| Author | Message | ||
     Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1129 Registered: 5-2001  |
Vermont: Trouble is, it's not the same time frame at all. Seems that when Dave upgraded the board software to the current release some time ago, original registration dates which predated 5/01 were all simply changed to that date. Actually, I was posting here way prior to MHD's arrival. But thanks for playing our game. MHD:I've got no "buddies" on the BOT, but let's assume that ya boy Patrick Joyce counts you as one of his, shall we? That's one fer you, none fer me. Hmmm. Lovely parting gifts, anyone? --Soda BTW: My "one-note screed" comment also applies to Dan S. and Washashore. Stay tuned. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4037 Registered: 5-2001 |
Look, I don’t usually comment on politics in a town I don’t live in. However, if all this last minute challenging of the site for the animal shelter is people posturing for a run at the Village Board (or flacking for a friend who is planning to run) the whole thing is despicable. Caught in the cross fire is the JAC who is an innocent party that has tried to do everything right during the whole process and is now faced with the possibility of not being able to complete the shelter and losing a lot of the money they have raised for the project over a number of years. | ||
| Washashore Citizen Username: Washashore Post Number: 116 Registered: 4-2003 |
SBENOIS: In your Dec 10 response to me, you state:"Ah, the real issue. You want the BOT out. Stop hiding behind the shelter issue and leave the JAC out of it. You'll get more support." I do indeed want the BOT out, but not just because they like chocolate ice cream and I like vanilla. I want them out because they have consistently shown their inability to properly hire and manage their staff (Attorney and Administrator come to mind), and because most of them now have a many-year history of getting it wrong. I used the animal shelter issues not to attack JAC - if you read it again you'll note that I said supporting JAC and being critical of how the BOT botched this are not mutually exclusive. I also wondered aloud above who was going to repay the lost JAC-raised volunteer donor construction dollars that had to be squandered because of South Orange Administrator/Attorney mismanagement. The issues that have been raised and discussed on MOL all lead me to conclude that we need new leaders, not for the sake of new leaders alone, but because the current batch have shown themselves to be unable to do the "right" thing, and are unable to bring people, neighborhood by neighborhood, together. I am all for JAC. The "debacle" to which I refered, and to which I am very much against, is the consistency of SO leadership (Calabrese, Gross, Matthews) to not do due diligence, to not make sure all parties are involved, and to run this town as if it is theirs, and theirs alone, to govern, which cionsistently ends up negatively impacting one neighborhood or another, and, in the process, negatively impacting us all. (Calabrese on Nov 17th: "The Redevelopment Committee is MY Committee. It will meet when I call it together". It hasn't met in 18 months. Is ANYONE minding the store????) | ||
| vermontgolfer Citizen Username: Vermontgolfer Post Number: 242 Registered: 12-2002 |
Soda, Your welcome, I love to play games, but was actually just trying to lighten the tone, since to many of the threads here just turn plain UGLY! | ||
| Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 87 Registered: 6-2002 |
mayhewdrive---Most shelters have a high placement rate, not sure what the policy of this shelter will be. I stand by my statement, it is a good thing. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 604 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sylad/Nancy, Thanks. I also looked at the JAC website and it wasn't explicit one way or the other. Perhaps once Mary R's suspension is over, she can set the record straight. (again...not trying to be sarcastic...I am genuinely looking for clarity) | ||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1131 Registered: 5-2001 |
Is Mayhewdrive really "looking for clarity"? Why? Is he planning to abandon a dog or cat anytime soon? Is he trying to decide whether to join or contribute to JAC? What's stopping him from calling Ruth or some other JAC member on the phone, since he's so interested in clarity? We already know that he's got the time... MHD, please be sure to let us all know when you reach that Moment of Clarity. And tell us whether your newfound knowledge compels you to suddenly support the JAC in some way. Oh, and don't forget to mention at the same time how the BOT really sucks. 'Cause you know how we're all on the edge of our seats waiting, right? --Soda | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 608 Registered: 5-2001 |
Brilliance, as always, Sody Pop. | ||
| amh Citizen Username: Amh Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2002 |
I believe that one of the reasons that the JAC wants to open this shelter is that some shelters in surrounding towns (which may be getting the strays that are found in Maplewood/South Orange) do put unwanted animals to sleep. I'm fairly certain that it is JAC policy that they will never put an animal to sleep. | ||
| woodstock Citizen Username: Woodstock Post Number: 500 Registered: 9-2002  |
