| Author | Message | ||
     mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 241 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mark, I believe the domain registration cost about $10. The rest of the website cost NOTHING since it was created by volunteers willing to help out and offer their services for free. To imply that the OSO campaign was improperly using public money (as you were quoted saying the in today's paper) is a bit of an exaggeration. How much "public money" did your campaign spend on it's website? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 324 Registered: 4-2002 |
Wow, it is amazing how such a nothing can be blown up into a something. The paper actually did a story on this nonsense? The problem is that he asked a question. I gave the newspaper a three paragraph response and then there was a follow-up. I am guessing that they only printed a couple of sentences. If taken by itself, then it sounds silly to complain about a small amount of money. I also stated the whole issue is not a big deal, but they did not print that, did they? The point of my email to the question about the domain name (and this whole issue was raised by him) was that the election should focus on issues and the money raised should be spent getting the message out. On the OSO website it says that other campaigns use high priced consultants and pollsters. I think that was meant to imply that the LWV ticket would be spending money instead of using volunteers. We also use volunteers and have no paid consultants. However, we did pay someone to do the webpage, just like we pay to have brochures printed. We did not have a volunteer who had the time to get one done in a timely manner. So, yes, it is a bit of an exxageration. However so is the whole issue. At least everyone who reads the paper now knows they can see our mugshots at our websites. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Brian O'Leary Citizen Username: Brianoleary Post Number: 1318 Registered: 3-2002 |
Newspapers cover what they cover. People concerned about the issues have our web site (www.opensouthorange.com), printed materials, a debate on tape, likely a CCN debate to come (perhaps live), WSOU radio shows on the next two Saturdays, etc. We're still focusing on the issues and a platform of action, inclusion and accountability. I'll leave it to the public to decide whether, in Bill Calabrese's words, we're "a little low in comparison" to the incumbents' campaign. www.opensouthorange.com Vote Line B on May 13th | ||
| lamppost Citizen Username: Lamppost Post Number: 22 Registered: 8-2001 |
To: mrosner, yes, a parking permit is a "perk" all the more so in a village where the permits are scarce. However, the real "perks" come not while you are a trustee, but after you either resign or stop running. The trend is very strong based on my examples. There are more examples, but I think the public gets the point. | ||
| vermontgolfer Citizen Username: Vermontgolfer Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2002 |
lamppost, with all those perks awaiting us after our terms are complete, maybe we can all run for office in 4 years.  Please, the least we can offer these volunteer officials, whether you agree with them or not is a parking permit. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 327 Registered: 4-2002 |
lamppost: Out of the many people who have served the village you point out a few that wanted to further their career. There is nothing wrong with what any of them have done in your example. I cannot imagine how I could gain financially when I am no longer a trustee. Why don't you tell me what my motivation is? If you consider a parking permit a perk then so be it. I know a lot of people think we get paid or that there are other benefits for being a trustee. However if the public thinks a permit worth $25.00 a month (that is what the parking authority would charge) and that we should pay to park when we have daytime meetings, then let the person come to a meeting and make a case. I still put quarters in the meter when parking in one of those spaces. What point are you trying to make? Are you saying one of the incumbents is trying to continue as trustee so that he can gain financially in the future? Or are you saying one of the challengers is looking to become a trustee so they can now share in that elusive pot of gold after a term as trustee? I think all seven of the candidates and the past trustees should all be insulted by your implications that we want to be a trustee for any reason other than improving the village. It is no wonder so few people run for a volunteer position. So far you have not named one past trustee who did anything that is even remotely wrong -ethically or professionally. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 287 Registered: 6-2001  |
Here's a thread that refers to a perk at least one trustee received - relief on his property tax! A part-time, $60,000 per year job! Employement for family members! For those that don't want to slog through the whole thread, there is a link to the April 1999 minutes where the BOT passed a resolution allowing the delay of payment of taxes on Chris Hartwyck's home. In re-reading that old thread, Mark, I realized that you never did post the salary, stipend, and/or pension compensation that Mr. Gross receives as Village Administrator, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer. Can you please post it now? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 330 Registered: 4-2002 |
Sorry Bets, I can't post it. However, you can make a request at village hall for any public information and then you will have the full information at your disposal. The "relief" allowed him to pay his taxes on a schedule that extended over one year. The same has been done for other residents in the past. Miss one payment and the deal is off. The $60,000 was for an attorney who was contracted to work 20 hours a week. That comes to about $60.00 an hour which was significantly less that we were paying to an outside attorney who did the same work. More importantly, my point was that Lamppost made a statement about a pot of gold that awaits most trustees and that is why we are all so eager to run or remain in office. I find the implication offensive. There is no reason for anyone to think that any of the incumbents have anything to gain financially from winning the election. I would also doubt that Brian, Eric or David are expecting any reward other than the satisfaction of helping the village. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 288 Registered: 6-2001 |
