| Author |
Message |
    
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1735
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:19 pm: | 
|
I'm posting this by way of information and I'm surprised it hasn't been posted yet. Several weeks ago, at a BOT meeting, Calabrese, with Matthews nodding in agreement, said that he had submitted a letter to the DCA (the Ethics Board) regarding a potential conflict of interest. It was just a one sentence comment, and as I recall it was said in connection with his discussion about Beifus. I don't know if the DCA has replied. |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 620
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:39 pm: |
|
Spitz-
Do you know which meeting this was? A lot of the time, Matthews comments don't come across clearly on the video, but I'd like to watch to see exactly what he said and whether it was regarding Beifus. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1736
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 8:45 pm: |
|
I don't recall which meeting. Probably 4-6 weeks ago? As I said, the whole thing took many 30 seconds. I'm sure the question can be asked of the VP and whether any reply has been received. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3980
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 10:18 pm: |
|
Spitz,
I believe you are referring to Calabrese's comments at the very beginning of this clip. I remember it striking me as odd, as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ZkP5chKu0
What does "potentially" mean anyway? Does anyone really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?  |
Two Senses
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 445
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
|
It's time for the VP to disclose the exact nature, extent, and age of his business dealings/negotiations with Sayid and his West South Orange Avenue development, since he clearly participated in BoT discussions well after his conflict existed. Oddly, he's now recusing himself from Beifus-related votes, while seeking a conflict-of-interest opinion from the state, but continues to participate in all BoT and Planning Board discussions regarding the Beifus site. He even goes so far as to be the sole and official source for all project updates to the BoT and public.
This BoT video raises the additional and reasonable question of his Sayid relationship creating a conflict of interest with SOPAC's development -- not to mention Church Street redevelopment, where he personally interceded on behalf of Sayid to negotiate a settlement with neighboring residents.
Our Village Counsel asks the VP to leave the room regarding discussion about the possible, future formation of a SID, where the conflict is tenuous, at best, but says absolutely nothing during the past year about the VP's participation in discussions and votes regarding all of these other projects within 200' of a redevelopment project where he either has or is negotiating a financial interest.
What's wrong with this picture?
|
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 417
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
|
Well, maybe I should ask the BOT to hire an outside lawyer to investigate the conflict issues and suspicions, and report.
If someone wants to lay out the reasons, such as the 11:18 post, I can place them before the board at a meeting, and ask for them to debate and vote.
jd |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1737
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
|
That's why I mentioned that the VP has submitted a letter to the DCA requesting it's opinion on the potential conflict of interest. I would have to assume that the letter described exactly what the VP was contemplating, and asked clarifiation on what he had to recuse himself from. Maybe the best course of action is to ask the VP what the status of his request to the DCA is. At least it's a starting point since he's already said that he has submitted a letter. |
Two Senses
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 446
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
|
In about April 2005, he mysteriously started recusing himself from Sayid-related discussions before the Planning Board (not sure if he left the room).
About 6-9 months later, he mysteriously began recusing himself from Sayid-related discussions before the BoT (didn't leave the room). A public furor erupted, culminating in trustee DeVaris publicly demanding an explanation from the VP, at which point he peevishly revealed a "possible" conflict due to a pending/current business relationship with Sayid, both in South Orange and in Germany.
A few months later, he abstained without explanation from voting on Beifus's application before the Planning Board, but was present during the entire hearing (not sure if he commented).
Meanwhile, he's never recused himself from Church Street, SOPAC, Irvington Avenue or Beifus discussions or votes (until a March 2006 vote on Beifus), and now has disclosed that he's sought a conflict-of-interest opinion from NJ's Dept. of Community Affairs. Wonder how much disclosure his DCA request includes?
Asked, and answered. Although others may be able to provide more precise dates and additional conflicts.
|
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2949
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
|
Is his letter to the DCA subject to an OPRA request? |
Dawg Walker
Citizen
Username: Deyki
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
|
recusing oneself from discussions on anything is hardly meaningful, as it does nothing to stop influence peddling or merely sympathy from friends, colleagues and long term employees. |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 419
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 4:10 pm: |
|
How about asking for a copy of the letter?
jd |
buddybak
Citizen
Username: Buddybak
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 6:43 pm: |
|
The only way to confront the VP and Company is to have the Attorney General Christie to come in to investigate the recusing of oneself only when he wants to |
joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 421
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 7:26 pm: |
|
Mr. Christie is the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
jd |
buddybak
Citizen
Username: Buddybak
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 9:05 pm: |
|
I stand corrected thankyou |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page