On wait, that was Rob the Council Candidate (oops..a Freudian slip, no doubt) making a 15 minute or so speech pretty much about himself at Wednesday's Council meeting on something that the rest of the Council avoided talking about and saying, pretty much anything at all on.
If that's not proof enough for you that this guy is just trying to make himself look good (impossible as that may be) and shouldn't even be a Candidate for Council - much less a sitting Council member - then nothing will.
He's a Poster Child all right - A Poster Child for Everything's that's Wrong with the Edison Council and the EDO selection process!
That 15 minute poorly thought-out and ineloquently delivered rambling performance of his was by far, in my opinion, the most inappropriate waste of the people's time that anyone in town should have had to endure - whether you had to sit there and listen at the meeting or watched it on the local access channel.
And, if Senor Karabinchak wants to say he speaks for the Administration - then, I suggest Mayor Tom 'Now 11.1%' ChoiLankey spend some of that new muni-tax hike money and hire someone to monitor a 5 second delay switch on his council microphone. Geez, just because he thinks he knows Lankey's position on something doesn't give him the right to speak for him - unless, of course, he thinks he's the unofficial Deputy Mayor of the 'DemBadLands!'
Anyhoo, here's Council Candidate Karabinchak's poor attempt to explain something that just makes things look worse for himself, while saying a whole lot of nothing new doing it!
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The Do Nothing Amendment Boys!?!
Anyhoo, at least we're comforted in the knowledge that Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak is still on the Council Finance Committee. Oh wait, that explains why they did Nothing!
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Edison Council's 2015 Muni-Budget Amendment - Once Again, A Whole Lot of Nothing!?!
Caught a piece of the work session tonight and saw them discussing the Council Amendment up for adoption on Wednesday night. Only problem is they didn't say very much other than the 2015 Muni-tax increase was being reduced to 2.9-Cents.
2.9-Cents from What and how much did they actually cut? No context to understand what they did in their eyes wide-shut review.
So, let's see if we can't back into what they did and didn't tell us at that meeting. You can see the Mayor's Introduced numbers in a previous post but, in summary, it came with a Muni-tax rate of 1.244, which was 3.7 cents or 3.1% up over last year's rate of 1.2062.
If they're saying that the increase has been reduced to 2.9-Cents, than the rate they came up with has to be 1.2352 ( last year's rate of 1.2062 + this year's increase of .029). Working backwards knowing the ratables are $7,064,183,022, we get a Muni tax levy around $87,256,581.
Now, if you compare that $87,256,581 to the Mayor's Muni tax levy in his Introduced Budget of $87,847,481 - you get a Whopping decrease in the Muni tax levy of some
That's $590,000 on a pot with some $87 million in it!!
Just to summarize in case they don't tell you Wednesday night when they adopt this 2015 Muni Budget after what will be some 202 days into the calendar year:
Mayor's Introduced Budget - 1.244 up 3.7 cents or 3.1% over last year's 1.206.
Council's Amended Budget - 1.235 up 2.9 cents or 2.4% over last year's 1.206.
Anyhoo, after the Council tells you on Wednesday that they could only find $590,000 to cut out of $87 million and you still look at them without laughing - then you deserve them. It's a joke but, unfortunately, it's on all of us.
PS - don't let them confuse you with their terminology - a reduction in an increase is Not a Savings, it's still an increase. If you live in that imaginary home assessed at $177,300, the Mayor's Introduced Budget increases your taxes by some $66 and this amendment reduces that increase to $51 or some $15. If you don't live in that imaginary home assessed at $177,300, then take your home's assessed value (divided by 100) and multiply it by .008 ( .037 - .029) to get how much this amendment will reduce Your increase. Most assuredly, they didn't save you anything with this worthless amendment.
2.9-Cents from What and how much did they actually cut? No context to understand what they did in their eyes wide-shut review.
