Anyhoo, people who believe the end justifies the means also hope that you won't remember the means. Don't let your memory fail you when it counts and remember what Senior Lankey and his 'DemBadLand' Council did to you this year.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Final CY 2014 Edison Township Property Tax Biils have arrived!
Let's have a final round of applause for Mayor Tom '8.0%' ChoiLankey of the Edison 'DemBadLands' for continuing to make Edison safe for hypocrisy by stabilizing taxes with an 8% Tax Hike Ambush and taking 59% of Your 2014 tax increase for the township coffers.
Anyhoo, people who believe the end justifies the means also hope that you won't remember the means. Don't let your memory fail you when it counts and remember what Senior Lankey and his 'DemBadLand' Council did to you this year.
Anyhoo, people who believe the end justifies the means also hope that you won't remember the means. Don't let your memory fail you when it counts and remember what Senior Lankey and his 'DemBadLand' Council did to you this year.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak - trying to squash a request to table and a resident rebuttal?!?
You know, maybe it's me, but I always thought that people will hear you a lot better if you speak across to them rather than down to them. Further, everyone deserves to be treated with respect whether you agree with them or not or whether they are on your side or not and, if you can't control your emotions when you are losing an argument, then you shouldn't be running meetings. Finally, you shouldn't try and block anyone from speaking at a council meeting, especially someone from the public. Everyone has a right to go back up to the microphone for rebuttal of anything that's said after finishing.
Now, all these things that bother me a tad bit come to life every time Karabinchak runs a Council meeting. It becomes embarrassing to watch.
So, here's an 8 minute clip from Wednesday's (August 27th) Council Meeting run by Councilman Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak trying to push through a payment to one of his buddies for some financial work. See what you think of his style, demeanor and presentation when confronted with a challenge from CouncilMembers Shah & Mascola. And oh, by the way, Shah & Mascola are right on their challenge and even if they weren't - there's always been a common courtesy extended by other council members to any council member who wished to have something pulled for whatever reason and discussion would stop once the request was made - looks like Karabinchak isn't doing that anymore.
Now, all these things that bother me a tad bit come to life every time Karabinchak runs a Council meeting. It becomes embarrassing to watch.
So, here's an 8 minute clip from Wednesday's (August 27th) Council Meeting run by Councilman Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak trying to push through a payment to one of his buddies for some financial work. See what you think of his style, demeanor and presentation when confronted with a challenge from CouncilMembers Shah & Mascola. And oh, by the way, Shah & Mascola are right on their challenge and even if they weren't - there's always been a common courtesy extended by other council members to any council member who wished to have something pulled for whatever reason and discussion would stop once the request was made - looks like Karabinchak isn't doing that anymore.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Thursday, August 28, 2014
It's a Happy Day in Edison today - well, at least for two people!
Come on, let's be Happy for Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey and Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley. Big week for both of them.
Last night, the 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage, aka..Edison Council passed his $121 million Muni-Budget with eyes wide shut and let's not forget to throw in a big thanks to Board of Mythomania President Veena 'Out to Lunch' Iyer for that new 4-year Super contract on Monday night.
Anyhoo, be Happy - like a House without a Roof!
Last night, the 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage, aka..Edison Council passed his $121 million Muni-Budget with eyes wide shut and let's not forget to throw in a big thanks to Board of Mythomania President Veena 'Out to Lunch' Iyer for that new 4-year Super contract on Monday night.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Edison Board of Mythomania approves Super O'Malley's new 4-year contract - so much for Super Salary Caps!?!
Well, just got a copy of Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's new contract yesterday. Did some rough calculations to see what it means and don't think he'll be crying all the way to the bank any time soon.
Looks like all they did was to take his current contract with Max 2% increases in salary and performance bonus, respectively and extended it out over the next four years and just moved salary dollars into bonus dollars. Funny part is that under this contract, he ends up making more money than if they just extended his current contract for the next four years.
Just to summarize:
Now, there's Good and Bad News with this new contract. The Good News - O'Malley won't have to worry about money and escalate any future job hunting escapades and, the Bad News - he still gets what he's getting now.
Here's the rough numbers:
And here's first two pages of the contract:
Anyhoo, disloyalty has it rewards and a safe haven over there on Mythomania Lane.
Looks like all they did was to take his current contract with Max 2% increases in salary and performance bonus, respectively and extended it out over the next four years and just moved salary dollars into bonus dollars. Funny part is that under this contract, he ends up making more money than if they just extended his current contract for the next four years.
Just to summarize:
- An annual salary of $209,000 (from 4/1/15 through 6/30/16)
- Inflation increases beginning 7/1/16 of 1.6%
- Another inflation increase of 1.6% beginning in 7/1/18
- Performance Bonus of Max of 8% for school year 2014-15
- Performance Bonus of Max of 10% for school years 2015-16 & 2016-17
- Performance Bonus of Max of 12% for school year 2017-18 & 2018-19
Now, there's Good and Bad News with this new contract. The Good News - O'Malley won't have to worry about money and escalate any future job hunting escapades and, the Bad News - he still gets what he's getting now.
Here's the rough numbers:
Anyhoo, disloyalty has it rewards and a safe haven over there on Mythomania Lane.
Monday, August 25, 2014
Board of Mythomania - protecting their Guy for 4 more years with a Safe Haven Contract!?!
Recognize that tonight’s
public meeting to renew Super Dr. Richard ‘Looking for the Exit Ramp’
O'Malley’s employment contract for another 4 years is just a farce.
Asking for
public comments when it’s too late for it to matter is typical of this Board of
Mythomania's transparency. They’ve already got approval from the state and let the contract deadline
for notifying O’Malley of non-renewal to expire. So, they’re renewing his
contract regardless of what you say. They’ve decided to renew and you don’t get
to have a say in that decision.
Nice, isn’t it?
Nice, isn’t it?
And that my friends, is a
bigger problem than whatever amount of money or perks they give him under this
new contract.
Protect their guy no matter what.
Protect their guy no matter what.
You know, the People of Edison have
given Super O’Malley a Golden Opportunity! If you look at his resume, it’s
probably the best opportunity in his career up to this point. We let him come
in and beat the new Super Salary Cap Law and gave him a substantial raise from
his then current salary. We gave him a large starting salary with built-in
annual increases plus bonus opportunities, an extended 4+ year contract and, to
say the least, invested a whole lot of time and money in him.
So, how does he show his gratitude?
By going out and publicly interviewing for another Super position back in March.
Well, where I come from, that’s called Disloyalty – and you don’t Reward
Disloyalty and you certainly don’t provide a Safe Haven Contract for him in
case he doesn’t get the other job, even if he is your guy.
Seems to me, whether the board
knew or didn’t know he was going to interview for another position, it became
public knowledge back in March – and they certainly knew then. At that time,
they should of invoked the non-renewal clause in his contract and opened the
position up. As good as they think he is, there are good people out there, if
not better that would like a chance at this opportunity.
We have a population of over
100,000, a school budget well over $200 million, 17 schools and some 15,000
students. A very important position in a very large district – and this board
is allowing us to be held captive by O’Malley’s interviewing results?
I think not.
Seems pretty clear how this
thing is playing out. Earlier in the year, the board leadership meets with
O’Malley and comes up with a contract. The leadership sends in down to Trenton
for approval – without public input of course and, if I had to guess, probably
without the input and knowledge of the rest of the school board. They get
something back approved and call a meeting and renew his contract. All without caring
what You think.
Now, I’m just one resident
taxpayer and I only speak for myself but I don’t want O’Malley in this
position, much less back for another 4 years. He clearly made a conscious
decision to go elsewhere and that’s his call but, unfortunately, he didn’t get
the job. He can’t come back now and try and say he’s committed to Edison. He’s
not and the board should know that and not be providing a safe haven for him.
You have to have confidence in
the person in that position that it’s all about Edison and not personal career
opportunities. I certainly don’t have it in him. What I see is someone who will
jump at any chance to exit if he sees a better opportunity. The board
should have seen that from his resume.
His contract should not of
been renewed. Providing a Safe Haven Contract for O’Malley on his job-hunting escapades
is a serious Slap in the Face to the People of Edison.
Shame on the Board of Mythomania for not recognizing that their Guy is Not the Guy for us!!
But hey, let's give credit where credit is due for keeping this guy around so he can make Edison his next stepping stone to a better lifestyle:
But hey, let's give credit where credit is due for keeping this guy around so he can make Edison his next stepping stone to a better lifestyle:
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley - gets rewarded with a new contract!?!
Well, there you go. Up for vote Monday night is the approval of a new contract for the 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' Super.
Of course, details of the compensation are non-existent in the agenda nor is the new contract included and the only thing they tell us is that his current contract expires on June 30, 2015 and the new contract will run from April 1. 2015 to June 30, 2019. A new 4 year contract.
