Edison's 2017 Final Property Tax Bills are out - and so is Your Money!

Well, here you go - the final property tax rate here in 'Downtown Edison' is $5.376, which is up 10-Cents or 1.9% over last year's $5.276.

• Muni taxes are $1.508 (includes Garbage tax), which up 1.9-Cents or 1.3% over last year's $1.489.
• County taxes are $0.890, which is up 3.5-Cents or 4.1% over last year's $0.855.
• School taxes are $2.978, which is up 4.6-Cents or 1.6% over last year's $2.932.

Welcome to 'Downtown Edison' 

Where they $tabilize Taxes the Old-Fashioned Way

They Raise Them!?!

Anyhoo, let's give a Big Round of Applause to all those elected officials that dipped into your pocket once again!

• Edison Mayor Tom 'Now 15.4%' ChoiLankey who ran on $tabilizing taxes and is now up to 15.4%.
• Charlie 'I Abstain' Tomaro, aka 'Deputy Dog' and Board of Chosen Freeholders who said that taxes would only increase by Less than 1% this year - and it is 4.1%.
• Finally, who could forget the Board of Mythomania which has yet to learn that $pending is an Activity and Not an Accomplishment.

Super O'Malley 1 0 Willie Araujo (BoE Candidate)

Someone suggested that I watch the discussion of the Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's contract at the September 18th Board meeting here, so I did as soon as I could.

Just to be clear, I'm not much of a fan of Señor O'Malley as you can read in this blog and certainly don't think the Board should be doing this now, when they have another year to go under the contract they signed before they have to decide to renew his contract or not.

There's not a rationale or substantive reason that I can see to be forcing it in now other than they want to protect their guy at our expense. You can read all my thoughts about this in this blog, which I've already shared with the Board, so I don't need to rehash them here again.

I only look to Dr. Frank to do the right thing here on October 11th and put this decision off until next year. It's his legacy that will bear the vote on October 11th, just as Dave Dickinson owns the Carol Toth debacle.

Now, I'm all for the open, free and spirited exchange at these board meetings and expect that our elected officials will respond and be part of the discussion and answer questions when appropriate. I watched Mr. Brenner and Board Candidates Conway & Bodofsky raise questions and make statements about the proposed contract. All valid questions and concerns as they see it that I hope the Board listened to and respected.

Which brings me to the O'Malley & Araujo exchange over the legal costs under O'Malley's watch and who didn't shake whose hand or who called whom a liar.

Clearly, Señor O'Malley could of probably handled the situation a tad bit better for someone in his position. I'm sure, like all of us, that he's been faced with comments about him and to him in the past that may or may not be true.

A tad bit more respect and a little less personalizing would of worked better here on both sides in bringing out the truth. A truth that remains unknown.

But to his credit, O'Malley said they didn't spend one-million or more that Araujo was asserting. And O'Malley asked Araujo to prove it, which he didn't. Maybe it's me, but if your gonna make statements and they're challenged, then you need to back it up. And Araujo didn't.

O'Malley even made it simple for Mr. Araujo, he told him to ask someone at the dais what the actual number was and Dan Michaud, the BA, would of most likely just of given it to him - but he didn't.

Seems to me that no one should be arrogant, it's not an admirable trait - but if you're gonna be arrogant, then you better darn well be able to back it up. Just a thought for Messrs. O'Malley & Araujo since both had the chance to clear this up but both got caught up in the fray.

Finally, recognize this is the silly season and those seeking office will go to the meetings in the months running up to the election and try and engage in campaign matters. With all due respect to BoE candidates Araujo and Wise, going after Jerry Shi about the Lankey endorsement banner was inappropriate. Campaigning in BoE meetings is not appropriate and Dr. Frank should of stepped in and said so but he didn't. Now don't get me wrong, I won't be voting for Jerry Shi or Maria Wise - and Shi should be voted out on November 7th for sure but he's not wrong here.

O'Malley & Araujo Exchange - Proving once again that 2 Wrongs don't make a Right?!?:

Anyhoo, score this one up for Señor O'Malley and take note of Araujo actions come November 7th.

