| Author | Message | ||
     MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4446 Registered: 5-2001  |
Based on the posted agenda, it looks like the BOT Meeting on Monday night will be THE Meeting to be at this year: REPRESENTATIVE(S) FROM PIERRO GALLERY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Township of South Orange Village to Provide for a Special Improvement District. A Bond Ordinance Authorizing Capital Improvements by and for the Township of South Orange Village in the County of Essex, New Jersey, Appropriating an Aggregate Amount of $4,395,373 TIME AND PLACE FIXED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET FOR 2006 Resolution Authorizing a Municipal Public Question to Ascertain Public Sentiment Concerning an Increase in the Funding of the Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund from .01 Cents Per $100 of Assessed Value to an Amount Not to Exceed .02 Cents Per $100 of Assessed Value Resolution Rejecting Bids for the South Orange Library Replacement of Roofing and HVAC Systems. How convenient that this meeting is in the middle to Summer vacation season and now there is a 3 minute time limit for remonstrances, huh? | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese  Post Number: 1858 Registered: 7-2004  |
I don't think more time for remonstrances would help. The bot doesn't listen to citizens who have 3 minutes, do you really think they would listen to people if they were given 5 minutes? | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5707 Registered: 1-2004  |
MHD If you have a statement that will take more then three minuts to read; let me know. I'll read some of it for you. At least my family can't get made at me for what I say when I'm just reading a statement!  | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3604 Registered: 5-2004  |
if I might suggest... have a long statement about all the various issues, and have a stream of people read sections of it. As one person is told to shut up by the BOT, the next person can get up and continue where the previous person left off. I'd suggest bringing a copy of the US Constitution and Robert's Rules of Order, however, since Taylor seems intent on removing the right to free speech from people. And he seems to think that the Rules of Order only apply to people that grovel for the chance to speak, and not to the Chair of the Board. As for Calabrese, I doubt he even realizes that Robert's Rules of Order were not created by some prior BOT member named Robert. I would think it was a violation of fee speech to prevent someone from having a second opportunity to speak after everyone else is done. | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 655 Registered: 1-2004  |
We need to hear a clear description of the "Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund" policies for the use of the funds, accountability, and governance. | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 723 Registered: 6-2005 |
Will the Pierro Gallery representative(s) be limited to 3 minutes. Better bring a stopwatch. BTW, how many representatives does the gallery (which is a town owned facility) have on its payroll anyway? More than one? | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23609 Registered: 6-2001  |
I am just sickened that the town is forcing this SID down the throats of (some) business owners. I never thought they could stoop any lower; they continue to surprise me (not in a pleasant way). I hope to see many, many people at the meeting on Monday. And jayjay, that's an excellent question; however, according to Arthur Taylor, they're not there to answer citizens' questions. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1703 Registered: 3-2002 |
To be honest, if we are to avoid the SID, more than one business owner needs to show up and speak against it, I suspect. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23612 Registered: 6-2001 |
I think more would if they weren't under threat of arrest. But I know exactly what you mean. | ||
| jayjay Citizen Username: Jayjayp Post Number: 724 Registered: 6-2005 |
I wonder if a SID could queer the Garden of Eden deal, assuming there is a deal. | ||
| Slim Jim Citizen Username: Arrakis Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2005 |
Wouldn't Garden of Eden be renting the space, thus not affected by the SID? | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2254 Registered: 5-2005  |
I think I remember hearing at the last BOT meeting that the Garden of Eden wanted to own the property outright. | ||
| Spitz Supporter Username: Doublea Post Number: 1853 Registered: 3-2003 |
It will be interesting to hear why the bids for replacing the roof and HVAC system have been rejected. Rosen said we have the money set aside. | ||
| SOrising Citizen Username: Sorising Post Number: 519 Registered: 2-2006 |
That's easy, Spitz. So they can hire a contractor without bids who will submit a false, low-ball bid and then, years into construction, get $4.6+ million more in change orders. | ||
