Thursday, February 27, 2014

Lankey Language on 2014 Muni Taxes!?!

Projected State Aid - Schools 2014-15

Just saw these projected school state aid numbers for 2014-15 up on the NJDoE's website. I took some excerpts from their Excel files just to show the year to year change. You can see the complete files up on their website or you can email me and I'll send you the file.

By County:
Middlesex County:
Anyhoo, the Board of Mythomania is getting $13,781,485 - up $284,540 or 2.1% over last year. Now, that's what should show up in their 2014-15 School Budget. If any more that that shows up, their still hoarding taxpayer relief money for increased $pending- again. You remember last year, our state aid was flat, yet we showed an increase in state aid in our school budget. We must of been the only school district in the state that had an increase in state aid in our school budget when the state aid we got from the state was flat.

$pend, $pend, $pend Team ChoiLankey - Isn't that what Tax Stability Means?!

Best Team ChoiLankey get it all out now so we can go back to those Jun 'RForMe' Choi $126 million Muni budgets and then try to blame it on somebody else.

Oh..wait!?!


Anyhoo, isn't it something how some people make up their own definitions of thingies - for the greater good, of course?

PS - better keep on eye on what Team ChoiLankey does to those 2013 Muni Tax Rates:

Per Hundred:
Muni                     $1.049              

Library                  $ .067

Garbage Dist. 1    $  .200

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Edison Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey - foretells brighter future!?!

Just read the piece in the Sentinel on the State of Edison address. You know, I recognize this is part of Team ChoiLankey's 'Fresh Start' tour so I'll leave all the blah..blah..blah to you to read - but is it really necessary to always have Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak following Senor Lankey around for a quote? Would of been more helpful if we got a quote from some of the other notable dignitaries there like say - Former Mayor Jun 'RForMe' Choi?

Be that as it may - Council President Robert Karabinchak said he is excited about Lankey's vision of moving Edison forward. (Note to self; guess it wasn't moving forward all those years he was sitting on the Council!)

'A lot of changes are being made, and they are all good.' he said.

Well, there you go. We can all sleep better at night here in Downtown Edison now - Karabinchak is Happy - things are good!?!


Anyhoo, what do I know? If Senor Lankey is going to let Karabinchak keep following him around - hope he's keeping his coat pockets full with those snickers bars.

Pete, can you get me off the hook?!?

Well, you have to appreciate the humor. Senator Barnes is a good friend of mine and a FaceBook friend - and this showed up on my FaceBook feed today:


Anyhoo, it could happen!

Monday, February 24, 2014

Guess Senor Lankey can't fight that Dem-party feeling any longer?!?

Hey, 2 months is a long time for him to wait!
Next, figure out how much we can get away with and who and/or what to blame it on?!?

Edison Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey - Really?!?

Just saw the piece here in the HNT about Lankey's State of the Town address. I'll skip all the blah..blah..blah and just make a couple of observations about the party that has made Edison safe for hypocrisy:

(1) You know what they call people who think they have the right to hold others accountable for standards they refuse to apply to themselves?!?

(2) Stable means No Change!


Team ChoiLankey - keeping Edison safe for hypocrisy!

Anyhoo, don't you just get a kick out of Mayor ChoiLankey?!? But hey, maybe Senor Lankey can guide us to No Municipal Tax Increase for the next 4 years just like he claimed he did for the last 4 years. Why not?!?

Friday, February 21, 2014

Look..you just have to change a few words

to see why the Dem-party here in Downtown Edison has made Edison safe for hypocrisy!?!


But hey, what do I know? I still can't figure out why Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey can't seem to find his balance?

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Blood Drive at Edison School

Sorry but there are things going on here in Downtown Edison more important to highlight than politics.

Just saw this piece in the Crit here about a Blood Drive on March 4th at Franklin Elementary School. There's a father of a second grader who is battling Leukemia and two young boys in the school who have Thalassemia Major.

