| Author | Message | ||
     Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2003 Registered: 5-2005  |
So, what exactly are Targeted Solutions meant of have done for us? The figure of $95,000, was that a fund drive? Did the town pay them to do something?? | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 2067 Registered: 8-2002 |
Suddenly Tau doesn't seem quite so bad... unfortunately. $3M in changes -- unbelievable -- and I presume the majority if not all of these costs were never explicitly presented, reviewed, or approved by the BOT. /p | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave  Post Number: 10086 Registered: 4-1997  |
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| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1834 Registered: 3-2003 |
The BOT has a fiduciary responsibility to the residents and taxpayers of SO to ask SOPAC to appear before the BOT at a public meeting to explain the additional costs. I know the BOT reads this. You shouldn't tell a resident who asks what the additional costs are to ask SOPAC. You, the BOT, are the ones that approved the additional bonding that obligates the taxpayers of SO. Enough of the deception and games. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10087 Registered: 4-1997 |
A Marge Grimaldi appears to work for or as a private detective. Smoking gun: Web site is "coming soon." http://www.priveye.com/doc_retreival_page.htm | ||
| Lewisinsov Citizen Username: Lewisinsov Post Number: 30 Registered: 3-2006 |
So who is Marge Grimaldi?? See... See: http://www.priveye.com/doc_retreival_page.htm and http://www.priveye.com/bio.htm Why would South Orange pay for a private eye?? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10088 Registered: 4-1997 |
It all may be perfectly explainable. Many new businesses fail. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3564 Registered: 5-2004  |
Do we know that they are the same Marge Grimaldi? The plot thickens. I wonder... when was Targeted Solutions hired? through 2003? Wasn't 2003 an election year for our Illustrious Leader? If I were a conspiracy theorist, which I am not, I might think there was some link. Good thing I don't think along those lines. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 481 Registered: 2-2006 |
Why hasn't the town gotten its $95,000 back from Ms. Grimaldi, if it is the same? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10089 Registered: 4-1997 |
We do not. The rest is up to enthusiastic reporters looking for a scoop. Again, it may be nothing, but the appearance is certainly weird. | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2004 Registered: 5-2005 |
Again, what are they meant to have done for the town? | ||
| Lewisinsov Citizen Username: Lewisinsov Post Number: 31 Registered: 3-2006 |
It could be a coincidence that the only result in the world for a Google search of "Marge Grimaldi" happens to be a person who works in New Jersey, but I doubt it. | ||
| Lewisinsov Citizen Username: Lewisinsov Post Number: 32 Registered: 3-2006 |
Robert Lesnick, the president of Gamma, is a Columbia High School alumnus (class of '62). I don't believe in coincidences... | ||
| gertie Citizen Username: Gertie Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2006 |
hush money? | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3565 Registered: 5-2004 |
Again, if believed in conspiracies or corruption at this level, I might think that a private investiator was used for political purposes during an election year. But I do not believe in conspiracies like that, and I would not believe a politician at the municipal level would engage in that kind of activity. if I believed in that stuff, I'd be asking whether either the Grimaldis or Lesnicks have ties to any politician in town (in office now or at the time). | ||
| gertie Citizen Username: Gertie Post Number: 10 Registered: 6-2006 |
Why wouldn't you ask why an alleged PI posing as an alleged fundraiser with alleged ties to CHS would set up an alleged company at an alleged non-existant address under an alleged employee's name, be allegedly paid $95 grand in 03 and, apparently allegedly not file taxes and be revoked by the state? In theory, the alleged above items would constitute: fraud tax evasion money laundering postal fraud wire fraud You may not want to think such shocking things happen in NJ, but perhaps you don't read the newspaper or know about how some NJ Democrats operate. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3566 Registered: 5-2004 |
gertie, First I'd have to believe there was corruption in NJ politics. Then I'd have to believe that somone in our town cold be corrupt. Then I'd have to believe they'd be willing to use public funds to finance their own personal pet project. There cannot possibly be anyone in our political environment that fits that description, particularly the last item. Do you hear me? No one could be that uninterested in the opinions of those they are elected to serve. Next thing, you'll tell me someone is planning to use public funds for their own art collection or arts center. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10090 Registered: 4-1997 |
http://www.southorange.org/minutes/2004/10-25-04RM.htm | ||
| Spanish Inquisitor Citizen Username: Sinq Post Number: 77 Registered: 4-2004  |
Question for someone who would know how to check name changes: Lesnick is close to Lesniak. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10091 Registered: 4-1997 |
I guess we'll need to wait and see how deep the rabbit hole goes. | ||
| notehead Supporter Username: Notehead Post Number: 3559 Registered: 5-2001  |
Would this be a good time for me to ask for my share of that $95K back? | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1835 Registered: 3-2003 |
I want my money back. Cross-posted with Notehead. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10092 Registered: 4-1997 |
Someone somewhere needs to be held accountable. Either by voters or prosecutors, though preferably both. | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2006 Registered: 5-2005 |
Dave, rabbit hole? Did you take the red pill or the blue one???? | ||
| oots Citizen Username: Oots Post Number: 432 Registered: 6-2001 |