Isn't that nice how Board President Veena 'Out of Office' Iyer and the rest of the Board of Mythomania decided to award O'Malley's Slap in the Face to the People of Edison with a new contract.
Anyhoo, it gives him another 4 years on your dime to look around for something better, I guess.
Of course, details of the compensation are non-existent in the agenda nor is the new contract included and the only thing they tell us is that his current contract expires on June 30, 2015 and the new contract will run from April 1. 2015 to June 30, 2019. A new 4 year contract.
Isn't that nice how Board President Veena 'Out of Office' Iyer and the rest of the Board of Mythomania decided to award O'Malley's Slap in the Face to the People of Edison with a new contract.
Anyhoo, it gives him another 4 years on your dime to look around for something better, I guess.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Really - Mayor ChoiLankey bringing politics into the ALS Challenge!?!
Saw the piece here on Mayor ChoiLankey taking the ice bucket challenge for ALS. Great cause and happy to see him use his notoriety as Mayor of Edison to bring a spotlight on this terrible disease. Apparently, today was the first of two challenges he's going to participate in.
Having said that, it's somewhat disappointing to see that he found the need to inject local politics into the event.
'The event also underscored renewed cooperation between the Lankey Administration and the police unions.'
Really, I thought this was about raising awareness for ALS and not using it as a public relations opportunity. Was it really necessary to bring the police in to dump the ice water on him - the chief and two union reps? What, that's supposed to show something about his stewardship or was it just a photo op to try and score a few public relation points?
Since he's bringing politics into his ALS challenges, here's a thought. For his next challenge, maybe he can bring in some residents to dump on him, you know - the ones that he ambushed and dumped on with that 8.3% tax hike. That would make for a good photo op for him.
Anyhoo, I certainly hope that this isn't what he's spending $40k on for public relations.
Having said that, it's somewhat disappointing to see that he found the need to inject local politics into the event.
'The event also underscored renewed cooperation between the Lankey Administration and the police unions.'
Really, I thought this was about raising awareness for ALS and not using it as a public relations opportunity. Was it really necessary to bring the police in to dump the ice water on him - the chief and two union reps? What, that's supposed to show something about his stewardship or was it just a photo op to try and score a few public relation points?
Since he's bringing politics into his ALS challenges, here's a thought. For his next challenge, maybe he can bring in some residents to dump on him, you know - the ones that he ambushed and dumped on with that 8.3% tax hike. That would make for a good photo op for him.
Anyhoo, I certainly hope that this isn't what he's spending $40k on for public relations.
Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey's 2014 Tax Ambush Budget is what it is - but geez, come up with better reasons to do nothing!
Someone should of given Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak better talking points on doing Nothing with Lankey's 8.3% tax ambush! It's just embarrassing now.
Anyhoo, it's one thing to do what you want when you have the power and a friendly council to boot but geez Senor Lankey, is it necessary to let this guy 'dis' the people of Downtown Edison with this lame excuse for doing nothing - so, tell me please, what services are you going to cut if the council cuts $141,000.01?!?
Monday, August 18, 2014
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Just a Bad Joke - on You, the People of Downtown Edison!
Here's what the 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage, aka Edison Council, came up with for a Whopping AmendNoTment of $141,000 on Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey's Ambush Tax Levy Increase of $6,818,889 - after spending all that time and effort making us wait for a 2014 Muni Budget for a year that's already 8 months over!?!
Anyhoo, they embarass themselves with such an AmendNOTment and should be ashamed for kicking the people they're supposed to represent here in Downtown Edison - to the curb again.
But hey, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that they're united in their loyalty to the Local Dem Party and don't let checks and balances get in the way.
But hey, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that they're united in their loyalty to the Local Dem Party and don't let checks and balances get in the way.
Friday, August 15, 2014
How much is Mayor ChoiLankey & the 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage letting You keep?!?
For $141,000, I almost feel bad that the 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage worked so tirelessly and diligently! Oh wait, they did - just Not for You!?!
Proposed: A Whopping cut of $141,000 off of Lankey's $6,818,889 Increase in the Local Tax Levy!
Well, just saw the 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage's Proposed $141,000 AmendNOTment to Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey's Muni Budget of $120.9 million, which comes with a Tax Rate of $1.208, which is up 9.2 cents or 8.3% over last year.
After you stop laughing, give them credit for cutting that unjustified and unsupportable increase in the Local Tax Levy of $6,818,889 - by $141,000. Boy, that's gotta really hurt Mayor ChoiLankey's plans for Your tax money.
Hey, but look what they've done for You, the People they serve here in Downtown Edison in this Proposed AmendNOTment. The Tax Rate goes from $1.208 to $1.206 for a whopping cut of two tenths of a cent and takes the 9.2 cent or 8.3% increase down to 9.0 cents or 8.1%.
And there You have the Back Hand of Lankey's Slap in the Face to the People of Edison with his 8.3% Tax Ambush.
So, just for the heck of it, what are You going to do with all that money they're not going to take from You in this tax increase?
Anyhoo, the AmendNotment comes up for vote on August 27th - don't waste your time going, take the time to go out and treat the family to something special with that extra $3 this Council is letting You keep.
PS - if you don't live in that imaginary home - take Your home's assessed value divided by 100 and multiply that by .002 - and that's how much the Council is letting You keep.
After you stop laughing, give them credit for cutting that unjustified and unsupportable increase in the Local Tax Levy of $6,818,889 - by $141,000. Boy, that's gotta really hurt Mayor ChoiLankey's plans for Your tax money.
Hey, but look what they've done for You, the People they serve here in Downtown Edison in this Proposed AmendNOTment. The Tax Rate goes from $1.208 to $1.206 for a whopping cut of two tenths of a cent and takes the 9.2 cent or 8.3% increase down to 9.0 cents or 8.1%.
And there You have the Back Hand of Lankey's Slap in the Face to the People of Edison with his 8.3% Tax Ambush.
So, just for the heck of it, what are You going to do with all that money they're not going to take from You in this tax increase?
In You live in that imaginary home assessed at $176,700, then that $163 increase in Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Muni Budget goes all the way down to $160 - for a reduction of, now wait for it -
a HUMONGOUS $3!
Anyhoo, the AmendNotment comes up for vote on August 27th - don't waste your time going, take the time to go out and treat the family to something special with that extra $3 this Council is letting You keep.
PS - if you don't live in that imaginary home - take Your home's assessed value divided by 100 and multiply that by .002 - and that's how much the Council is letting You keep.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey & his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage 2014 Budget Follies!?!
Why Not See the Humor in this process - the whole things a joke anyway - on You!
Anyhoo, you'll have to wait until August 27th before they vote and finish off the back hand of Lankey's Slap in the Face to the People of Edison with this 8.3 % Tax Ambush!
PS - someone please make sure that Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak understands that a reduction in an increase is Not a Savings to the Taxpayers! It's really not complex.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Which is the Bigger Slap in the Face to the People of Downtown Edison?!?
Somewhat of a rhetorical question:
What's the difference - a Slap in the Face is a Slap in the Face from whichever side of town it comes.
Will Edison's 9 percent tax hike stand - here in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands'?!?
Saw this piece here in the SL. While Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak couldn't say whether the council will reduce the 9 percent increase... and his side-kick Alvaro 'KaraMia' Gomez says nothing is set in stone - don't you just get a warm feeling all over that they're looking out for us?
Does it really matter what they say? These are the same two that sat up there on the council in a previous budget and said there was no Muni tax increase - when there was a 2.9-Cent tax hike, the tax bills were already out and we already paid half of the year's tax increase. Their budget credibility factor left the train station a long time ago.
Too bad they'll be working right up to the night of the meeting, so nobody can see anything they're doing until their meeting. Convenient - for them. Unlucky for us.
Well, I'm convinced that Mayor ChoiLankey's 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage will do exactly what they need to do:
Anyhoo, isn't the suspense of not knowing what your 2014 Muni-tax increase will be - just keeping you up at night here in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands?!? Can you believe it - 8 months into the calendar year and we still don't have a budget for the year?!? But hey, we got 8 months actuals!
Does it really matter what they say? These are the same two that sat up there on the council in a previous budget and said there was no Muni tax increase - when there was a 2.9-Cent tax hike, the tax bills were already out and we already paid half of the year's tax increase. Their budget credibility factor left the train station a long time ago.
Too bad they'll be working right up to the night of the meeting, so nobody can see anything they're doing until their meeting. Convenient - for them. Unlucky for us.
