| Author |
Message |
    
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4067
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:35 pm: | 
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The BOT Reorganization Meeting is Must See TV. It's a good 'ol fashioned catfight/power struggle in Village Hall tonight.
Check it out.... |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1565
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:46 pm: |
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Just switched in 5 minutes ago...do you think that they've forgotten that people are watching???
I'll be interested to go back and watch the 4 hours of tape and find out which committee they are arguing about. Rosen sure wants to stay on it, and Moore Abrams wants it seriously. (in spite of the attendance record debate!)
Oooh...Taylor just remembered there is an audience, keeping documentary evidence. Suddenly everyone is sweetness and light again. Very amusing.
I've got to get some sleep, but I promise that I'll be watching this sometime in the next few days, and probably pressing a DVD for the record. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4069
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:49 pm: |
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Why is TerriAnn so anxious to get on the Joint Committee? (what is it?)
Why won't Arthur Taylor give up his role on the Planning Board?
Why doesn't ANYONE want to be on the Finance Committee with Allen Rosen? |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 29
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:51 pm: |
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What's the link for the video? |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4070
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:51 pm: |
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Susan,
The reorganization just started at 11:15pm. The Committee that TerriAnn wants to be on is the "Joint Committee" (whatever that is). |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4071
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:52 pm: |
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tomp,
http://www.southorange.org/videoViewer.asp
Or Channel 19 on Cablevision |
stefano
Citizen
Username: Stefano
Post Number: 504
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:17 am: |
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Whomever gets on the joint committee (sewerage authority) gets health care coverage, I believe.
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joel dranove
Citizen
Username: Jdranove
Post Number: 486
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 12:25 am: |
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Is this covered live here in San Diego?
The mayor resigned, other government figures are under indictment, one going to trial next week, their congressman was sent to federal prison.
Gee, but for the cool ocean breeze, it feels like South Orange.
jd |
vermontgolfer
Supporter
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 435
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 6:38 am: |
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Was watching with the wife and we both thought it was funnier than Seinfeld!
It was like the old Abbot and Costello 'Who's on First', absolutely hysterical!
And these people lead our goverments, SCARY! |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11519
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 7:35 am: |
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The Joint Meeting (sewage) job also pays a salary. From memory I think it is in the $6k to $8k range, but don't hold me to that number. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2769
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:49 am: |
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The joint committee pays $250/month as a "stipend". I do not think there are health benefits.
Several years ago, Rosen made a plea to the BOT for us to have a rotation (2 years each). He said it was the only fair thing to do. At that time Trustee Steglitz was slated to be an officer of the joing committee. He agreed to step down so we could have a rotation. There is nothing to prove that there is any benefit to S. Orange (or to the joing committee) that continuity is beneficial.
The real reason why this committee is such an issue is because it leads to connections for campaign contributions. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1567
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 9:58 am: |
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Does it also impact potential pension benefits?
Boy, I now understand the depth of emotion on this one! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2770
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:07 am: |
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I do not think it impacts pension benefits. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1568
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:34 am: |
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What I'm told by someone who is not currently active online is this:
"First, you get paid $250 per month. Second, you get a small pension, but more importantly you get eligibility for "pension years" in the state system. Finally, this commission has bonding capacity so it is politically powerful."
Does this sound right? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2771
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
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Susan: I would guess the pension part is correct but only if you are in the state system. I am not sure any of the current BOT members are, but I would bet that a lot of the other joint committee members would benefit.
There is no question but it is politically powerful (for a lot of reasons).
It was laughable for Rosen to suggest that his presence on the committee is needed because he is a "chemist". They have professionals available and if he thinks his chemistry background is so damn important, he sould offer his services for a fee. I do not even know if has ever made it to one joint committee meeting since he has never given one report to the BOT about those meetings.
And in my opinion the joint committee representative should donate some of the $250/month to local organizations (like the rescue squad).
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11526
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
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Susan, yeah, although I wouldn't be surprised if there is an additional stipend for attending meetings. The $6k to $8k number really sticks in my mind, but that may be for someone who headed a committee or something along those lines. I believe the Chairmanship is worth some real money. There was an article about this in the SL a year or so ago. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1769
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:49 am: |
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Isn't Terriann in the state pension plan because of her job with the county? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2772
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:55 am: |
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Spitz: I think you are correct. I forgot about that.
We were told the stipend is $250/month whether you attend meetings or not. I do not know if the chair gets a higher amount.
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Spanish Inquisitor
Citizen
Username: Sinq
Post Number: 68
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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Civic minded people shouldn't have to do things so mundane as attend meetings about sewerage. The fact that they want to play a role - however small - in ensuring the arteries of our society are kept silt free should be of paramount importance.
So what if Terriann wanted to run for office in order to gain political power or become a judge? That's what America is all about: service to ones community!
So what if Rosen is deluded about how valuable his chemistry background is? He's able to lie openly and repeatedly to people without thinking twice. It's hard to find that level of sociopathological endurance in a grown man.
In fact, $250 a month plus pension isn't enough. These people need more. They're unemployable elsewhere. They're unloved at home, friendless at work and seek other means of ego gratification however abstracted and we, the taxpayers, should open our liberal hearts and wallets and give generously and without complaint.
Take pity on those who deserve it. Let them eat cake or sewerage or whatever it is they like to eat. Be grateful you don't harbor the same petty vindictiveness in your hearts and brazenly display it for all your neighbors to behold on public access television.
It's not worth any price to be them even for a day.
Especially in front of children.
They offer nothing because they are nothing. Attending meetings doesn't mean anything because they think it's a chore and for others to attend to. They're too busy looking out for number one. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 4072
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 1:46 pm: |
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The video is now up on the website at: http://www.southorange.org/videoViewer.asp
The reorganization meeting started at 11:15pm and is well worth watching. |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 32
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
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Trustee Rosner has a post-mortem on the meeting on his blog,
http://www.nj.com/weblogs/rosner/ |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5077
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 2:07 am: |
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You should NOT even be considered for the position until you've been on the BOT for at least two years and have been to at least 95% of the BOT meetings for the whole meeting... |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3162
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 9:15 am: |
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If this were the rule, it could be possible for no one on the BOT to qualify. What then?
We cannot change the fact that it is a political position. That's above our town's influence. Perhaps the monthly stipend (above expenses) could be "traditionally" either donated to a charity or to Main Street. Traditions have to start somewhere. |
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