| Author | Message | |||
     MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4397 Registered: 5-2001  |
Last night, we learned that the Village is bonding an ADDITIONAL $3 million due to "change orders" on the SOPAC project, bringing the total of the project to $14 million. Here is a video clip of the "explanation": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5nM-ImculE | |||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 711 Registered: 6-2005 |
How can we get more specfics as to what these change orders are, and why didn't anyone on the board feel the need to question this exhorbitant over-run? Is this another one they were trying to "slip by", or do they just not care enough about spending our money? There should have been a full and open discussion about this. | |||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 676 Registered: 1-2006 |
Why the changes? jd | |||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1661 Registered: 3-2002 |
As a percent, that is a pretty big cost overrun. Would be nice if someone were making sure that public monies are being spent frugally. When the overrun is over 25%, as this one seems to be, someone on the BOT should be asking why, and insisting on an explanation to the public. Haven't watched last night's meeting yet, but will be waiting to hear this one. Any one of our town's cost overruns I could understand, but the combination of them makes a rather ugly pattern of fiscal responsibility. (e.g. SOPAC overbudget, budget dependent on development dollars that are years late, managing to lose grant monies for not spending on schedule...) | |||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 1965 Registered: 5-2005  |
That one confused me too.... a change order (in my mind) is something that should have been addressed prior to construction. It's not as though a resident is having a bathroom done and then decides they want different tiles. This is also not a case of a resident paying for something in their own home out of their own pocket.. I would like to see clarification as to what the "changes" are, and why they are necessary. Is it due to someone "thinking" that a change would be nicer, or is this due to something on the original/agreed upon plans not working out? To hear that there is a 3 million dollar issue on SOPAC, which has already cost around $10 million is a big item to swallow. This is close to 30% of the original cost. I know "we" are not being told if anyone on the board is questioning this, but I would like to think that more than a couple of the Trustees are.. | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 466 Registered: 2-2006 |
Just entered this elsewhere, but relevant here: As Janet Skrobe, whom I believe may be an architect, recognized last night, the additional 3+ million is for SOPAC change orders. I think this means they are redoing things they should have done correctly the first time. A small mistake, at 3 mil. Ms. Skrobe must work at a place that doesn't burn through money like the SO BOT. She said she would be fired if she had 3+ million in change orders on a 10 million or so project. Since there are no contracts with SOPAC obligating it to pay off 14+ million in bonds the town borrowed for it, there may be several more millions in change orders later. No controls are in place. The town is borrowing money while taxpayers guarantee it with no effective oversight on SOPAC spending. Makes you wonder who is getting the additional millions in change orders. SO, the bottomless well. | |||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1832 Registered: 3-2003 |
The Village President in the past made a very big point of the fact that the contract with Arnell was a fixed price contract for $11 million. He made it sound as if there was nothing that would change it. This is a very big change, and it seems as if the BOT tried to hide it as much as possible. Of course, since the approval of the additional bonding had to be public, it couldn't be hidden. The public probably will never know how much it's costing the taxpayers. The "scope of work" is usually the most important part of a construction contract. Was the Village not protected on its part by whoever was responsible for negotiating and agreeing on the scope of work clause? | |||
| Mary32 Citizen Username: Mary32 Post Number: 36 Registered: 3-2006 |
Calabrese has appointed his lackey "assistant" Dave Bressen to oversee the design and construction of SOPAC. Bressen - a member of the SOPAC board - has absolutely no previous experience in the field of construction. Now do you wonder why all these costly changes during construction? Mismanagement has been the trademark of this government since ever. Keep voting for them. | |||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 638 Registered: 1-2004  |
I have asked to have the CBAC review the proposed Bond ordinance as well as obtaining a copy of outstanding request for SOPAC reconciliation. The following is a copy of the last update:
| |||
| Two Senses Citizen Username: Twosense Post Number: 450 Registered: 7-2004 |
http://www.sopacnow.org/p-about.php After many years of planning, strategizing and building, the dream of creating a high quality, professionally managed performing arts center is close to becoming a reality. We are in the home stretch as we work to complete our facility. The complex is currently under construction. At this writing, foundations are being poured. A $11.6-million design-build contract with Arnell Construction calls for the building to be completed in Spring, 2006. Weren't the initial bids for about $14 million... - at which point our Village Administrator and CFO "value engineered" the project down to $11.6 million, based on Arnell Construction's recommendations; - at which point Arnell got a no-bid contract without a new RFP or competitive bidding process; - at which point experienced residents reviewed the new, cheaper plan, and vocally and strenuously urged the Village to recognize deficiencies in the $11.6 million solution; - at which point the BoT, Village Administrator and CFO refused to entertain any resident input and proceeded with the low-ball Arnell bid; - at which point SOPAC's Board and Construction Committee, headed by the Village President's assistant, proceeded to rack up $3 million in change orders; - at which point the Village had to issue $3 million in bonds to complete its $14 million high quality performing arts center? | |||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 639 Registered: 1-2004 |