Well, I'm convinced that Mayor ChoiLankey's 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage will do exactly what they need to do:
Anyhoo, isn't the suspense of not knowing what your 2014 Muni-tax increase will be - just keeping you up at night here in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands?!? Can you believe it - 8 months into the calendar year and we still don't have a budget for the year?!? But hey, we got 8 months actuals!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
What Some People are Doing while You Struggle to Pay Your 3rd Qtr. Property Tax Bill here in the 'DemBadLands'!?!
To my political FB friends - if you're gonna Like pics of local politicos that show up on my News Feed, then please Un-Friend me! Don't do political thingies on FB.
But I do here:
Anyhoo, let's thank Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro for the County contributing 4-Cents to the 15.5-Cent Property Tax Hike reflected in Your Edison 3rd Qtr. Estimated Property Tax Bill. Enjoy Yourself Charlie! I'm sure everyone else in Downtown Edison will get out skiing - right after they pay their August property tax bill.
Please Un-Friend Me! Thingies like this remind me that I live in the 'DemBadLands.'
But I do here:
Anyhoo, let's thank Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro for the County contributing 4-Cents to the 15.5-Cent Property Tax Hike reflected in Your Edison 3rd Qtr. Estimated Property Tax Bill. Enjoy Yourself Charlie! I'm sure everyone else in Downtown Edison will get out skiing - right after they pay their August property tax bill.
Please Un-Friend Me! Thingies like this remind me that I live in the 'DemBadLands.'
Just a Reminder - Whom to Thank for Your Edison 3rd Qtr. Property Tax Bill Increase - Due Now!
Be sure to thank all those who contributed to Your Property Tax increase:
Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey - for Stabilizing Taxes for us with an 8.3% Muni Tax Hike Ambush.
Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro - for looking out for us and never meeting a tax increase he didn't like.
Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley and Yourself - for letting another bloated pot of money called a school budget to get by with a 99 vote margin. And a special thanks to those 368 residents who actually went to the polls but didn't bother to vote either way on the school budget. Of course, no need to thank the Board of Mythomania - they lead from behind on the school budget and just fill in for Super O'Malley when he's out looking for another gig.
Anyhoo, make sure you pay your 3rd qtr. 2014 property tax bill on-time. While it's ok for them to let 8 months of the CY to go by without a budget - it's not ok for you to be a day late on paying this estimated tax bill. Interest accrues after August 11th.
Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey - for Stabilizing Taxes for us with an 8.3% Muni Tax Hike Ambush.
Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro - for looking out for us and never meeting a tax increase he didn't like.
Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley and Yourself - for letting another bloated pot of money called a school budget to get by with a 99 vote margin. And a special thanks to those 368 residents who actually went to the polls but didn't bother to vote either way on the school budget. Of course, no need to thank the Board of Mythomania - they lead from behind on the school budget and just fill in for Super O'Malley when he's out looking for another gig.
Anyhoo, make sure you pay your 3rd qtr. 2014 property tax bill on-time. While it's ok for them to let 8 months of the CY to go by without a budget - it's not ok for you to be a day late on paying this estimated tax bill. Interest accrues after August 11th.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Time for a change in Super O'Malley's 'Refer To' Name!?!
Well, in this blog, I frequently refer to Super O'Malley as Dr. Richard 'Build the Trust' O'Malley. There's a reason for that - he said he was going to 'Build the Trust' here in Downtown Edison.
So, while waiting for that trust thingie to happen, what does this guy that we gave a golden opportunity to here (a 4.4 year contract with a huge starting salary, bonus possibilities plus other perks, all rushed in before the Super Cap became law) DO?
He publicly seeks employment elsewhere on our watch. Now, I'm sure he had his reasons but where I come from - that's a slap in the face to the people who gave him this opportunity and pay his salary, the residents and taxpayers.
Take it then, with this move, that his goal of 'building the trust' is a lost cause - how do you trust someone who does something like this?? You can't. Who wants someone is such an important and highly paid position looking for employment elsewhere??
You know, while the de facto leader of Edison's Board of Mythomania managed to get his contract renewed under these circumstances (subject to DOE approval of course - but Not Yours), you really have to wonder why this Board (in secret, of course) wants to give him another opportunity to slap us in the face again?!?
They should open up a new Super Search and give the residents and taxpayers of Downtown Edison an opportunity to select someone who really wants to be here to do what needs to be done.
Anyhoo, in the meantime - let's refer to him as - Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley. Who knows how long it will be before he finds it?
So, while waiting for that trust thingie to happen, what does this guy that we gave a golden opportunity to here (a 4.4 year contract with a huge starting salary, bonus possibilities plus other perks, all rushed in before the Super Cap became law) DO?
He publicly seeks employment elsewhere on our watch. Now, I'm sure he had his reasons but where I come from - that's a slap in the face to the people who gave him this opportunity and pay his salary, the residents and taxpayers.
Take it then, with this move, that his goal of 'building the trust' is a lost cause - how do you trust someone who does something like this?? You can't. Who wants someone is such an important and highly paid position looking for employment elsewhere??
You know, while the de facto leader of Edison's Board of Mythomania managed to get his contract renewed under these circumstances (subject to DOE approval of course - but Not Yours), you really have to wonder why this Board (in secret, of course) wants to give him another opportunity to slap us in the face again?!?
They should open up a new Super Search and give the residents and taxpayers of Downtown Edison an opportunity to select someone who really wants to be here to do what needs to be done.
Anyhoo, in the meantime - let's refer to him as - Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley. Who knows how long it will be before he finds it?
Monday, July 28, 2014
Gene Maeroff passes - I will miss his friendship
Was so sorry to hear about Gene's passing this past week-end. Found this piece on him in the New York Times here.
A scholarly man with a passion for education but, more importantly, a kind, decent and compassionate man. He will be remembered by all those fortunate enough to cross his path.
I know I will.
A scholarly man with a passion for education but, more importantly, a kind, decent and compassionate man. He will be remembered by all those fortunate enough to cross his path.
I know I will.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
The O' so Mal Conundrum - don't let those who lead from behind - Leave You Behind!?!
You know, there's a reason I refer to the Edison Board of Education as the 'Board of Mythomania.' Here's a board whose oversight, accountability & transparency is so abhorrent that it makes Edison Council President Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak look like a Charismatic Leader!?!
For Years now, we've had a school board that operates as a closed club, whichever political faction controls it - and You're Not Invited. They do what they want, when they want and when they ask for Your input, more often than not, it's too late for it to matter.
Their $pending Budget is now up to $217 million, 90% or so which comes from YOU and represents some 55% of Your total Property Tax Bill - and they treat it as a big, fat pot of money to $pend pretty much as they want. There's no real oversight, accountability or transparency to go along with it. They believe that You're not approving a Budget when You vote - but approving a single number to $pend pretty much anyway they want, regardless of what's in the budget line items. Unlike the Muni side, they can have budget transfers anytime they want and You see them all the time in the stuff they do show You.
They refuse to provide any real monthly accountability, reporting and disclosure on the single largest expenditure in these bloated budgets - Staffing. Hence, the on-going Staffing Shell-Game, which last time I looked, had some net 396 Heads added to the payroll but You never saw in or were disclosed to You in all those school budgets You voted on.
So, what's the point of all this? Their latest double-secret decision to renew, without informing You, Super Dr. Richard 'Build the Trust' O'Malley's contract which expires on July 1, 2015. They negotiated a contract with him, sent it off to Trenton and once it comes back - they'll call a meeting and put it up for a vote. Duh!! Unfortunately, by that time, it will be too late for Your input to matter.
Now, maybe it's me, given the circumstances that went on with O'Malley publicly interviewing for another Super position, how this board could just assume that they could just decide that O'Malley's contract should be renewed without asking You first - and why our input is less important than Trenton's on that decision?
I recognize that O'Malley is their guy - they rushed him in to beat the new Super Cap back in late 2010 and have been particularly mute on his publicly interviewing for another position while working for us, but come on now, that puts a bunch of reasonable questions on the table for discussion with You before they just go ahead and renew his contract. We've invested a lot of time and money in this guy and we deserve to have a say in any decision to renew his contract.
I also recognize that they think he's the best thing to come along since they they came up with a way to hire additional staff, hide it and Not tell you about it in all those budgets they asked You to approve.
But let's get real here. If they think he's so great and done some good things here in Downtown Edison, they should of highlighted & demonstrated his accomplishments to You and then gone forth with their decision to renew his contract. Doing it this way is just as bad as Former Board President Maeroff claiming O'Malley was the best Super in the state - even before O'Malley knew where all the bathrooms were. Just silly.
By not giving You a chance to chime in - You don't get a chance to hear all the Wonderful things they think he's done or get a chance to discuss all the Not so Wonderful things You may think he's done.
Hey, anybody can $pend Taxpayer Money and Raise Your School Taxes and O'Malley sure has done a lot of that - but the question is what did we get for it - the board owes You an explanation.
