. When the discussion seems to have died out, print out the thread. Make a few copies and present a copy of the print out at the next TC meeting. Be sure to repeat in a short verbal presentation to the TC the steps you have taken and the time line you have followed. Be very specific as to why there is a problem at this intersection and the steps you would like them to take at this point. Write a letter to the editor of each of the local papers (News-Record, Star Ledger, etc.) Describing the problem. Include any relevant accident/injury statistics you can uncover, especially if said accident/injuries occurred after dark and affected children attempting to cross at that intersection. Conduct any further business with Ms Meade, the Police Department, etc. by letter rather than phone so you will have a paper trail. It has been my experience that government officials are much more apt to respond to written requests (as opposed to oral requests) in a timely fashion. Ask that they reply to you in writing within a timely fashion and that they be specific as to the steps they are taking to address your inquiry and when you can expect a firm response as to when the investigation will be complete. If the investigation finds in favor of increased street lighting or some other solution to the perceived problem at that intersection, ask to be notified as to what will happen next and who will be responsible for it. Then follow up with those responsible parties as needed. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 998 Registered: 9-2003 |
*sigh* Guess I'll be keeping my screen name. I'll put this on my New Year's Resolution list...I appreciate your advice, Joan. I'd like to avoid the Soapbox route -- I'm trying to play nice as I really want intelligent action, here, not just to be a windbag. I also don't see much action resulting from such posts. This is potentially too important for an MOL "lightbulb" joke! On the other hand, perhaps if I contact the Board of Ed, and express the lighting concern as related to my kid's being in aftercare, because she is the product of a lower middle class, 2 "career" family, and therefore feels discriminated against -- well, then, maybe I'll get some action. | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 4772 Registered: 4-1998  |
I guess daylight savings time will beat the Police Department brass in shedding light on the dark intersection. Kind of sad. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4525 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cynicalgirl: The point to starting a thread on Soapbox is to make more people aware of the problem with lack of lighting at a major intersection which is in close proximity to a school, the train station and a major business district in town among other considerations. Lots of people pass through that intersection either on foot or in some sort vehicle every day and can appreciate the lighting problem from their own experience. You won't be getting any light bulb jokes on such a thread. Trust me. What you will get is a sizeable number of people posting their agreement with your observation. Many of them will be people with citizen names well known to the TC. It is a good way to produce a written record of support which may provide the added push to at least get the lighting situation at that intersection studied before the end of the school year. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 607 Registered: 3-2003 |
Cynicalgirl: Please re-read Joan's post of 12/19. Focus on speaking to the TC with handouts, such as the time line. Three minutes is your max speaking time, Focus on Child safety, and the length of time that has passed. (Nov 3 - your first post was actually a cry for help). Second - a tough letter to the News Record, succinct, about child safety, township non concern about safety, ect. Third, speak to Fred. This is the type of issue that should be initiated informally. And easily moved by the Committee to resolution. You have a valid request that addresses child safety concerns. I can't understand the bureaucracy of czar Mead and her township committee staff. (Please note that my above hyperbole is only meant to illustrate the absurd non-responsiness of the Township to this issue.) | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 999 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, guys. You know, I believe that when I first posted my concern here, I also did in Soapbox or Please Help and got some agreeing comments. I'll go search for the thread. I did get a p/l or two from folks in the know who offered to pursue this through channels/offered other routes. In the one case, I'll give it a week and then pursue the ideas you indicate. Thank you again for your concern. Despite some of my posts elsewhere, I'm fundamentally a "rules" type -- I like to find out what the process is, and do the process. I only get mad/blustery when the stated rules are not the real rules! | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 614 Registered: 3-2003 |
CG You started this on 11/3 and it is now 12/21, unresolved and you are giving it another week? OK, you are not from New Jersey or New York. That's cool. Joan has posted the rules. There is also an accepted informal way to lay the groundwork. You should use both to resolve the issue. What is disappointing is the limp wristed reaction by mead and the police. YOU are paying too much in taxes to be given the roundaround. The Township has too many heavy problems going on and upsetting nearly everyone. Your issue is easily resolved and would generate some great good will. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1001 Registered: 9-2003 |
