| Author |
Message |
    
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 6:43 pm: | 
|
It was a proofreading error, in the neues rekord.
jd
PS: how many posts to catch up to Tom Reingold?
|
Sitoyan
Citizen
Username: Sitoyan
Post Number: 140
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 8:12 pm: |
|
The News Wrecked is notorious for this kind of things. No surprise here. It is the newspaper of misinformation, biased reporting, irresponsible editorials, and of a language and grammar as remote to English, as the French to the Chinese.
It is a pity that South Orange doesn't have a newspaper. |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 378
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 3:28 pm: |
|
DOes anyone know how these neighborhood meetings are supposed to work? Will there be any published agenda? Will they be televised? Will there be minutes? Are all trustees, village attorney, town administrator, etc. supposed to attend? Is this in lieu of a regular trustee meeting? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3855
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 8:22 pm: |
|
It figures! Are we supposed to believe this was an accident? I don't think so! When will the residents of South Orange realize we deserve better? Are those of you who voted against John and Howard actually satisfied with the actions of our BOT? It's time for a change!!! |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3315
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 10:57 pm: |
|
jayjay,
From what I have heard, they will not be televised (since they are at Baird). It is also NOT in lieu of a regular Trustee Meeting (there will still be 2 regular meetings in February) |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonhw
Post Number: 103
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 7:01 am: |
|
It is listed as a "Board of Trustees Special Meeting". Based on that I would assume it is "Official" and that at least four Trustees and the Village Clerk will be in attendance with minutes being taken. |
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 267
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
|
Jay jay,
The Neighborhood Meetings will be informal gatherings where the Villagers will be able to discuss with the Trustees any subject they wish.
There will be no agenda.
The meetings will be moderated by a person other than a member of the government; that person will be selected by the Community Relations Committee.
The meetings will not be simultaneously televised. They will probably be recorded on audio and video.
The NJ Open Meetings Act dictates that whenever more than three Trustees confer, their meeting should be adequately publicized and minutes should be recorded. So yes minutes will be taken.
The Neighborhood Meetings are over and above the regular BoT meetings, not a replacement. The Village Trustees have agreed to hold these informal meetings with the purpose of improving communications with their constituency. The Village Clerk and other members of the administration will be there.
At 6:30 p.m., one hour before the Neighborhood Meetings, the Trustees will be available to meet person-to-person with any Villager who wishes to do so.
The meetings will be held at The Baird Community Center, 5 Mead Street.
I hope, Jay jay, I answered all your questions.
The first meeting is this coming Wednesday February 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Subsequent Neighborhood Meetings are scheculed for April 19 and June 21. Check the "Gaslight" to see which meeting will be attended by the neighbors in your street.
Eric |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 379
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
|
Mr. DeVaris-
Thanks for clarifying. |
Daniel I. Goldberg
Citizen
Username: Dig
Post Number: 157
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
|
Just a reminder re: meeting tonight. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3335
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
|
So...any recap from anyone who went tonight? |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 575
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:19 pm: |
|
It went okay - I was very disappointed with the moderator. Alot of people left never being heard about anything and he kept moving on to another topic before people could ask questions.
I had my hand up for 3 hours didn't get to say a word and I had to miss the SMPA event to be at this.
The questions dealt with:
Residents who live around Seton Hall who had concerns about how many people could live in a house
PARKING was a huge issue for many people
A single family home being converted into a double occupancy house.
A Debate over "education" and property taxes going towards schools that have rats and mice.... this lasted a very long time. Residents asked the board to do something even though it's not their direct jurisdiction. Residents thought the BOE and the Administration dealing with schools were very incompetent.
Redevelopment was a big question - Bill provided a history of everything that happened with the sites in question. Same things he's basically said at the BOT meetings.
Property taxes and the assesments that were about to take place were addressed.
One woman brought proof of a water bill that shows $200-$300 in bills per month but states she's the only one in the house. It was pretty ridiculous what this company is doing... then everyone was complaining about the water - one woman brought proof of what it's done to her dishwasher.
My suggestion is that these meetings take place in regards to issues and not where your residence is. Everyone has such a wide array of concerns that the meeting had to be kept moving forward without getting firm answers or there being an in depth dialogue as to a specific issue.
