| Author |
Message |
    
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 99
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 3:45 pm: | 
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I think we are owed an explanation about the so-called "confidential negotiations" that town officials undertake. Last night at the BOT meeting, it was Mr. Gross who said they couldn't talk about the parking deck because confidential negotiations would jack up the price of the land the town is seeking to acquire. Give me a break.
Has the town engaged an outside party to negotiate on its behalf, or is it Gross himself? If the latter, the land owner already knows of town interest, so what's to hide.
No, we are just supposed to sit back and take whatever is dealt us by way of tax increases which are a result of confidential deals.
Do other towns operate this way? I'd love to know. If they are so concerned about public scrutiny, it makes me more suspicious about what's going on. Where's the open government we were all promised. HOw about those new members who ran on that platform? I saw them just go along too. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 341
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 3:57 pm: |
|
Some of these properties are in the Redevelopment zone, which makes the negotiation argument moot. |
washburn
Citizen
Username: Washburn
Post Number: 11
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:22 pm: |
|
The BOT is not for "open government". You have for the most part, the same people running the town.Some are very good. Some have their own agendas. As for the 2 new members, i think they should be given a chance to prove or disprove themselves. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 1337
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:27 pm: |
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Three new members... |
GlassJoe
Citizen
Username: Glass_joe
Post Number: 36
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:45 pm: |
|
jayjay-
Confidential deals or CONFIDENCE SCHEME? |
Dust Buster
Citizen
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 30
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 5:36 pm: |
|
The parking deck should be put behind the rescue squad. I think that the town already owns the land. Also, we should put a stop to this if they are going to give parking spaces to out-of-towners! |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 870
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 7:08 pm: |
|
Dust, no one suggested that any new spaces would be for out-of-towners. Given the length of the town waiting lists, that isn't likely to be an issue |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 100
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 7:38 pm: |
|
The point here is that we, the public, don't know what they are thinking or what they are doing. Getting voted into office should not give you the freedom to do whatever you want. And let's not forget that Mr. Gross is not an elected official in any event.
Let's start asking questions.
1. What land are they negotiating for?
2. Who owns it?
3. Is it on the market?
4. Who has determined its fair market value?
5. Is it the only parcel suited to a deck?
6. What is the financial arrangement? |
red_alert
Citizen
Username: Red_alert
Post Number: 150
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 9:23 am: |
|
Terriann Moore Abrams' Campaign promise. Open Government... in the sunshine.
http://terrian.civicactions.net/?q=issues
"I believe in responsive government, government that is open, honest and transparent. In fact, I am the attorney for Essex County in charge of open public records compliance. The public deserves to know what is going on—not on a “need to know” basis. I will ensure that closed meetings are limited to those few items in the statute that really need to be private, such as private employee terms and benefits matters or litigation and settlement discussions.
If I am elected, I want to be known for my honesty, integrity, civility and open-mindedness. That is my commitment to the voters and residents of South Orange. "
When does this take effect? |
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