| Author | Message | ||
     Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1557 Registered: 3-2003 |
Terriann wasn't present at last night's meeting. She wasn't present last week. In going over the meeting minutes for 2006, she was absent Jan. 9, Jan. 18, Feb. 15. In fact, she's only been present twice this year. What gives? | ||
| FlyingSpaghettiMonst Citizen Username: Noodlyappendage Post Number: 33 Registered: 11-2005 |
Can't see be thrown off the Board for missing so many meetings? Isn't there a minimum number that she has to attend in a given month? Why did she run for election if she can't serve??? | ||
| R.U. Schitz, M.E. Citizen Username: Parkingsux Post Number: 355 Registered: 6-2005  |
I don't think she has missed her karate teaching engagements at the Baird. But then again, she gets paid doing that gig..... | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 133 Registered: 2-2006 |
If there isn't an attendance requirement for the trustees, there needs to be. Her absenteeism is much higher than any other trustee's. Unless there is an understandable explanation like a protracted medical or family crisis, it should not be permitted. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3620 Registered: 5-2001  |
From the Village Charter: "The Board of Trustees by the affirmative vote of four Trustees shall have the power to declare vacant the office of any Trustee who fails to attend the regular monthly meeting of the Board for three successive months." | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1558 Registered: 3-2003 |
She did attend the regular meetings on Jan. 23 and Feb. 27. Most of the meetings she's missed have been the special meetings and conference agenda meetings. Nevertheless, she's missed a lot of meetings. | ||
| mary032 Citizen Username: Mary032 Post Number: 225 Registered: 8-2001 |
There is something wrong with the Charter and the trustees should revisit it. It refers to a "regular monthly meeting of the Board" when the Board meets twice and sometimes three times a month. According to the Charter it is acceptable that Terriann Moore-Abrams can come to only half or even one-third of the meetings and be ok. Some service. Especially since she is so ineffective when she is "present" anyway. The conference agenda meetings are important because that's when the trustees discuss what they are going to vote on the regular meeting, and that's when we know each one's position on issues. So what good is Terriann if she come to the regular meetings only to vote on issues, without participating in the debate? Her empty chair stays for too long vacant. Messrs. Rosner, DeVaris, Rosen can you do something about this? We deserve a full-time Trustee in her seat. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3622 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mary032, Careful what you wish for. They'll probably bring Theroux back.  | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 170 Registered: 10-2005 |
JOKE! Thrown her off the board! | ||
| mary032 Citizen Username: Mary032 Post Number: 226 Registered: 8-2001 |
Right you are MHD, scary as it is. Terriann has been a perfect replacement of all the bad attributes that Theroux had to offer, so Terriann's replacement by Theroux would not change things one bit. No, we need a replacement with a full time trustee, and if that would be Salvatoriello (the next in number of votes) so be it. | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 3203 Registered: 5-2005  |
Dream On...Or Recall? | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1559 Registered: 3-2003 |
She seems to have a lot of time for photo-ops with Joey D. | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 3347 Registered: 11-2001  |
Next in number. I recall I was the next in number a couple of times. But nooo, nooo, first came Rosner and then came Thoreaux.... who would we look at next? Please say it couldn't be so..... Steglitz?  | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 615 Registered: 4-2005  |
I wonder if she's missing committee meetings as well. I've attended two (that she's a member of) and I haven't seen her there. | ||
| mary032 Citizen Username: Mary032 Post Number: 228 Registered: 8-2001 |
Let's face it. Terriann is there to fulfill the requirement of public service toward her judgeship. She never had any interest in South Orange before, and she doesn't have an interest in South Orange now. Even if she shows up at half of the public meetings, she doesn't do anything else beyond that. I wonder how often she shows up to other committee meetings between the public meetings. There were a few Saturday morning budget workshops recently. Did she show up, Messrs. Rosen, DeVaris, Rosner? She is dead wood that occupies a seat in our government to ppromote her own ambitions. All that with the blessings of Calabrese and Taylor. Why am I itching to say to many of you: you asked for it, you got it? | ||
| mary032 Citizen Username: Mary032 Post Number: 230 Registered: 8-2001 |
But isn't she the chair of the legal committee. You mean to say that the legal committee hasn't operated for three months? You mean to say that all legal matters are left in the able hands of Ed Matthews? Oyvey! And, of course, Calabrese, our supreme master, wouldn't do anything about it. That's a circus! | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3624 Registered: 5-2001 |
I just find it interesting that Sheena has no problem with Trustees who SLEEP through meetings or Trustees who make STUPID comments during meetings or Trustees who are CONFLICTED on virtually every issue or Trustees who LIE to the public. However, Trustees who are absent due to (rumored) family issues ARE a problem? | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 619 Registered: 4-2005 |
