| Author |
Message |
    
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 215
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 3:53 pm: | 
|
Woodstock,
Until the website is updated, here is a guide to downtown South Orange:
The old Shop Rite Site is the "Village Market" across from the train station on South Orange Avenue. It is the store with the big "Gourmet Market Coming Soon" signs that have been there for over 2 years.
The old Beifus site is the abandoned building across the street from Bunny's restaurant on South Orange Avenue, which has been vacant for at least SIX years. It now has a big "red ball demolition" sign on it to imply that construction will be "coming soon".
The Arts Center center site is BEHIND Bunny's (in the NJ Transit parking lot.) It is now surrounded with a chain link fence to imply that construction will be "coming soon". |
David Lackey
Citizen
Username: Davidlackey
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 3:54 pm: |
|
Mark: I have no problem with promoting Bike Day, but in this age of technological marvels, there should be a way to feature both Bike Day AND the election on the homepage.
As for low voter turnout helping the incumbents, I got that from the Institute of Election Analysis, who stated in a report on NJ elections in the 1990's "Where incumbents were re-elected; the vote dropped an average of 12.2%. This confirms my observation that incumbents generally lose on high turnouts." So, by all means, do continue helping to get out the vote ;-) |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 275
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 3:57 pm: |
|
Good suggestion. I will pass it on.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 217
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 3:20 pm: |
|
Mark,
I notice that the Agenda for Monday's Trustee meeting has been posted on the website. Thank you.
I noticed within the agenda there will be a Closed Session at this meeting (as there are at MANY meetings).
Is an agenda of the Closed Session shared with the Trustees prior to the meeting?
Shouldn't these agendas be shared with the public prior to these Closed Sessions? I acknowledge there are sometimes a need for Closed Sessions when talking about an employee's performance, for example.
However, with the frequency of Closed Session meetings in South Orange, I am curious why the agenda of the meetings are not shared with the public?
|
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 287
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 4:02 pm: |
|
Mayhewdrive: We have to advertise when we are going to meet in open or closed session. Since it is not always known if there will be a closed session item to discuss, it is put on the agenda and we find out from the village attorney and/or the village administrator if there is any need for a closed session.
For the most part, closed sessions are rarely more than one hour (and when they come at the end of the evening they are rarely more than 30 minutes). There is almost always one or two legal matters and some of those might be about employees. We also have to discuss committee and board appointments in closed sessions.
The agendas are given to us just prior to the meetings. The agendas are not shared because sometimes an employees name or position is listed.
I really think we have kept the closed sessions to a minimum.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 219
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 25, 2003 - 4:46 pm: |
|
Mark,
Using the posted minutes from 10/16/02 as an example, why couldn't the following AGENDA be distributed to the public PRIOR to the meeting?
I- SEWER BACK-UP CLAIM
III- LETTER FROM RUTGERS re: USE OF VILLAGE PARKS
IV- POLICE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS
V- PERMANENT HEALTH OFFICER
VI- BRUNNER CADILLAC
It wouldn't take too much time & it would allow the public to be aware of what the issues are, even if they cannot be privvy to the details.
Does the "sunshine law", Roberts Rules or anything else require the public to be provided an agenda? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 290
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 10:28 am: |
|
Mayhewdrive: I am really not sure what the answer is about what can be given to the public regarding closed session agendas. The village clerk tends to follow the rules to the letter of the law.
Looking at your sample, the health officer might be a concern since we only have one person, it would be pretty obvious who the person is being discussed.
