Mayor Sam 'the Big Lie' Joshi's Campaign Kryptonite - the Truth about his Record

Well, there are many words you can use to describe this character's dismal, inept and embarrassing Mayoral performance and one is that he lacks Character but there are others he lacks - maturity, experience, honesty, integrity, principles, credibility, trustworthiness, political leadership/acumen and transparency to name a few.

Just to update your calendar during this 2025 Campaign season - his next scheduled campaign flyer, photo-op, speech etc. where he'll actually tell the truth is on the 1st of Neveruary. 

Not for nothing but his Day-care provider (the guy who promised he wouldn't rest until he got to the bottom of that 2017 Racist Flyer and who is now his Chief of Staff) would of have at least taught him how to tone down his Outright Lies by telling Half-truths or better yet being Truthful but Misleading.

Seriously, haven’t you seen enough of the ridiculous spending, lack of transparency and his 'Pocket Council' which have made a mockery and embarrassment of this town? 

This town needs a Mayor who represents the People of Edison, Not a hand-picked and unqualified political neophyte who sold out the People of Edison for a chance to climb up the politically corrupt Dem-party ladder.

For the benefit of the People of this town, Recognize and Correct a Big Mistake on June 10th.

Anyhoo, recognize the Real Kryptonite to his 2025 Campaign for another 4 years isn't his Dem-party 'Gutter-politics' Campaign but the Truth about his Record of last 3 years of an Inept and Incompetent Stewardship.

When they Can't Defend 'Bubble-boys' Dismal & Embarrassing Mayoral Record of Performance, they switch to the only mode they have - the 'Gutter Politics' Mode

Well, if your Inept Stewardship has turned this town into the mockery and embarrassment it has become, then you really can't run on your record. 

Hence, typical Dem-party campaign strategy - blame onto others for the problems you caused, in spite of the truth.

Clearly, this guy is too inexperienced, too immature and too untrustworthy to be in the position he holds, no matter how hard they try and hide him in a protective bubble.

This guy sold out the People of Edison for a chance to climb-up the politically corrupt Dem-party ladder and you should recognize that after 3-years of unbelievable incompetence, disruption and chaos, it's time for him to be voted out of office.

Pretty funny though when Mayor Sam 'the Big Lie' Joshi accuses someone else of lying.

Anyhoo, don't be fooled by garbage campaigning, recognize those who should be scared about their record are running scared and it's not about doing what's best for you they're worried about.

Looks like Mayor Sam 'the Big Lie' Joshi has a slight adjustment to the Muni-tax increase in his $175.5m Introduced Budget for 2025

You gotta like election year budgets gamesmanship. First you Introduce the Budget with one tax rate increase, then you wait until the last minute to increase it further by Raising the Cap Limits. 

On tonight's agenda is Ordinance O.2247-2025 - an Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a Cap Bank.

This Ordinance is asking that the 2.5% cap limit be increased to 3.5%, which increases it by $1,493,624 to $5,227,684 for CY 2025.

The already Introduced $175.5m Muni-budget came in within the 2.5% Cap with a tax rate of 1.491, which was up 1.4-cents over last years 1.477 or .95%.

Looks like the Ridiculous Overspending is catching up with them and time for You to Pay for it.

Don't know how much of this $1,493,624 is going to be added to the 2025 Budget Appropriations or how much will be carried over for the next two years but if this extra $1,493,624 is all added into the 2025 CY Muni-budget, it will add another 2.1-cents to the 1.4-cents in the Introduced Budget for a total of 3.5-cents and increase the Muni tax-rate to 1.512, which increases the Muni tax increase to 2.37% over last years 1.477.

Who knows what they're planning to do but you'll know when the 2025 Muni-Budget comes up before his 'Pocket-Council' for Adoption.

Anyhoo, what do you call it when you're told your tax increase will be one thing but you end up getting another?

