| Author | Message | ||
     fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 213 Registered: 5-2001 |
Recently many residents received letters from the CCR soliciting donations to continue its critical work that "promotes, encourages and celebrates this rich diversity - of opinion, lifestyle, culture, race, religion, political affiliation, [and] artistic inclination." Those who believe this should respond with an appropriate tax-deductible donation. Such a contribution may further wean this group from the public coffers (not stated), and silence those who find the above description less than accurate and object to the forced support of what appears more a political organization. JTL | ||
| DrFalomar Citizen Username: Drfalomar Post Number: 83 Registered: 7-2003 |
How much of the CCR's money will be going toward Profeta's war chest? | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 695 Registered: 10-2001 |
I received mine and when my wife picked it up I asked here to throw it right were it belongs...in the garbage. | ||
| michael Citizen Username: Michael Post Number: 409 Registered: 1-2002 |
"promotes, encourages and celebrates this rich diversity of political affiliation" ???!!!! You gotta be kidding ? They actual put that in print ? | ||
| michael Citizen Username: Michael Post Number: 411 Registered: 1-2002 |
RE : "The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race promotes, encourages and celebrates this rich diversity- of opinion…political affiliation etc. (by the by they use the word "lifestyle" not sexually orientation etc. and just what the heck is "artistic inclination" ? Is that like, "I'm inclined to create real crap and call it art ?) Of the following members of the CCR, how many are not of the same registered political party ? EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Barbara Heisler Williams EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Robert Marchman Chairman Carol Barry-Austin Vice Chair South Orange Wayne Eastman Vice Chair/Secretary Ed Stuart Vice Chair Maplewood Meredith Sue Willis Vice Chair/ Treasure TRUSTEES Adrienne Bolden David Bressen Hon. Victor DeLuca Katherine Flaxman Nancy Grant Jeff Gruenwald Cecil House Dr. Diane Hughes Anselm LeBourne Burt Liebman Geraldine Mehu Barbara Meyerson Crystal Mullins Nonie Murphy James Nathenson Dr. Phylis Peterman Ken Pettis Maragret Prentice Fred R. Profeta Jr. George B. Robinson Mark Rosner Mitchell Silver Steven Steglitz Arthur Taylor Natalie Thigpen Dr. Dawn Williams | ||
| michael Citizen Username: Michael Post Number: 412 Registered: 1-2002 |
Will a CCCR member please respond to my above question ? | ||
| tom Citizen Username: Tom Post Number: 1515 Registered: 5-2001 |
If you really want to know so badly, why don't you pick up the phone and call them? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2190 Registered: 9-2001 |
I'm sorry, but I don't see what difference it makes what political party members of the CCR belong to... I'm a Republican and have supported the organization in the past, and will do so in the future. Meanwhile, I have to agree with the Fringe. I'm not sure I totally approve of the additional financial support given by the township committee. There are many other ways to support this organization without direct monetary contributions out of our property taxes. IMHO, why not put a statement on our property tax form that allows all residents to "ADD" an additional donation to support the CCR. My guess is the CCR would make out much better financially, plus any political favoritism questions would be removed! | ||
| kathy Citizen Username: Kathy Post Number: 661 Registered: 5-2001 |
Michael, The only political affiliations I'm sure of are my own and those of the local public servants who serve as trustees. You seem to be making some assumption about this, but it is not something that I have ever heard discussed within the CCR. | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 785 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art, A pretty sizeable portion of residents have their property taxes paid via their mortgage company, so I'm not sure that would work very well. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2193 Registered: 9-2001 |
I don't know if that's true, but if it is, I'm sure there's more than one way to skin a cat... How about asking on the sewer bill? | ||
| michael Citizen Username: Michael Post Number: 413 Registered: 1-2002 |
Thank you for your response Kathy. However, I make no assumptions. I ask for clarity. The letter, signed by Mr. Marchman, asking me for a donation, specifically states that my contribution is critical in order for the CCR to continue its work which (and I quote) "promotes, encourages and celebrates this rich diversity - of opinion, lifestyle, culture, race, religion, political affiliation, [and] artistic inclination." If, for instance, a "rich" diversity of political affiliation existed amongst the CCR's officers and trustees (listed above) , then there would be at least one tangible measurement of " promoting, encouraging and celebrating political diversity” as claimed. Obviously, there may be other ways to justify the “political diversity” statement. I thought I would start with the easiest and most obvious. Maybe my question should read How exactly does the CCR specifically promote, encourage and celebrate the rich diversity of political affiliation ? . I'm all ears. | ||
| johnny Citizen Username: Johnny Post Number: 782 Registered: 5-2001 |
Once again, the CCR took credit for at least part of the large rise in property values in their letter. Art, why should the town be responsible for collecting donations for a private organization? Don't you think that's a waste of our municipal resources? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2196 Registered: 9-2001 |
No Johnny, I don't! The CCR supports our community, thus our community should support the CCR! It’s just that simple… I believe, or at least I hope I was clear when I said not financial support! This support should be on a voluntary basis, not taking our tax money. However, the township is in a unique position to help facilitate that process, and IMO it should... | ||
| mellie Citizen Username: Mellie Post Number: 367 Registered: 4-2002 |
hey art, I support our commnity - can I get money too ? it is but a short step to inserting a voluntary contribution box to a mandatory contribution box what about all the artists who were here before the CCR - were they not here until the CCR said so ?- ie if an artist lives in Maplewood and there was no CCR when they moved, did they still move here? | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2203 Registered: 9-2001 |
Hey Mellie, how have you been? I glad to hear you also support support our community. Yes, I’m sure you can get money too! The TC could list what the additional contributions donated would be given too. All you have to do is produce some tangible results... The truth is, there is a big step from inserting a voluntary contribution box to a mandatory contribution box. I don’t want the TC in my pockets anymore than is absolutely necessary. That’s just the way it is… As for your unrelated other comment, I believe in large measure the artists who were here before the CCR are better off now because of the CCR. Hey, thanks for sharing...  | ||
| kathy Citizen Username: Kathy Post Number: 664 Registered: 5-2001 |
Some of you forget that the CCR (originally the Racial Balance Task Force) was originally created by the two towns to perform functions that the towns took to be critical at the time. It was then incorporated as a non-profit entity so that it could seek outside funding, which it has done quite successfully. What it is not, and never has been, is an organization that created itself somehow and then came to the two towns looking for a handout. By the way, monthly CCR trustees meeting is tonight, 7:30 in the Board of Ed meeting room, 525 Academy St. Open to the public, but nobody ever comes. It's so much more fun to sit online and carp. | ||
| michael Citizen Username: Michael Post Number: 415 Registered: 1-2002 |
Kathy, how 'bout my question ? | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 839 Registered: 6-2002 |
Michael: You ask "How exactly does the CCR specifically promote, encourage and celebrate the rich diversity of political affiliation ?" Are you kidding? The CCR's guiding light, Fred Profeta, has embodied "diversity of political affiliation"! | ||
| fringe Citizen Username: Fringe Post Number: 226 Registered: 5-2001 |
Although political affiliation is not necessarily an indication of diversity of opinion - especially in NJ (eg, I'm a registered Democrat), for this post we'll pretend it is. While the CCR Trustees include many (successful) Maplewood Democrat candidates, the organization lists not a single (unsuccessful) Republican candidate/leader. Were they asked and refused, or were their opinions considered irrelevant or unwanted? There's nothing wrong with restricting membership to those of like minds in a private club, but tax supported organization's discussion should not be restricted to the number of angles on the pinhead. How about it - Marie, AJC, Ed, Mem's sister, were any of you asked to join this organization. |