I've had my disagreements with MHD in the past, but I haven't seen a thing in this thread that is in any way argumentative, or antagonistic towward one side or the other on this issue. He is anti-BOT (it would seem), but anything he's posted critical on this thread has been about other supposed mismanagement by the BOT. I don't see where he' been critical of JAC, other than lending support to Mr. Bell. But I believe (and I'm sure I'll be corected if I'm wrong), that support is more, again, anti-BOT than anti-JAC. And since I'm poking my nose in where it's probably not wanted, I read Ms. Rother's post, and did not see any comparison of anyone to Hitler. But since her three day suspension should be over today, I guess it's a moot point. Waiting For The Electrician, Or Someone Like Him | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 609 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks, Woodstock. I know it may seem hard to believe, but I was simply asking questions in a public forum to get answers to questions that I think many people may also be wondering about. Sody Pop, on the other hand, just suddenly starts posting in this thread simply to instigate. I would say that "anti-BOT" is a bit strong. "Anti-mismanagement by the BOT and the administration" on many issues around town that concern us all is probably more accurate.  | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 397 Registered: 8-2002 |
we have 2 kittens that were under JAC care at a local vet. wonderful pets -- it's clear that they were played with, well cared for and were/are healthy (btw -- this is in huge contrast to the shelter in union -- where it does not seem that animals are handled much, if at all) from what i learned, JAC does not put animals "down" -- but pays to keep them at local vets until they find homes. while i love animals, I'm not sure that's entirely practical - but admirable. my own opinion on this matter is that the time for comment on the plans is long over. that said, if there were mistakes made -- the truth should come out, changes should made if needed. then let's get this shelter in-service! | ||
| Mary Gotz-Rother Citizen Username: Mary_rother Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 |
Now where was I? Before I gave the house color of a certain party, I checked in the phone book to make sure they were listed. I felt I was not giving away anything that was not already common knowledge. I did it to prove the point of how far JAC is willing to go to accomadate the neighbors. As for the rehetorical question about the political figure, would people have been happier if I used a previous President's name, Bill----? The Internet was in existence when he was accused of recruiting people to support him and didn't his Vice President create the internet?(joke library lady, you know I love the guy) I hope this doesn't get be another time out, although I could use the time to holiday shop. Oh, and I do try to shop locally rather then the malls so if some one is going to try to make something out of that statement. Now about that $1000 donation to a certain political group, if I knew that amount would of gotten the town its own shelter, I would have done it 10 yeaars ago. I do believe in supporting candidates with money, time and hard work. It is called the political process. I have supported several candidates over the years. I believe in certain causes and animal welfare happens to be one of them. I work for the benefit of my nonprofit organizations and not personal gain like some individuals. In fact there have been candidates I contributed to, who will not show up on the election reports because it is below the reporting limit. One of those contributions was dated March 29, 2001 made out to the Progress & Preservation Election fund for $399 which would fly under the reporting radar screen. I felt stronly about ONE of their candidates, who happened to win. I hope it was partly due to my efforts to influence my folks to vote for him. Technically, if you divide the $1000 between the four candidates on the slate it comes out to $250 a person, so in the long run I gave Preservation more for the one candidate. I do not want to get involved in a political debate here. The purpose of my logging on is to help clear the air with some misstatements about the shelter project. I just wish that candidates would run as individuals, not slates, especially since we have a nonpartisan election. Mayhewdrive- by law the towns are obligated to pick up strays(NJ 4:19-15.16) and keep them for seven days. Also any dog or other animal reported to be ill, injured or creating a threat to public health, safety or welfare. Historically South Orange had a facility but it flooded and had to be closed. The Town then sent the animals to the Newark Associated Humane Society pound, Bergen county and then Bloomfield. All of these are kill shelters. If someone leaves their pet in the hands of a pet sitter and by some unfortunate event the animal escaped their care, after 10 day trip, Fluffy could be in doggy heaven. There have been also other problems with these facilities which I really do not want to get into right now. The Town in it's wisdom agreed to pick up strays, board them at the local vets, then turn them over to JAC for adoption. We are a NO KILL rescue group. We will only put an animal down if it is suffering and there is no hope of medical help or if the animal is a threat and no other rescue group will take it. The 10 years I have been wih the group, I do not know of any such times. I close by saying "Mea culpa" to anyone who has been offeneded by anything I have posted, but looking at the things that have been posted about my husband and myself, I no longer know what is considered offensive. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 610 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mary, Thank you for clarifying the "no kill" status of JAC. That is very good to hear & certainly gives me a more favorable impression of JAC. Welcome to MOL...stick around & post more often...it really isn't such a bad place (with the exception of a few bad apples, of course) | ||