gertie: just because the state corporate charter has been revoked(due to non filing of annual reports which is simply a listing of officers and addresses)does not mean that corp tax returns and taxes have not been filed and/or paid. oots | ||
| Monster© Supporter Username: Monster Post Number: 4032 Registered: 7-2002  |
If it is believed that Federal laws may have been broken, why doesn't someone that has all the ducks in order contact the appropriate agency, just bypass the state and go Feds. Better yet, doesn't Dateline, 60 Minutes, etc. live for this kind of thing, heck...in the very least maybe even contact Fox News. | ||
| crabby Citizen Username: Crabbyappleton Post Number: 727 Registered: 1-2004 |
I know a producer of the show with STone Phillips (is that Dateline?). I'll ask her if she's interested in a corruption story. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10094 Registered: 4-1997 |
I would be happy to chat with a producer. Also, I can summon UFOs (heck, if that will get media attention to the simple issue of local government ripping off taxpayers I'm game). | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2010 Registered: 5-2005 |
Dave, we do have a lot of UFO's in this town, please do not make lightly of them.... They are commonly known as unidentified financial outlays and Dave, we ALL see them frequently...  | ||
| shestheone Citizen Username: Shestheone Post Number: 295 Registered: 5-2003 |
LOL!!! Unidentified Financial Outlays.... | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2017 Registered: 5-2005 |
Yup, Unidentified Financial Outlays........ These are South Oranges UFO's... Anyone know who Arnell Construction are (I think it is Arnell) and who the principals are? | ||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 685 Registered: 1-2006 |
A legit company, mainly in school construction, per my source. But, they never dealt with The Incomplete Village before this charity drive-by. jd | ||
| buddybak Citizen Username: Buddybak Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2006 |
Has anyone asked what the costover run is for could it be the (Black Marble or Granite) bathroom counters and other fixtures like it. | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2018 Registered: 5-2005 |
Serious confused. Please understand that if things happened prior to 2002 I wasn't here, and if between 2002 and Feb 2006, I wasn't paying attention. Look at this following issue of Gaslight.. http://www.southorange.org/redevelopment/Redev.pdf It shows that Arnell was awarded the contract for $10.5m, then it says that Seton Hall would come in as a financial partner but wanted some changes done. In my mind this will lower the $10.5m the village is paying. Am I right?... Now we are facing another $3m for changes. What are the changes? Is Seaton hall going to pick up a percentage of the cost? What did Seton pay contribute financially in the first place? Serious questions... I would like to know the answers to save me going off at a tangent. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1673 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think that Seton Hall promised to pay for a million dollars of changes that they wanted to make the space usable as a theater, rather than just a performance space (the streamlined plan had gutted backstage space, etc.). Someone better historically informed may have access to more details. | ||
| buddybak Citizen Username: Buddybak Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2006 |
You have the VP's man(David Bressen) over spending and in charge of the SOPAC someone should ask for a complete brakedown of the monies for $4million costover run | ||
| Sheena Collum Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 753 Registered: 4-2005  |
Susan - you're correct but the donation made the overall plans of SOPAC a lot better with additional seating, etc. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4413 Registered: 5-2001  |
From today's News Record: However, some are concerned the cost of the facility will eventually be levied onto taxpayers. The question raises uncertainty among a few concerned residents, including George Garneau, and Trustee Mark Rosner. “ I’m concerned that there is not going to be enough customer support for the place, and I’m going to have to subsidize ( SOPAC) by paying taxes,” said Garneau. Rosner also predicted that SOPAC will fall upon taxpayers. He said that he estimates that SOPAC will cost taxpayers between $ 50 and $ 100 per household per year. “ In a year it may not be able to be self- sufficient but if they ( residents) look in a five- year window, it could be getting to the point where operating is close to break even,” Rosner said. Jonathan S. Steinberg, vice chairman of the Board of Governors for SOPAC and a resident of South Orange for 16 years, disagreed. “ Taxes don’t support us at all,” said Steinberg. “ It is our intent to be a self- supporting entity.” Calabrese said there would be a cost passed on to taxpayers. They can't even agree on where the money for SOPAC is coming from? | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1838 Registered: 3-2003 |
Since Mr. Steinberg says taxes don't support SOPAC, let SOPAC send me a bill for my share of any shortfall incurred by SOPAC, rather than having the Village include it in my tax bill. Then I can argue the charge with Mr. Steinberg. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1677 Registered: 3-2002 |
Sheena, quite agreed -- I didn't mean to imply otherwise. Now what about all of the other cost overruns? I plan to help subsidize SOPAC, and see it as a likely plus for our town. I'm also in favor of cost control. I don't expect arts centers to run totally on ticket sales. However, in an ideal world, my subsidy ought to come mainly from ticket purchases and private donations, rather than from taxes to cover excess bonded debt or tardy fundraising. (we may have spent $95K on a fundraising consultant, as well as salaries for the two current staffers, but they've had my contact information for at least a year and have never bothered to ask me for a donation! A year ago I would have happily written a check -- now I'm becoming more cautious as potential taxpayer costs rise). I have a target annual donation in mind, and will be keeping track of how much of it is being paid through my tax bill. |
