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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2482
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 8:57 pm: | 
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Earlier today my neighbor brought to the attention of Mr. Gross numerous violations by the Pulte Construction Trucks. Mr. Gross immediately took action and had enforcement improved in the area to resolve the problem.
I just wanted to say THANK YOU to John Gross and the South Orange Police for the prompt and effective action.
I could have said it via email, but since I criticize enough publicly, I thought I should also praise publicly when warranted |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 120
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 - 10:25 pm: |
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MHD - A positive thread? How impressive.
Mr. Gross has been very quick and responsive to every question I have had during the past couple weeks which merits a "thanks" from me... who knows... he may even read MOL 
Also, speaking of SOPD - Jim Chelel is now taking on the post of Chief of Police. He's a PHENOMENOL INDIVIDUAL and public praise is not even close to what he deserves. Make sure everyone send him off a congrats if possible. |
gotcha
Citizen
Username: Gotcha
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:22 am: |
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Since you broght up Chelel, suprized none of the "opposition" folk have complained about nepotism there. Afer all he was hired after his dad was a Village Trustee. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1561
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:54 am: |
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Welcome back, MM. |
Eliot Spitzer
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1117
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:54 am: |
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I have only heard the finest things about Chief Chelel. It's not uncommon throughout the state that new officers are related to somebody in municipal government.
That's the reason for civil service exams. New officers have to do well on the civil service exam to be hired. (And there are times when municipalities are sued for not following civil service procedures.)
One of the purposes of civil service exams is to avoid charges of nepotism.
Congragulations Chief Chelel.
And as an added note, I have always found John Gross to be extremely helpful and responsive when I have had reason to contact him. |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 121
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:59 am: |
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I think the "opposition" folk know that Jim's work speaks for itself and an attack on him would make anybody lose* a lot of credibility.
*Edited on the request of E-Spitz... 
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Eliot Spitzer
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1118
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 8:15 am: |
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Sheena - I don't think you've met MOL's Sbenois yet, but before he gets you, it's "lose," not "loose" when used in this context.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3285
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 8:28 am: |
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Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 122
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 8:35 am: |
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3287
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 8:43 am: |
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LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2537
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 8:44 am: |
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Lovely folks, just lovely. A regular mutual admiration society we got going here at MOL. HAHAHA |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3289
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 8:52 am: |
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I like you, too, LL!
-s.
BTW: Didja watch "Sister Rose's Passion" last night? |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 646
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 9:39 am: |
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I'm very glad to hear that Gross does his job well. I haven't dealt with him personally.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, that has no bearing on the question of whether his compensation was handled correctly.
If we were concerned about keeping him with the village, we presumably had a number of options, and I've never heard an explanation of why the one taken was chosen. Making most of his job tenured protects him if the board wants him gone, but does little to sweeten the pot against offers from other municipalities. So which problem were we trying to solve?
He may be super, but even if so, I believe that the Board made a very questionable move in changing his terms of employment, and has never really explained their thinking to the taxpayers. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2484
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 10:13 am: |
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Susan,
While I don't disagree with your comments, I was trying to actually have a positive thread about the responsiveness of John Gross and the SOPD.
Perhaps, your questions are better suited in the "Trustee Meeting Agenda questions" where explanations have been asked for numerous times. |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1820
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 10:27 am: |
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BTW: I voice my congrats to Chief Jim Chelel. |
Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 106
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 7:49 pm: |
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I think the SOPD has several officers whose parents were employed by the village...It isn't common for local people to get local jobs now is it?
I have to agree with Spitzer, police officers test for thier jobs and civil service is pretty strict at how you can hire someone.
Congratulations to Chief Chelel on the new post. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1562
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 9:05 pm: |
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I was remiss in forgetting to add my congratulations to Chief Chelel as well. He will (and has been) doing an excellent job.
Wish I had the "security!" .wav file from Head of State w/Chris Rock. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1198
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 1:39 am: |
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Off the top of my head I can think of at least five officers related to other officers or past BOT members. I know | knew most of them personally and don't believe for a minute they were made members of the department because of 'connections.'
Each one of them is a dedicated officer. Seems to me someone may have a case of sour grapes... |
gotcha
Citizen
Username: Gotcha
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 7:19 am: |
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Look back thru the archives, search under "nepotism" and "South Orange" and you will see post upon post of bit*ching by you folks.Now, all of a sudden, because it is someone you like, it's okay for trustees to have the rels on the payroll. Sheesh! |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2486
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 8:04 am: |
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Looks like Harriseldon just got a new screen name.... |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1580
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 8:15 am: |
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I thought it was EM myself. Anyways, gotcha, post some links to said bithcing and maybe (maybe!) I'll take a look-see.
