| Author | Message | ||
     Michael Janay Citizen Username: Childprotect Post Number: 1616 Registered: 1-2003  |
What was his position on the Police Station again? | ||
| Hank Zona Citizen Username: Hankzona Post Number: 2067 Registered: 3-2002 |
Good for Vic and good for the town...regardless of the outcome and who you support, its good for people in Maplewood to have choices and not have a lay-up election. | ||
| Chris Prenovost Citizen Username: Chris_prenovost Post Number: 363 Registered: 7-2003 |
Deluca was the most divisive mayor this town has had in years. He was long on political correctness and very short on efficient administration. There are very good reasons he was voted out of office. Fred Profeta is doing a very good job. He is bringing this town together rather than playing divide and conquer. Why anyone would want to challenge him at this time is a mystery explainable only by blind personal ambition and political greed. | ||
| Lifeis swell Citizen Username: Lifeisgood Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2005 |
I am disturbed by Vic trying to get involved again. I don't trust anyone who doesn't leave graciously, there was a lot of bitterness when he was voted out. Also, would you hire back someone who lost out on the job? Never. Why go backwards? He flat out refused to talk or deal with the PBA and the police for years, and refused to help them, they were SO glad to see him go. He has a heavy agenda for the east side, and absolutely neglects the west and middle sides. (he's the one who cam up with the labels, west, east, middle) It's almost like he was punishing the west and middle for being able to afford to live there, he certainly did so with the tax reval. And that's just not right. I am very pleased with Fred, who is a mature, decent, honest and down to earth guy that we can trust to work for the best interests of the WHOLE town. That's his agenda and I like that. You would never catch him passing nasty childish notes at a township meeting. He also grew up in this town and is dedicated and loyal to all sides - he works tirelessly to improve conditions and help people. Here's a list of just some of the things Fred has done, which I find very amazing: 1. Leading a democratic process which culminated in the selected location of the new police and court building on Springfield Avenue. 2. Negotiating a land purchase and shared parking arrangement with the Mormon Church which allowed for the selected location without disturbing the Bette White building. 3. Ending years of poor relations between the Township Committee and the PBA by initiating contact and leading our Public Safety Committee in direct talks with the PBA leadership. 4. Leading the Public Safety Committee in the negotiation of a promotional procedure agreement with the PBA which culminated in the first police promotions in 5 years at our 2/15 Township Committee meeting. 5. Negotiating a $1,000,000 grant for the new police/court building with Governor Codey's office. 6. Coordinating efforts to obtain a record total of $2,600,000 in grant money from the State, County, and other sources. 7. Inducing a change in Township Committee policy on economic development by hiring development experts (Peter Beronio and David Milder) to facilitate a planned approach. 8. Prompting a flood of developer interest in Maplewood by hiring Beronio and Milder, siting the police/court building on Springfield Avenue, designating redevelopment zones, and by announcing a tour for interested developers in March of 2005. 9. Helping to guide the redevelopment process through the Township Committee and the Planning Board. 10. Suggesting and creating a monthly "Talk to the Township Committee" series on Springfield Avenue and in Maplewood Village on Saturday mornings. 11. Supplementing this series by beginning a "Walk and Talk" program whereby Township Committee members go door to door throughout Maplewood, speaking to residents or leaving post card door hangers which can be used to send us ideas or suggestions. 12. Beginning regular talks with South Orange representatives on the subject of shared services. 13. Beginning discussions between the towns and the School District on shared services, now ongoing. 14. Maintaining regular monthly liaison meetings between town representatives and the Board of Education. 15. Negotiating a $700,000 back taxes settlement with the owners of the Universal Chain property. 16. Organizing the July 10 Maplewood celebration of the Domestic Partner Act, an event which attracted world-wide publicity for Maplewood as a welcoming and diverse community. 17. Organizing the first Maplewood Veterans' Day celebration by the Township Committee, and providing each Maplewood veteran with a personal signed certificate of appreciation. 18. Initiaiting and facilitating the effort to pass Maplewood's non-resident student ordinance, providing stiff fines for adults who fraudulently aid in violation of student residency laws. 19. Facilitating negotiations with the Board of Education as to the enforcement of Maplewood's non-resident ordinance. 20. Showcasing the Police Auxiliary and leading successful efforts to enhance recruitment, thereby providing tax free assistance to the regular police. 21. Bringing about increased police patroling in Maplewood Village on weekend evenings. 22. Enlisting the assistance of Senator Lautenberg to revive talks with the Post Office on the subject of moving the mail handling operations to Springfield Avenue. 23. Invigorating enforcement efforts leading to the prompt eviction of the pornography shop on Springfield Avenue. 24. Insisting that the landlord begin eviction proceedings against the operators of the Sunflower Spa on Springfield Avenue, soon to be finalized. 25. Leading the effort to bring good quality audio and video systems to Town Hall. Vic soes not have anything near this track record. Fred is truly the best. | ||
| marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 570 Registered: 9-2001 |
I'm with Chris and Life. Vic was a total disaster as mayor. Divisive doesn't even begin to describe that guy. Split the East and West sides of town right in half. And I'll never forget (or forgive) seeing him quoted over and over again in the local and national papers saying that "Maplewood is totally developed." (Even after I begged him on MOL to stop saying that to reporters!) Oh yeah we're totally developed here. No more businesses need consider our neck of the woods. Property taxes up--Ratables down. That's the DeLuca legacy. Fred's the man and he has my vote. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4702 Registered: 5-2001  |
Oh yeah - I remember that about the police - I can't imagine being a mayor and not having a decent relationship with the police - that's scary! What's with that? | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3383 Registered: 5-2001  |
Are Fred and Ian both up for reelection? If so, Vic will probably be vying for Ian's spot. Anyway, Lifeisswell, Chris and marian got it right. | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 13284 Registered: 10-2001  |
Reality check time: under Vic DeLuca, Maplewood was named one of the 10 Best Places to Live in America. How quickly we forget. Vic did many good things in his time on the TC. Fred has done many good things. Ian has done good things as well. Voters should take the time to really quiz the three of them on their respective visions for the town and how they intend to move us there. But can the questions start in May or September instead of February? | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 775 Registered: 3-2003 |
OK I will jump in one more time. Anyone remember how he was against bicycle safety helmets for kids for politically correct reasons, contrary to the strong recommendations of his police force. And how he didn't enforce the foul language on the basketball courts by young out of town players for politically correct reasons. In my opinion Vic has a problem dealing with bad behavior issues especially when they are exhibited by out of towners. I just knew that MOL would be on fire on his re-entry.  | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3385 Registered: 5-2001 |
S- We all know that Vic had nothing to do with getting Maplewood written up in Money. But he sure tried to make it sound as if he did. | ||
| Maple Man Citizen Username: Mapleman Post Number: 505 Registered: 6-2004  |
hey - I demand that our mayor be out on the courts to personally hand out technical fouls for bad language. If he can't do that - he deserves to be canned! | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 777 Registered: 3-2003 |
Fred would do it - with a smile!  | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 13285 Registered: 10-2001 |
So the act of getting us written up is more important than the town being vibrant and attractive enough to be recognized? And the Mayor at the time shouldn't reap any reward for it? That doesn't seem very fair. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4704 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sben, I see you've been meeting with Vic. Hope it went well.  Remember, the Midtown Direct did more for this town than anything until Fred. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 3387 Registered: 5-2001 |
Well, if that's all he's got to show... | ||
| mplwdian Citizen Username: Mplwdian Post Number: 57 Registered: 3-2003 |
I too am glad that there is real competition within the local Democratic party and that the voters are now provided with choices. That was a big theme of Profeta's campaign so I guess we have him to thank for that. Prior to his entry in local politics things were pretty much decided before the voters even got a chance to chime in. What did Vic accomplish when he was in office? Many posters are associating Vic with the reval and east-west split. He must have done some good things during his term. Based on the extensive list (thanks, Life is Swell) of Profeta's accomplishments it would appear Vic will have an uphill battle against Profeta. So far, the Mayor has a very impressive record. | ||
| sk8mom Citizen Username: Sk8mom Post Number: 104 Registered: 11-2003 |
Fred is a "mature, decent, honest and down to earth guy" and unlike Vic, his decisions are unaffected by politics? | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 778 Registered: 3-2003 |
S you are far too serious on this - politics is a year-round project. Confining comments and restricting institutional memory on Vic to a couple of months benefits VIC! It allows him to portray himself as a different candidate when he isn't. Enough on V, When are you going to run? Many feel you have the grasp of issues, the neccessary humor and patience, and no reluctance to deal with any issue. I assume you have NJ license plates. | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4705 Registered: 5-2001 |
Reflective - Thanks for reminding me about the bicycle helmet safety law, Vic squashed that because he didn't want to have Maplewood perceived as being biased against young kids who wanted to come to Maplewood from other towns and couldn't afford helmets. I understand it was a compromise of our kid's safety to be politically correct. Fred - Have you passed this law please? | ||
| sbenois Supporter Username: Sbenois Post Number: 13286 Registered: 10-2001 |
It's February! Leave me alone! (S bangs head against wall) |