The O'Malley Years - and this is after all that hoarded taxpayer relief money that they used to increase $pending - and Not give back to You!
Anyhoo, if You want any real Oversight, Accountability & Transparency over their on Mythomania Lane, and You should, - then You need to make it happen and in this case, step in and make them open up a search for a New Super - and one like O'Malley had when he interviewed down south, one where the candidates answer questions from the public. At least You'll then know what's going on over there on Pierson Avenue - without Your knowledge.
For Years now, we've had a school board that operates as a closed club, whichever political faction controls it - and You're Not Invited. They do what they want, when they want and when they ask for Your input, more often than not, it's too late for it to matter.
Their $pending Budget is now up to $217 million, 90% or so which comes from YOU and represents some 55% of Your total Property Tax Bill - and they treat it as a big, fat pot of money to $pend pretty much as they want. There's no real oversight, accountability or transparency to go along with it. They believe that You're not approving a Budget when You vote - but approving a single number to $pend pretty much anyway they want, regardless of what's in the budget line items. Unlike the Muni side, they can have budget transfers anytime they want and You see them all the time in the stuff they do show You.
They refuse to provide any real monthly accountability, reporting and disclosure on the single largest expenditure in these bloated budgets - Staffing. Hence, the on-going Staffing Shell-Game, which last time I looked, had some net 396 Heads added to the payroll but You never saw in or were disclosed to You in all those school budgets You voted on.
So, what's the point of all this? Their latest double-secret decision to renew, without informing You, Super Dr. Richard 'Build the Trust' O'Malley's contract which expires on July 1, 2015. They negotiated a contract with him, sent it off to Trenton and once it comes back - they'll call a meeting and put it up for a vote. Duh!! Unfortunately, by that time, it will be too late for Your input to matter.
Now, maybe it's me, given the circumstances that went on with O'Malley publicly interviewing for another Super position, how this board could just assume that they could just decide that O'Malley's contract should be renewed without asking You first - and why our input is less important than Trenton's on that decision?
I recognize that O'Malley is their guy - they rushed him in to beat the new Super Cap back in late 2010 and have been particularly mute on his publicly interviewing for another position while working for us, but come on now, that puts a bunch of reasonable questions on the table for discussion with You before they just go ahead and renew his contract. We've invested a lot of time and money in this guy and we deserve to have a say in any decision to renew his contract.
I also recognize that they think he's the best thing to come along since they they came up with a way to hire additional staff, hide it and Not tell you about it in all those budgets they asked You to approve.
But let's get real here. If they think he's so great and done some good things here in Downtown Edison, they should of highlighted & demonstrated his accomplishments to You and then gone forth with their decision to renew his contract. Doing it this way is just as bad as Former Board President Maeroff claiming O'Malley was the best Super in the state - even before O'Malley knew where all the bathrooms were. Just silly.
By not giving You a chance to chime in - You don't get a chance to hear all the Wonderful things they think he's done or get a chance to discuss all the Not so Wonderful things You may think he's done.
Hey, anybody can $pend Taxpayer Money and Raise Your School Taxes and O'Malley sure has done a lot of that - but the question is what did we get for it - the board owes You an explanation.
The O'Malley Years - and this is after all that hoarded taxpayer relief money that they used to increase $pending - and Not give back to You!
Anyhoo, if You want any real Oversight, Accountability & Transparency over their on Mythomania Lane, and You should, - then You need to make it happen and in this case, step in and make them open up a search for a New Super - and one like O'Malley had when he interviewed down south, one where the candidates answer questions from the public. At least You'll then know what's going on over there on Pierson Avenue - without Your knowledge.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Why You're only Important at Election Time here in Downtown Edison!?!
If you don't have Buyer's Remorse - You Should!
Anyhoo, we should be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for here in Downtown Edison!
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Karabinchak-Led 7/21 Council Worksession - Now, that's really 'Worse than Watching Paint Dry'!?!
Well, if you have a high tolerance to upchucking, then you should watch Monday night's council work session. A review of some of the Local Dems big tax dollar disasters from that $5.6 million spent for some dirt and a mud puddle, aka the Oak Tree Pond (now a historical site) to the 1-Cent Open Space tax that expired last year (looking to have it resurrected).
Anyone seriously thinking about self-taxing themselves with another 15 year Open Space tax to support the Local Dems frivolous spending, well - deserves what they get. Just look at what they did with all that money they got by leveraging out that first 15 year Open Space tax. Don't know, ask Senor Russomanno, he'll tell you what a great job they did with Your tax money back then.
We did learn something though - not that it matters but the Council is calling a special meeting on August 14th to Introduce their council amendment to Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget, which comes with a 9.2-Cent or 8.3% Tax Hike and included in Your 3rd Qtr. (August) Tax Bill.
More interesting though was Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak's inability to persuade Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl of anything and his reaction to Diehl's comments is priceless.
Anyhoo, there should be a one-time only 6 minute time limit on Karabinchak - the new guy deserves a break and watching Karabinchak ramble on and on is, as he says, 'Worse than Watching Paint Dry.'
Anyone seriously thinking about self-taxing themselves with another 15 year Open Space tax to support the Local Dems frivolous spending, well - deserves what they get. Just look at what they did with all that money they got by leveraging out that first 15 year Open Space tax. Don't know, ask Senor Russomanno, he'll tell you what a great job they did with Your tax money back then.
We did learn something though - not that it matters but the Council is calling a special meeting on August 14th to Introduce their council amendment to Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget, which comes with a 9.2-Cent or 8.3% Tax Hike and included in Your 3rd Qtr. (August) Tax Bill.
More interesting though was Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak's inability to persuade Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl of anything and his reaction to Diehl's comments is priceless.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Top 10 Reasons - you gotta like the Board of Mythomania's handling of Super Dr. Richard 'Build the Trust' O'Malley's expiring contract!?!
10. Because you like seeing the Board of Mythomania give website updates on the Teachers' Contract Negotiations but provide Nothing on Dr. O'Malley's Contract Negotiations.
9. Because you find it encouraging when reaching out to the Board's Leadership on the status of his contract and getting the courtesy of No Response and, when you follow up, get an "Out of Office' Auto Reply.
8. Because you get greater comfort when you don't get a response from Board Prez. Veena 'Out of Office' Iyer, you reach out to the Board V.P. Dr. Frank and he follows suit.
7. Because you like it when you ask about the status of Dr. O'Malley's contract, their Silent Majority rises to new heights.
6. Because you like it when Your Super publicly interviews for another position and the Board of Mythomania doesn't think it's important enough to publicly explain to You.
5. Because you like it when they've already decided to renew his contract and don't bother to tell you that tad bit of a fact or get your input first.
4. Because you like it when they define transparency as 'On a Need to Know Basis' and You don't Need to Know what they're doing.
3. Because you like it when the people elected to represent You don't ask for public input until it's too late for Your input to matter.
2. Because you like it when You've invested a lot of time and money in a guy (now at $223k) and the Board negotiates and sends a new proposed contract to the State for approval without asking You - if that's what You want.
1. Because no matter how the State deals with O'Malley's current $223k against the Super Cap of $175k in whatever contract they've agreed to and submitted, You don't have a say in their decision to renew his contract - and that's just Not Nice!
He's Stayin' - whether You want him or Not!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage Cuts to Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget?!?
Just in case you want to know what the effect is to You of any 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage Cuts (geez, I crack myself up) to Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget, which comes with an increase of 9.2 Cents or 8.3% - just drop in Your Assessed Value and what You think they should cut below.
Looks like they'll be meeting on July 23rd to tell us all about their review.
Looks like they'll be meeting on July 23rd to tell us all about their review.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Not to worry - Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak will be all over Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Tax Hike!?!
He'll show Mayor ChoiLankey he can't do this to the people in the 'DemBadLands.'
Anyhoo, hope he knows he can't ask Mayor ChoiLankey for help with this budget review!?!
Anyhoo, hope he knows he can't ask Mayor ChoiLankey for help with this budget review!?!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
3rd Qtr. Estimated Edison Property Tax Bills are out!
Just saw the estimated 3rd qtr tax bill. While there isn't very much helpful information on it - the amount due may be paid without interest until 8/11/14.
This estimate is calculated using an annual tax rate of 4.931 (per hundred), which is 15.5 cents or 3.25% up over last year's 4.776. This year's 4.931 consists of 1.212 for the muni tax, .20 for the garbage tax, .786 for the county taxes and 2.733 for the school tax.
If you want to know how much of an increase is in that amount on your 3rd qtr. property tax bill, just subtract that amount from what you paid for the 2nd qtr (May 1 bill). That will equal half the increase for 2014. The second half will be paid with the 4th qtr. tax bill.