| Washashore Citizen Username: Washashore Post Number: 117 Registered: 4-2003 |
Mary: You state above: "I just wish that candidates would run as individuals, not slates, especially since we have a nonpartisan election." Please note that even though candidates often run as slates, votes can be cast for individuals across slate lines. | ||
| Mary Gotz-Rother Citizen Username: Mary_rother Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 |
Washashore, trust me I know that well but when you are asked to contribute they want you to make a check out to the slate, not the individual. Mayhewdrive, thanks for the note. I feel less like a morving target now. | ||
| hariseldon Citizen Username: Hariseldon Post Number: 147 Registered: 5-2001  |
The washashore-shelffo-mayhewdrive trinity needs to get a new act if it is going to get any support from the SO population at large. The phony mismanagement issue has no traction in the nether world below Wyoming avenue - the self-aggrandizing motive is too obvious. | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 434 Registered: 6-2001  |
I beg to differ, Har. Those of us in the slums of east-South Orange are also sick and tired and tired and sick of the closed-door, secretive, selective administration of this township. Yes, the discontent is spreading, and yes, there are a few core die-hards who saw this coming like a runaway train. Even us simple folk need a place to buy food. I've edited this to add: And the cow dung has been flying for a long time. Stretch your memory back to Joanne Robinson, trustee, who was disbarred by the NJSBA for unethical practice. That, too, was pooh-poohed by the board, including Calabrese, Steglitz, Rosen, and Rosner, plus the ever-enterprising Chris Hartwyk. Perhaps your memory is blocking the fact that Shop-Rite wanted to renovate and redevelop their own property? Have you forgotten the hotel to be built on Valley and Third? I haven't. The current situation is the most untenable: a sitting Trustee having an affair with the Business Administrator who advised the town to condemn and purchase a brownfield site without cohesive legal advice from the paid Village Attorney. Sound like a soap opera? You betcha! And we're sick of it! | ||
| Washashore Citizen Username: Washashore Post Number: 120 Registered: 4-2003 |
hariseldon: That you could conclude that I live near the quarry from my posts is truly amazing. No, I live, as bets described it, in the "slums of east South Orange." Please re-read all of my posts - you will find that I was not amongst the posters when the "Quarry" was an issue because I was blinded by the BOT's claim that those on the hill were NIMBYs. I began posting only after I began to see a pattern of mismanagement - yes, the Quarry, but then Gaslight Commons, the Shop Rite-Supermarket Site, Beifus, and, for those of us in the slums, the lack of progress on Irvington Avenue. Even though a slum-dweller, I am nonetheless a firm devotee of participatroy democracy. For the last several years, under Ed Matthews', John Gross', and Bill Calabrese' tutelage, EVERYTHING OF SUBSTANCE IN THIS TOWN has been discussed and decided behind closed doors. (Remeber Calabrese' Nov 17th comment that the Redevelopment Committee is "his" committee, to call into session when only HE wants. It hasn't met, according to our Leader, in over 18 months. I guess everything redevelopment-related is hunky-dory and moving along smoothly.) Perhaps if we all smelled the roses together, instead of compartmentalizing residents into slum-dwellers and hilltoppers, we could UNITE and bring this Village together, neighborhood by neighborhood, and OPEN UP THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. Are you interested in joining this effort? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 831 Registered: 4-2002 |
Bets: I do not ever remember saying one word about Joanne Robinson's legal problems. I would think unless you know the details (and I don't) you would not comment. The village never said anything about a hotel on valley and third. That was a developer who went to the News-Record. The Shop-Rite owners stated that when the planning board rejected their application on third street that they wanted no part of S. Orange. They had plenty of opportunity to renovate or even give a hint that they were going to redevelop the property. However they closed the store on their own and were looking to lease it to Bravo or C-Town as they had done elsewhere. The Shop-Rite was a disgrace and the village should have condemned it years ago. And there is a supermarket in S. Orange. It is called Pathmark and currently it is better kept than the Shop-Rite was for all the years I have lived here (since 12/85) and my wife who grew up here said it was a dump in the 70's too. So you do have a place to shop and it is on the east side of S. Orange. |
