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Christie Change Is Coming
| N.J. Governor-elect Christie tells local officials to expect 'a continued period of pain' |
DailyHarrison: Pinho Blasts Mayor's Move
DailyHarrison.com has on its front page an article entitled "Pinho Blasts Mayor's Move" with a great picture of Mayor McDonough, United States Senator Robert Menendez and State Senator Richard Codey at the Red Bulls Stadium. It got my attention and I am sure the attention of others.
It is not my intention to "blast" Mayor McDonough. I have a great deal of respect for Mayor McDonough and all politicians (and what they have to do on a daily basis) to blast any one of them. I believe that Mayor McDonough's intentions when he set out to "Redevelop" Harrison were genuine. Remember, I was there at the beginning of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency as one of initial Commissioners. Unfortunately, the Mayor's good intentions were sidetracked. Harrison residents will pay for the poor planning. There however is still hope that things can be turned around for the better.
The achilles heal in the McDonough's Administration is that those close to him are "Yesing" him every opportunity they can looking out for their own self interests. In other words, instead of expressing their opinions they are agreeing with the Mayor so long as it does not effect them. That has made for some poorly thought out decisions. The repeal of the Parking Lot Ordinance is such a decision. The Town's outside counsel is happy with the proposed decision as his firm will be billing the town thousands of dollars per month to defend the litigation that will be filed the day after the town passes the ordinance.
Mayor McDonough has always been cordial and respectful to me. I have always done the same. We may disagree but its not personal. I have been involved in several campaigns for and against Mayor McDonough and his team and I respect what he has accomplished both politically and personally. I have even a higher regard for the person who hand picked Mayor McDonough to be the nominee to succeed him in the Mayor's seat, the late Mayor Frank E. Rodgers. Rodgers obviously is a very tough act to follow. You do not get elected every two years for over forty years unless you have touched people's lives in a genuine way. My parents have a Frank E. Rodgers sign protected with clear plastic hanging in their basement. My father has stated on occasion that he is going to hang it on the porch someday so people can vote for Frank E. Rodgers again. Rodgers would fix this mess.
It struck me the other day that McDonough was repealing the Parking Ordinance devised by Mayor Frank E. Rodgers to generate some income for Harrison from daily commuters. What would Mayor Rodgers think of all that has transpired since he stepped down as the longest sitting Mayor in the United States. Would he happy that the Guyon Industrial Complex had been torned down and a soccer stadium was built without a property lease in place that would generate enough revenue to pay the interest on the bond that insured the stadium would be built? Would he be happy that one of the few green spaces in town, the John F. Kennedy Stadium along the Passaic River, was sold to a developer to build housing and they have failed to complete the project as promised? Would he be happy that long time business and property owners were evicted and had to fight to receive proper compensation from outside developers and now the "redevelopers" are stalling, changing plans, and asking for more assistance? Would he be happy that the salary ordinance for the town of Harrison has a parking meter attendant making more than most Harrison Police Officers? Would he be happy to see Mayor McDonough and council members walking out of town meetings when simple questions are asked?
Mayor McDonough and his team must ask themselves, What would Mayor Rodgers do? Mayor Rodgers would first call Governor-elect Chris Christie to congratulate him on his election victory and offer his best wishes. He would then call Governor Corzine and express his dismay at his loss and offer any assistance he could give to Governor Corzine in the future. He would then have his secretary call me and arrange a visit to his office on the Third Floor of town hall. As soon as I sat down in the sinking guest chair, he would ask about my parents. "How are they doing? Please let them know I was asking about them." He then would ask about "my lovely wife". Mayor Rodgers knew what was important: Family. Mayor Rodger's extended family was the people of the Town of Harrison. He touched countless lives in varying degrees. Rodgers would then ask me why I was upset with him. He would then listen. Listening is a lost art.
Why am I upset with Mayor McDonough? Simply put he has lost his way. Harrison is not about outside "Redevelopers". Harrison is about folks like my parents who are blue collar hardworking individuals who moved to Harrison for great police protection, a good education for their children, great garbage collection services, thorough and efficient Department of Public Works and great neighbors of various ethnic cultures. Look around and you will see that all of these services are suffering despite ever increasing property taxes. The residents cannot afford town employees to get pay raises. The residents cannot afford to have the police department understaffed. The residents cannot afford more money being handed to redevelopers in the form of concessions. Mayor McDonough must take decisive action to save Harrison. Mayor McDonough must be Harrison's leader. Tough decisions must be made in the face of the nation's worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and in the face of some questionable decisions and deals made by his administration.