Recognize that this 3rd qtr estimate assumes that the Edison Council leaves the Introduced Muni budget intact with a 9.2 cents or 8.3% tax hike.
This estimate is calculated using an annual tax rate of 4.931 (per hundred), which is 15.5 cents or 3.25% up over last year's 4.776. This year's 4.931 consists of 1.212 for the muni tax, .20 for the garbage tax, .786 for the county taxes and 2.733 for the school tax.
If you want to know how much of an increase is in that amount on your 3rd qtr. property tax bill, just subtract that amount from what you paid for the 2nd qtr (May 1 bill). That will equal half the increase for 2014. The second half will be paid with the 4th qtr. tax bill.
Recognize that this 3rd qtr estimate assumes that the Edison Council leaves the Introduced Muni budget intact with a 9.2 cents or 8.3% tax hike.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Super Dr. Richard 'Build the Trust' O'Malley's employment contract - expires 7/1/15!
Just a heads-up not to let the Board of Mythomania fly under the radar on the status of his contract. This will be the final year of his contract. You can see his current contract here.
Remember this is the guy they rushed in back in November 2010 to beat the new Super Cap law. He started at $210,000 back then and will be at $222,854 come July 1, 2014. This is also the guy who publicly interviewed for another Super position, which the Board of Mythomania never addressed.
Anyhoo, we have invested a lot of time and money in this guy - and the Board has a lot of explaining to do and you shouldn't be shut out of the process, until the last minute when they vote and it's too late.
Remember this is the guy they rushed in back in November 2010 to beat the new Super Cap law. He started at $210,000 back then and will be at $222,854 come July 1, 2014. This is also the guy who publicly interviewed for another Super position, which the Board of Mythomania never addressed.
Anyhoo, we have invested a lot of time and money in this guy - and the Board has a lot of explaining to do and you shouldn't be shut out of the process, until the last minute when they vote and it's too late.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Vote for democracy, not Democrats, in Edison
That was the title of a piece (below) that I wrote some 11 years ago. Given the actions by Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage - just change Spadoro and his all-Democratic rule to ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage and you get the same results.
[[About the only thing that Edison Mayor George Spadoro and the local Democratic party like more than winning is making the other side lose. In the latest example, while it's called wards, it's really the will of the people they're trampling all over to keep the status quo. It's not surprising, since it's all about maintaining power and one-party control over the purse strings - and they'll do and say whatever is necessary to keep it away from the people. It's the reality under Edison's all-Democratic rule; protect and preserve the Democratic party's interests above all, including those of the people.
Someone once quipped. 'a democracy is where two wolves and a sheep take a majority vote on what's for supper.' The point is democracy works best when there is an open and free exchange ideas, and when debate is encouraged. When dissenting opinion is absent, representative government is at its weakest and most clandestine. Such is the case under Edison Mayor George Spadoro's all-Democratic government. It's an unfortunate by-product of our form of government - the one-party rule.
The overwhelming concern with Spadoro's one-party government is information or more specifically, the lack of information, With total control by the democrats, what you get to know, how much you get to know, and when you get to know it is all predetermined and detrimental to your pocketbook. There's no one to challenge anything or to tell you otherwise. Priorities are set and monies disbursed without any substantive questioning or verifiable rationale.
There is no distinction between the administration and the council and hence, no checks and balances. The open and free exchange of Spadoro's ideas and policies is non-existent. Public involvement and input is impossible since debate is limited to what they want to tell you and only when they tell you.
The simple reality is that Spadoro's one-party government unnecessarily costs us money to fund party excesses. It's not what they tell us that costs the most but rather what and when they don't tell us.
With four council spots up this year, it's time we arm the sheep and prevent the wolves from determining what they'll be having for supper again. We need to vote out the democrats and break-up the one-party rule.
On Nov. 4, whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, a vote for the Democratic slate is about the most un-Democratic thing you can do.]]
Anyhoo, welcome back to one-party rule in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands.' As Yogi Berra says, 'it's deja vu all over again!'
[[About the only thing that Edison Mayor George Spadoro and the local Democratic party like more than winning is making the other side lose. In the latest example, while it's called wards, it's really the will of the people they're trampling all over to keep the status quo. It's not surprising, since it's all about maintaining power and one-party control over the purse strings - and they'll do and say whatever is necessary to keep it away from the people. It's the reality under Edison's all-Democratic rule; protect and preserve the Democratic party's interests above all, including those of the people.
Someone once quipped. 'a democracy is where two wolves and a sheep take a majority vote on what's for supper.' The point is democracy works best when there is an open and free exchange ideas, and when debate is encouraged. When dissenting opinion is absent, representative government is at its weakest and most clandestine. Such is the case under Edison Mayor George Spadoro's all-Democratic government. It's an unfortunate by-product of our form of government - the one-party rule.
The overwhelming concern with Spadoro's one-party government is information or more specifically, the lack of information, With total control by the democrats, what you get to know, how much you get to know, and when you get to know it is all predetermined and detrimental to your pocketbook. There's no one to challenge anything or to tell you otherwise. Priorities are set and monies disbursed without any substantive questioning or verifiable rationale.
There is no distinction between the administration and the council and hence, no checks and balances. The open and free exchange of Spadoro's ideas and policies is non-existent. Public involvement and input is impossible since debate is limited to what they want to tell you and only when they tell you.
The simple reality is that Spadoro's one-party government unnecessarily costs us money to fund party excesses. It's not what they tell us that costs the most but rather what and when they don't tell us.
With four council spots up this year, it's time we arm the sheep and prevent the wolves from determining what they'll be having for supper again. We need to vote out the democrats and break-up the one-party rule.
On Nov. 4, whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent, a vote for the Democratic slate is about the most un-Democratic thing you can do.]]
Anyhoo, welcome back to one-party rule in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands.' As Yogi Berra says, 'it's deja vu all over again!'
Monday, June 30, 2014
The Real 'Good, Bad & Ugly' here in Downtown Edison!
Just saw Mayor Tom '8.3%' ChoiLankey defend his 2014 Muni Budget in the piece in the SL here. A budget that takes the Muni Tax Rate up to 1.208, 9.2 Cents or 8.3% over last year, which adds $6.8 million to the Local Tax Levy.
Well, with all due respect to Mayor Lankey, he's interpreting facts for his own conclusion. No doubt an 8.3% Tax Ambush is unnecessary and why he's having difficulty supporting it with his disingenuous rhetoric. Throw in another $20 million in debt and you can see this is just a Tax & Spend Dem oligarchy gone wild at Your expense.
It's not a revenue problem, it's a Local Dem Party Rule problem just looking to restock the town's coffers.
I like Lankey but his attempted justification for this budget is even weaker than the numbers he has in it.
Here's the real Good, Bad & Ugly in the 'DemBadLands' of Mayor ChoiLankey!
Anyhoo, we get the type of credible & open governance we deserve here in Downtown Edison.
Well, with all due respect to Mayor Lankey, he's interpreting facts for his own conclusion. No doubt an 8.3% Tax Ambush is unnecessary and why he's having difficulty supporting it with his disingenuous rhetoric. Throw in another $20 million in debt and you can see this is just a Tax & Spend Dem oligarchy gone wild at Your expense.
It's not a revenue problem, it's a Local Dem Party Rule problem just looking to restock the town's coffers.
I like Lankey but his attempted justification for this budget is even weaker than the numbers he has in it.
Here's the real Good, Bad & Ugly in the 'DemBadLands' of Mayor ChoiLankey!
Anyhoo, we get the type of credible & open governance we deserve here in Downtown Edison.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Mayor ChoiLankey - Lost to the Dark Side!?!
You know, I like Senor Lankey. No doubt he's a very smart individual and could do some good things for the people of Downtown Edison, if he used his smarts to do it. Unfortunately, he isn't doing that - he's letting his smarts be trumped to do something else.
Given his four years on the Council & being Chairman of the Council's Finance Committee - he's the last guy in Downtown Edison that can credibly try and ambush You with humongous Tax Hikes in both the Muni & Sewer taxes - and try and do it with a straight face, to boot.
His 2014 Muni Budget with an 8.3% Tax Hike, asking for an additional $6.8 million, is simply laughingly unsupportable and his Mythomania Land Budget Presentation proves it. Nothing in those numbers or what he's done or said so far, supports such a huge increase. That's because he Can't support it. Throw in another $20 million in debt they're approving and you can see where he's going.
So, while I may be disappointed with Mayor ChoiLankey for not finding the balance between the Dem Party and the People of Downtown Edison, you should understand this bit of reality;
With all these bogus tax hikes & bonding to build up the township coffers at Your expense, Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage aren't investing in Edison, they're investing in the Local Dem Party - the Party that continues to make Edison safe for Hypocrisy.