Laterz! |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1119
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 8:27 am: |
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There's a big difference between civil service employees and non-civil service employees. Civil service jobs require tests, and one of the reasons is to avoid charges of nepotism. Non-service service jobs don't require tests, and can be subject to cronyism and nepotism.
There's a big difference. I doubt whether anyone can go back in the posts to find any mention of nepotism where a civil service position was involved.
To even bring up such a matter as a way of trying to make a point does a disservice to Chief Chelel. |
gotcha
Citizen
Username: Gotcha
Post Number: 4
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 9:01 am: |
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Not to begrudge Chelel's appointment (of which I approve )
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6293
Registered: 4-1997
Posted on Monday, May 9, 2005 - 11:09 pm:
Let me get this right.
South Orange is being raped by ignorance, nepotism and the politics of personal destruction... and you want to know who paid for a sign?
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6254
Registered: 4-1997
Posted on Sunday, May 8, 2005 - 2:20 am:
Interesting choice of words: loyalty.
Was it theroux' loyalty to .... WHO??? to endorse nepotism????? Certainly not taxpayers. Certainly not South Orange residents. Certainly not honest people anywhere on planet Earth. Nepotism is wrong and you should at least admit that much.
Mary 032 Eric has been in so many Board of Trustee meetings speaking up against the mismanagement of SOPAC, against the ineptness of the administration in handling redevelopment, against the flagrant cronyism and nepotism of our government, against overdevelopment and for open space.
Scollins
Posted on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 1:42 pm:
Here is a scheme from the NR:
On Monday night, several members of the South Orange Board of Trustees were accused of interfering with the Parking Authority's quest for a new executive director.
Jeff DeBowy, a commissioner for the Parking Authority, said the process of selecting a new executive director had been sabotaged by nepotism and politics. DeBowy claimed an appointment of a Parking Authority commissioner last week was evidence of this.
Lamppost
Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 8:09 pm:
This nepotism and cronyism has been going on so long in South Orange that it has become a birth right to any elected official to get a job or get a relative a job.
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Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1120
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 9:09 am: |
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My point is that none of those posts involved civil service employees. I remember I posted once about the appointment of the Parking Authority Executive Director, and in that post specfically made the distinction between civil service and non-civil service positions. The Parking Authority Executive Director is not a civil service position. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6501
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 9:15 am: |
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Excuse me: when did I say it's ok? Every hiring process should be open and fair to all applicants. I'll ask you not to misrepresent my views, ok? |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 124
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:27 pm: |
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ummm let's try this one more time...
CONGRATS TO JIM CHELEL! |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3300
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:33 pm: |
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"The policeman is your friend."
-- Quaint 20th Century Folk Myth
-s.
BTW: Congrats to The New Sherrif in town. |
Brett Weir
Citizen
Username: Brett_weir
Post Number: 645
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 12:44 pm: |
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Gotcha- So, if a local resident with family ties to the Village Adminstration comes out of college and takes a civil service test and passes, takes several more civil service promotional tests and passes, earns three or four promotions without ever passing over another candidate and finds himself as the highest ranking member of his department when the town is looking for its next chief, he or she should be disqualified? I don't think so. Chief Chelel has earned an outstanding reputation among police officers throughout this county and state. He is already the head of his department, and he is the logical choice to be chief. Stir this pot as many times as you like, it's still gonna smell just fine!
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Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 163
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 1:07 pm: |
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This would explain while almost forgotten trustee Theroux was practically in tears as she waxed eloquent, ad nauseum, about the contribution the Chelel family has made to our town, at the recent BoT meeting when Chelel was confirmed as Police Chief. Spectators naively probably assumed it simply was tied to his outstanding job performance as SOPD Director. |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 648
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 4:25 pm: |
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If we have two excellent candidates, and one has deep roots in town, I consider that a real asset. Someone with roots in town not only understands the town better, but may be less likely to leave when the next slightly better job comes along.
If having well-connected local candidates means that a real search is not done when it should be, or that an inferior candidate is hired, that would be a problem.
It sounds like Chief Chelel is very much in the former category, from what posters say here, so let me add my voice to the congratulations. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1586
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 12:55 am: |
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I agree with Brett Weir's and susan1014's most recent posts completely and wholeheartedly.
"gotcha", I asked for links, and to throw up unsequential posts in an attempt at ?? something ?? offers only one relevant question: wtf? |
Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 109
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 2:01 pm: |
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I don't see the nepotism when someone who has been a village employee for over twenty years works his way up through a civil service system to become department head.
Maybe if they did like the old days and hire someone from out of town who was friendly with the BOT but that hasn't been the case in about 10 years at the Police department. |
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