If it sounds like I am blasting the Mayor, forgive me. I am simply trying to get his attention before it is too late. If more of his friends told him the truth and lent him support Harrison would be a lot better in the years to come.
It is not my intention to "blast" Mayor McDonough. I have a great deal of respect for Mayor McDonough and all politicians (and what they have to do on a daily basis) to blast any one of them. I believe that Mayor McDonough's intentions when he set out to "Redevelop" Harrison were genuine. Remember, I was there at the beginning of the Harrison Redevelopment Agency as one of initial Commissioners. Unfortunately, the Mayor's good intentions were sidetracked. Harrison residents will pay for the poor planning. There however is still hope that things can be turned around for the better.
The achilles heal in the McDonough's Administration is that those close to him are "Yesing" him every opportunity they can looking out for their own self interests. In other words, instead of expressing their opinions they are agreeing with the Mayor so long as it does not effect them. That has made for some poorly thought out decisions. The repeal of the Parking Lot Ordinance is such a decision. The Town's outside counsel is happy with the proposed decision as his firm will be billing the town thousands of dollars per month to defend the litigation that will be filed the day after the town passes the ordinance.
Mayor McDonough has always been cordial and respectful to me. I have always done the same. We may disagree but its not personal. I have been involved in several campaigns for and against Mayor McDonough and his team and I respect what he has accomplished both politically and personally. I have even a higher regard for the person who hand picked Mayor McDonough to be the nominee to succeed him in the Mayor's seat, the late Mayor Frank E. Rodgers. Rodgers obviously is a very tough act to follow. You do not get elected every two years for over forty years unless you have touched people's lives in a genuine way. My parents have a Frank E. Rodgers sign protected with clear plastic hanging in their basement. My father has stated on occasion that he is going to hang it on the porch someday so people can vote for Frank E. Rodgers again. Rodgers would fix this mess.
It struck me the other day that McDonough was repealing the Parking Ordinance devised by Mayor Frank E. Rodgers to generate some income for Harrison from daily commuters. What would Mayor Rodgers think of all that has transpired since he stepped down as the longest sitting Mayor in the United States. Would he happy that the Guyon Industrial Complex had been torned down and a soccer stadium was built without a property lease in place that would generate enough revenue to pay the interest on the bond that insured the stadium would be built? Would he be happy that one of the few green spaces in town, the John F. Kennedy Stadium along the Passaic River, was sold to a developer to build housing and they have failed to complete the project as promised? Would he be happy that long time business and property owners were evicted and had to fight to receive proper compensation from outside developers and now the "redevelopers" are stalling, changing plans, and asking for more assistance? Would he be happy that the salary ordinance for the town of Harrison has a parking meter attendant making more than most Harrison Police Officers? Would he be happy to see Mayor McDonough and council members walking out of town meetings when simple questions are asked?
Mayor McDonough and his team must ask themselves, What would Mayor Rodgers do? Mayor Rodgers would first call Governor-elect Chris Christie to congratulate him on his election victory and offer his best wishes. He would then call Governor Corzine and express his dismay at his loss and offer any assistance he could give to Governor Corzine in the future. He would then have his secretary call me and arrange a visit to his office on the Third Floor of town hall. As soon as I sat down in the sinking guest chair, he would ask about my parents. "How are they doing? Please let them know I was asking about them." He then would ask about "my lovely wife". Mayor Rodgers knew what was important: Family. Mayor Rodger's extended family was the people of the Town of Harrison. He touched countless lives in varying degrees. Rodgers would then ask me why I was upset with him. He would then listen. Listening is a lost art.
Why am I upset with Mayor McDonough? Simply put he has lost his way. Harrison is not about outside "Redevelopers". Harrison is about folks like my parents who are blue collar hardworking individuals who moved to Harrison for great police protection, a good education for their children, great garbage collection services, thorough and efficient Department of Public Works and great neighbors of various ethnic cultures. Look around and you will see that all of these services are suffering despite ever increasing property taxes. The residents cannot afford town employees to get pay raises. The residents cannot afford to have the police department understaffed. The residents cannot afford more money being handed to redevelopers in the form of concessions. Mayor McDonough must take decisive action to save Harrison. Mayor McDonough must be Harrison's leader. Tough decisions must be made in the face of the nation's worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and in the face of some questionable decisions and deals made by his administration.
If it sounds like I am blasting the Mayor, forgive me. I am simply trying to get his attention before it is too late. If more of his friends told him the truth and lent him support Harrison would be a lot better in the years to come.
Video: November 17th Special Meeting
Joe Wood has posted video of the November 17th Special Meeting on his website.
