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.

Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley employment contract - approved at the August 25th BoE meeting

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!

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:

• 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:

And here's first two pages of the contract:

Anyhoo, disloyalty has it rewards and a safe haven over there on Mythomania Lane.

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?

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.

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:

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.

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.

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?!?

"Politicians are like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reasons" Robin Williams

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.'

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.