These are conditions near and dear to my heart - so please take the time to read the piece about the drive and help if you can.



Edison Zoning Board 2/25/14 hearing on the Cell Tower - postponed until 4/22/14

The Zoning Board hearing on the application for the Cell Tower off of Knapp Ave has been postponed from February 25th to April 22nd.

Please check here for the StopCellTower.org website and here for the latest update.

Edison Mayor Lankey's 'Big Day' - one day away!

Well, tomorrow night Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey gets to make his big pitch for his 'Fresh Start' tour - aka State of the Township Address. Now, unlike the big bad anything goes politics here in Downtown Edison, I'm just not wired to rain on anyone's parade - and this is Lankey's Parade, so I won't.

I'm sure his speech will be well-written, eloquently delivered and well-received by those in attendance. This things usually are when you're preaching to the choir. What he says and how he says it will only have meaning if and when backed up by his actions.

So, my only thought for tomorrow night is what I asked in a previous post (Feb. 11th-Lankey's 'dilemma du jour') - which Lankey will show up?? We'll see.

To quote some lyrics from the song 'Brave':

Say what you wanna say
and let the words fall out.
Honestly, I wanna see you be brave
with what you want to say.

And since your history of silence
won't do you any good,
Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty,
why don't you tell them the truth?

You know, there's a fine balance between politics and people here in Downtown Edison - I truly hope Senor Lankey finds it.



Anyhoo, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that we know Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro will be there and not off working on a County tax increase for us folks here in Downtown Edison!?!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Top 10 Reasons why Edison Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey needs a PR Person!?!

10. Because he wants to keep his transparency status of Invisible going.

9. Because Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak has a minnie meltdown every time he hears something he doesn't like.

8. Because 'Beware the Perils of Perilstein' is stuck in a circular logic loop.

7. Because Russomanno is too busy 'Serving the People of Edison' (after he cashes his $120k check from us).

6. Because Alvaro 'KaraMia' Gomez is too busy trying to defend his 'KaraMia' by making faces at Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl at Council meetings.

5. Because Shah just doesn't have enough information to make a decision.

4. Because Dr. Prasad wants Lankey to have whatever he needs - just like with Jun 'RForMe' Choi (and we all know how that turned out).

3. Because Mascola had the nerve to waste 45 minutes of Karabinchak's time and brought out the angry Cat-Face in him.

2. Because we really don't have anything better to $pend our taxpayer dollars on - so why not get a Dem-party Spin-Meister - perception is better than reality for Team ChoiLankey.

1. Because the Dem-party has its vested interests in Downtown Edison too!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Hottest tickets to get in Downtown Edison!?!

Uh..oh - even the most ardent Dem-party groupies meeting some 'administrative resistance' from Team ChoiLankey for the State of Edison address on February 20th at the Pines Manor?!?



Saturday, February 15, 2014

When Council President Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak Speaks..

people of Downtown Edison should be energized for Team Lankey:

He gets my vote for 'Communications Director' for Team Lankey!

In the meantime, let's give the new guy a break and somebody up there on the Council - please push the mute button and cut off his self-serving rambling and incoherent arguments.

Still on Edison Township's WebSite?!?

Well, you really gotta like Edison Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey's decision to leave this campaign picture of Booker, McCabe & himself up on the town's website - where it doesn't really belong. Though it does fit nicely into his 'Fresh Start' Tour Theme.

So, let me put it in a language Senor Lankey can better understand - a column chart for a column guy:

Anyhoo, what do I know? I still can't figure out who's calling the shots over there at 100 Municipal Blvd!?!

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Latest News Release on the Cell Tower off of Knapp Ave

Here's the link to the latest info on the above. Please give it a read to see what they're doing and help your neighbors out by attending the February 25th Zoning Board Meeting and making your voices heard.

Uh..where's Mayor Choi..Oops, I mean Mayor Lankey?!?

