H.I.T.S.: HEARD IN THE STREET. . .
Twenty... twenty-one... twenty-two... Then a disconnect. That's what I got when calling the cable TV station number (753-3301) early this morning. A week after my first visit to the city's home page and pointing out the number doesn't have a greeting or voice mail, the situation remains unchanged. Are we to assume the administration doesn't care that the public cannot reach the public access TV station?
...speaking of phones, there is another number of interest. That would be Jocelyn Pringley's, the long-time head of the Inspections Division. Seems she came to work one day last week to find her phone line and her actual telephone were gone. The number she has had for years was summarily given to Nagy Sileem's new administrative assistant. Her replacement? Nothing. Nada. According to reports, Jocelyn had to use her cell phone to inquire as to when she would once again have a city line. Workplace harassment? Word has it that Mr. Sileem won't even speak to Ms. Pringley. Add this to the unpleasantness reported yesterday and we have quite a stew. Stay tuned...
While we're on the subject of communication, you should stroll on by the website of Public Works and Urban Development Director Jenny Wenson Maier's Rahway firm, Wenson Associates, PC, at http://www.wensonassociates.com/
The site displays examples of the work of her firm of architects, engineers, planners and interior designers.
Mention of Mr. Sileem's freshly-minted administrative assistant reminded me that several readers have asked about where the money comes from for the new hires at City Hall. The list has grown in recent days. It started with Barbara James as the mayor's confidential assistant, a job in which she has neither her own desk nor office, which many find puzzling. And then there is A.J., whose responsibilities are. . .? Nagy Sileem himself, as well as his new aide. 'The twins.' Dr. Gerard Lee, who is the mayor's liaison to nonprofits. Rick Taylor's son has been hired as a civilian in the Police Division, as has Board of Education member Lisa Logan-Leach. And then there is Hattie Williams, Richmond Towers factotum and newly-minted Housing Authority commissioner, who -- for pay -- is holding down the information desk in the City Hall rotunda. The older gentleman who has been hired to shuttle between City Hall and the Annex as a "security" person. I understand the purchasing office has a new assistant for Craig Smith, and lastly, I was told yesterday, the administration has hired a new public information officer to replace moi. That's thirteen and counting. Rumor has it that some of these persons were hired without the job opening being posted publicly. Isn't that a no-no? At an average of $50,000 per employee, that would work out to $650,000. Plus another $250,000 for benefits, for a total of around $800,000. Does the Council know it is spending this kind of money? And that is before the catering expenses some have wondered about. . .
Another communications item. Did you know that a young Hispanic male was assaulted by several Black males wielding at least one baseball bat last weekend? Has Ms. Salavarrieta lost her phone book now that she is the mayor's new best friend? In olden times, she would have made sure to contact el Diario, Telemundo and Univision, with the accompanying sound bites and photo opps. Is this any way to treat the "crime capital of northern New Jersey?"
But you did notice that the Courier ran the picture story of Mayor Robinson-Briggs dedicating the new vest-pocket park last month -- on Wednesday, May 17th -- did you not?
Seen under the Madison Avenue trestle, where they have been for the last two weeks. And still were at 6:30 this morning.
One resident who submitted their resume for consideration for a commission appointment wondered aloud to me what was going on. Never got an acknowledgment from City Hall. Some commissions we have been expecting appointments to are the Hispanic Affairs Commission enacted last year, the Cable TV Advisory Board, an Environmental Commission, and the newly-minted Youth Commission. And then of course there is the Civic Responsibility Act of last year, which was to lead to the posting of everything on the website. . .
Aaaaaah! PARIS in the Spring! Meaning the PARIS grants -- given by the state's Division of Archives and Records Management to assist counties and municipalities in developing appropriate records management and archiving practices and technologies. $28M in grants were awarded yesterday. Plainfield: zip. Woodbridge: $150,000. Better records management? Not needed here?
Enigineers?
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-- Dan Damon
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