Edison Property tax rates & changes by taxing entity - Last 4 Years under Mayor Sam 'the Big Lie' Joshi

Well, pending the Council's adoption of the 2025 $175.5 million Muni-budget, here's the Property tax rates and changes by taxing entity over the last 4 years:

• Total Municipal Related taxes up 13.1-cents or 7.8%
• Total County taxes up 1.4-cents or 1.4%
• School taxes down (8.9-cents) or (2.8%)

 

Here's the 2025 Change in Property tax rates by taxing entity (pending Council adoption of the 2025 Muni-budget):

Here's the 12-Year History of Property taxes and changes by taxing entity:

Anyhoo, just so you know where your Property taxes are coming from and Who to thank when you get your tax bills.

NJ School Performance Report

 Just saw this Summary of the Edison School District on the NJ Doe site. Please check the website for more details.

Anyhoo, good information. 

Top 10 Primary Election Bumper Stickers for Mayor Sam 'the Big Lie' Joshi, aka Mr. Shrink-flation, Big-boy Pants, the Weathervane Millennial, the Malleable Marionette, the Event Planner, Sam the Flim-flam Man, the Emperor has No Clothes, the Debt-a-Nator, Mr. Swiper, Bubble-boy and One-termer

Wow..that's a Big Heading for a Top 10 List but, hey, it's a dozen reasons questioning why you would want 4 more years of this nonsense.

10. Vote 4 Sam - EdiSPAM I am, that's all I got. #OneAndDone.

9. Vote 4 Sam - Inexperience & Immaturity has brought us the National Embarrassment we enjoy today.

8. Vote 4 Sam - he reminded Rob 'Boo-hoo' Kentos, just like he did with Coyle, of the Dem-party Mantra - You gotta Go Along to Get Along.

7. Vote 4 Sam - Sold out the People of Edison so he could climb-up Politically-corrupt Dem-party Ladder.

6. Vote 4 Sam - Hey, Diegnan & Karabinchak previously endorsed him, after they first endorsed Bhagia.

5. Vote 4 Sam - Got a Raise to $150k but still needs More money to buy his Big-boy pants.

4. Vote 4 Sam - He'll make it easy for You by Kicking Everyone Else Off the Ballot.

3. Vote 4 Sam - He's done much but there's More to Do to Embarrass the Town.

2. Vote 4 Sam - He needs more time to learn how to upgrade his Outright Lies to Half-truths or Truthful but Misleading. #LiesMadeLiesKept

1. Run Brescher Run - on Brescher's Rear Bumper, on Bubble-boy's Front Bumper.

What are you doing Rob 'Boo-hoo' Kentos?!?

 Well, here's something that should make you question what the heck is going on in this politically corrupt town.

Seems Rob 'Boo-hoo' Kentos is now on Mayor Sam 'Bubble-boy' Joshi's ticket, endorsing and campaigning with him for the Primary on June 10th.

Now, think about this for a second. 

Kentos, who I much respected for taking on the MCDO (after winning the EDO Screening but being removed from the ticket by the County Chair and Joshi in the last election) now is teaming up with Joshi.

Not for nothing but this guy was so offended by Joshi and his 'Pocket Council' that he went up to Council Meetings complaining about Joshi's administration and his 'Pocket Council.' 

How is it he's now running with 'Bubble-boy?' Makes you wonder what he had to agree with to stay on the ticket after winning this year's EDO's Screening.

What does that say about him and why would he expect anyone to now vote for him? Given, we live in a town where there are no political friends, no political enemies - just political opportunities but I would never vote for such a Chameleon.

What's it all about with "Boo-hoo?' Who is he really endorsing in this Campaign for Mayor - 'Bubble-boy' or Brescher? Can't see how either of them would trust him now.

Sadly, it sure looks like the only person he's endorsing is himself, just to get on the Council.

Anyhoo, you get what you vote for in this town - and we don't need 4 more years of 'Bubble-boy' or his latest replacement to his 'Pocket' Council.'

Where's the Democracy in the Democratic Party?

 Well, seems to be the Dem-party's modus operandi in this election cycle - eliminate the competition at all levels and protect the status quo.

Simply disgraceful but at least there are others out there who won't stay silent.

Way to Go Rob!

Anyhoo, when are you going to learn that their definition of 'Democracy' is Two Wolves and a Sheep taking a Majority Vote on What's for Dinner - Don't be a Sheep.