Something in Edison Stinks!

Gotta appreciate the Humor from the Hahn for Mayor website!

Here's his Platform from same source as above:

As Mayor, I …

– will manage and spend your tax dollars wisely

– will build a world class recreation and community center

– will work collectively with the Board of Education to eliminate overcrowding in our schools and bring back Full Day Kindergarten

– will repair our roads and fix an aging broken sewer system

– will eliminate cronyism, nepotism and favoritism from town hall

– will hire Edison residents whenever possible

– will simplify the permitting and licensing process

– will protect the small business owner in Edison

Anyhoo, you now have a Choice for Change!

Just a Reminder of the Cost of Transparancy over there on Mythomania Lane?!?

Just a reminder that the Edison Board of Mythomania, aka Board of EDems, Board of Hoarders and Board of Sneaky..Sneaky..Sneaky is having their Action Meeting tonight over at Herbert Hoover Middle School at 7:00PM.

Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's contract is not on the agenda - it's up for vote on October 11, 2017. However, you can ask any questions you want about the Board's actions (rationale, justification & support) or the details of the contract itself in the Public portion of that meeting.

You now have the contract and what they say it will cost so this a chance to raise all your questions about jumping the gun a year early and share any comments you may have with the Board.

This contract brought to you by 'We Almost Got Away With It' Transparency Crowd over there on Mythomania Lane - photo credit to Edison BoE:

Anyhoo, if you can make the meeting, then go. If not, you can always reach out to the Elected Board Members and share you thoughts, comments and concerns, whichever way you come down on this move. Just Remember, it's up for Vote on October 11, 2017 and of those voting, one isn't running for reelection and three others are up for reelection - and that will be your last chance to comment.

Cost of Super O'Malley's 5-Year Contract - $1,653,258 - Avg. Annual Cost - $330,652

Well, just got this 'Detailed Statement of Contract Costs' from the BoE today for Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's proposed new contract.

Just like the contract itself, it Raises a ga-zillion questions, the least of which is why it doesn't show how much he's contributing towards health insurance like everyone else does.

Recognize that this type of analysis they did has to use projections into the future so please recognize the actual numbers may turn out to be more or less than what they have on this schedule below. But, just for the heck of it, let's go with their numbers.

Seems the Board of Mythomania, aka Board of EDems, Board of Hoarders, Board of Sneaky..Sneaky..Sneaky deem it necessary to pay Señor O'Malley $1,653,358 over the life of this contract. That's an annual average cost of $330,652.

Not Bad, as long as you live in the World of Mythomania and trying to rush through a contract renewal one-year early.

Here's the Detailed Statement of Contract Costs received today from an OPRA Request:

Anyhoo, still trying to see whatever documents the Board sent to the County Super to support this new contract and gain the County Super's approval. If and when I get them, I'll share with you.

Really?!? Never thought much of the gutter-level politics in this town but this is just too much!

Saw this piece here in the SL about the Mayor's son. Weaponizing a family's difficult circumstances for political reasons is disgusting even by this town's gutter standards.

Whether you like Mayor Lankey or not, this is just wrong.

Leave his family out of it.

Edison BoE Super's Proposed Contract - July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022!

Well, they just posted the proposed contract up on their website. This contract rescinds the contract covering the period April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2019 (you can see this contract in the September 18th  post for comparison purposes).

This contract will be up for vote at the October 11, 2017 Caucus meeting at the ED Center.

Briefly, the compensation is:
-Annual salary $212,344 for the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
-Annual salary of $215,741.50 for the succeeding periods July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2022
-Annual $5,000 in the form of a High School Salary Increment
-Annual Merit Increases (undefined) based on criteria set
-Annual Merit Bonuses up to 14.99% of annual salary

I'm asking the BoE for the actual cost of this contract over its life, cost of the change from the current contract and the documents sent down to the County Super to support this contract and gain approval - and if and when I get them, I'll share with you.

It's kind of important to know the Board's rationale, justification and cost that was used to get County approval so all can be informed before they have a public meeting.



Anyhoo, the contract is out for your review now so take some time to go through it so you can ask any questions about it on October 11th.