You can follow this link to his HarrisonMeetings website. Joe has broken the meeting into three parts.
I am very impressed by Joe Wood's maturity and instinct at council meetings. It is not easy to stand up and ask questions and make statements at a Harrison Council meeting. The overreaction Council members Larry Bennett, James Doran, Francisco Nascimento and Mayor McDonough<< MORE >>
Public Parking Garages Under Attack
Mayor Raymond McDonough and six of eight council members voted this afternoon to introduce Ordinance 1223 which will repeal Town Ordinance 886 was adopted on March 2, 1993 to regulate Public Parking Garages in the Town of Harrison. The Ordinance was the only item on the agenda.<< MORE >>
Commuters:Special Meeting Tuesday
Mayor Raymond McDonough canceled the regular November 5th Mayor & Council meeting stating that the Special meeting of October 26, 2009 had dealt with all pending town business. Apparently, Mayor McDonough was mistaken or he was simply misleading the public.
Mayor McDonough has scheduled yet another Special Meeting. This meeting is set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. Yes, you read it correctly 4 p.m. The last special meeting was for 6 p.m. and a crowd of vocal residents showed up so, the Mayor has moved the meeting to 4 p.m. to insure their is no public input to "close down some parking garages". Well, it isn't exactly clear what will be on the Agenda for the Special Meeting because the Agenda on the town's website simply states AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NUMBER 886 REGARDING PUBLIC PARKING LOTS IN THE TOWN OF HARRISON. The proposed Ordinance, however, was not provided.
<< MORE >>
Harrison To Pay for Red Bull Lighting
The Harrison Redevelopment Agency authorized tonight the payment of three invoices from PSE&G totaling over $698,000.00 for "buydown of poles, brackets and shrouds and ... cost of construction" for street poles and lights along Guyon Avenue, Cape May Street, and South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. The Resolution was passed without discussion by the Commissioners or input from the public.
The preamble to the Resolution stated that "pursuant to the Rider to the Redevelopment Agreement between the Agency and Advance at Harrison LLC ("Advance") the Agency is responsible to reimburse Advance for the "Stadium's Pro Rata Share" of Infrastructure costs, up to a maximum of $8,000,000".
Councilman Steve McCormick attended the meeting as a member of the public and attempted once again to ask Town Attorney and Redevelopment Agency attorney Greg Castano (Sr.) about the legality of the Agency's policy of not allowing members of the public to ask questions or speak at Redevelopment Agency meetings. << MORE >>
The preamble to the Resolution stated that "pursuant to the Rider to the Redevelopment Agreement between the Agency and Advance at Harrison LLC ("Advance") the Agency is responsible to reimburse Advance for the "Stadium's Pro Rata Share" of Infrastructure costs, up to a maximum of $8,000,000".
Councilman Steve McCormick attended the meeting as a member of the public and attempted once again to ask Town Attorney and Redevelopment Agency attorney Greg Castano (Sr.) about the legality of the Agency's policy of not allowing members of the public to ask questions or speak at Redevelopment Agency meetings. << MORE >>
Christie To Audit Harrison School District
At his first post-election public appearance, Governor Elect Chris Christie stated that his administration will be auditing costly school districts. While visiting the Robert Treat Charter School in North Newark, Christie stated, "We have to figure out ways to make some priority judgments either to
have more of that money find its way into the classroom and or some of
that money to find its way back to the taxpayers," The Robert Treat Charter School was founded by Steve Adubato, Sr. and his considered a model for urban education. Christie mentioned the Robert Treat Charter School ...<< MORE >>
have more of that money find its way into the classroom and or some of
that money to find its way back to the taxpayers," The Robert Treat Charter School was founded by Steve Adubato, Sr. and his considered a model for urban education. Christie mentioned the Robert Treat Charter School ...<< MORE >>
What Christie's Victory Means For Harrison.
Chris Christie's victory last night means that it will not be business as usual in Harrison. Governor Jon Corzine was in many ways a benefactor for the Town of Harrison. Mayor Raymond McDonough's close ties with the Governor Corzine provided assess and funding for the town of Harrison. Christie is not likely to be so kind.