Board of Mythomania Action Meeting March 25, 2025 - back to the future with the inept & dictatorial leadership of Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi

 Well, just noticed the above-mentioned meeting of the Board of Mythomania, Board of Hoarders, Board of Dysfunction, Board of Ed-Dems, Board of Muck & Mire and now Board of Shi-bots.

Seems it didn't take long for us to return to the dictatorial inept leadership of Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi, aka Mr. Shi-shed, Mr. Pac-Man.

You can't say you weren't warned about letting this guy back on the Board - much less let him be President of the Board. He'll just keep the School District from moving forward - like he did with the previous 12-13 years he was there.

Here, watch this meeting and Reap What You Sow:

Anyhoo, you're never going to solve the Biggest Problem this School District has until you wake up and recognize - you need a new school and, Mr. Shi-shed and his Shi-bots aren't the team to properly address it.

Edison's Introduced $175.5 million 2025 Muni-budget - Total Muni tax rate of 1.586, up 1.8-cents over last year's 1.568

 Well, here's a summary of the 2025 Muni-budget introduced at the last Council meeting;

Here's a summary of the changes over last year's adopted Muni-budget (modified for transfers):

The Municipal tax levy is up $2,316,193 (3.12-cents) over last year offset by an increase in the Ratables (1.34-cents) of $62,899,400.

This brings the Local tax increases under Mayor Sam 'the Big Lie' Joshi's 4 year reign of political disaster to 10.3-cents or 7.4%.

Anyhoo, what can you say other than it's an election year.

Edison School Board's Preliminary 2025-26 School Budget up for vote tomorrow night - to send to the County Super

Well, just saw the agenda for tomorrow night's meeting and the information they provided for approval by the Board to send the 2025-26 School Budget down to the County Super for approval (see below).

Unfortunately, we can't see the school budget until after it's approved by the County Super.

But with their notice and a copy of Last year's Budget and this year's Ratables we can tell some top level things about the School Budget for 2025-26 and the change from Last year.

This Preliminary Budget has appropriations of $378,167,002, which is up $10,863,586 (offset by $10,853,586 in other revenue) - leaving the School Tax Levy the same as last year at $235,013,168.

The School tax Rate built into this School Budget is 3.139. Unfortunately, this reduction in the School Tax Rate of 2.7-cents (over last year's 3.166) is solely due to the increase in the Ratables of $62,899,400 - they kept the $pending the same as last year. 

No $pending Reductions - Not good signs. 

If you live in that imaginary home assessed at $183,400, Your 2025 School taxes will be $5,757 and you'll see a whooping reduction in your School taxes of $49.

If you don't live in that imaginary home assessed at $183,400, just take your home's assessed value and divide it by 100. Then, take that number and multiply it by 3.139 and .027 to get your total School taxes for 2025 and School tax Reduction from Last year, respectively.

Here's their notice:

Here's the numbers:

Anyhoo, can't really see what's going on here until they release the School Budget once the County Super approves it but it sure looks like they'll be a lot of questions and have a lot of explaining to do with these numbers.

School Budgets are less than transparent as is but it's worse without effective Oversight

 Well, in case you didn't know, School Budgets are different. The way it works is the Administration puts together a preliminary budget and is reviewed by the School Board's Finance & Facility Committee who then brings it to the full Board for a vote. That is scheduled for March 20, 2025

But it's not a vote for You to see the proposed School Budget or have a say. It's a vote to send it down to the County Super for approval. Once approved by the County Super, it's then scheduled for a Public Meeting, which is scheduled for April 29, 2025. 

But that's just a formality since once approved by the County Super, it rarely matters what the Public thinks or has to say. There's more oddities and opaque structure of these School Budgets that will be made apparent again when they put out their 2025-26 School Budget.

So, it becomes critically important that we have Oversight with School Budgets now approaching some $400 million.

Unfortunately, we have Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi, aka Mr. Shi-shed, Mr. Pac-Man again in charge.

Anyhoo, you need to pay attention to what goes on over there on Pierson Ave., at the junction of Dysfunctional & Political Cesspool Streets. It's Your money and all that state aid money they're mis-spending and pissing away with their Bloated and Out-of-Control $pending Budgets, without properly addressing and solving the Overcrowding problem.