The following is an excerpt from Minute of a BOT meeting that described the project:
| |||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 678 Registered: 1-2006 |
Elections next Spring. jd | |||
| red_alert Citizen Username: Red_alert Post Number: 311 Registered: 3-2005 |
Unlike last year, let's hope effective candidates who are focused on fiscal responsibility and getting the town on a prosperous strategic plan get voted in this time. | |||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1663 Registered: 3-2002 |
I don't know the whole story, but if Two Sense is at all accurate, the process stinks (literally). I don't dare say more now, or I'll say something (or make allegations) that I shouldn't. I've been watching last night's BOT meeting on tape delay, so was already a bit riled up. | |||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5624 Registered: 1-2004  |
SOPAC Another mistake... | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 468 Registered: 2-2006 |
So the Village Administrator actually said that in a redevelopment zone the "bonding can be off the books" of the Village? Incredible. He is so confident he can get away with it, he publicly announces his plans to subvert oversight controls. I supposed the bonding for a SID can be off the books also. | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 469 Registered: 2-2006 |
Would someone please post a list of the SOPAC Board of Directors? Thanks | |||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 1983 Registered: 5-2005 |
Taken from the official SOPAC website (Is this the same thing as directors or do I need to look somewhere else?) SOPAC's BOARD OF GOVERNORS Barbara W. Stoller, Chair Dr. Jonathan Steinberg, Vice-Chair Samuel J. Giuliano, Treasurer Anthony J. Leitner, Secretary Anne Mai Bertelsen B. Lawrence Branch David Bressen Village President William R. Calabrese Patrick Cruz Steven Friedlander Dennis Garbini Rose Meade Hart Millicent Iris James J. Lazarus Dr. Sanford Lewis Susan G. Lieberman Derek J. Murphy Marc Pomper Anthony Richards Leo Sender Dr. Molly Smith John Zoubek Jessica A. Finkelberg, Executive Director | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 471 Registered: 2-2006 |
This is the biggest diversion yet of public monies to a pet project by one of the members of the BOT. Bill Calabrese has used the bonding authority of the town to plunge SO $14 million+ into debt for something that may not be viable. No wonder the town is full of potholes and contruction site holes, while the library and other rooves of historic buildings are rotting away. Anyone know how the contruction company with unlimited power to rack up millions in change orders was chosen, who owns it, what relation it or its principals may have to Mr. Calabrese, town employees or anyone else on SOPAC's Board? | |||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 1986 Registered: 5-2005 |
SOrising, I don't know the answers to any of your questions, but I am very concerned about the points raised in your post and indeed that of two senses... TS post is:- http://www.sopacnow.org/p-about.php After many years of planning, strategizing and building, the dream of creating a high quality, professionally managed performing arts center is close to becoming a reality. We are in the home stretch as we work to complete our facility. The complex is currently under construction. At this writing, foundations are being poured. A $11.6-million design-build contract with Arnell Construction calls for the building to be completed in Spring, 2006. Weren't the initial bids for about $14 million... - at which point our Village Administrator and CFO "value engineered" the project down to $11.6 million, based on Arnell Construction's recommendations; - at which point Arnell got a no-bid contract without a new RFP or competitive bidding process; - at which point experienced residents reviewed the new, cheaper plan, and vocally and strenuously urged the Village to recognize deficiencies in the $11.6 million solution; - at which point the BoT, Village Administrator and CFO refused to entertain any resident input and proceeded with the low-ball Arnell bid; - at which point SOPAC's Board and Construction Committee, headed by the Village President's assistant, proceeded to rack up $3 million in change orders; - at which point the Village had to issue $3 million in bonds to complete its $14 million high quality performing arts center? End of post... There are too many areas in town where we have "financial smells".... SOPAC. TAU, BEIFUS, SAIYD.... all have "things" in common. I've talked about Tau and basically been told not to mention it (see the last BOT tape - 2 weeks ago) Beifus and Saiyd, well we ALL know WHO stands up for them...I asked how we have holes in the budget since they knocked down ratables, and new ratables haven't come online when they should have (wonder why...) so we have a hole in the budget (this is documented on minutes) so we have a hole where money should be that should be used for our upkeep, and THEN they go and spend on SOPAC and TAU etc, when we are in the hole already and then we borrow/bond more... I am not an accountant, but I see holes and more holes... This needs someone to look into this all officially - ABOVE town level. | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 473 Registered: 2-2006 |
But the millions in change orders, going to a no-bid contractor, personally selected by the town administrator to receive unspecified millions in addition to the initial 10-11 may just be the smoking gun authorities need to shut these clowns down. (Gee, Governor Corzine, remember Babyland? What about SOPAC?) If anyone can find who the principals of Arnell Contruction are and how they happened to have been known to the town at the time they were selected, please post it here. | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 474 Registered: 2-2006 |