Here's last night's Board Meeting - listen to Mr. Brenner's question and comments about the Super's contract and Dr. Frank's response:

Top 10 Reasons

why Dr. Frank Should Not Recuse Himself from voting on Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley's Early Extension Employment Contract, whenever it comes up for vote: Update - Public meeting on the Super's contract has been rescheduled to October 11, 2017 at the Ed Center.

10. Because he wants his legacy to be Leading from Behind.

9. Because he likes making Long-term Decisions for the School District when he is on a Short-term basis.

8. Because he thinks he works for the Super and Not You.

7. Because he wants to Avoid the People of Downtown Edison having a Say on November 7th.

6. Because  he likes doing things that Best Serve the Board's interests and Not Yours.

5. Because he wants the Super to Move Up from #16 on the List of the State's Highest Paid Supers.

4. Because he May Very Well Be the Deciding Vote on the Contract and he wants to carry on the Safe-Haven Contract tradition of his predecessor.

3. Because he hopes you can't see through the Duct-tape transparency that surrounds the building over there on Mythomania Lane.

2. Because he wants to Carry-on the Maeroff & Iyer tradition of Protecting their Guy and Not Holding his Feet to the Fire.

1. Because he wants to Tie the Hands of the Board for the Next 5 Years and he won't even be there.

Edison Boards' of Mythomania and the 'Super' Games they play - to Protect their Own at the Residents' Expense?!?

Well, it started off on a cold night in November 2010 when they brought in Richard O'Malley, PhD to vote on and sign a new contract that ran from 2/7/11 to 7/1/15 with a start date of 2/7/11 or earlier. Why was in done in November 2010 with a 'start date of 2/7/11 or earlier' important when the contract didn't run until 2/7/11?

Because 2/7/11 was the date the new Super Cap Law took effect. They obviously wanted to beat the New Super Cap Law and they did. So, Super Dr. Richard 'Build the Trust' O'Malley got a contract above the Super Cap with a starting salary of $209,000 which included 2% raises and 2% bonuses based upon performance.

The Super Cap Law now wouldn't apply to him until this contract expired.

Then, in September 2014 the Board gave him the first double secret early extension on his contract that was to expire on 7/1/15 while he was publicly interviewing for a New Super Gig in another state - hence, affectionally referred to as Super Dr. Richard 'Looking for the Exit Ramp' O'Malley.

So, how long was this Safe-Haven Contract the Board of Mythomania gave him in spite of his intense dedication and loyalty to the People of Downtown Edison by publicly interviewing for another Super Gig elsewhere - it ran from 4/1/15 to 6/30/19 and since this contract now fell under the Super Cap Law, guess what they did for Señor O'Malley?

They applied for and got a Super Cap Waiver!

Yup, you can't make this stuff up! You can read all about this stuff as it was going on in the 2014 and 2015 posts in this blog. But I digress, so let's move on.

And what did Señor O'Malley get in this Safe-Haven Contract? Well, his salary was at $222,854 at the time and it was dropped down to $209,000 but not to worry, this contract included big bonuses and he ended up with a Bonus of $20,900 for that year.

Got to like this contract. While it started at a salary of $209,000, it came with cost of inflation increases of 1.6% through 7/1/17 and another 1.6% from 7/1/18 on. In addition, it came with a Max Bonus of 8% for 2014-15, a Max Bonus of 10% for 2015-16 and 2016-17 and a Max Bonus of 12% for 2017-18 and 2018-19.

So, what does Dr. Frank want to do to protect Super O'Malley before he leaves - give him another early extended contract - this one 2 years early and for 5 years out to 2022.

So, let's see - Señor O'Malley should now be around $215,741 in salary and has earned some $58,960 in bonuses since he started here.

His salary alone was good enough to put him at #16 of the top Paid Supers' in the state. Not Bad!

Now they want to make his contract run retroactively from 7/1/17 to 6/30/22 - another 5 years! Can't say why they want to do this or why they want to do it now because they haven't said - it's a secret, I guess. Of course, can't say what's in it as yet since this new contract isn't available as yet.