Transcript of Remarks from Edison Resident Joel Bassoff at the February 27, 2025 EDO screening session

 A Big Shout-out to Joel for telling it like it is.

Transcript of remarks to the Edison Democratic Organization screening session:

I’m Joel Bassoff, and I’m here because I’m angry and I need to vent.

· I’m angry that Sam Joshi is spending almost $12 million on the Sports Complex in Papaianni Park – a rectangle of artificial turf and a prefab steel building that was supposed to cost $5 million. Our full-time Mayor let the cost balloon to $12 million!

· I’m angry about the Silver Lake lawsuit. Sam Joshi spent almost $13 million for land that the next door property owner has a legal claim to. Our full-time Mayor testified under oath that reading the documents would have been, quote, “a complete waste of my time.” A waste of his time to find out what he was buying for $13 million of our money?!

· I’m angry that Sam Joshi brought an entourage of four police officers on a trip Chicago – at taxpayer expense!

· I’m angry that Sam Joshi gave a million dollar no-bid contract to an engineering firm – after the firm hired the Business Administrator’s husband.

· I’m angry about the water main breaks in South Edison. Our full-time Mayor had no plan to replace crumbling water infrastructure? Running water is about as basic as it gets.

· I’m angry that the Mayor held a campaign fundraiser at the Ray Catena dealership – while Ray Catena has a case in the Zoning Board to expand their parking lot into a residential neighborhood. How would you like it if a car dealer put a parking lot next to your house?

· I’m angry that Sam Joshi let Edison miss a crucial deadline for affordable housing. He’s opening up Edison to builders remedy lawsuits, which means that outside developers decide where to build their apartment complexes regardless of what’s best for the residents.

· I’m angry that Sam Joshi tried to take the library away from the Clara Barton neighborhood, and that he fired the Library trustees who stood up to him.

· I’m angry that Sam Joshi evicted the Arts Society from the Municipal Building so that he could turn the space into a shrine to himself.

· See this refrigerator magnet that says “Mayor Samip Joshi” in big letters? I’m angry that Sam Joshi uses taxpayer money to mail his campaign materials. I’m angry that we have to pay for campaign brochures like The Illuminator.  I say: Pay for your own campaign flyers with the money you got from Ray Catena.

· I’m angry that Edison is an international laughing-stock because Sam Joshi’s yes-man tossed a resident out of a Council meeting – for holding up an American flag!

You can cross my name off the ballot. I’m not running for anything. I just needed to vent.

I just want Edison Democrats to nominate candidates that we can be proud of.

Thank you for listening. Good night.

Anyhoo, we need more Joel's and less Joshi's in this politically-corrupt town. 

FY 2026 - NJ State School Aid K-12

 Well, just saw this on the NJDOE Website. Looks like Edison Received State Aid of $91,542,019, which is a reduction of $2,831,196 or 3% from LY's $94,373,215.

However, from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 this brings the total State Aid received by Edison to a Whopping $342,858,061 over the last 5 years - and they Still Haven't Solved the Overcrowding Problem.

FY 2026 State Aid by District:

FY 2026 State Aid Middlesex County:

Anyhoo, let's see how they use this money in this year's FY 2025-26 School Budget.

NJ DOE School Budget Calendar for 2025

 Well, the FY School Budget is due down to the County Super for approval by March 19, 2025 (although the Edison School District Calendar has their Preliminary Budget Approval scheduled for March 20, 2025).  The Edison School District Calendar has the Public Meeting on the School Budget scheduled for April 29, 2025.

It's interesting and tad bit disconcerting to note that Board President Jerry ' ReferenDumb' Shi, aka Mr. Shi-shed, Mr. Pac-Man has stacked the Finance & Facility Committee with his 'Shi-bots' - Vishal Patel (Chair), Ralph Errico (former Boe Member), Ronak Patel (newbie) and of course, himself. You'd be hard-pressed to find a voice of reason in this committee.

