| Author |
Message |
    
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1166
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 9:33 am: | 
|
Thanks.. I've been asked this question a couple of times recently. There is a conflict, and both state law and the bylaws of the Board of Education preclude serving on both bodies simultaneously.
If elected as Village President, I would need to resign my position on the Board of Education before taking the Village role. The Board of Education then appoints an individual to serve until the time of the next BOE election in April, 2004.
Even if there were no conflict, it's hard to imagine how anyone could serve effectively on both bodies simultaneously. I look forward to being able to put my experience in working on the BOE, as well as with Maplewood, to good use in forging closer cooperation with the Village, but necessarily (and smartly  ) at arm's length . |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 4489
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 11:32 am: |
|
Following the BOE election on 4/15, I'll create an online area for candidates to provide information on their positions, which will help steer away from name-calling and be of more use to voters. |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1168
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 11:48 am: |
|
Thanks, Dave - that will be a great idea. It might also help to replicate what was done in the 2002 BOE election, with a thread that captures questions that can be answered in the candidates' area. |
johnny
Citizen
Username: Johnny
Post Number: 609
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 11:49 am: |
|
Mr. O'Leary:
If you were to win and then resign your post on the BOE, this would result in four new members on the BOE in 2003.
Can you tell us how the appointment process works? This could have a large effect on the workings of the BOE over the next year. |
lamppost
Citizen
Username: Lamppost
Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 2, 2003 - 10:55 pm: |
|
To Mr. Rosner: You are not saying enough. Mr. Hartwyck was also paid from disbursements made to him from other entities of the village, i.e. the art center, plus through law firms hired by the village. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 204
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 3, 2003 - 9:59 am: |
|
Lamppost: I have no idea of what you are talking about. I do not know of any other funds paid to him by the village other than what I stated above.
I have no knowledge of him being paid to work on village projects by other sources including any law firms that might have worked for the village.
|
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1170
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 4, 2003 - 11:23 am: |
|
Johnny, my apologies. I started to write an answer, got pulled away and neglected to come back.
If a member of the Board of Ed resigns, the BOE is required to appoint a replacement, who will serve until the time of the next election (in this case, April 2004). At that point, a separate election is held for any time remaining for the position (in this case, a year).
This happens periodically. When Leo Gordon resigned in 1999, the Board appointed Mila Jasey, who in April 2000 was elected to serve the two years that remained for that position. |
Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 1312
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 12:06 am: |
|
Dave:
Now that the BOE election is over, when will you be creating the online area for the South Orange candidates to provide information on their positions? I live in Maplewood, but am curious as to the positions of Brian O'Leary et al, since what happens in South Orange sometimes affects Maplewood.
Ed May
|
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1243
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 10:48 am: |
|
Good idea .. I second it. It would be my preference to not just post position papers or brochures, but to have all of the candidates answer questions raised on MOL. |
bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 326
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 1:47 pm: |
|
Brian, Does everyone on the board vote for the replacement or is the person appointed by the chair? Do people apply for the position? |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1251
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 12:13 pm: |
|
There is a bylaw (0143) on the practice that you can look up at www.somsd.k12.nj.us. In part it reads:
"The Board secretary shall promptly notify the President of a vacancy to be filled by the Board; the President shall inform all other Board members. The Board will give public notice of the vacancy and invite any qualified person to request consideration of his or her candidacy for the vacancy.
"The Board will meet in public session to interview candidates, to inform them of the duties and responsibilities of Board membership, and to discuss the candidates' qualifications. Election to fill a vacancy will be conducted at a public meeting. A roll call vote will be conducted on the entire list of candidates."
FYI, this is the process used to appoint Mila Jasey when Leo Gordon resigned in 1999. |
bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 330
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 12:27 pm: |
|
So basically the board can appoint someone whose educational philosophy is more in line with the majority over a candidate who might challenge their views(eg. someone like Kevin Friel who got a lot of votes although not enough to defeat Steve Latz)? |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1254
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 1:49 pm: |
|
I think the answer is, the Board can appoint anyone it chooses until the time of the next election, at which point the remainder of the term for that seat is put to a separate vote in the school board election.
The bylaw requires public consideration and discussion, so you would have a sense from that discussion of the reasons that the majority of the Board decided to appoint a particular individual. The appointment needs to be made within 60 days of the point at which the vacancy occurs, and it lasts until the following April.