Mayor ChoiLankey has truly chosen sides and is truly worthy of the title - Mayor of DemBadLands:
Anyhoo, I hope it's worth it to him because I always thought he was better than that. Guess I was wrong.
Just an End justifies the Means kind of Guy and they hope you just don't remember the means!
Given his four years on the Council & being Chairman of the Council's Finance Committee - he's the last guy in Downtown Edison that can credibly try and ambush You with humongous Tax Hikes in both the Muni & Sewer taxes - and try and do it with a straight face, to boot.
His 2014 Muni Budget with an 8.3% Tax Hike, asking for an additional $6.8 million, is simply laughingly unsupportable and his Mythomania Land Budget Presentation proves it. Nothing in those numbers or what he's done or said so far, supports such a huge increase. That's because he Can't support it. Throw in another $20 million in debt they're approving and you can see where he's going.
So, while I may be disappointed with Mayor ChoiLankey for not finding the balance between the Dem Party and the People of Downtown Edison, you should understand this bit of reality;
With all these bogus tax hikes & bonding to build up the township coffers at Your expense, Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage aren't investing in Edison, they're investing in the Local Dem Party - the Party that continues to make Edison safe for Hypocrisy.
Mayor ChoiLankey has truly chosen sides and is truly worthy of the title - Mayor of DemBadLands:
Anyhoo, I hope it's worth it to him because I always thought he was better than that. Guess I was wrong.
Just an End justifies the Means kind of Guy and they hope you just don't remember the means!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Council's Public Hearing on 2014 Budget - can you say Gobli-Gook?!?
Well, I take it by now that the 2014 Budget Presentation at tonight's Council Meeting is under way.
After looking at tonight's Presentation, these words of Albert Einstein came to mind, 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.'
So, with a take-off on that thought - here's my take on Mayor ChoiLankey's Budget Presentation:
Anyhoo, unless your audience is a class of bean counters, how is this helpful to residents & taxpayers of Edison in understanding the need for such a huge tax hike over last year?
I'll tell you, it isn't!
After looking at tonight's Presentation, these words of Albert Einstein came to mind, 'If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.'
So, with a take-off on that thought - here's my take on Mayor ChoiLankey's Budget Presentation:
Anyhoo, unless your audience is a class of bean counters, how is this helpful to residents & taxpayers of Edison in understanding the need for such a huge tax hike over last year?
I'll tell you, it isn't!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Mayor ChoiLankey's CY 2014 Budget - Best Turnaround Ever!?!
Well, if the 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage lets Mayor ChoiLankey's 8.3% Tax Ambush..aka CY 2014 Muni Budget, slide by - then we'll have to give credit to Senor Lankey for the Best Turnaround Ever.
He will of taken the % of Your Property Tax Bill Increase that goes to the Municipality from -4.3% to 54.3% in just 6 months on the job. Don't quite remember such a great feat by a sitting Mayor here in Downtown Edison.
What a Guy!
Anyhoo, you know it has to be some ridiculous amount to unseat the Reigning King of Tax Increases & Out-of-Control $pending here in Downtown Edison - the Board of Mythomania! Bet they're Happy about Mayor ChoiLankey's turnaround!
So, here you go:
And here's the numbers:
He will of taken the % of Your Property Tax Bill Increase that goes to the Municipality from -4.3% to 54.3% in just 6 months on the job. Don't quite remember such a great feat by a sitting Mayor here in Downtown Edison.
What a Guy!
Anyhoo, you know it has to be some ridiculous amount to unseat the Reigning King of Tax Increases & Out-of-Control $pending here in Downtown Edison - the Board of Mythomania! Bet they're Happy about Mayor ChoiLankey's turnaround!
So, here you go:
Monday, June 23, 2014
Top 10 Reasons
why you gotta get a warm feeling all over with the 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage, aka Edison Council, reviewing Mayor ChoiLankey's $6.8 million (8.7%) hike in the 2014 Muni Tax Levy:
10. Because the Entourage never bothered to publicly ask for the 2014 Budget from Mayor ChoiLankey and didn't even tell You when they received it on May 28th that it came with an 8.3% Tax Hike Ambush.
9. Because if the Entourage waits any longer to adopt a 2014 Budget - we won't need a Budget, we'll have the actual numbers.
8. Because Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak is so attached to Mayor ChoiLankey that the 2014 Budget had to be increased for one of those no-bid unspecified special thingies - to buy Snickers Bars.
7. Because Karabinchk's side-kick, Alvaro 'KaraMia' Gomez is Chairman of the Finance Committee.
6. Because you like how they have yet to schedule 2014 Public Budget Hearings with the Department Heads.
5. Because you like that some 54% of this year's increase on Your Tax Bill will go into Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands' for his unsupported $pending.
4. Because the bigger controversy won't be this 'You're Getting Taxed Out' 2014 Budget but rather the on-going and forever exchanges between Karabinchak & Diehl.
3. Because you like 'Dog & Pony' Shows and it makesYou laugh while they blatantly take another $6.8 million of Your hard earned money.
2. Because You like the fact that the Entourage had no problems Not Raising Taxes with the last 4 years' Budgets but all of a sudden have a problem with this one.
1. Because the only 'Checks & Balances' we gonna have with this 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage is their checking their Ranking on the Local Dem Party's pecking order.
10. Because the Entourage never bothered to publicly ask for the 2014 Budget from Mayor ChoiLankey and didn't even tell You when they received it on May 28th that it came with an 8.3% Tax Hike Ambush.
9. Because if the Entourage waits any longer to adopt a 2014 Budget - we won't need a Budget, we'll have the actual numbers.
8. Because Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak is so attached to Mayor ChoiLankey that the 2014 Budget had to be increased for one of those no-bid unspecified special thingies - to buy Snickers Bars.
7. Because Karabinchk's side-kick, Alvaro 'KaraMia' Gomez is Chairman of the Finance Committee.
6. Because you like how they have yet to schedule 2014 Public Budget Hearings with the Department Heads.
5. Because you like that some 54% of this year's increase on Your Tax Bill will go into Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands' for his unsupported $pending.
4. Because the bigger controversy won't be this 'You're Getting Taxed Out' 2014 Budget but rather the on-going and forever exchanges between Karabinchak & Diehl.
3. Because you like 'Dog & Pony' Shows and it makesYou laugh while they blatantly take another $6.8 million of Your hard earned money.
2. Because You like the fact that the Entourage had no problems Not Raising Taxes with the last 4 years' Budgets but all of a sudden have a problem with this one.
1. Because the only 'Checks & Balances' we gonna have with this 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage is their checking their Ranking on the Local Dem Party's pecking order.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Public Meeting on Mayor ChoiLankey's 6 Month Budget with an 8.3% Tax Bite - June 25, 2014
Well, see from the Council's agenda that they're having a public meeting on Mayor ChoiLankey's $120.9 million Muni Budget for 2014. This budget comes with a tax rate ( per 100) of 1.208, up 9.2 Cents or 8.3% over last year's 1.116. A budget that only Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' entourage could actually look at and not laugh.
But hey, if you're planning to go to the meeting and wish to offer your opinion on the budget, just two bits of advice. First, before you speak - hand the clerk a Snickers bar and second, when you begin to speak - talk fast and don't look up. That 6 minutes goes by awful fast if you offer a differing opinion - so why look at the scowls.
Anyhoo, it's You they've Blindsided in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands' and it's Your money they're looking to take - so you should go and not just let them have it.
Sorry, forgot something else from the agenda. Looks like they're gonna bond for some $20 million for capital & sewer improvements. You might want to pay attention to that bit of Bond-a-Palooza! Finally, that 15 year 1-Cent Edison Open Space tax expired in 2013 and won't be on your tax bill this year. If anyone on the Council or their surrogates has any ideas about doing it again - just say no thanks. Their record on spending all that money on that piece of work hasn't exactly been stellar - ask Russomanno about it, he'll tell you.
But hey, if you're planning to go to the meeting and wish to offer your opinion on the budget, just two bits of advice. First, before you speak - hand the clerk a Snickers bar and second, when you begin to speak - talk fast and don't look up. That 6 minutes goes by awful fast if you offer a differing opinion - so why look at the scowls.
Anyhoo, it's You they've Blindsided in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands' and it's Your money they're looking to take - so you should go and not just let them have it.
Sorry, forgot something else from the agenda. Looks like they're gonna bond for some $20 million for capital & sewer improvements. You might want to pay attention to that bit of Bond-a-Palooza! Finally, that 15 year 1-Cent Edison Open Space tax expired in 2013 and won't be on your tax bill this year. If anyone on the Council or their surrogates has any ideas about doing it again - just say no thanks. Their record on spending all that money on that piece of work hasn't exactly been stellar - ask Russomanno about it, he'll tell you.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro - always taxing out..oops-helping out taxpayers of Downtown Edison!?!