With School Budgets now approaching some $400 million, staffing being the significant portion of the budget, lease-purchase agreements that come without state aid and bypass voter approval for capital additions and piecemeal capital projects pissing all that state-aid money away (some $251 million over the last 4 years, which will surely dry up soon) while not properly addressing the Overcrowding problem, there's not much to say about Oversight from this 'Shi-bot' Finance Committee other than you better pay attention to what the dictatorial Mr. Shi-shed does or doesn't do with his minions.

Here's the above mentioned NJ DOE School Budget Calendar:

Here's the School District School Calendar:

Anyhoo,  just a heads-up to Start paying attention since the School Tax (3.166 Per 100 in 2024) represents over 53% of your total property tax bill and it's where the bulk of your tax money goes to be mis-spent and wasted.

Back to the Future in 2025 with the inept and ineffective & dictatorial Leadership of Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi, aka Mr. Shi-shed, Mr. Pac-Man

 Well, you get what you deserve in this politically-corrupt town. This guy should never have been voted back on the Board and never allowed anywhere near the Board President position again. With School Budgets approaching some $400 million, piece-meal capital projects wasting time and money (while not solving the Overcrowding problem) you can believe this mistake will continue keeping the School District from moving forward.

Here's the Edison Board of Mythomania, Board of Ed-Dems, Board of Hoarders, Board of Dysfunction and now Board of Muck & Mire Meeting - January 16, 2025:

Anyhoo, pay attention to what goes on over there on Mythomania Lane - it's where the bulk of your tax dollars go to be mis-spent and wasted.

Edison Principals & Supervisors Contract (July 2021 to June 2025) Recently Renegotiated and not yet settled or Approved by the School Board

 Well, it's my understanding that the current Principals & Supervisors Contract has been Renegotiated and not yet settled or approved by the School Board.

A soon as possible when they settle and release it will get the financial cost of this new contract along with the new contract and all the non-financial changes.

Here's a summary of the number employees, salary amounts and salary breakdown in the latest salary file:

Here's the existing Principals & Supervisors Contract:

Anyhoo, hopefully this will come up for a School Board vote soon and they can tell us what this new contract will cost for public query and comments before the School Board votes.

Edison Board of Education - Salaries as of January 6, 2025

 Well, just received the current salary data file for the Edison Board of Education. This file has columns for Name, Primary Location, Department, Title, Step and Contract Salary. This file lists some 2,381 Employees totaling $182,878,505.

Put together some summaries of the file and this one shows the Grouping by Salary Range, breaking down the Employees and Dollars as a % of the total as well as the Mean, Median, High & Low Salaries and includes a Quick Salary Lookup of the 2,381 Employees by Name:

The data was also put into a Table so it can be sorted by any of the Column headings - Name, Location, Department, Title and Step.

Here's a snapshot of the Top 25 Salaries:

Here's a snapshot of the Principals (whose contract, I believe, is up for renegotiation but not sure if as yet settled):

Here's a snapshot of the Vice-Principals:

This is an Excel file and if anyone wants to have it, you're welcome to it. Just drop me an email.

Anyhoo, since Salaries make up the largest appropriation in the School Budgets now approaching some $400 million, it's always helpful to know how many employees there are by department, title, location etc. and the current salaries as they prepare the 2025-26 School Budget.

Just a Reminder of Edison's Property Tax Rate History as we approach another Budget Season in 2025

 Well, here's the history of Property Tax Rates by taxing entity that make up the Edison Property Tax Bills.

Something to use as a reference when they come out with their respective 2025 budgets.

Anyhoo, it's a local election year so pay attention to what happens to the change from 2024 in the 2025 budgets.

Board of Mythomania returns to the inept, dismal & dictatorial leadership of Jerry 'ReferenDumb' Shi

 Well, while it's not surprising, it is unfortunate that 6 of the 8 Board Members chose to put the inept, dismal & dictatorial leadership of Mr. Shi-shed, Mr. Pac-Man back in play.

So, kudos to Board Members V.Patel, A. Patel, R. Patel, R. Errico and S. Peng for returning to the days that kept the school district from moving forward.

And let's not even mention the votes all over the place for the Vice-President position.

Anyhoo, the last guy who'll bring unity to the Board is Mr. Shi-shed and will, no doubt, be a detriment to moving the school district forward in 2025.