Just read the HNT story on Russomanno here - 'Edison's Lankey announces third appointment.'

Not for nothing but where is Mayor Lankey? Now we have Melissa 'Beware the Perils of Perilstein' Perilstein acting as the Communications Director. Is she now the voice & face of the administration? Wasn't she one of Jun 'RForMe' Choi's groupies when she was on the Council?

Doesn't it concern anyone that the great reformer Jun 'RForMe' Choi has his people in control over there on Mythomania Lane, some still on the Council and now in the Administration?

It should and that's a tad bit disconcerting if you paid attention to his years at the helm. Kind of makes you wonder though who is the real mayor of Downtown Edison.

So, what are you doing Lankey? Isn't it bad enough that you chose Perilstein as your first Choi pick - what's next?

Will we get another Choi selection for your administration because we all know you don't want Perilstein taking the lead for you - she'll be too busy with strategic initiatives and policy - whatever the heck that means in english. Besides that, her views and interpretation of facts are so one-sided she's probably someone you don't want speaking for you. She has somewhat of a tendency to lead with her face.

So, Senor Lankey - who's the Mayor here in Downtown Edison, You or Choi? And, if it's Choi, who's his next selection. I can't wait to see!?!

Anyhoo, don't you just get a kick out of the things people will give up to get a little power and control?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Wow..Team Lankey in Action?!?

Just saw this piece here in the SL - 'Edison rehires aide who sued over wrongful termination.'

You really got to read this thing in its entirety and pay attention to the Lankey team in action:

Russomanno - 'The settlement reached between my attorney and the township has saved the township money in legal fees and a potential court judgment, Russomanno said in a prepared statement. I left a considerable amount of money in back pay and damages on the table in order to settle the suit and be reinstated to my township position. It feels great to to have been vindicated. Now, it is time to put this matter behind us and focus on what is most important: serving the people of Edison.'
One side of the story and Barf!

Ricigliano - 'I'm not surprised, because it's the good old boys' club. It's the same nonsense, different day, said Ricigliano, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 2013 as an independent. It's payback for him running the campaign. It's political payback. Absolutely. Because he wanted me to settle. And first of all, he didn't deserve anything, as far as I was concerned.
The other side of the story - all right!

Perilstein - and aide to Lankey, said the hiring was stipulated as part of the legal settlement with Russomanno, based on the advice of William Northgrove, the township attorney. 'With the prior administration, we have has so many labor relations lawsuits that those that we could settle in a a very financially (responsible) and expedient way, we, do. This settlement shouldn't be considered political payback. That's shortsighted and unjustly cynical.'
Duh!?! - the 'Perils of Perilstein' come alive!

Karabinchak - did not respond to NJ,com's request for comment, be he told MyCentralJersey.com: 'I'm glad to see that it's over and cleared up. I think he's going to be an asset because of his knowledge of the town and the working relationship of the different department.'

And the best of ALL from the leader of Team Lankey - Mayor Lankey:

Lankey did not respond to requests for comment about the lawsuit settlement.
I'll bet but thought he said he would after it settled?!? Guess not!

You know, someone once quipped, 'No matter how cynical I get, it's never enough to keep up.'

Case in point - Team Lankey!

Anyhoo, aren't you proud to live here in Downtown Edison?

Uh..Oh - new Council seating for State of the Town address?!?

Based on last night's Combined Edison Council Meeting, there just might be a new Council seating arrangement for Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey's speech at the Pines Manor on February 20th:

Front Right:

Row 1:
Seat 1 - Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak

Seat 2 - Karabinchak's sidekick Alvaro 'KaraMia' Gomez

Row 3:
Seat 6 - Senor Lombardi

Row 17:
Seat 8 - Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl

Row 18:
Seat 9 - Dr. Prasad

Standing against the back wall - Mascola

Plaza Diner - Shah

Anyhoo, don't you get a kick out of it when a plan comes together?







Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak - grovel, grovel, grovel...

In the spirit of Team Lankey's 'Fresh Start' tour theme - I get by with a little help from my friends;


Let's not forget Karabinchak's side-kick Councilman Alvaro 'KaraMia' Gomez jumping in for the assist!

Anyhoo, don't you just get a kick out of this guy?!?

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Lankey's 'dilemma du jour' for the State of the Town address?!?

Which Lankey will show up on February 20th? Will it be Lankey the politician - the highest elected official here in Downtown Edison from the EDO, the party which made Edison safe for hypocrisy, or will it be the Lankey who recognizes that the interests of the people of Edison should trump those of his party and puts an end to this culture of hypocrisy?

Truly a 'dilemma du jour' for Senor Lankey. But hey, you know what they say - you want to see a person's true character - give them some power!

Anyhoo, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that he can use his campaign manager to help write his speech and that may be of help to him. Maybe it's me, but those campaign flyers were sure full of a whole lot of nothing!


Piece on Cell Tower off of Knapp Ave

Here's a piece I just saw on the proposed cell tower up before the Edison Zoning Board on February 25th. Please take the time to review this proposal and join in the meeting on February 25th and make your voices heard.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

I get by with a little help from my friends - Lankey Style

Well, looks like Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey's 'Fresh Start' tour is in full swing. Took a look at the agenda for Monday night's Council meeting and saw the following:

1. Award of Professional Service Contract for Financial Consulting Services (R.065-022014).

2, Resolution hires Anthony Russomanno as a salaried Township employee with the title 'Constituent Relations Administrator (Resolution R.077-022014).

3. Ordinance amends the Edison Township Code to increase the dollar amount for which the Business Administrator may contract for goods or services without the necessity of obtaining Municipal Council Approval (O.1855-2014).

So, let's see what's going on here. Lankey gives a financial services (not to exceed) $75,000 no-bid contract to member of the Council's Finance Committee, a Constituent Relations Administrator $65,000 salaried position to his campaign manager (yeah, I know, it's part of the settlement) and Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak will lead the Council in reducing the $ amount the administration has to go to the Council for contract approvals.

Nothing fresh about this start!

Let's take these one by one;

1. The $75,000 no-bid Financial Consulting Services contract to Joe Petrucelli, a member of the Council's Finance Committee. It further reads that the Township has a need for financial consulting services to include but not limited to payroll system implementation and utilization, data migration and budget preparation assistance.

First, for purposes of full disclosure, Joe's my friend and he's been volunteering for years trying to help the taxpayers out by working with the Council and Administration over there on Municipal Boulevard. So, you have to give him credit for trying but it's hard to help people who only want your help - only if you agree with them. Don't know why he tortures himself.

Having said that though - you really have to ask the question why Lankey feels this is necessary. We have  (1) a mayor who is a top notch finance guy, (2) a mayor who was the Chair of the Council's Finance Committee, (3) a Business Administrator, (4) a Chief Financial Officer and, (5) an auditor. Not enough talent or expertise there?

2. The $65,000 Constituent Relations Administrator salaried position to Anthony Russomanno, his campaign manager. I recognize that Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak thinks this position is important and overlooked by many administrations but who believes or takes seriously what he says?

What the heck is a Constituent Relations Administrator and what was Lankey thinking?!? This guy is so entrenched in Dem Party campaign mode -  what's he going to contribute to all the residents of Edison - another disingenuous Dem Party campaign flyer? What will he do? Does he go around town meeting with just the registered Democrats and potential Democrats or all residents?

But hey, got an idea for his first assignment. He can take his Dem Party Campaign mailing list and head over there to Knapp Ave. and try and help those people who are dealing with the Cell Tower - who knows, maybe some of them are Democrats?!?