So, let's see if we can't back into what they did and didn't tell us at that meeting. You can see the Mayor's Introduced numbers in a previous post but, in summary, it came with a Muni-tax rate of 1.244, which was 3.7 cents or 3.1% up over last year's rate of 1.2062.
If they're saying that the increase has been reduced to 2.9-Cents, than the rate they came up with has to be 1.2352 ( last year's rate of 1.2062 + this year's increase of .029). Working backwards knowing the ratables are $7,064,183,022, we get a Muni tax levy around $87,256,581.
Now, if you compare that $87,256,581 to the Mayor's Muni tax levy in his Introduced Budget of $87,847,481 - you get a Whopping decrease in the Muni tax levy of some
$590,000
That's $590,000 on a pot with some $87 million in it!!
Just to summarize in case they don't tell you Wednesday night when they adopt this 2015 Muni Budget after what will be some 202 days into the calendar year:
Mayor's Introduced Budget - 1.244 up 3.7 cents or 3.1% over last year's 1.206.
Council's Amended Budget - 1.235 up 2.9 cents or 2.4% over last year's 1.206.
Anyhoo, after the Council tells you on Wednesday that they could only find $590,000 to cut out of $87 million and you still look at them without laughing - then you deserve them. It's a joke but, unfortunately, it's on all of us.
PS - don't let them confuse you with their terminology - a reduction in an increase is Not a Savings, it's still an increase. If you live in that imaginary home assessed at $177,300, the Mayor's Introduced Budget increases your taxes by some $66 and this amendment reduces that increase to $51 or some $15. If you don't live in that imaginary home assessed at $177,300, then take your home's assessed value (divided by 100) and multiply it by .008 ( .037 - .029) to get how much this amendment will reduce Your increase. Most assuredly, they didn't save you anything with this worthless amendment.
EBoE Current Staffing - $127,492,461 for 1,864 Heads
Just received the current staffing levels mentioned above. The data file is employee by department, location, title and salary and totals $127,492,461 for the 1,864 heads. Just put some summary schedules together for the data provided.
First, the current salaries by salary range:
If you're like me and don't particular like staring at numbers, here's the data in chart form:
Now, if you look at this data, you'll see that there are 381 staff making over $100,000, which represents 20.1% of the heads and 32.5% of the dollars. The next 1,045 staff making $50,000 but less than $100,000 represent 55.2% of the staff and 59.7% of the dollars. Finally, the 468 staff making less than $50,000 represent 24.7% of the staff and7.8% of the dollars.
Here's what the staffing looks like by department in heads and dollars broken down into average, median, high and low salaries:
Here's what you get if you compare Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's salary to the average salaries:
Por exemplo, he makes 2.6 times the average teacher's salary and 8.1 times more than the average para's and that's after his new contract which dropped his $222,854 base salary to $209,000 and moved it over to performance bonuses.
Finally, here's a picture of an interactive table in this Excel file which you can use to sort the data anyway you want to get at the info you're looking for. Unfortunately, this blog can't handle the table features but if you want a copy of the Excel file just drop me a note. You're welcome to it.
Anyhoo, it is what it is and it will stay that way until you start paying attention to what goes on over there on Mythomania Lane.
First, the current salaries by salary range:
Finally, here's a picture of an interactive table in this Excel file which you can use to sort the data anyway you want to get at the info you're looking for. Unfortunately, this blog can't handle the table features but if you want a copy of the Excel file just drop me a note. You're welcome to it.
Anyhoo, it is what it is and it will stay that way until you start paying attention to what goes on over there on Mythomania Lane.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sorry, but You Can't Solve any Serious Problem in Edison's Dysfunctional Political Arena!?!
Just saw this piece 'Investigation, subpoenas possible after Edison racist test scandal' - here in the SL. With all due respect to my friends in the Local Dem Party, the last people I would want investigating anything is them - especially investigating each other.
Asking one faction of the Dem Party to investigate another faction in the party would be a tad bit useless and tantamount to watching a re-run of Keith Hahn & Anthony Russomanno fiercely going at it in public - only to end up with Hugs & Kisses in a photo-op or for watching one faction maneuver around to gain some advantage over the other faction.