But I do know that they're going to have a meeting on September 13th and it will be on the agenda and may even be voted on that night at the Caucus meeting if they turn it into a Public Meeting.

If they're gonna vote on it that night, then you can be assured that Dr. Frank knows his 5 Yes votes will be in attendance.

That's all you need in the 'Game of 5' over there on Mythomania Lane.

Not quite sure when they're going to release this early extension contract to the public to see - before,  the day of or after the meeting on September 13th but did get a preliminary indication from Dr. Frank that the contract will now be available next Tuesday (Sept. 5th) for the Public to see and review and they will turn their September 13th Caucus meeting into an Action Meeting and Will Vote on this Contract.

Safe bet is to show up at the September 13th meeting if they post nothing on their website about when they will be voting on it - at the Caucus meeting on September 13th or the Action meeting on September 18th.

While we wait for them to Recognize the often forgotten Stakeholder who pay all the bills, here's a quick timeline of Señor O'Malley's journey into Downtown Edison brought to you by Boards' of Mythomania Led by Maeroff, Iyer & Heelan:

And just to be fair, lets not forget the what happened when then Board President David Dickinson was at the helm of and Led this Bottomless Cash Pit and extended Carol Toth's contract by 2 years after only 13 months into a 3 1/2 year contract and we ended up paying some $488,073 for her to stay home - and brought in the 'Musings of DiMuzio' - his best-est buddy:

Anyhoo, it's too early with 2 years left on Señor O'Malley's contract to extend it for another 3 years - especially when no explanation has been made nor rationale and justification provided to the Public by this Board as to why it should even be extended at all.

Just because there's 5 Yes votes on this current Board doesn't mean it's the right thing to do now and clearly signals this Board is worried about this upcoming election for the 4 open seats.

Sadly, sure seems this isn't about what's in the Best interests of the People of Edison but rather the Best interests of this Board in Protecting their Guy for another 5 years.

But hey, what do I know? I still can't figure out how Dr. Frank could persuade 4 other Board Members to buy into doing this to the resident/taxpayers of this town at this time under these circumstances.

As David Dickinson once said to Gene Maeroff - when you have 5 Votes, You can Do What You Want. That's True and Sure looks like Dr. Frank and the Board of Mythomania are Gonna Do Exactly What they Want and extend this contract out to 2022, whether it makes sense or not!

And they will!

But, at least, let them know they can't do it clandestinely and without your knowledge and understanding and without justifying their actions and support for such an action at this time in a Public forum with the opportunity for Public discussion and input. 

Then, pay attention to how they each of them vote on September 13th and Remember on November 7th Who Voted in the Boards' Best-interests and Not Your Best-interests.

Edison BoE needs to Explain their Rationale, Justification & What the Costs will be out to 2022 for Proposed Early Extension of Dr. O'Malley's Employment Contract!

Well, seems Dr. Frank is poised to Give Dr. O'Malley a Going-Away Gift on his way out the door. Problem with that is that You are Not invited to the Party. But hey, it's like a spin on an old joke;

 One PhD say to another PhD - Good thing there are No Masters of the Obvious in Edison!

You just might want to pay attention to what's going on over there on Mythomania Lane with the Board's attempt to Now extend Señor O'Malley Employment Contract to 2022, which is 2-years before his current contract expires and 10 weeks before an election where 4 Board seats are up for grabs.

Apparently, their rationale, justification and the cost impact of making this move Now is on a Need to Know Basis - and they Don't think You Need to Know those thingies.

So, since I think You need to Know, I sent this email to Dr. Frank this morning which you can read and see why I think it's important and hopefully, you will do the same by reaching out to our elected BoE officials and expressing your thoughts.

You can see all their Edison BoE public email addresses in the heading:



Anyhoo, this is going up for a vote at their next meeting, whether you like it or not - so if you think this isn't the right way for the Edison BoE to be doing things or the right time for them to be doing this with 2 years left on his existing contract and 4 seats up for grabs in an election only 10 weeks away or for not telling you even what's in this 3-year extension or trying to do it without you even knowing or how much it will cost you, then now is the time to reach out to all the Board Members and make your thoughts known.