Well, dude, I am doing my best here. At present, I'm beat from my commute and work. My "holiday" shopping etc. is not done. I'm giving it a week partly cuz I need a week. I'm trying to see to this while not making it my life's work. I do have a 55 hour a week job, and a commute, and a kid. Yes, I'm paying too much in taxes and I'm certainly aware of the other issues. That's why I thought maybe this was more like a a garbage pick up problem than a major issue that needed a bunch of groundwork laying, etc. But, I see that such is not the case. I will follow up. If it comes to it, I'll go to the TC meeting. But, frankly, based on what I see elsewhere on MOL of what it takes to get the simplest thing done -- and the endless politics around the simplest thing -- I'm mostly hoping for the ASP to move to the library, real soon. This is not a Red v Blue issue for somebody's sakes. This place seems to politicize everything! Some very nice people, but what a cluster to get anything ordinary taken care of....pace, Joan and others who ahve been helpful. I'm just tired... | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4540 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cynicalgirl: I can understand your reluctance to contact any of our TC members but let me assure you they are all approachable people who really care about our town and the safety of our children. If you feel uncomfortable phoning any of them at home, writing them a letter, or sending them an e-mail (at least three of them can even be reached by private line), check out their office hours (no appointment required) and speak with one or more of them that way. | ||
| eliz Supporter Username: Eliz Post Number: 920 Registered: 5-2001 |
My first action would be to email Mayor Profeta (frp713@aol.com). I emailed him earlier this year with a concern and he replied within a couple of days and was very helpful. Explain everything clearly and concisely (including your conversations with Ms. Meade) and ask him what results you can expect and when. Takes as much time as posting here. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 617 Registered: 3-2003 |
amen Joan! | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 4802 Registered: 4-1998 |
What Eliz says. Also, perhaps send a link to this topic in the email for background. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 4836 Registered: 1-2003  |
It's great that Fred and the rest of the TC are so approachable. Really, it is. But as strong a positive point as that is, I think Cynicalgirl's point is a stronger negative. It shouldn't be necessary to call in these people's good will, as copious as it is. What leads to the necessity to call in the town council? It appears that normal operations don't work fluidly enough for there to be small but necessary improvements without some sort of intervention from the top. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 623 Registered: 3-2003 |
TR It was you who on 11/30 asked any movement here? NOPE! Pls see posts 11/9 to 11/10. Obviously Mead and the police have a problem with addressing simple issues. BTW, if there is an issue preventing resolution, as employees and adult professionals, they should have communicated to CG, with a no can do, and here's why. They didn't. In our small town, meeting, the ability to get to know just about everyone you want to , makes the informal approach desirable. What I don't want tom R, is for the township committee to be an elite group untouchable, except by the connected. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 4838 Registered: 1-2003 |
No one wants the TC to be elite or untouchable. They are not that, and I am with everyone else in being glad about it. But top management is responsible for how the people at the bottom ranks operate. This is something the TC should probably address. Guide the rest of the town government to do its job so it doesn't need the TC breathing down its neck. I hope you're not saying that Cynicalgirl made a mistake by following official channels. It's fine to know of alternatives, especially if they work, but it's not fine that official channels don't work. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1003 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, Tom. And everybody. At this point, I don't know enough about the various officials' backgrounds to make negative assumptions. Like I said, next week will be better for me to follow up. I don't want to turn one TC person or administrator against another, or add fuel to any fire. That's why I was looking for the right process to report this and get action. Ms. Meade has been polite, so I have no beef there. What I'm bugged by is the passage of time. Mr. Deluca made a good suggestion, and gave me an idea of timeframe. Ms. Meade confirmed that timeframe as probable. Now, it appears open-ended. Don't know whether that's due to overstretched police force, or what. So, next week, I'll contact Mayor Profeta and see how it goes. I'll tell you what: Home Depot has these halogen work lamps, on a stand? They're like $19.99 apiece? Almost seems more expeditious to buy a couple, run an extension cord from the school (or buy a small generator) and use that...I could take up a collection! Can't help myself. I'm the practical type! | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4542 Registered: 5-2001 |
Tom: It is the TC's job to oversee the town administration, Ms Meade and the Police Department included. The TC can't be every where at once and they need to know what is going on. Informing one or more of the TC members of a likely bottleneck will help them do their job better and will help all of us get the municipal services we deserve. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 4846 Registered: 1-2003 |
I must be bad at expressing myself. Of course the TC should be overseeing things. Of course they should step in when things go wrong. Something has gone wrong here. In an ideal world, and yes, no world is perfect, the TC sets up processes that run by themselves. So not only does the TC need to nudge those who should get moving with this request for a light, the TC needs to find out why it got stalled at all. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 1004 Registered: 9-2003 |
Guys, I need to alert you that my attention to this may wane for a week or so. Got a family medical thing to see to, that's more urgent. I still care, and will follow up, but probably not as fast...Thanks. |
