You'll NEED the wine-tasting after this...

*
Before we get to the WINE-TASTING, get in the mood with the following...

CITY HALL CUSTOMER SERVICE? AGAIN? -- A reader forwarded the following message concerning a TAXPAYER'S recent adventures at City Hall

I went to pay my (increased yet again) taxes today [originally dated 9/5 -- DD], and ran into (literally) a large desk in the lobby of City Hall, with 3 people behind it. They claim to be 'giving information on city events and signing people in'. Three people !! Just sitting there, talking to yet a 4th employee.

I asked how much the budget for this new thing was. Of course, they didn't know. I went into the mayor's inner sanctum only to find a party in progress and no one really able to answer my question. Finally, the 3rd person they referred me to said I'd have to put a request in writing. No one had any idea what the "desk" would be listed under in the budget.

I'm furious, as always happens when I go there. I'd also love to know who was paying for the party-in-progress, something I'll never know. There were balloons bigger than truck tires!! Grrrrrrrr..........

Well! Where to begin? This is the same gang of three we have encountered before. Granted, they are probably doing what they have been told to do, if anything. One wonders why it takes THREE people to do whatever.

The administration should also be aware that the taxpaying public is highly resentful of having to SIGN IN to pay their taxes. And think how indignant they might become when they realize that ANYBODY can put in an OPRA request and get copies of all the sign-in sheets -- detailing who has been at City Hall, when, and what office they visited. Whose business is that, anyway?!

And to tell a taxpayer that a simple question must be PUT IN WRITING!? Just exactly where IS the Information Desk and crew listed in the budget? PT has been told it's under the City Administrator's budget. Enquiring minds would like to know...

Balloons the size of truck tires? Partying on the taxpayers' time and dollar? Hmm........

BIZ OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL...NOT -- On August 12, PT posted that the Information Desk was sporting business cards and flyers from several businesses. And to make the opportunity available to ALL, put the word out, suggesting business people might want to hotfoot it down to City Hall with their promotional materials and take advantage of this opportunity. And several people did.

When PT was in City Hall the other night, I noticed that once again ONLY A SELECT FEW were on the counter. Word has it that the gang of three routinely trash materials as they see fit -- apparently not just out-of-date materials, which previously had been noted by PT.

You'd think the administration would put out a POLICY NOTICE OR FLYER, wouldn't you? I mean, what leg will they have to stand on if someone sues over preferential treatment?

MORE (MIS/NON)INFORMATION -- Checking back on the website progress, we find that PCTV-74 is still showing the program list for July 19-26. So, it's now September 13. Knock, knock. Is there anybody home here? And PT was told that the city's PRESS RELEASES were now being put online -- and that they would make INTERESTING reading. If only one can find them. I've poked around and poked around, and I can't come up with them. A LARRY'S DELI SANDWICH of your choice on me to the first one who emails me a link to the actual page...

MAYBE THE PERFECT PROBLEM-SOLVER? -- But be not afraid, neither let your heart be troubled... help may be just a phone call away. According to a NEW PAGE on the city website, the mayor's confidential assistant, Barbara James, is there working 'to resolve complaints.' Her partial contact info -- no one at City Hall (with ONE exception) seems to think email addresses should be offered to the public -- is on the page. If you have an issue to resolve, her phone is (908) 753-3310. Don't fail, however, to check out her page on the website.

NOW YOU'RE READY FOR THE WINE, RIGHT? -- You will not want to miss the WINE-TASTING event this coming Sunday. Sponsored by the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library, the 6th Annual Wine Discovery will let you sample a variety of red, white and sparkling wines for the benefit of the Library's programming. This is ALWAYS a fun event -- plenty of good company, scrumptious food, and music. This year's event is at Belle Lawn, the gracious home of Vicky and Charlie Rappold, 1050 Rahway Road. Tickets are $45 per person, and checks payable to 'FOPPL' may be dropped off at the Library in advance or brought to the door the day of. You OWE it to yourself to unwind with this friendly crowd -- especially after the opening of this post above...

COUNCILOR BURNEY ON CHEAP OIL, TONIGHT -- Councilor Rashid Burney will kick off the 2006-07 Social Justice series tonight with a talk entitled "After Cheap Oil: Planning for Plainfield's Future." The series is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield. All events begin with a potluck at 6:00 PM, and the program at 7:00 PM, at the Society's Parish Hall, 724 Park Avenue. Use the public parking lot up the driveway across the street from the church.

ANTICIPATE TOMORROW -- Check back to learn whether your tax dollars will be going to work for a $12.6M Anticipatory Note online auction...

-- Dan Damon

Not getting your own CLIPPINGS email daily? Click here to get started.