As one who believes the Local Dems are the party that made Edison safe for hypocrisy, the party that spends more time fighting for power and control with each other (with their constant internal power struggles and strife) than they do fighting for the people of Edison and finally, seriously lack any credibility since you never know which faction they're siding with on any given day and hence, what position they're going to take or what they're going to say.
The last place you would want to go to solve a serious problem for the people of Edison is in Edison's dysfunctional one-party political arena.
Serious problems deserve serious, independent and unbiased people to address them - and the only way to do that is for the people of Edison to ask for outside help whenever such problems come up.
Anyhoo, don't claim to know the facts of this particular event or if what the Mayor did was correct or if what the Council wants to do in response is justified but I do know this - I don't want see the people of Edison embarrassed again by the Dems taking their dirty laundry public in an arena where it doesn't belong.
Asking one faction of the Dem Party to investigate another faction in the party would be a tad bit useless and tantamount to watching a re-run of Keith Hahn & Anthony Russomanno fiercely going at it in public - only to end up with Hugs & Kisses in a photo-op or for watching one faction maneuver around to gain some advantage over the other faction.
As one who believes the Local Dems are the party that made Edison safe for hypocrisy, the party that spends more time fighting for power and control with each other (with their constant internal power struggles and strife) than they do fighting for the people of Edison and finally, seriously lack any credibility since you never know which faction they're siding with on any given day and hence, what position they're going to take or what they're going to say.
The last place you would want to go to solve a serious problem for the people of Edison is in Edison's dysfunctional one-party political arena.
Serious problems deserve serious, independent and unbiased people to address them - and the only way to do that is for the people of Edison to ask for outside help whenever such problems come up.
Anyhoo, don't claim to know the facts of this particular event or if what the Mayor did was correct or if what the Council wants to do in response is justified but I do know this - I don't want see the people of Edison embarrassed again by the Dems taking their dirty laundry public in an arena where it doesn't belong.
Some More Top 10 'Bumper Sticker' Suggestions for 'Edison Democrats 2015' November Election!?!
10. Dems Turbo-Charge 08820!
9. All in 08820...Cuz 156 People Say So!
8. 78 Districts...1 Council Ward!
7. Not 4 Dems Below 08820!
6. Vote No 4 08820!
5. At-Large Representation - Just All in 08820!
4. Edison Wards are a Go - All in 08820!
3. All in 08820...Hey, You Still Have Tomaro!
2. All 4-1 - 7-4-08820!
1. We Represent All - Albeit from Afar for 08837 & 08817!
9. All in 08820...Cuz 156 People Say So!
8. 78 Districts...1 Council Ward!
7. Not 4 Dems Below 08820!
6. Vote No 4 08820!
5. At-Large Representation - Just All in 08820!
4. Edison Wards are a Go - All in 08820!
3. All in 08820...Hey, You Still Have Tomaro!
2. All 4-1 - 7-4-08820!
1. We Represent All - Albeit from Afar for 08837 & 08817!
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Just a Reminder on Edison's 2015 Sewer Tax Bills - Know Your Actual Usage!
The first half payment was due July 15th, with a grace period until July 24th, 2015.
If you use the Edison Water Company, it would be doubly prudent to go back and get your 2014 water usage off of your actual water company bills while the town works out any discrepancies reported on the sewer tax bills.
Not for nothing but Know Your Actual Usage to make sure that any remedy they come up with actually works for You.
Anyhoo, don't chalk this up to or confuse this with just another 'Tax & Spend' Budgeted tax increase here in Mayor Tom 'Now 11.1%' ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands.' It's Not!
If you use the Edison Water Company, it would be doubly prudent to go back and get your 2014 water usage off of your actual water company bills while the town works out any discrepancies reported on the sewer tax bills.