| Pdg Citizen Username: Pdg Post Number: 1046 Registered: 5-2004  |
 and  | ||
| joel dranove Citizen Username: Jdranove Post Number: 754 Registered: 1-2006 |
If you know anyone if the mass media, tell them it's show-time at the Calabrese Zoo on Monday. jd | ||
| srg227 Citizen Username: Srg227 Post Number: 53 Registered: 6-2004 |
what's the time and place for this meeting (I've never been to any BOT meeting yet). I have some grievances to air! | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5714 Registered: 1-2004 |
Does anyone know for sure what stores are supposed to be included in the SID? Elaine? Can you post a list? I will personally give up my Saturday and hobble into as many of the stores as possible begging them to come to the meeting. I will let them know there are many residents behind them. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4453 Registered: 5-2001 |
srg - Meeting is 8pm on Monday upstairs in Village Hall (corner of Scotland Rd & South Orange Ave) | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 4460 Registered: 5-2001 |
In Summary of tonight's meeting: SOPAC Bond - PASSED SID - deferred to next week Municipal Budget Hearing - deferred to September 11 Open Space Tax hike - placed on November Ballot | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23672 Registered: 6-2001 |
Update: SID deferred to Sept. 11 meeting. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1912 Registered: 7-2004 |
I watched a good bit of the second half of the meeting on TV. Some highlights for me were: 1. Terry asking Stacy how businesses were informed of a SID meeting, and who attended. Followed by Stacy getting upset that her secret backroom meeting with a few business members and more than half of the voting members of the BOT was called out. (Is it just me, or does terry seem to be a lot smarter than Stacy?) 2. The two of them fighting at the end of the meeting. (Don't know how long that went on or what was said because the sound was muted immediately after the beginning of their discussion.) 3. The business owner (don't remember his name) who said that the second he walked into that meeting that he knew that it was going to be a problem. 4. Dan from the gaslight telling the BOT to stop buying land, acting like landlords, and leaving big holes in the ground. (Not his words, but his general meaning.) Thank goodness I don't live in SO. But having worked in the town for many years, I have a connection and like to see things going well. It’s too bad that it doesn't seem like it's going to go well at all. If anyone else has some moments for others please share. This meeting seemed to be filled with frustrating, stupid, and sometimes insane moments. Who needs a SOPAC when you can watch comedies like this for free? | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23674 Registered: 6-2001 |
Terrianne Moore-Abrams remained calm but resolute while Stacey (The New SM!) Jennings was fuming and interrupting Terrianne's questions. If it was really muted on the video I will be quite upset as this was a public meeting and it should be out there for the world to see. | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2358 Registered: 5-2005 |
It really was something, I'm glad however that Trustee Moore-Abrams maintained her composure. What I don't understand, and doubt I ever will, is how a meeting was held with selected business owners, and attended by Trustees Rosen, Taylor and Jennings, our Town Counsel Mr.Matthews, the assistant to our Village Administrator Ms.Harris, AND the right hand man to the VP (I forget the gentlemans name). I might be using the wrong term, but this is 6 high ranking members of our village goverment. Is this legal? Trustee Jennings said there were 5 business owners there at the beginning, well that is LESS than the authority figures. She was asked by Elaine Harris where this meeting took place, she tried to waffle and not give the name, but I think it was Trustee Taylor who came out and said where it was. If there was nothing wrong with this, why was she being so secretive? Trustee Jennings could see no difference between this meeting and if she were to have a cup of coffee with Elaine Harris.... | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 2087 Registered: 8-2002 |
The SID "cat fight" last night was quite extraordinary. Stacy, who does appear to be doing her darndest to do a good job, takes it quite personally when others disagree with her. Terrianne, who wins just based on her demeanor, is notably silent regarding her oppostion to the SID. That said, last night was not about Board discussion on the subject -- I think she will have well reasoned, thoughtful comments the night of the vote. Next round?? Pete Comment to Ms Harris and Ms. Pogany. Focus your efforts on clearly and passionately stating how a SID will be harmful to the businesses in the village. You have credibility not only based on your history in the village, but as business owners. Ms. Pogany, as one of the authors of the DRMC report (Ms Harris, too?) -- post your learnings, share what is likely to work and what is not likely to work. You've got a month+ to get the word out... good luck. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5736 Registered: 1-2004 |