What can you say with the County increasing Your County Tax this year by 4.0-Cents - up to .727 per hundred or 5.8%. Hey, they kept the County Open Space Tax flat at .059.
But hey, what do I know? They haven't had a decent tax increase since 2011when they gave us an 11.6% tax hike. So, what's another 5.4% tax hike added to Your tax bill for 2014?
At least we have Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro looking out for us!
Anyhoo, gotta like the concept of 'Stabilizing Taxes' here in the 'DemBadLands', aka Downtown Edison!
'Cuz I'm just a Tax Happy-Go-Lucky Guy!
'Cuz I'm just a Tax Happy-Go-Lucky Guy!
Mayor ChoiLankey's 8.3% Tax Hike Budget in 'DemBadLands' - by line item?!?
Well, at least for me, Mayor ChoiLankey has yet to bridge the credibility gap between his 2014 Muni Budget rhetoric and his Introduced Budget numbers. You just can't cry wolf and ambush people with such a huge tax increase without it being noticed. And certainly, Senor Lankey owes the people of Downtown Edison a better explanation than he's offered so far.
So, while I can't take this 2014 Muni Budget seriously, you may want to see what's in it and where the changes are by line item. Now, I don't know about you, but who wants to go through some 60+ pages of budget numbers to see what's happening and what's changing. I certainly don't. So, I just entered his budget numbers into an Excel file and created a pivot table so you can sort and arrange the data anyway you want to see it and easily find what you're looking for.
Here's a summary of where the changes are:
Here's the Revenue Pivot Table (set on Local Revenue accounts):
Here's the Appropriations Pivot Table (set on Salaries & Wages accounts):
Anyhoo, anyone interested in having this file, you're welcome to it - just drop me a note.
So, while I can't take this 2014 Muni Budget seriously, you may want to see what's in it and where the changes are by line item. Now, I don't know about you, but who wants to go through some 60+ pages of budget numbers to see what's happening and what's changing. I certainly don't. So, I just entered his budget numbers into an Excel file and created a pivot table so you can sort and arrange the data anyway you want to see it and easily find what you're looking for.
Here's a summary of where the changes are:
Monday, June 16, 2014
Edison's Preliminary CY 2014 Property Tax Bill - Up 15.1-Cents or 3.2%!?!
Well, just saw the County's tax rates for CY 2014. The County Tax Rate is .727, which is up 4-Cents or 5.8%. They held the County Open Space Rate flat at last year's .059. That increase was kind of surprising since I thought I read somewhere that their budget only went up 1-2%.
The previously voter approved School Budget came with a School Tax Rate of 2.733, which was up 2.9-Cents or 1.1%.
The Introduced CY 2014 Muni Budget comes with a Muni Tax Rate of 1.208 (includes Library), which is up 9.2-Cents or 8.3%. The 15 Year 1-Cent Muni Open Space Tax had expired in 2013 and won't be on your Tax Bill for 2014. If you're in Garbage District 1, it's my understanding that the rate is being held flat at last year's .20. Of course, this budget is subject to review and approval by the Council, so the Muni Tax Rates may or may not change.
So, if you add all this up - we're looking at Property Tax Bills with a CY 2014 Rate of 4.927, which is up 15.1-Cents or 3.2% over Last Year's 4.776. If you live in that imaginary home assessed at $176,700 - then you'll see a Total Property Tax Increase of $266.82 (176,700/100 x .151). If you don't, just take your home's assessed value divided by 100 and multiply that times .151 - or just use the chart below.
Anyhoo, just hard to believe these increases being put through here in Downtown Edison.
The previously voter approved School Budget came with a School Tax Rate of 2.733, which was up 2.9-Cents or 1.1%.
The Introduced CY 2014 Muni Budget comes with a Muni Tax Rate of 1.208 (includes Library), which is up 9.2-Cents or 8.3%. The 15 Year 1-Cent Muni Open Space Tax had expired in 2013 and won't be on your Tax Bill for 2014. If you're in Garbage District 1, it's my understanding that the rate is being held flat at last year's .20. Of course, this budget is subject to review and approval by the Council, so the Muni Tax Rates may or may not change.
So, if you add all this up - we're looking at Property Tax Bills with a CY 2014 Rate of 4.927, which is up 15.1-Cents or 3.2% over Last Year's 4.776. If you live in that imaginary home assessed at $176,700 - then you'll see a Total Property Tax Increase of $266.82 (176,700/100 x .151). If you don't, just take your home's assessed value divided by 100 and multiply that times .151 - or just use the chart below.
Anyhoo, just hard to believe these increases being put through here in Downtown Edison.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget & the 2% Property Tax Cap!
Well, looks like the myth of the 2% Hard Cap on the Property Tax Levy has hit us here in Downtown Edison. You know, the 2% Hard Cap Exclusions and Banked Caps that allow increases greater than 2%.
Last I looked, there were a dozen or so exclusions to the 2% Hard Cap. This would be for things like health & pension costs, capital expenditures and emergencies, to name a few. These are excluded from the Cap calculation and the increase passed directly on to the taxpayers.
The Banked Cap is also another way to get around the 2% Hard Cap. Any increase under 2% can be 'Banked' and carried forward for three years and used to go above the 2% Cap in a later year.
Looks like Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget includes mucho exclusions to the 2% Cap and why the Muni Tax Rate is $1.208 - up 9.2 cents or 8.3% over last year. You can see their Tax Levy calculation in the budget on page 7 - sheet 3b-1:
Here's what it looks like:
Anyhoo, hard to see the justifications for such a huge increase in this budget. Let's hope someone is looking at this budget - maybe it's me but some of the detail schedules don't even agree to the summary pages.
Last I looked, there were a dozen or so exclusions to the 2% Hard Cap. This would be for things like health & pension costs, capital expenditures and emergencies, to name a few. These are excluded from the Cap calculation and the increase passed directly on to the taxpayers.
The Banked Cap is also another way to get around the 2% Hard Cap. Any increase under 2% can be 'Banked' and carried forward for three years and used to go above the 2% Cap in a later year.
Looks like Mayor ChoiLankey's 2014 Budget includes mucho exclusions to the 2% Cap and why the Muni Tax Rate is $1.208 - up 9.2 cents or 8.3% over last year. You can see their Tax Levy calculation in the budget on page 7 - sheet 3b-1:
Here's what it looks like:
Monday, June 9, 2014
Well, guess that's one way for Mayor ChoiLankey to get a modest $703k $pending Increase in 2014!?!
Just don't compare your 2014 Muni Budget to 2013's Actual Adopted Muni Budget. Guess he's taking lessons from his friends over there on the Board of Mythomania - where the prior year's budget used to compare to the current year budget to get the change - is always different than the budget You Voted on!
But hey, whatever works for Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage to get away with an 8.3% Muni Tax Hike for 2014!
Appropriations:
Revenues:
Anyhoo, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that Council President Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak says his finance committee will conduct a very careful review and the entire council will listen to what the residents say at a public meeting. Now, there you go!
But hey, whatever works for Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage to get away with an 8.3% Muni Tax Hike for 2014!
Appropriations:
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Mayor ChoiLankey - newest inductee into the Land of Mythomania!?!
Saw this piece on the Edison Muni Tax-Hike here in the papers this morning. Mayor ChoiLankey says there are good reasons why the township's taxes need to go up. Well, then maybe he better come up with some better information and better reasons than he offers in this piece.
With appropriations up $2.6 million, revenues down $4.2 million and, hence, the tax levy up $6.8 million, it's hard for Lankey to just say that the proposed budget of $120.8 million budget only increases by $702,503 - a tad bit of information missing there. It's nice to say you're under the 2% Cap but then conveniently ignore all the Cap Exclusions that just get passed on to the taxpayers.
And what's this cute spin about decreased property values? Yeah, it's true that since 2009 the ratables dropped by some $300 million but that has nothing to do with the change in the tax rate from last year. In fact, ratables actually increased by some $30 million from last year.
We're supposed to believe that he needs an 8.3% tax hike just to add some more police, maintain and enhance municipal services and add some more equipment?!? If Lankey wants to say that - then he needs to come up with a better explanation for such a huge tax increase.
Unfortunately, this is just unsupportable rhetoric by Mayor ChoiLankey to support his unjustified hike in the Muni tax-rate for 2014.
And always get a kick out stuff like this from Council President Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak:
'Our real work in the administration's proposal begins now.' Before the budget is finalized, our council finance committee will conduct a very careful review and the entire council will listen to what our residents say at a public meeting.'
