R-E-S-P-E-C-T

re·spect /rɪˈspɛkt/
–verb
1. to show regard or consideration for.

For anyone who has watched some of the recent Board of Trustees Meeting, and particularly the meeting on July 28, there seems to be one member of the Board that needs to learn the meaning of respect. This individual shows no regard or consideration for their fellow members by often coming late to meetings and leaving early (and sometimes not showing up at all). This individual shows no regard or consideration for the public by passing notes and whispering side comments during the meetings. This individual shows no regard or consideration for their position by undermining negotiations for the sake of political pandering and finally this individual shows no regard or consideration for individuals who come to the meetings to be heard by often yelling at them and speaking to them in an arrogant, condescending and hostile tone.

I find this behavior abhorrent and completely unacceptable. Some people think they are entitled to respect by their position. However, some people need to learn they need to EARN respect by first having the decency to show respect to others around them.

Across the Board

In previous blog posts, I have made numerous comments about the challenges we have been facing with the budget this year. After many Budget Workshops and much debate, the process is about at an end and we are about to vote to approve the actual budget for the year. It now appears that a budget with a potential tax increase of 13%+ has been cut down to a Municipal Tax increase of around 6.5% or so. There were many factors that led to this outcome, including a combination of reduced services, reduced subsidies to organizations, increased revenue from other sources, skyrocketing energy costs and reductions in perks. Some of the most notable examples were:

- Elimination of 4th of July fireworks (reduced services)

- 10% decrease in funding to Main Street, CCR, CRC and Youthnet (reduced subsidies to organizations)

- Funding of Village Planting Initiative Baskets & Summer Concerts by Eden Gourmet; Extraordinary Aid from the State (increased revenue from other sources)

- Elimination of $12,000 in Stipends to the OEM Deputies, Mandated Health Insurance Premium Contributions by Management personnel (reductions in perks - to be voted on July 28)

- All the while these cuts were being discussed, we faced a $150,000 increase in anticipated energy costs for the remainder of the year.

It was an uphill climb, but I think we did a fair job of scrutinizing the budget in painful detail and making cuts across the board in every department. There were cuts to Police (Crossing Guard outsourcing and/or contract renegotiation), Fire (Executive Officer position), Recreation (Fireworks, delayed pool opening), Public Works (closing recycling center 3 extra days per week)and Administration (OEM Stipends & Health care premium contributions).

Thank you to all the residents and employees that came out to present their opinions.
None of the decisions made were taken lightly and none of the decisions were easy as every single decision has an impact on the residents or employees of the Village. However, in the end, I think the process was fair, transparent and in the best interest of the taxpayers.

Hard to believe it is almost August and in a just a few more months we will have to start the process all over again for 2009!

South Orange Aid

With all the "bad news" surrounding tough financial times, spiraling costs of energy and necessary cutbacks in services, it is nice to finally report some good news - It was just announced that South Orange is the recipient of $600,000 in Extraordinary Aid from the State of NJ for 2008:

http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/muniaid/08_aid/cy08_extraordinary-aid.shtml

This year, it appears we received the largest amount of aid in Essex County and one of the largest amounts in the state.

This aid couldn't have come at a better time, when we were facing around an 8% Municipal increase (actually more when you factor in the planned shift of SOPAC operating expenses to the Capital Budget) even after many significant custs to the budget. Of course, we need to send a big thank you to State Senator Codey and Assemblyman McKeon/Assemblywoman Jasey for fighting for us in Trenton.

We still have a long way to go to manage the large tax burden we all face in South Orange, Essex County and the entire State of NJ...but this is most welcome and appreciated assistance.

Political Aspirations?

Well, I was hoping to delay an announcement of my political plans for quite a while, but unfortunately the secret has just been leaked out by the local media. However, I am shocked and flattered by the groundswell of support that has already arisen.



Happy 4th of July everyone! :)