I will ask the legal committee to put this on their next agenda although I am pretty sure they did review the law on this issue two years ago.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 4596
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 10:59 am: |
|
Closed sessions are for dealing with legal and personnel issues and are common everywhere. What's closed is when people try to get public information and are forced into legal action to get it, as in the case with the Arts Center. And the rather secretive SOPAC meetings, which while "open" by the letter of the law are certainly not "open" in spirit, as they are never listed in any Gaslights for rather shaky reasons. |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1288
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 3:33 pm: |
|
The Board of Ed has studied the notice required for closed session meetings. My understanding is that, before entering into closed session, each public body must announce the nature of the exclusion (eg, "a legal matter"), a description of the subject ("negotiations with Seton Hall with respect to the arts center"), and the date on which the substance of the discussion will be disclosed to the public ("the nature of which will be disclosed to the public at the conclusion of negotiations").
The law prevents discussion of matters not previously announced to the public. If you end a meeting with a motion to "meet in executive session prior to a subsequent meeting to discuss a legal matter related to sewer back-up claim by citizen X", you can't show up at that meeting and discuss another matter. If you want to talk about another matter, you need to convene in public, announce th nature, subject and expected time of public disclosure of the other matter before recessing to executive session.
While staffing issues need not name the staff member, they do need to identify the nature ("personnel") and activity ("appointments, transfers and resignations") and the date of public release ("the nature of which will be made public at the Board meeting on May 5").
Personally, I think this is a good standard that keeps public bodies from leaking into discussions of subjects not previously or adequately noticed.
www.opensouthorange.com
Vote Line B on May 13th
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 236
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 1:26 pm: |
|
Mark,
I notice that the minutes for Trustees meetings have not been posted on the Village website since Feb 10th. There is a note saying "Minutes will be posted on this page immediately after approval by the Board of Trustees.".
Have minutes not been approved since then? If they have, could you please see what is the delay? This was raised almost a month ago.
Thank you.
P.S. Brian's post above is EXACTLY what I would be looking for regarding Closed Sessions so there would not be the constant air of secrecy & mystery about what is going on. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 314
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 2:02 pm: |
|
Brian's post actually confuses me. I saw one of their meeting agendas and the reasons for the closed session items were not on the public notice. They do have far more employees so that would explain why they have so many closed session meetings (I think).
By the way, there was no closed session the other night.
I will find out what the delay is because I think we approved the minutes for both Feb. meetings already.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1309
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 - 4:18 pm: |
|
The reasons are announced in public prior to the convening of the closed session. In the case of closed session meetings occuring before a regularly scheduled public meeting, the announcement is made at the end of the previous public meeting.
www.opensouthorange.com
Vote Line B on May 13th
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 260
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 9, 2003 - 12:45 pm: |
|
Mark,
I notice that there are STILL no meeting minutes on the Village website since February 10th. However, an announcement about the Planning Board meeting that concluded at 11:30pm last night is already on the website.
Can you PLEASE ask someone to update the meeting minutes? (this is the 3rd request)
Also, note that the Agenda for the "Special Meeting" on Monday night returns an error when you try to select it.
Thank you |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 263
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 9, 2003 - 11:24 pm: |
|
not sure, why this thread isn't showing up as recently updated, but maybe it will be now....(please see note above, Mark) |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 384
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 10:39 am: |
|
I am not sure if those minutes were approved yet but I will ask at the meeting tonight. They cannot be posted till approved.
I will let the village administrator know about the website problem.
Remember to Vote Line A on May 13th
www.leadershipwithvision.org
|
Annie Modesitt
Citizen
Username: Modeknit
Post Number: 20
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:08 pm: |
|
I wrote to John Gross in April asking if Voter information or Polling Locations could be put up on the official SO site. He wrote back on May 1 with the short comment, "Good Idea. Thanks for the suggestion Jg"
Evidently it wasn't a good enough idea to make it to the website. Obviously someone knows how to update the site because now there's an animated gif of the illustrations of the market-strosity that was pushed through in a planning board meeting last Thursday.
But - alas - no information on where South Orange residents can vote.
You can visit the Open South Orange website an easy to navigate site (for both Mac and PC users) with a MAP of the polling locations in South Orange. Enjoy!