Not for nothing but Know Your Actual Usage to make sure that any remedy they come up with actually works for You.
Anyhoo, don't chalk this up to or confuse this with just another 'Tax & Spend' Budgeted tax increase here in Mayor Tom 'Now 11.1%' ChoiLankey's 'DemBadLands.' It's Not!
Friday, July 10, 2015
Edison's 3rd Qtr. 2015 Estimated PropertyTax Bill - uses $5.081 Per $100 Annual Tax Rate
Edison's estimated 3rd qtr. tax bills (August 1) will be out shortly. There isn't much info on these bills - usually just an amount due, due date and a grace period. Thought it might be helpful to understand how they come up with the number that shows up on Your Estimated 3rd Qtr. Tax Bill. Simply stated, they add the calendar year budgeted tax rates for all taxing entities (Muni, County & School) and get a total rate. They then compare it to last year's rate and the difference goes equally into the 3rd & 4th Qtr.
Their 3rd Qtr. 2015 estimate is calculated using an annual tax rate of $5.081 (Per $100), which is 15.5 cents or 3.15% up over last year's $4.926 (Per $100). You can see where the changes are by taxing entity in the rates below. Recognize that the $1.242 Muni tax rate below includes $1.174 and $.068 for the Muni tax and Library tax, respectively.
Also, recognize that their 3rd Qtr. estimate assumes the Edison Council leaves the Mayor's $126.5 million Introduced Budget intact with a 3.7 cent or 3.1% increase, when adopted. If they change it, you'll see an adjustment to your 4th Qtr. taxes due on November 1, 2015.
Anyhoo, enter Your Home's Assessed Value in the box below and see what Your Estimated 2015 Annual Property Taxes will be, Your Estimated 3rd & 4th Qtr. tax and what Your increase will be in the 3rd and 4th Qtrs - hope it helps:
Source for 2015 Rates: Clerk's Office - Best Estimates to Prepare Estimated Tax Bill - Not Certified by County As Yet.
Their 3rd Qtr. 2015 estimate is calculated using an annual tax rate of $5.081 (Per $100), which is 15.5 cents or 3.15% up over last year's $4.926 (Per $100). You can see where the changes are by taxing entity in the rates below. Recognize that the $1.242 Muni tax rate below includes $1.174 and $.068 for the Muni tax and Library tax, respectively.
Also, recognize that their 3rd Qtr. estimate assumes the Edison Council leaves the Mayor's $126.5 million Introduced Budget intact with a 3.7 cent or 3.1% increase, when adopted. If they change it, you'll see an adjustment to your 4th Qtr. taxes due on November 1, 2015.
Anyhoo, enter Your Home's Assessed Value in the box below and see what Your Estimated 2015 Annual Property Taxes will be, Your Estimated 3rd & 4th Qtr. tax and what Your increase will be in the 3rd and 4th Qtrs - hope it helps:
Source for 2015 Rates: Clerk's Office - Best Estimates to Prepare Estimated Tax Bill - Not Certified by County As Yet.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Top 10 'Bumper Sticker' Suggestions for 'Edison Democrats 2015' November Election!?!
10. Run Rob Run!
(on Rob's rear bumper and Bob's front bumper)
9. Go for Rob! - Why Make Him Change Sides Again!
8. Change is Good - We Stabilized Your Taxes, Didn't We!!
7. Strong Checks & Balances..Hee..Hee!
6. The Choice is Clear - You Have No Choice!
5. Keep Calm and Vote Your Unconscious!
4. Don't be Cynical - What Could Possibly Go Right!
3. Do it Again - Confirm You Like Self-Taxing!
2. Stabilized taxes - Hey, You Bought It Last Time!
1. Don't Blame Us - You Actually Believed us!
(on Rob's rear bumper and Bob's front bumper)
9. Go for Rob! - Why Make Him Change Sides Again!
8. Change is Good - We Stabilized Your Taxes, Didn't We!!
7. Strong Checks & Balances..Hee..Hee!
6. The Choice is Clear - You Have No Choice!
5. Keep Calm and Vote Your Unconscious!
4. Don't be Cynical - What Could Possibly Go Right!
3. Do it Again - Confirm You Like Self-Taxing!
2. Stabilized taxes - Hey, You Bought It Last Time!
1. Don't Blame Us - You Actually Believed us!
Change You Can Believe In?!? Really..Seriously?!?