MHD - We've already communicated about my sentiments regarding some of the issues which is why you’ve confused me. Your above post is simply not fair and attempts to distort truths. There are several concerns that I have with things the BOT has done and I convey those in a fashion that I feel is the best. I think it's a shame that some people look to find anyway possible to discredit anything the BOT does. Do they make their fair share of mistakes? Absolutely - but I'd love to meet someone who is mistake-free. The BOT volunteers their time to serve the residents in South Orange. That to me, in and of itself, is admirable. I think more people don't run for office because doing so simply takes courage especially with some of the things that gets said on this message board. And actually, I have a few more things to add with a 3 am post... I think we, as a community, need to start looking for win-win situations. Not every issue is black and white and sometimes there is gray. There are tons of competing interests in South Orange and I think the BOT, to a certain extent, tries to do the best with what resources that they have. We're simply not going to agree on everything. Some people on MOL only assert - Resign/Impeachment/We need Fresh Blood - maybe the bigger challenge is try to help the 'powers that be' become more responsive to our concerns... but I don't think that's done by trying to humiliate them. After reading some posts, I think to myself "what if these people's children read this board?" We've seen attacks to trustees and members of the community that are just unspeakable and because people have the luxury of creating "screen names" they can say whatever they want without a fear of reprisal... And I know this is getting long but on a final note... I am very proud to live in South Orange and I feel very PRIVILEGED to be here. I'm the type of person who likes to put things into perspective and with that in mind, if redevelopment and statues are our biggest worries; we have a whole heck of a lot to be extremely grateful for when looking at some of the ailments that are affecting our country. There is war, aids, poverty, unemployment and the list goes on and on and on. So yes, our village government can do more but no, I won't sit around and say they have done nothing at all and they're terrible people, etc. I simply refuse to play the victim because things don't go "my way". If you want people to work harder and if you want people to see things from your perspective, there needs to be respect. MHD, you don't have to like people, but you can respect them and our community lacks that on many fronts and that, in my opinion, is a shame. MHD, I think that you bring up many valid points especially with your latest endeavor regarding the TS sculpture but please don't discredit my sentiments about board members because we disagree. I think they should be commended esp. Eric and Mark for even attempting to get on this hostile board and provide us with information... but hey, that's just me. P.S. If Terriann is MIA because of family-related matters, I wish the best for her and hope any personal issues get resolved. I have not heard any discussion as to why she’s been gone- all I know is that she’s not there… | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3625 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sheena, When they were politely asked questions about the source of funding for the Tony Smith sculpture, 3 of them LIED and 5 of them verbally attacked. When they were politely questioned about a potential conflict of interest appointing Mary Theroux to the Parking Authority, they became incredibly defensive and verbally hostile. As you may note, I never say a negative word about Mark (and I never said one about Patrick), even though I may have disagreed with them. The big difference is that THEY show RESPECT to the public & therefore EARN respect. It really is that simple. | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1560 Registered: 3-2003 |
Sheena - During the election, you said "A vote against ADE is a vote against the future of Seton Hall University." I said then I thought this statement by you did a disservice to the candidates as well as the University. You were (are) a student leader and students listented to you. I know that we all think highly of you and there is no doubt you care deeply about SHU and he Village of South Orange. It really seemed as if the final weeks of the election revolved almost entirely around Seton Hall. The famous letter from Line C certainly aroused considerable hostility between Line C supporters and SHU students and ADE supporters. Not surprisingly, after the election, Art Taylor and Trustee Jennings started making nicey nicey to the SHU students, and you've become a big fan of Art Taylor and Trustee Jennings. I suspect that the future of SHU is a lot more secure than the future of South Orange, if things don't change for SO residents and taxpayers. Edited to add: Check out Dave's post in the "Here's an idea" thread. That says it all for SO residents and taxpayers. ps - I voted for Jeff Dubowy who I still think was a superb candidate and why I thought your statement was presumptious and did a disservice to other candidates. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 127 Registered: 12-2004 |
Sheena, I do not accept about 80% of what you said, but I, too, was once in college and up at 3:00 a.m. attempting to study and could ramble on. But the part I want to address is the line: "What if these people's children read this board." I hope they do. This BoT, headed by Mr. Calabrese, more than once, approved of full page ads in the NR which made personal attacks against innocent citizens who were in one way or another opposing them for public office. It was cowardly and low class, and yes, it did hurt our respective children. The people who did that do not deserve respect. Tolerance, perhaps, but respect, no. One of those thugs even went so far as to accuse me on MoL of not attending my own daughter's bat mitzvah. I have a copy of the e-mail which was sent to all of the board with the NR ad before it was published. They all knew about it, approved it, and endorsed it. Period, end of story. Their children should be ashamed of their behavior. My children are proud of mine. | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 620 Registered: 4-2005 |
Hey Spitz, You learn and grow... me dwelling on a past election does no good to anyone including the students. And yes, both trustees have been incredibly good to SHU (along with a couple others) and I discussed the mailer with Stacey and Paul right after the election instead of harnessing anger and taking it out on MOL, 'hazard zet forward'. But trust that I made it crystal clear how I felt about certain election tactics (and I'm not free of sin, gosh knows I used them as well) but that's water on the bridge and I think certain Line C candidates 'went with the flow' and took some incredibly bad abvice. Edited to Add: Hi Ms. Elaine, I was actually thinking about some attacks you endured while on this message board as well. I remember meeting your daughter and she was lovely and I'm very happy that she came out and posted on MOL and as you know, I don't agree with everything the BOT does - I just find the need to give them credit when I think it's due. | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1562 Registered: 3-2003 |
