IS THIS ANY WAY TO TREAT A LADY?...
(Flag at City Hall, 8/31/2006)
(Closeup, showing frayed stripes)
(Closeup, showing frayed stripes)
Many thanks to a reader who keeps a close eye on City Hall -- and the flag that flies in front of it. As you can see from the above photos, it is time to replace the flag. This one should be disposed of in a dignified manner (which can include burning) and replaced. You'd think such a 'hands-on' administration would have seen to this long ago. Both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts know better. Or maybe there are some VETERANS who should pay City Hall a visit?...
GRANTS CONSULTANT -- The Ledger carried a story today ("Town sues company for failure to win grants") that Springield is suing the firm that our Council just resolved to do business with -- Bruno Associates of Clifton. The city previously had a contract with them, in which we paid on the order of $60K if memory serves me -- and got about the same ROI (return on investment) as Springfield. WITH THIS DIFFERENCE: At the end of the contract period, Bruno simply vanished. In Springfield, they say they will plow the field and scatter seed until the town recoups its fee. Say a prayer for Springfield. And for Plainfield, too. Now, who's idea was this?...
YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK? -- The saga of the money missing from the Tax Collector's office continues. Rumor has it that the employee suspended in the investigation is back at work. PT has heard there WAS INDEED an investigation, involving forensic accountants, etc. But NO REPORT has been made public, nor do we know whether the Prosecutor is prosecuting, or anything else. But PT hears rumors that the missing CASH (the missing checks are just MISSING) was replaced with TAXPAYER MONIES from another account. An interesting use of taxpayer money, no? Maybe the Administration would explain what is going on here and clear the air. I mean, I don't want PT accused of malicious rumor-mongering...
NOW, ABOUT THOSE HISPANICS -- In spite of playing the race card to divide Blacks and Hispanics recently, the Assemblyman did see the wisdom of having someone scout out Wednesday's gathering of Hispanic merchants and property owners on North Avenue, PT has been told. Would you be surprised to learn the scout was NOT Hispanic? Meanwhile, the gathering got coverage by both the Courier ("Latino business owners wary of Plainfield development plans") and the Ledger ("Merchants charge city ignores them"), with an editorial in today's Courier ("Plainfield development should be group effort"). Word has it the informal group is beginning to organize in response to the treatment recently received at the hands of City Hall bigwigs. Stay tuned...
COUNTING TO FIVE -- From the large number of BLUE RECYCLE CONTAINERS spotted at curbside on Wednesday, it seems many of us forgot to count to five. On months with FIVE Wednesdays, there will be no recycles. PT would have sent out a timely reminder, but PT forgot. There is ONE MORE 5-Wednesday month this year. Mark your calendars for NOVEMBER 29 now -- NO recycles...
THE UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL -- Passing along Prospect Avenue yesterday, PT noticed crews from a local tree service removing the remains of the tree that had fallen in Assemblyman Green's yard couple of weeks ago. The trunk had been cut into several logs and chippers were busy mulching the smaller branches. For those who worried that somehow the debris would be removed at public expense -- FOR SHAME! Clearly the service was being provided by a private, for-profit company. Yet one wag still thought it might be done for FREE -- as a favor for the company having gotten so much work cleaning up around town after the 2001 Labor Day tornado. To quote Donald Rumsfeld: "Goodness gracious, your cynicism knows no bounds!"
YESTERDAY'S POST -- Yes, I'm still working on it. Had a meeting, then played hooky and went to see "The Illusionist" (showing in the cultural heartland of central Jersey, the ReadingTheaters in Manville). For any who are fascinated by the abuse of power by political figures (in this case, expecting-to-be-crowned royalty), it is compelling -- with a truly surprise ending.
Hasta la vista....
DISCLAIMER: In the interest of fairness, any person identified in a HITS post who believes he/she has been portrayed unfairly or that the information about him/her is untrue will have the opportunity to respond in this space.
-- Dan Damon
2 comments:
If I am not mistaken, Bruno was hired and then fired also by the Plainfield Public School District. You may want to research that and if true provide warning why the City should beware!!
Frequent Reader, First time commentor. You are doing a great service. Please continue to keep us informed as we continue to pray for our City!
See Star Ledger for August 31,2006 (Asbury Park to get State Monitor) Is this the same Superintendent Antonio Lewis who was fired before by the Board of Education in Asbury Park that Jerry Green and some Board of Education members want to bring to Plainfield?(The BOE in Asbury Park had to take him back before because a technical mistake was made when they fired him the first time).Did Asbury Park suspend Antonio Lewis or just let him step down on his own this time?
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