Sorry, don't mean to be a tad bit skeptical but this guy is so attached to Lankey that Lankey has to carry Snickers bars every where they go together. And more importantly, don't place much credibility in his or the finance committee's review - this is the same guy on a finance committee that didn't even know (in a prior budget) that there was a Muni tax hike of 2.9 Cents after they reviewed the budget, tax bills went out and we already paid half the year's tax increase.
There was something informative in the piece though - Senator Barnes revisiting the property tax issue. Hard to understand the reliance for such taxes on a non-cash asset. Hope he gets somewhere.
With appropriations up $2.6 million, revenues down $4.2 million and, hence, the tax levy up $6.8 million, it's hard for Lankey to just say that the proposed budget of $120.8 million budget only increases by $702,503 - a tad bit of information missing there. It's nice to say you're under the 2% Cap but then conveniently ignore all the Cap Exclusions that just get passed on to the taxpayers.
And what's this cute spin about decreased property values? Yeah, it's true that since 2009 the ratables dropped by some $300 million but that has nothing to do with the change in the tax rate from last year. In fact, ratables actually increased by some $30 million from last year.
We're supposed to believe that he needs an 8.3% tax hike just to add some more police, maintain and enhance municipal services and add some more equipment?!? If Lankey wants to say that - then he needs to come up with a better explanation for such a huge tax increase.
Unfortunately, this is just unsupportable rhetoric by Mayor ChoiLankey to support his unjustified hike in the Muni tax-rate for 2014.
And always get a kick out stuff like this from Council President Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak:
'Our real work in the administration's proposal begins now.' Before the budget is finalized, our council finance committee will conduct a very careful review and the entire council will listen to what our residents say at a public meeting.'
Sorry, don't mean to be a tad bit skeptical but this guy is so attached to Lankey that Lankey has to carry Snickers bars every where they go together. And more importantly, don't place much credibility in his or the finance committee's review - this is the same guy on a finance committee that didn't even know (in a prior budget) that there was a Muni tax hike of 2.9 Cents after they reviewed the budget, tax bills went out and we already paid half the year's tax increase.
There was something informative in the piece though - Senator Barnes revisiting the property tax issue. Hard to understand the reliance for such taxes on a non-cash asset. Hope he gets somewhere.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Hot off the Press - 'Edison eyes 9 percent tax hike.'
Well, there you go. Mayor ChoiLankey has finally gotten around to telling us (of course, through the press today) what his tax hike is for 2014. Good thing that the 'Fresh Start Tour Entourage', aka Edison Council, didn't tell us when they received the budget at the May 28th meeting.
A 9-cent tax hike that takes the Muni Rate up to $1.208. You can see what that tax hike means to your pocketbook in the previous posts.
Anyhoo, in the words of Melissa 'Beware the Perils of Perilstein' Perilstein:
'We feel that this is a responsible budget that will get us going in the right direction and move us forward.'
Well, there you go - Hey, I'm convinced - how 'bout You?!?
Anyhoo, the only thing responsible about this budget and Mayor ChoiLankey's stewardship to boot is that elections have consequences and we're responsible for letting hypocrisy control our lives and pocketbooks here in Downtown Edison.
A 9-cent tax hike that takes the Muni Rate up to $1.208. You can see what that tax hike means to your pocketbook in the previous posts.
Anyhoo, in the words of Melissa 'Beware the Perils of Perilstein' Perilstein:
'We feel that this is a responsible budget that will get us going in the right direction and move us forward.'
Well, there you go - Hey, I'm convinced - how 'bout You?!?
Anyhoo, the only thing responsible about this budget and Mayor ChoiLankey's stewardship to boot is that elections have consequences and we're responsible for letting hypocrisy control our lives and pocketbooks here in Downtown Edison.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Is it Public Safety, Censorship or just plain Hypocrisy?!?
Wow, just saw this piece in the SL - '2 Edison cops reprimanded for speaking publicly about manpower levels' here.
This is a tad bit scary news coming out of Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands'. Seems the EDO, which supported Lankey over Ricigliano in the last election had no problem sharing info about police staffing levels endangering Your safety with this line out of one of their fliers in the last Mayoral election:
Don't recall Senior Lankey objecting to this flier or expressing concern about public safety when it went out.
Seems like what's Good for the Goose isn't Good for the Gander here in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands!'
Anyhoo, this truly is a tad bit scary and sure seems to take their usual hypocrisy to new lows.
Maybe it's time for Senor Lankey to take his own Party's flier advice and 'End this shameful behavior - Stop these embarrassing headlines.'
Just an after thought - Mayor ChoiLankey really shouldn't let his aides, Perilstein & Russomanno, speak for him:
Perilstein - 'Discussing public safety numbers in a public forum jeopardizes the public safety of residents of the town.'
Guess she didn't see the EDO flier.
Russomanno - Anthony Russomanno, the campaign manager for Edison Democrats in 2013 who now works in the Lankey administration, said the real issue here isn't a flier circulated by a group independent of the mayor's office, but the chief's efforts to reduce overtime costs. 'It's a matter of dollars and cents, Russomanno said. We're going to need their help in order to accomplish it.'
Guess he didn't didn't see the dollars and cents in Lankey's 2014 Muni Budget - with an 8% Tax Hike.
This is a tad bit scary news coming out of Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands'. Seems the EDO, which supported Lankey over Ricigliano in the last election had no problem sharing info about police staffing levels endangering Your safety with this line out of one of their fliers in the last Mayoral election:
ONLY 8 COPS PER SHIFT NOW PATROL EDISON'S 32-SQUARE MILES
Don't recall Senior Lankey objecting to this flier or expressing concern about public safety when it went out.
Seems like what's Good for the Goose isn't Good for the Gander here in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands!'
Anyhoo, this truly is a tad bit scary and sure seems to take their usual hypocrisy to new lows.
Maybe it's time for Senor Lankey to take his own Party's flier advice and 'End this shameful behavior - Stop these embarrassing headlines.'
Just an after thought - Mayor ChoiLankey really shouldn't let his aides, Perilstein & Russomanno, speak for him:
Perilstein - 'Discussing public safety numbers in a public forum jeopardizes the public safety of residents of the town.'
Guess she didn't see the EDO flier.
Russomanno - Anthony Russomanno, the campaign manager for Edison Democrats in 2013 who now works in the Lankey administration, said the real issue here isn't a flier circulated by a group independent of the mayor's office, but the chief's efforts to reduce overtime costs. 'It's a matter of dollars and cents, Russomanno said. We're going to need their help in order to accomplish it.'
Guess he didn't didn't see the dollars and cents in Lankey's 2014 Muni Budget - with an 8% Tax Hike.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Transparency Level in Mayor ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands'!?!
Well, after 5 months into CY 2014, Mayor ChoiLankey handed his Introduced Budget for 2014 to his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage, aka Edison Council on May 28, 2014.
So, for not telling the people of Downtown that night (after almost half the year is already over before getting a budget) that it's being introduced with an 8% Tax Hike - Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start' team continue to deserve their Transparency Rating of INVISIBLE - as in duct tape transparency!
But hey, it's a good thing they're the ones who are going to review it!?! Maybe they can find Mayor ChoiLankey's Zero-Based Budget he promised for 2014!
So, for not telling the people of Downtown that night (after almost half the year is already over before getting a budget) that it's being introduced with an 8% Tax Hike - Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start' team continue to deserve their Transparency Rating of INVISIBLE - as in duct tape transparency!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Mayor ChoiLankey and his 'Fresh Start Tour' Entourage
So says Mayor ChoiLankey of 'DemBadLands':
'Tom Lankey and the Edison Council will lower costs, streamline services and find new revenues to KEEP YOUR LOCAL TAXES STABLE!'
So does Mayor ChoiLankey in 'DemBadLands!:
Buy hey, not to worry - Mayor ChoiLankey just hired a public relations firm for $45,000 here to make this all sound good.
Anyhoo, hypocrisy continues to know no end here in Mayor ChoiLankey's Downtown Edison!
'Tom Lankey and the Edison Council will lower costs, streamline services and find new revenues to KEEP YOUR LOCAL TAXES STABLE!'
So does Mayor ChoiLankey in 'DemBadLands!:
- Raise the Sewer Tax 35% for Residential property and 50% for Commercial property
- Increase Appropriations by $2.6 million
- Reduce Revenues by $4.2 million
- Increase Your Muni Taxes by $6.8 million
- Increase Your Muni Tax Rate by 9.2-Cents or 8.3% from $1.116 to $1.208
Buy hey, not to worry - Mayor ChoiLankey just hired a public relations firm for $45,000 here to make this all sound good.
Anyhoo, hypocrisy continues to know no end here in Mayor ChoiLankey's Downtown Edison!
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