BETS What is "The New SM?" CHESSY "This meeting seemed to be filled with frustrating, stupid, and sometimes insane moments." And this is different from other meetings how? SOPARENTS I'm confused. I thought Elaine Harris did NOT want the SID. Wouldn't she have wanted as many business owners at a meeting as possible? | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 2088 Registered: 8-2002 |
Soparents -- I do believe Jennings believes she is doing the right thing, talking with businesses. Sounds like she invited some businesses to breakfast whom she couldn't talk with directly. And then she sent out an email, last minute, inviting others from the BOT. That, perhaps, was well intentioned, but I have a feeling that the "top heavy" admin representation wasn't what she expected. (or she didn't realize that it might not be the best idea!) I don't think she was "waffling" in response to Ms Harris' question -- she was offended at the challenge! (kinda the way she operates, it appears to me, watching BOT meetings). BTW, I really don't think she needs to say which businesses were there. If those individuals want to identify themselves, that's fine. Pete | ||
| Soparents Supporter Username: Soparents Post Number: 2359 Registered: 5-2005 |
I took it to be that the meeting was a carefully selected group of people. Ms.Harris wasn't invited. When you can, watch the video JTA and see what you think. I have my own opinion, but you need to see this for yourself. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 10217 Registered: 4-1997  |
That really sums it up, doesn't it? | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5739 Registered: 1-2004 |
SOparents I see where I goofed! The Village Administrator Ms.Harris is not the same person as Elaine Harris. I'm dowloading the video now. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23675 Registered: 6-2001 |
I just learned that there was an altercation between Jennings and Ms. Moore-Abrams at the very end of the meeting that was muted. Was anyone there who can shed light on what the altercation was about? I left at about 12:20 and there were still some audience members in attendance. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23676 Registered: 6-2001 |
JTA, how are you downloading the video? It hasn't been uploaded yet (and isn't it usually up there by this time?). | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 2090 Registered: 8-2002 |
bets -- you gotta bring your own video camera to the next meeting! --pete | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1919 Registered: 7-2004 |
bets, from the TV you couldn't see anything because they put a big symbol up in the middle of the screen. You could hear one of them say something about raising her voice in a not very nice tone, then mute kicked in. Maybe 10 seconds later they went to a different show. I'm not sure if there was actually another fight, but it sure seemed like there was about to be. I was yelling at the TV to unmute. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23677 Registered: 6-2001 |
Why's that, Pete? I don't own a video camera and if I did, I do not think the battery could have sustained a charge for the entire meeting. | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1921 Registered: 7-2004 |
I bet that if someone brought in their own camera that the BOT would have a fit and try to have the person arrested. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5740 Registered: 1-2004 |
BETS Now I know why I can't find the darn thing! I should have said "I am downloading it as soon as I finish this post' Instead of 'I'm downloading it now.' It's kind of like when I call a friend to let them know I'm leaving the hosue to meet them. I'll say 'I'm leaving now,' yet I'm still on the phone and can't leave until I hang up. Sorry. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23678 Registered: 6-2001 |
It's ok, JTA. No need to apologize. I was just a bit confused. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5741 Registered: 1-2004 |
bs I'm pretty good at confusing people.  Would be interesting to find out what actually happened last night. Are they allowed to edit the tape? Maybe it's a good thing it's not there to download. I have to be somewhere in about 2o minutes. I'd end up being late b/c I'd want to watch some of the tape. I'd much rather be at the pool enjoying the beautiful day watching the kids play Marco Polo!!! | ||
| PRETTYPRINCESS Citizen Username: Prettyprincess Post Number: 62 Registered: 6-2006  |
I was under the impression that all emails written to the officials were documented in some way and listed during the BOT meeting. For whatever reason the one I wrote to Calabrese was NEVER mentioned on the list. I find this strange. |