Harrison receives both Abbott District money, Distressed City Funding and its share of Extra-Ordinary Aid from the State of New Jersey. With a looming interest payment of $3.5 million due in 2010 for the interest on the $40 million dollar Red Bulls ...<< MORE >>
Harrison receives both Abbott District money, Distressed City Funding and its share of Extra-Ordinary Aid from the State of New Jersey. With a looming interest payment of $3.5 million due in 2010 for the interest on the $40 million dollar Red Bulls ...<< MORE >>
Corzine Loses Governor's Race
The Associated Press has projected that Chris Christie will be the next Governor of the State of New Jersey. In July, I endorsed the candidacy of Chris Christie in a piece entitled Why Corzine Should Lose. As a long time Democrat, I expressed my feelings at how poorly Governor Corzine
...<< MORE >>
...<< MORE >>
Red Bulls Assessed $2.1 Million in Taxes
Albert Cifelli, the Tax Assessor for the Town of Harrison, stated at the October 26, 2009 Special Council meeting that the town will realize $2.1 to $2.2 Million in property taxes for the new Red Bulls Stadium. Cifelli answering a hypothetical question stated that an improvement valued at $100 million would generated a tax bill of $2.1 million to $2.2 million at Harrison's current tax rate. The Red Bulls stadium once built is suppose to be valued at $100 million. Harrison could use the extra tax money. Once again, residents turned out to the town meeting expressing their concerns above ever increasing property taxes.
The influx of new property tax money to the Town of Harrison however may hit a roadblock. The Red Bulls do not own the stadium property. It is not clear whether you can tax a tenant of a property and not the owner of the property. The Town of Harrison bonded $40 million dollars to purchase the property and the Town owns the real estate.
In an exchange between Councilman Steve McCormick, Tax Assessor Albert Cifelli, Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), and Mayor Raymond McDonough the public learned that The Red Bulls will pay $150,000 per year to the County of Hudson earmarked to pay down the interest on the Path Station parking garage; the interest due from the Town of Harrison on the Red Bulls bond in 2010 is $3.5 million; the Town of Harrison will receive nothing else from the Red Bulls as there is no other monetary payments or rights received by the Town in its agreement with the Red Bulls; the interest on the Stadium bonds were suppose to be paid by Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) from the Millenium RiverWalk project; Millenium only built two of the four planned housing units and thus there is a significant short fall in revenue earmarked to make the interest payments on the Stadium bonds. It is not clear where the money to make the Red Bull bond interest payment will come from. Since the bonds are backed by the Town of Harrison, property taxes may need to raised to make the payment.
Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), when confronted by Councilman Steve McCormick as to who negotiated the deal between the Red Bulls stated that despite the fact that he was both the Town Attorney and the Harrison Redevelopment Agency attorney that special counsel Charles Astor* represented the town because he was a specialist in stadium contracts. In reviewing other stadium deals, the Town or governmental unit retains the naming rights of the stadium as a means of recouping public monies used to finance the stadium projects. The Town of Harrison did not retain those rights or obtain any other concessions from the Red Bulls (at the time the MetroStars).
*Please note: A Google search did not reveal an attorney by the name of Charles Astor who specialized in redevelopment or stadium contracts. The spelling on Mr. Astor's name may be incorrect.
The influx of new property tax money to the Town of Harrison however may hit a roadblock. The Red Bulls do not own the stadium property. It is not clear whether you can tax a tenant of a property and not the owner of the property. The Town of Harrison bonded $40 million dollars to purchase the property and the Town owns the real estate.
In an exchange between Councilman Steve McCormick, Tax Assessor Albert Cifelli, Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), and Mayor Raymond McDonough the public learned that The Red Bulls will pay $150,000 per year to the County of Hudson earmarked to pay down the interest on the Path Station parking garage; the interest due from the Town of Harrison on the Red Bulls bond in 2010 is $3.5 million; the Town of Harrison will receive nothing else from the Red Bulls as there is no other monetary payments or rights received by the Town in its agreement with the Red Bulls; the interest on the Stadium bonds were suppose to be paid by Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) from the Millenium RiverWalk project; Millenium only built two of the four planned housing units and thus there is a significant short fall in revenue earmarked to make the interest payments on the Stadium bonds. It is not clear where the money to make the Red Bull bond interest payment will come from. Since the bonds are backed by the Town of Harrison, property taxes may need to raised to make the payment.
Town Attorney Greg Castano (Sr.), when confronted by Councilman Steve McCormick as to who negotiated the deal between the Red Bulls stated that despite the fact that he was both the Town Attorney and the Harrison Redevelopment Agency attorney that special counsel Charles Astor* represented the town because he was a specialist in stadium contracts. In reviewing other stadium deals, the Town or governmental unit retains the naming rights of the stadium as a means of recouping public monies used to finance the stadium projects. The Town of Harrison did not retain those rights or obtain any other concessions from the Red Bulls (at the time the MetroStars).
*Please note: A Google search did not reveal an attorney by the name of Charles Astor who specialized in redevelopment or stadium contracts. The spelling on Mr. Astor's name may be incorrect.