Anyhoo, how you gonna 'Vote for Change' with an incumbent?!?
Monday, July 6, 2015
Heads-Up - discrepancy with Water Usage on Edison's 2015 Sewer Tax Bills!
Just a heads-up. When I got my 2015 sewer tax bill, I was surprised with the increase over last year's bill. I know there was a 2.5% rate increase but that didn't justify the increase I received.
So, I compared the water usage (in gallons) on my sewer tax bill to the actual water usage on my Edison Water Company water bills for calendar year 2014 (the year used for sewer tax purposes).
The water usage on my sewer tax bill was some 9,000 gallons more than the actual water usage on my water bills. Since these usage numbers are reported to the town by the water company, I've been trying to get an explanation for the discrepancy and all they will say at this time is that they checking into it and will provide a call-back when they resolve it.
So, it might be prudent to check your actual water usage from your 2014 water bills to what's being charged on your 2015 Sewer tax Bills.
Don't know how this effects non-residential customers, if at all, but you might want to check it out too.
So, I compared the water usage (in gallons) on my sewer tax bill to the actual water usage on my Edison Water Company water bills for calendar year 2014 (the year used for sewer tax purposes).
The water usage on my sewer tax bill was some 9,000 gallons more than the actual water usage on my water bills. Since these usage numbers are reported to the town by the water company, I've been trying to get an explanation for the discrepancy and all they will say at this time is that they checking into it and will provide a call-back when they resolve it.
So, it might be prudent to check your actual water usage from your 2014 water bills to what's being charged on your 2015 Sewer tax Bills.
Don't know how this effects non-residential customers, if at all, but you might want to check it out too.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
And these are the People You Want Running the Town?!?
Well, saw the piece here about Councilman Mascola switching over to the Republicans to run for council in November. Seems he had a few things to say on the way out the door and so did some of his council peers as well as the 2015 Council Campaign Manager by Coup Anthony 'I Now Love Keith Hahn' Russomanno.
You know, as someone who believes the EDO is the party that made Edison Safe for Hypocrisy, it's insightful but quite disconcerting to watch and see how they turn on each other like rats on a sinking ship when the tide turns against them.
For example, here's a comment from Wayne - "The shenanigans, the back-stabbing - basically, they make the rules up as they go along," he said of certain members of his former party. "If somebody tries to do something back to them, they cry like babies. I've had enough with it. It's time."
Some more Wayne-isms - "For his part, Mascola said Anthony Russomanno, the losing candidate in the race and the establishment's choice, was at fault for the dysfunction - and partially to blame for his defection. Though he supported Keith Hahn, the eventual winner, Mascola said he saw the writing on the wall.
Continuing on - "They'll do whatever they have to to put (Russomanno) back in, and I don't want to be around for that." Mascola said. He added: "The next time Anthony tells the truth will probably be the first time."
And what did Russomanno have to say - Russomanno said Mascola's decision was 'a blow to Keith."
"He's made promises to make changes in the Democratic Party, but he's got his followers defecting to the Republicans," Russomanno said. Bet Keith Hahn appreciates that comment especially after that big Kumbaya, kissy-face meeting at EDO Campaign Headquarters.
Moving on, jumping into the fray was none other than Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak. Not for nothing but the poster child for the EDO not to use 'Change You Can Believe In' as their 2015 campaign slogan. Hard to have change when the same people are still sitting there and can't believe in to boot.
But I digress, so let's move on. What did Senor Rob have to say after being 'extremely disappointed and very surprised?"