When the Board appointed Mrs. Jasey, Mr. Gold voted for another candidate who in his view did not represent the majority view (if memory serves, Mr. Gold may have gone so far as to say the other candidate did not represent even his own views). Bill made the case that the Board owed itself and the community a more diverse Board whose viewpoints were not as closely aligned.
Separately, my understanding is that the results of the election on Tuesday are not yet final. In particular, the third seat is still undecided between Mr. Latz and Mr. Friel. |
bookgal
Citizen
Username: Bookgal
Post Number: 331
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 5:24 pm: |
|
Thanks Brian. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it. Good luck! |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1261
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 5:57 pm: |
|
No problem. I love talking policy. Try and stop me |
Washashore
Citizen
Username: Washashore
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 7:58 pm: |
|
While I have lived in South Orange for many years, I am a "newcomer" to MOL. I have been reading it for the last several months. This is my first post.
What has compelled me to the keyboard is the humanity, wisdom, insight, inclusiveness, and humor of Brian O'Leary's words. He is running for Village President on May 13th. It is truly refreshing that after so many years of the "same old thing" at Town Hall, with no challengers of any substance for Village President, that Mr. O'Leary has now taken up the gauntlet to provide new direction, new sensitivity, new priorities of inclusion, of finishing what's been started "or not running again", and doing so with a sense of humor and compassion I cannot recall in a candidate at any level of government, much less local government, in recent memory.
Please help bring an informed, inclusive, knowledgeable, and skilled President to Town Hall. Please join me in voting for Mr. Brian O'Leary, and his teammates on the Open South Orange slate, on May 13th. |
NancyJanow
Citizen
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 808
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 7:35 am: |
|
Washashore..if you want others to "join with you", it would be good to know exactly "who" you are. Though I truly doubt it, perhaps you are one of the candidates or a relative.Perhaps you are someone already on the board posting under a different handle. As a brand new poster hiding behind a pseudonym, I would guess it would be hard to accept your endorsement, as heartfelt as it is.
NCJ aka LL
|
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1273
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 1:02 pm: |
|
lol.. I can say conclusively that Washashore is not me
While I'm not sure if the only valid endorsements on MOL need to come from known posters, I'm not in the business of soliciting praise from my friends. I'm down for nearly 1,300 posts here; read some and judge for yourself about my candidacy and the Open South Orange team. |
David Lackey
Citizen
Username: Davidlackey
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 4:39 pm: |
|
Nancy, I also promise it is not me, and I do not know who it is. Thank you, Washashore, for your support. |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 221
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 2:39 pm: |
|
Well, I received my first mailing from the incumbents today & was relieved to see there were no cartoon dogs and stick figures.
Although, I must say it was a little silly that the pictures & virtually the entire piece was identical to the mailing sent FOUR YEARS AGO. Allan Rosen is a nice man, but to suggest that he looks the same as he did when he first ran for office 22 years ago, is pretty comical.
Ironically the only piece that is missing from the mailing 4 years ago, is the blurb that showed "no local tax rate increase in 5 of the the last 6 years". Gee, I wonder why?
Lastly....can we PLEASE stop taking credit for being the "Money Magazine Top-10 Town"? That award rightly went to Maplewood & to claim otherwise eliminates any shred of credibility for the entire mailing. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 4597
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 3:14 pm: |
|
The last point is one that must be answered, IMO. I could see trying to slip it by, but it's the top featured item in their list of accomplishments.
Other examples of the Virtual Successes of the incumbents:
* A "coming soon" chainlink fence around the proposed SOPAC property.
* A "coming soon" banner on the Beifus site.
* A "coming soon" banner (3 yrs old?) on the Village Market promising a "Gourmet Market".
It's great to have good intentions, but the results matter more. And the PR frosting to take credit from another town is upsetting. |
noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 3:36 pm: |
|
This is something that really annoys me about the incumbents' campaign:
• How can you take credit for a new grocery store when the plans have not even been approved by the Village's Planning Board (and god knows when that will happen, as the developer's presentation has dragged on for about six months, and NOTHING has been presented since early March)? By Mr. Rosner's own admission (posted somewhere in one of these South Orange Specific threads), there is always the chance the BOT will not approve the plans, and the search for a new developer will resume!
• How can you take credit for a SOPAC partnership with Seton Hall when NOTHING has been signed on the dotted line? Again, by Mr. Rosner's own admission here on MOL, there is always the chance that the partnership will not happen. (Mr. Rosner stated that SOPAC will be built with or without Seton Hall's partnership.)