Mark, Thanks for the quick response. I would make the request at Village Hall, but alas, I work from 9-5 and cannot avail myself of Village Hall's M-F 9:30-4:30 hours. Since Hartwyck's resignation, who is now performing the 20 hours of legal work per week? How much is the village spending for said work? If there isn't a replacement (and please do not insult my intelligence by saying that Ed Matthews is "picking up the slack"), why was the village funding a part-time salary? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 331 Registered: 4-2002 |
Bets: The request can be made in writing by mail or you can drop it off at a trustee meeting with the village clerk. Most of the legal work that was needed has been completed. If need be, we will use the firm that we previously used since they already have some knowledge regarding the village. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 289 Registered: 6-2001 |
Mark: Are you telling me the ink is to the paper on the supermarket and SOPAC projects? Because that would confirm my worst suspicion: In this town, due process is all show. If a redevelopment counsel is so critical to the village at the beginning -- so critical that a trustee resigns to accept a position that was never posted publicly -- I would think it would be even more critical nearing completion. Every "t" crossed and every "i" dotted. Please share the name of the firm that will be filling this void, along with their hourly rates. I'm also most interested to know whether the former part-time redevelopment counsel billed the village for extra hours. Thanks. -- Bets | ||
| Brian O'Leary Citizen Username: Brianoleary Post Number: 1327 Registered: 3-2002 |
I think we have strayed far from the arts center theme... maybe we are looping back now  www.opensouthorange.com Vote Line B on May 13th | ||
| Ed May Citizen Username: Edmay Post Number: 1391 Registered: 9-2001  |
Hey Brian Give the computer a rest and come down to MAYFEST in Maplecrest Park in Maplewood today NOON to FIVE. Good place to meet voters today, even from South Orange. Ed May | ||
| shrink Citizen Username: Shrink Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2003 |
A question to any officials out there- I am fairly new to South Orange. While I think that a performing arts center may be a potentially good idea, I am concerned about the movie theater. Will it have first run, block buster type movies like XXX and the like? If so, I would hate to see what SO Avenue and surounding vicinity will look like on Friday and saturday nights. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 334 Registered: 4-2002 |
The plan is to have family type or "artsy" type films at the theater. Certainly no XXX. Since the movie theaters are on the smaller side, I would doubt/hope that we would be looking at anything that will attract those kinds of large crowds. The real focus is on the performing arts theater and that will have more than 50% of the seats and space. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| Brian O'Leary Citizen Username: Brianoleary Post Number: 1328 Registered: 3-2002 |
lol.. Mark, I think he meant the Vin Diesel movie. www.opensouthorange.com Vote Line B on May 13th | ||
| lamppost Citizen Username: Lamppost Post Number: 23 Registered: 8-2001 |
to mrosner: You said no one on the board has done anything unprofessional or unethical. As a reminder, Trustee Joanne Robinson was twice suspended from the practice of law while she was sitting as a Village Trustee. Her attorney for her defense was Chris Hartwyck who was on the board at the same time. This is also when she voted on the job for Chris Hartwyck as Redevelopment Attorney and she voted on the resolution allowing him not to pay his taxes on time. You say this is done for everyone, but I know of no other examples. Don't you think this is improper or at the least has the appearance of being improper? You think having a perk of parking for $25 per month is no big deal. Vermontgolfer agrees. Sorry, sir, but the voters never agreed to give you any compensation whatsoever and even taking ONE DOLLAR IS WRONG. If you think $25 is no big deal, you might be tempted to up the ante. But since you are so innocent, why don't you tell us who owns the ATM Machine in the lobby of Cryan's Restaurant? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 336 Registered: 4-2002 |
The parking permit was given to the trustees long before I was a trustee. I am not actually receiving one cent, but a permit from the parking authority. I still pay for my commuter permit, so this only allows me to park in a different parking lot and the SOPA has exactly the same revenue. However, I still think that is reasonable to give trustees "free parking". I was not on the board when Ms. Robinson had her law license suspended (assuming that is true). I don't see how that meant she did anything wrong as a trustee. I have no idea what the specifics of that case was and surely she was entitled to legal representation. I think by now it is clear you have no respect for Mr. Hartwyk, but by the same token he no longer works for the village, so why don't you let it go already. My brother'n'law owns the machine. He grew up in S. Orange and already knew lots of local business owners. Am I to believe that my family members should be restricted from making an income because I am a trustee. I don't think so. If you think it is a conflict then come to a meeting the next time Mr. Cryan has any issue before the board and I will let the village attorney make the decision. You are really stretching to try and prove a point that does not exist. Trustee election is on May 13th. www.leadershipwithvision.org Vote Line A | ||
| bets Citizen Username: Bets Post Number: 291 Registered: 6-2001 |
Um, can I get the name of that law firm? And the hourly rates that are charged? And any extra billable hours by the former redevelopment counsel? I'd surely appreciate it. Thanks --Bets | ||
| lamppost Citizen Username: Lamppost Post Number: 24 Registered: 8-2001 |
mrosner: As a Trustee you have some degree of power over restaurant owners, especially ones with liquor licenses. Now you tell us your "brother-in-law" owns an ATM machine located in Cryan's. Mr. Cryan is the head of the Parking Authority, and you have admitted that parking permits can be used as perks. Does the public think that this is too cozy? Or is it OK nowadays to have all these connecting dots? |