3. Raising the limit for contracts that have to go to the Council for approval. You remember what this was all about. Lankey and the Council reduced the amount so Ricigliano had to get their approval for spending money. Of course, this also came back to bite them when they had to approve Russomanno's landscaping fees over there at the Library Board. Now they all trust each other - so there's no need for that anymore!

So, there you go. Lankey Law to go with his 'Fresh Start' tour.

The Lankey Team
Perilstein, Russomanno, Karabinchak and Petrucelli

Agenda excerpts:


 La Ley de Lankey:
Anyhoo, here's a thought to keep his 'Fresh Start' team together during this Fresh Start' tour. Lankey should hook up Skype in town hall or better yet, convert over to Mac so everyone can do some FaceTime!



Saturday, February 8, 2014

StopCellTower Flyer - Knapp Avenue

Below is the flyer put out by the people over on Knapp Avenue regarding the proposed cell tower in their neighborhood. Please take the time to read it, check out the facts yourself and join in at the February 25th Zoning Board Meeting to make your opinions heard.


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Proposed Cell Tower on the South-Side of Town?!?

Just saw that there's a proposed cell tower up before the zoning board on February 25th at 7:00PM. Now, I recognize that this is the south-side of town but this is something that both affects and effects all the residents of Edison. It's worth some time to pay attention to this before the residents of Downtown Edison get left out of the decision-making process again.

It's being opposed by a property owner on Knapp Ave. - close to where the tower will be and not far from where I live. You can see his concerns and other information he supplies on his web site StopCellTower.org here. Take a look at the site, check it out yourself and then Go to the meeting and voice your opinion.

I'd say call the mayor's office too but I'm not sure he'd answer the phone - but, what the heck, give it a shot!

Who doesn't want a Cell Tower in their neighborhood?!?

A Mayor for all the Dems in Downtown Edison!?!

Seriously!?! What's a campaign picture of Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance' Lankey with Senator Booker  & Middlesex County Dem Party Chair McCabe doing on the town's web site?!?

The election is over and time to at least pretend to be mayor of all the people of Edison - not just the Dem Party folks.

In the words of Emil 'Do the Right Thing' Ferlicchi - do the right thing and take down the picture.



Speaking of my friends over there on Mythomania Lane, I'm reminded of something Former BoE President David Dickinson said when he narrowly won reelection - 'Win by a Little, Lose by a Lot.' True! I'm a big believer in the fact that those who show up to vote - decide!

So, in a town of 100k + people, with some 55k + registered voters, where the Dems outnumber the Reps by 2-3 to 1, Lankey gets elected mayor with only 8,021 votes! Granted, he got 39% of the vote for mayor but that was only some 21,000 votes. Those who showed up decided but Not exactly a mandate in this one-party Dem town.

Anyhoo, gotta like that Local Dem Party - where else but in Edison can you become mayor of a town with the second largest ratables (last I looked and before Councilman Karabinchak's tax appeals) in the state with only 8k votes?!?

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Edison State of the Township address - Feb. 20th!

Well, one of my FaceBook friends posted a political link from Anthony Russomanno, aka..Campaign Manager to the EDO and it showed up on my page. Now, as a general rule, I don't engage in local political rhetoric, fairytales and banter on FaceBook and always ask my political friends Not to do it to me. Un-friend me first, if you must! Guess this one slipped by but please don't do that to me again.

So, let me share what it was all about. It was a NJ.Com article about Edison Mayor Tom 'Form over Substance'  Lankey's State of the Township Address on February 20th at 7:00PM. If you want to mingle with the troops at a pre-address cocktail reception from 5:30-7:00PM - it'll cost you $65.00. Reservations required through the Chamber, of course.

Anyhoo, if you have the time, you should go to hear the speech. Personally, I'll pass - he says a lot of things but the words don't follow the actions.

But then again, isn't that the Edison EDO way - making Edison safe for hypocrisy?!? There's a fine line between politics and people here in Downtown Edison - and Lankey is already out of balance.