I share Sheena's sentiment that I wish Terriann the best if her absence is related to family matters. My understanding is that she has not been available for contact. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Ms. Sheena: You Southern belles are sweet, lovely, compassionate and forgiving of sins, unless, of course, they were committed by non-Dean Democrats. You want to give them (the BoT) credit when its due? Would you be as hospitable to George W. Bush, e.g.? Jersey girls have a different perspective. Jersey girls are people to reckon with. I do not see "anger" on MoL. I see intelligent and well deserved criticism and satire aimed at a very poor track record of inept leadership and its dismal results. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 129 Registered: 12-2004 |
I do not know why Terrianne is MIA, but as a lawyer, much less as a Trustee, she has a professional responsibility to let the public know something. Of course, there is the possibility that she has done this, but that the current administration did not share the information. One would think that someone in a position of authority would have had the decency to provide an explanation as to the reason for her excessive absences. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 141 Registered: 2-2006 |
Giving credit where credit is due does not diminish the need to have standards of performance or service of public officials. Will there be a high standard, a mediocre standard or a poor standard? You can appreciate what a public servant does and at the same time know that someone else or the same person could and should have performed better, overall, than they have. Many of the advertisements in the NR in the last municipal election degraded public discourse immeasurably and won the NR and those who placed the ads the distinction of being intentionally, willfully stupid and sleazy in doing so. Can they change? Why not? Do they want to? That's another story entirely. They seem to like wallowing in the gutter and enabling others to do so. Clearly, the standard for journalism in the NR is pretty close to the bottom, especially when it willfully embraces tabloid journalism. Similar questions apply to public officials. They might be able to change, but whether they want to is another question. Then again, people with greater abilities, training, judgement and integrity might also perform well in office also. What standards does the electorate hold for itself and the town? | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 173 Registered: 10-2005 |
Ms. Harris please show some understanding of Sheena Collum I believe her intentions are well intended but her life experiences are very limited. She will mature with time and I am quite confident will be as tough as any Jersey call you speak of! | ||
| Sitoyan Citizen Username: Sitoyan Post Number: 157 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sheena is already a tough cookie, tougher than many of us Jersey gals, and much more mature than many of the posters on this board. She has a better understanding of government and she seems to love South Orange more than many of us here. She is working hard to bring SHU into the community and vice-versa, with great results. Keep it up Sheena, you're doing great. As for Terriann I am sure she must be thrilled seeing how much she is missed. Pity she doesn't read this board. | ||
| Elaine Harris Citizen Username: Elaineharris Post Number: 131 Registered: 12-2004 |
Michael Brant: I have a lot of respect and admiration for Ms. Sheena. If I didn't care about her, I would ignore her completely. I am sure that she knows that. By challenging her, especially on her logic, she is being tested and forced to be better at what she does. I think she understands and does not feel "misunderstood" or offended in any way. And by the way, I have been enjoying your posts very much. You shoot straight from the hip, and usually right on target. | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 503 Registered: 1-2004  |
If this is a situation the has put Terriann on hold then there should be some temporary reassignment of her responsibilites - such as the Legal Committee. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 151 Registered: 2-2006 |
Yes, Howard. The Legal Committee should be reassigned until Terriann is able to return to her duties. Oversight of legal affairs for the town is much too important to be put on hold for whatever reason. Legal mistakes have cost the town thousands to millions. | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 3229 Registered: 5-2005 |
Maybe Terriann is heading an investigation into our village affairs? | ||
| Stevef Citizen Username: Stevef Post Number: 192 Registered: 5-2005  |
Or in witness protection. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 4456 Registered: 1-2004  |
Lucy In response to: "Maybe Terriann is heading an investigation into our village affairs?" Too funny!  | ||
| red_alert Citizen Username: Red_alert Post Number: 233 Registered: 3-2005 |
Any change over the past 3 weeks? | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3889 Registered: 5-2001 |
She was at the last meeting (April 10), but virtually silent. | ||
| Mary32 Citizen Username: Mary32 Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2006 |
Terriann doesn't have a clue o what's going on in the Village, never did. She is wise to keep silent. If she opens her mouth she will show her ignorance. She is only occupying her seat to promote her career toward judgeship, at our expense. We have three more years of her.  | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 591 Registered: 6-2005 |
Not if there's a recall! | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 3248 Registered: 9-2003 |
She can't be recalled within the first year of service. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 4726 Registered: 1-2004 |
jayjay There was talk of a recall but has anyone actually put anything into motion yet? |