"Wayne has been a die-hard Democrat for years," Karabinchak said. "And to change parties just to run for council is, in my mind, fundamentally wrong. I just feel that he's let down all the Democrats that have supported him for years." Almost busted a gut on this one - that's the pot calling the kettle black - this guys been on more sides of the fence more times than anyone I can remember, at least in my mind.
And then there's Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl who is just sitting here with a grin from ear to ear and forcing Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak's blood pressure to go up a few points.
Robert Diehl, the current council president - a Democrat, of course - said he doesn't hold it against Mascola. Diehl noted that Democrats running against the party was not all that uncommon; some have even won that way. It's less common, however, to change party registration and go over to the Republicans. "I understand what Wayne did," said Diehl, who added that he was supporting the Democrats. "And he did do a good job on the council."
Here's the highlights:
Anyhoo, here's my take on all this silliness. If you join their little party here in the 'DemBadLands', agree to play by their rules and accept the benefits they provide you on the way up the Dem Party ladder, then you really, really can't complain and whine about each other when they decide to pull the ladder out from under you - deserving or not. You live by their dysfunctional rules when they're beneficial, You then have to die by them when they're not - without Whining!
You know, as someone who believes the EDO is the party that made Edison Safe for Hypocrisy, it's insightful but quite disconcerting to watch and see how they turn on each other like rats on a sinking ship when the tide turns against them.
For example, here's a comment from Wayne - "The shenanigans, the back-stabbing - basically, they make the rules up as they go along," he said of certain members of his former party. "If somebody tries to do something back to them, they cry like babies. I've had enough with it. It's time."
Some more Wayne-isms - "For his part, Mascola said Anthony Russomanno, the losing candidate in the race and the establishment's choice, was at fault for the dysfunction - and partially to blame for his defection. Though he supported Keith Hahn, the eventual winner, Mascola said he saw the writing on the wall.
Continuing on - "They'll do whatever they have to to put (Russomanno) back in, and I don't want to be around for that." Mascola said. He added: "The next time Anthony tells the truth will probably be the first time."
And what did Russomanno have to say - Russomanno said Mascola's decision was 'a blow to Keith."
"He's made promises to make changes in the Democratic Party, but he's got his followers defecting to the Republicans," Russomanno said. Bet Keith Hahn appreciates that comment especially after that big Kumbaya, kissy-face meeting at EDO Campaign Headquarters.
Moving on, jumping into the fray was none other than Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak. Not for nothing but the poster child for the EDO not to use 'Change You Can Believe In' as their 2015 campaign slogan. Hard to have change when the same people are still sitting there and can't believe in to boot.
But I digress, so let's move on. What did Senor Rob have to say after being 'extremely disappointed and very surprised?"
"Wayne has been a die-hard Democrat for years," Karabinchak said. "And to change parties just to run for council is, in my mind, fundamentally wrong. I just feel that he's let down all the Democrats that have supported him for years." Almost busted a gut on this one - that's the pot calling the kettle black - this guys been on more sides of the fence more times than anyone I can remember, at least in my mind.
And then there's Bob 'See No Conflict' Diehl who is just sitting here with a grin from ear to ear and forcing Rob 'March on Trenton' Karabinchak's blood pressure to go up a few points.
Robert Diehl, the current council president - a Democrat, of course - said he doesn't hold it against Mascola. Diehl noted that Democrats running against the party was not all that uncommon; some have even won that way. It's less common, however, to change party registration and go over to the Republicans. "I understand what Wayne did," said Diehl, who added that he was supporting the Democrats. "And he did do a good job on the council."
Here's the highlights:
Anyhoo, here's my take on all this silliness. If you join their little party here in the 'DemBadLands', agree to play by their rules and accept the benefits they provide you on the way up the Dem Party ladder, then you really, really can't complain and whine about each other when they decide to pull the ladder out from under you - deserving or not. You live by their dysfunctional rules when they're beneficial, You then have to die by them when they're not - without Whining!
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