Hope that helps  |
Lucy
Supporter
Username: Lucy
Post Number: 2792
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 8:27 am: |
|
Thanks Sheena as always you impress me. How was the turn out? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2544
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
|
Turn out was very good. About 100 people. A lot of people came early to just ask questions one-on-one and a large number stayed past the end of the meeting (9:30). I left around 10:00pm.
Although we did try a similar meeting several years ago, I give Eric a lot of credit for pushing much harder and following up to help insure a good turnout.
|
U. Kabish
Citizen
Username: Parkingsux
Post Number: 307
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
|
What issue raised your brow? Do you see a need for the BoT to direct goal setting and driving issues of public concern rather than the Village Attorney and Administrator. What a welcomed discourse occurred last night. I think the BoT has a lot to consider and address. We want to see action, please act on our concerns. As witnessed, we're fed up!!! |
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 269
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 5:45 pm: |
|
Residents from neighborhoods east and west of the Village raised a variety of issues from housing violations to water quality and over-billing, from our education system to school financing, to property taxes. The Trustees listened, answered questions, and promised follow-up action. All that in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, away from the rigid routine of the regular Trustee meetings. That is exactly the purpose of the Neighborhood Meetings.
Although I share wholeheartedly Sheena’s disappointment that she and her fellow students did not get a chance to speak, I will not blame the moderator for that. Reverend Charles Thompson did an outstanding job: it isn’t easy moderating a crowd of 100. There were so many people who wanted to speak their mind that the meeting was extended by half hour overtime, till 9:30 pm; even so there were many people who didn’t get a chance to speak, including the students.
That was unfortunate because I think that the residents around Seton Hall should know that the students were there and listened to their complaints. It was also unfortunate because I know that the students were there to inform the residents of the measures that their Village Liaison Committee takes to improve the relationship between students and their neighbors. One of the campus’ neighbors acknowledged his awareness of the hard work toward that end by the SHU Village Liaison Committee.
I commend and thank Sheena and the other students for showing their civic responsibility by attending the meeting last night.
Many from the public and some of the Trustees stayed after the meeting till after 10 pm. discussing issues.
The Neighborhood Meetings this year are an experiment. After we go through them we will have a better idea of their usefulness and the way they should be conducted. Sheena’s suggestion to organize them by subject rather than by neighborhood is certainly one that should be considered in the future. Such suggestions will be welcomed and seriously considered in the planning of the meetings next year.
|
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 270
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 5:46 pm: |
|
BTW, the next meeting will be on Wednesday April 19 at 7:30 pm. |
I. Kabish
Citizen
Username: Parkingsux
Post Number: 310
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 6:10 pm: |
|
For us who did attend, it would be helpful for those who did not attend to have record of the unofficial meeting minutes and, secondly, for all to have access to an action plan prepared and approved by the BoT addressing the issues and timetable for follow-up. It is the concern of the residents that the continued need to inform is a critical matter in this open government discussion format. Let us resolve that the issues raised will be addressed and that the focus on timely problem solving is more critical than the schedule for the next meeting.
ps: you're doing a marvelous job, Eric.
|
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 3145
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:11 am: |
|
Was the News Record present? Soma.com? CCN? It seems like an interesting and informative community event to cover. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2553
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:59 am: |
|
The reporter from the News-Record was there. I think he stayed till the end.
Minutes won't be available till they are approved by the BOT. |
Sitoyan
Citizen
Username: Sitoyan
Post Number: 143
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 10:56 pm: |
|
Trustees DeVaris and Rosner,
Thank you and the rest of the BOT for making these neighbors' meetings happen. The large number of attendees at the recent meeting (more than 100?) is an indication of the residents' thirst for information.
Would you please post here the approved minutes of that meeting, and would you inform us in the near future what action has been taken on the issues that were raised at the meeting? Because these neighbors' meetings will be of value only if the residents' concerns are addressed in an expedient manner.
I am looking forward to the next meeting when my neighborhood has been invited.
Thank you. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 426
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 8:36 am: |
|
It wasn't my neighborhood, but it would have been interesting to have seen it via computer. Was this meeting video-taped? Will it be available on the Village website?
I'm looking forward to our street's meeting! That'll be worth paying a babysitter!
Thanks Eric and other BOT's! |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page