Someone tell me Ms. Jody Rosen is no relation to Allan Rosen of South Orange's, BOTs. The following is from the NY Times. ************************************************************* ENGAGEMENTS: Jody Rosen and Zachary Knower Print Save Published: November 22, 1992 Jody Nan Rosen and Zachary Stewart Knower have announced January wedding plans. Ms. Rosen, 25 years old, graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and is a third-year law student at New York University. She is a daughter of Barbara and Herbert Rosen of New York. Her father is a vice president of operations at Lewmar Paper Company, a distributor of paper products in New York. Her mother is the vice president of Arnell Construction Corporation in Brooklyn. Mr. Knower, 26, is an actor and an author in New York. He graduated from Princeton University. He is a son of Barry Knower and Rosemary Knower of Upper Marlboro, Md. His mother is an actress and a writer in Washington. | |||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 679 Registered: 1-2006 |
Contact the U.S. Attorney's office in Newark, and ask for an investigator of municipal contracts to speak to. There may or may not be something here. But, our own Skull and Bones secret society will not inform us. jd | |||
| argon_smythe Citizen Username: Argon_smythe Post Number: 847 Registered: 5-2001 |
Whatever the situation is, the fact of the matter is that SOPAC absolutely must be a success for the village to survive. We're all invested in it deeply whether we like it or not. So being very aware of the finances around it and asking a lot of questions makes a lot of sense. Making empty comments like "SOPAC: another mistake" is not constructive. Maybe this was all orchestrated to divert our attention from the real issue TAU? | |||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 645 Registered: 1-2004 |
Argon, you are absolutely correct but we must be cognizant of the history/pattern that is being used for the redevelopment of the Downtown District – TAU, SID, NewMarket, Beifus, Arts destination …- Pilots, Bonding, Eminent Domain. | |||
| oots Citizen Username: Oots Post Number: 429 Registered: 6-2001 |
Starting to sound a little like "enron"? oots | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 475 Registered: 2-2006 |
From the Village website about SOPAC: "Construction bids were rejected when the low bid came in at $12.7 million--$3.4 million over budget. The lowest bidder, Arnell Construction, was asked to value engineer the building to reduce costs, and submitted a design-build proposal of $10.5 million. In 2001, a 501(c)3 corporation with its own Board of Governors was created to build and manage SOPAC as an independent nonprofit. The Board of Governors awarded the design-build contract to Arnell. An Executive Director was hired in November 2004." So through the first round of change orders, Arnell now has received $14 million or so, with opportunity for more through other change orders. Does one assume that the BOT appointed the SOPAC governing board? | |||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1833 Registered: 3-2003 |
The taxpayers of South Orange are the guarantors of SOPAC. If there are any shortfalls at SOPAC, it's the taxpayers of SO that will be paying up. Nevertheless, everytime a resident has appeared at a BOT meeting to ask about SOPAC and its finances, they have been told it's a SOPAC matter and they should ask SOPAC. This was the case once again Monday evening when Janet Skrobe asked about the change orders. For me, it all comes down to credibility. I don't think the Village's track record has been very good on this point. The VP seems to be operating under the principle that the ends justifies the means, and the the public can be told what is convenient. I think there's a feeling that the public doesn't understand what's going on and even if they do, they don't care. | |||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave  Post Number: 10080 Registered: 4-1997  |
This newsletter has some of the information SOrising is refering to: http://www.southorange.org/redevelopment/Redev.pdf <= a PDF document I wonder how Targeted Solutions, Inc. (10 North Ridgewood Road Apartment 207), a local fundraising company with no web site and only paid-for business directory hits on a Google of "Targeted Solutions" +"South Orange" +services is doing? | |||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3558 Registered: 5-2004  |
Not "only" paid for business directory hits. There's also this tidbit: http://www.southorangevillage.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?tpc=129&post=351071#POST35107 1 | |||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10081 Registered: 4-1997 |
You know what's weird. According to a reverse directory, there's no #207 in that building. | |||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10082 Registered: 4-1997 |
 | |||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 1992 Registered: 5-2005 |
Wow, I just read that thread - if only the good comments from E.De Varis, H. Levinson et al had been/could be/will be initiated, we would start to see light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe in the elections in 2006 the people will listen, watch, and more importantly, remember the last years and not be taken in by any gimmics or last minutes circus tricks. | |||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4403 Registered: 5-2001 |
SOP, I assume you mean 2007? | |||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 1994 Registered: 5-2005 |
Yes... 2007 But MHD, what's a mistake with figures between friends? If it's good enough for our town.... | |||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10083 Registered: 4-1997 |
Here's some more weirdness. The listing in the AllPages directory is only available in Google's cache, which means it was only listed for a brief period. Google's cache of AllPages AllPages current listing (missing) http://nj.allpages.com/south-orange/business-services/management-consultants-services/  Mon Ami, while it proves nothing, it does interest me. | |||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 1997 Registered: 5-2005 |
Targeted Solutions Incorporated 10 N Ridgewood Rd, Apt 207 South Orange, NJ 07079-1555 (973) 275-5001 Find Neighbors This listing was last confirmed in October, 2005. | |||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3561 Registered: 5-2004 |
Switchboard reverse directory lists them without an apartment number. This is an apartment building, right? So it's someone operating out of their home? | |||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10084 Registered: 4-1997 |
The Intelius directory lists apt numbers. | |||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 478 Registered: 2-2006 |
Who was/is Targeted Solutions who stiffed the town for $95,000? Very weird, Dave. Think this is where ground intelligence is needed, M. Poirot. |
SOPAC Reconciliation
SOPAC History