I will be the first one to admit that positive things have happened in SO on the current Trustees' watch. But I am just too tired of seeing "Coming Soon" signs everywhere I go. I am tired of the snail's pace process of redevelopment in this town--and I don't buy that it's only a slow process because the Trustees are "trying to get it right." It's time to give someone else a chance to get it right. Here's what I want to see "Coming Soon": NEW LEADERSHIP. |
nwyave
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 38
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 12:33 am: |
|
I agree that managing expectations have been a huge problem. I would appreciate much more in terms of honest assestment of when things will be accomplished rather than missing targets over and over again. The problem is that this is posing a huge credibility issue with voters, including myself. The question that I keep debating is whether it is the trustees fault things have gone at the pace they have or is that just the way things proceed in city politics, particularly in a small town. If the citizens of SO were given more realistic time frame expectations from the begining, the answer would probably be easier. However, in my opinion they have not. I have sat in Trustee meetings and heard certain dates being given for when things would be accomplished by and and just by professional skepticism, I could have said that there is no way that would happen. I think the trustees and whomever ultimately gets elected, should be a lot more prudent in managing everybody's time expectations.
With regard to the Money magazine article, I have thought the same since I have seen SO try to piggy back on MO's award. It really is ridiculous. Mark what are your thoughts here?
From my opinion the answer is simple. Notwithstanding some problems in SO, SO is a great town and kudos to MW for its award and to those who live there. There is no reason for us to try to jump in on their award. |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 222
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 9:28 am: |
|
I totally agree that Managing Expectations is a huge part of what leadership is all about.
The expectations were set by the incumbents 4 years ago that an Arts Center would begin to be constructed in August 1999. Everyone understands construction delays and timeline overruns. However, here we are 4 years later and in the EXACT same position - being told the site is being prepared for construction.
That is completely unacceptable.
How many of us could get away with that at our places of employment?
Besides dissapointing the residents, I have heard stories that the owners of the now closed Stoney Hill Creamery opened their business with their life savings, based on the expectations of an Arts Center that was promised by the incumbents.
How many other businesses have been scared away from South Orange because of the total uncertainty and lack of credibility of any future promises now?
Leadership is about accepting responsibility. Why is NOBODY accepting responsibility for the disturbing condition of our downtown and the complete lack of tangible progress? I would love to hear someone say "I'm sorry", instead of "we continue to get it done". That's really insulting. |
doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 51
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:26 am: |
|
I agree with nywave with reagerd to the managing expectations issue. I know I would have rather been told upfront that there were problems, what they were (to the extent they could have been divulged), and a realistic timeframe, if there was one. At this stage, I think something will happen, regardless of who wins, but I am very concerned as to what that something will be. The present plan with all the residential units is based on the belief that by having more residential units in the "downtown" area, the downtown will be more vibrant thus leading to more stores,as well as SOPAC which should also add to the creation of more businesses.
With regard to all the residental units approved
or not yet approved, this either be a good thing (I'm not saying a great thing) or a disaster.
With regard to the impact of SOPAC on creating new businesses in the area, I remember Mr. Calabrese appearing on a SOMA television program about five years ago and saying that all of the empty stores were spoken for in anticipation of the opening of SOPAC. Mr. Rosner, before you ask what empty stores, I'm talking about the empty stores west of the trestle on South Orange Ave. and although not empty, the stores over the past five years which have been occupied by nail salons and dry cleaners.
As I said above, I think something will happen to downtown redevelopment - it is what that something is and how it will be done that I am concerned about. I feel that Mr. O'Leary, just in his postings on this board alone, has shown the type of candor and willingness to listen that would serve South Orange well.
|
Washashore
Citizen
Username: Washashore
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2003 - 10:03 pm: |
|
Re: The "Leadership With Vision" mailing:
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
"Leadership With Vision" is a Liar.
Up above the people so high,
All their stories are like "Pie in the Sky."
"OPEN SOUTH ORANGE" will save the day,
VOTE May 13th, Line B, all the way! |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 291
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 9:40 am: |
|
Mayhewdrive: I specifically told the owners of the creamery that no person should ever open a business on the expectation of something. I never promised nor told them when the arts center could move forward. And I told this to them before they opened. And I know the landlord told them the same thing.