Open South Orange
Annie
http://www.modeknit.com
|
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 391
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 1:42 pm: |
|
Annie: Actually it is on the website ( and has been for a while). You can find out your distirict number too for those who are not sure.
http://www.southorange.org/elections.asp
If you go to the homepage of the website it is under the information tab and marked elections.
Remember to Vote Line A on May 13th
www.leadershipwithvision.org
|
Annie Modesitt
Citizen
Username: Modeknit
Post Number: 21
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 4:22 pm: |
|
When I visit the webpage the information tabs don't work on my computer. With the direct link you provided I'm able to see the page, though.
The point is probably moot now, but wouldn't it have made sense to put this information FRONT and center as we're having an election tomorrow?
Thanks
Annie
http://www.modeknit.com
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 270
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 5:02 pm: |
|
Funny how a picture of the Beifus demolition from thsi afternoon (the day before the election) made the front page of the website, but the ASP error for the Special Meeting agenda for tonight is still out there.
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 290
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 2:41 pm: |
|
Mark,
It is great that the Village website is being kept current (with information about the Planning Board Meeting from Monday night, the library renovations and the honor for Msr Sheeran from this past week). However, the visual presentation of the site is really quite horrible.
I realize that someone is trying to present alot of information in limited real estate, but there are more professional ways of doing it. Could you recommend the webmaster review what other sites are doing to address this (such as http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/ , or other portals like www.yahoo.com)? Certainly limiting all the moving text & pictures would be a start. Perhaps Dave Ross could offer more specific technical feedback.
I believe that a website is not only a tool for communicating, but also an extension of an image for an organization. I think we should have a more professional looking image.
Thanks. |
NCJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 853
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 3:01 pm: |
|
Mayhew, another thing we agree on. The site is too busy and not visitor friendly. It is hard to navigate and slow to load (even on a T1).
Mybe the webmaster can update or change some things to make it more accesible.
NCJ aka LL- Any and all posts are my personal opinions, not as an employee of the South Orange Public Library.
|
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 430
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 3:02 pm: |
|
I have passed on the comments. I did think the first page is getting a little crowded.
Maplewood does not seem to have very much on their site yet, but it is very clean looking.
|
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 326
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 5, 2003 - 1:09 pm: |
|
Mark,
I know it is Summer time and alot of people are on vacation & there isn't much going on in town. However, this would probably be the ideal time for the Village website to get a makeover. The home page is slower than ever & none of the feedback that was given 2 months ago has been incorporated.
Can you please follow-up and see if we can get a more professional looking website by the time things moving again in September?
Thanks. |
bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 363
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 5, 2003 - 1:39 pm: |
|
It'd be nice if the meeting minutes could be brought up to date, as well, since the last posted are from April. |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 340
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2003 - 11:32 pm: |
|
Mark...since we never saw a response from 2 weeks ago, I thought I'd bump this post so it shows as "new" again.
Can something be done to salvage the terribly slow & out of date website? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 552
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 - 2:04 pm: |
|
There have been some changes to the website and they are working on speeding it up. Hopefully there will be real progress shortly.
|
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 63
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 9:48 am: |
|
Who is incharge of maintaining mainstreetsouthorange.org? It is hopelessly outdated with the main page still touting A Taste of South Orange that took place on August 6, 2003. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 571
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 10:06 am: |
|
Todd Leavitt at MSSO@southorange.org
I will pass your post onto him.
|
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5079
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2003 - 10:28 am: |
|
(It's already taken care of.) |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 371
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 5, 2003 - 12:46 pm: |
|
I noticed that the agenda for Monday's Trustee Meeting(s) have been posted on the Village Website. (http://www.southorange.org/agenda.asp) Thank you for keeping that updated.
Looks like it'll be an "interesting" night - tennis bubble, budget, restricting blasting & traffic due to the quarry, privatizing the Top of Tillou Road, etc. Let's hope there is a good attendance at the meeting for the public to provide input on these very important issues. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page