I know they met with at least two business consultants and they did not follow the advice given to them. My feeling is that business failed for a lot of reasons, but blaming the lack of an arts center is absurd. I can't tell you how many times I tried to get ice cream to be told they were out of that flavor. Or how many times I went in there at night to see people walking out because there were only two young teens trying to handle a large crowd. One night I even called one of the owners to tell her that there were over 20 people on line and one of the kids was on the phone while one waited on customers. Her response was that it was her night off. No business plan for the winter was another problem. Check earlier posts and see all the complaints about Stony Hill. Having been in the restaurant business many years ago, I know that lack of service is the number one reason why businesses fail. And as nice as all four owners were, there only seemed to be one that took an interest in the business.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 292
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 9:57 am: |
|
doublea: The idea for creating more residential units in the downtown was reinforced by the Atlantic Report that has been the model the village has tried to follow.
The three empty stores between Bunny's and the trestle are still owned by NJ Transit. There have been many reasons why they have not sold, but it looks like they are ready to close on at least one of the locations. The three empty stores between the barber shop and Exxon are going to be occupied by the Rug dealer who is going to be renovating the building between Resevoir and the florist. When that is finished he will move back into a new expanded space and then renovate the temporary space. He has already received his approval from the planning board.
Mayhew Drive: I have apologized for the delay of the arts center several times already. I still feel that I would rather see the project delayed than built without proper funding and plans.
Most of the delays were due to the original architect. It was clear from almost everyone who was involved in the project four years ago will admit that the bids came in more than $3,000,000 more than what was promised by the now famous Ford Farewll architectual firm. And that number is over and above any "extras" that were thrown in by the committee after the original design by the firm.
As for the SOPAC agreement with SHU, the preliminary agreement with them has been signed. The final agreement will take longer, but all the so called "dealbreaker" items have already been settled. And yes, I did say it is possible that the final deal could fall apart, it is very unlikely that will happen. There has been a commitment from both sides to make this partnership work.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 1:50 pm: |
|
Mr. Rosner,
You state above: "Most of the delays were due to the original architect." Can you please name some of the architect's actions that caused "most of the delays" of the project?
You also state above: "It was clear from almost everyone who was involved in the project four years ago will admit that the bids came in more than $3,000,000 more than what was promised by the now famous Ford Farewll architectual firm." Again I ask you to kindly give the names of "almost everyone who was involved in the project" and gave you this information.
Since you have declared here that you were not a part of these discussions with the original architects, I must assume that this information was handed to you by other persons who were there. I hope, Mr. Rosner, that when you make public statements like the ones above, you are also prepared to back them up with facts and names; if so, you shouldn't have any difficulty responding to my requests above. However, if you must keep your sources of information confidential, than you can expect that your statements can only be taken as hearsay, and they will be treated with the consideration deserved by hearsay: none.
Eric DeVaris
VOTE May 13, Line B for Open South Orange
O'Leary, DeVaris, Lackey |
lamppost
Citizen
Username: Lamppost
Post Number: 20
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 28, 2003 - 11:31 pm: |
|
I need to know what is the source of the money for the arts center. It will cost $10.5 million dollars to build. The Village has borrowed $5.2 million from the county. Question: Where is the remaining $5.3 million coming from? Question: how is it going to be repaid? Will there be any money left over for other projects, like the improvement of the river? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 297
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 - 9:34 am: |
|
Eric: I found the information from reading some of the minutes from those meetings. I also found out some of the other information from the public meetings that SOPAC has had. I won't post any volunteer's name on here without their permission. I already stated the one major delay that was caused by the architect. They completely underestimated the cost of the project which forced the village to go out to bid twice and the whole project had to be redesigned. However, feel free to make a request to SOPAC for information that you need or copies of the minutes.
Lamppost. As I have stated previously, I am not an official spokesperson for SOPAC. SOPAC has a board that has more non-elected officials than elected and any specific information must be requested from SOPAC (in writing or in person). By the way, Seton Hall is making a significant investment in the project which is where a good portion of the money will be coming from.
I am glad you mentioned the river project because it is certainly important for people to know about the project. Complete information is available from Main Street, but for those who have seen the designs, it will turn what looks like a sewer run-off into a beautiful stream (technically a river, but looks more like a stream). The funding will come from many sources including grants and open space funds. Since the total cost for the improvements is not known yet, it is impossible to say where all the money will come from. But then again, you already knew that because you heard all about the project the other morning.
Trustee election is on May 13th.
www.leadershipwithvision.org
Vote Line A
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page