Rifts between the governing body and the administration were evident Monday over two main issues, one being the viability of the Plainfield Public Library and the other being the city's fiscal health without a chief finance officer or a director of Administration & Finance.
Plainfield Public Library Director Joe Da Rold said there was a "movement afoot to disenfranchise the library from city government," addressing the City Council at Monday's meeting. Da Rold presented three scenarios, one in which the library had its budget restored for the 2010-11 budget year, which would still result in some reductions in service. The second scenario, funding at the current reduced level, would result in curtailed hours, layoff of six full-time and eight part-time employees.
Finally, the scenario involving the legal minimum funding for the library, which the administration advocates, would put funding at levels that would have "catastrophic" results on library service, decimating staff, closing departments and reducing access to the library for workers and students. Twelve of 19 full-time employees would have to go, plus six of 12 part-time employees. Local History and Literacy programs would be closed.
Speakers found the current budget cuts cuts ironic in that Da Rold was named by his peers in the New Jersey Library Association as "Librarian of the Year" for 2010.
A parade of library advocates testified on the impact.
Inez Durham took the microphone to plead for "5,500 children" who have library cards, as well as many others who take part in library programs, including those in charter schools and pre-school programs.
Alisa Barnes of the Barack Obama Green Charter School noted the availability of conference rooms at the library for important community meetings.
Others testified on the importance of the library as a reference resource and a venue for literacy and English as a Second Language courses.
Rebecca Williams cited the "impact of the library on all our cultural lives," while several others called the library a "gem" of the community.
Although the library received cuts in the FY 2011 budget, Councilman Adrian Mapp insisted the governing body had the power to restore funding.
The issue may come back up at the June 28 special meeting. (Details to follow.)
Disclaimer: My son has held a part-time job at the library for 18 years.
The issue of not having a CFO since the end of 2007 prompted a council resolution calling for the state Department of Community Affairs to appoint one immediately, but the measure failed, 3-2, when put up for a vote. Council President Annie McWilliams and members Cory Storch and Adrian Mapp voted "yes," while Councilmen Rashid Burney and William Reid voted "no." Councilwoman Linda Carter joined the meeting minutes after the vote and Councilwoman Bridget Rivers was absent.
The city has had several state-imposed deadlines to come up with a CFO, the latest extension being to July 19. Burney said he recognized the need for a CFO, but was only willing to support the resolution after the deadline. But McWilliams suggested that the deadline might pass and another 90 days' extension would be granted unless the governing body took a stand.
"We need to take action and we need to press forward," she said before the vote, dismissing the administration's longtime claim that it is difficult to find a CFO. "We will be the ones that people will point a finger to if something goes wrong."
McWilliams' forceful comments drew applause, but Taylor said the administration flatly opposed the resolution, saying it usurps the mayor's power to make appointments.
Mapp, who holds a CFO certification, said he had discussions with the administration about taking the job, but insisted no job offer was ever made to him. Taylor pointed out that the mayor did bring forth a qualified candidate earlier, whom the council rejected.
Speaking in favor of the resolution, Mapp said, "We must make sure the house is in order - it has been out of order for some time."
McWilliams said she hoped to bring the resolution back in July if no one was appointed by the deadline. An employee who recently took the CFO certification test failed to qualify, according to the administration. Meanwhile, Burney called for a phone conference with DCA officials to discuss the problem.
Monday's meeting also included several other important matters, which Plaintalker will cover in upcoming posts.
--Bernice Paglia
Councilman Burney lost the election and still is protecting the hot mess of a Mayor...congrats on Linda being "late" and Rivers for skipping the meeting.
ReplyDeleteBurney...I hope whatever Jerry and Sharon are promising you is worth your loss of self respect or worse yet, not having a problem with it.
The mayor's want to cut the library's funding shows how she has no idea what the citizens of Plainfield want. She obviously has never stepped foot in the library, or else she would see the multitude of young people doing research, and older adults looking for work.
ReplyDeleteShe has no idea of its value to the city. Could it be because she doesn't live her and is out of touch, or doesn't have a library card, and so has never used it herself?
Rob, I must disagree. I think it points to the exact opposite. Even with Rashid Burney losing, he sticks to what he thinks is best for the city. As you point out, he lost the election, and there appear to be others more favored in Jerry's book - Linda Carter, not Rashid for Freeholder - and my be is Annie will be the choice for mayor. So what does he gain?
ReplyDeleteI say he has kept his self respect.
Anonymous: If by NOT forcing the Mayor to do what she is required to do means "keeping your self respect" and protecting her incompetence you are most correct, Burney is right on the straight and narrow. He is helping steer the Titanic toward the iceberg instead of away from it. She is quite possibly the only person who can't find an employee in an economy with over 9% unemployment. Let me guess...CFO's were the only group unaffected by the economy??? Or she simply is attempting??? It's most certainly not her shrewd business savy and disciplined abilities at interviewing that have prevented any attempts at having someone presented for approval to hire...
ReplyDeleteTo Rob,
ReplyDeleteNo argument on the mayor and her ineptness. Simply hard to believe that otherwise educated people let her have a second term.
Rob,
ReplyDeleteNice Titanic analogy, but if the Titanic hit the iceberg head on, it would have stayed afloat instead of having its sides ripped open and sinking. There needs to be an accountability for attendence at these meetings. It is too convienant to simply not show up or arrive late. Make it like a job, if you miss x amount of meetings, you are out. There are planty of people out there who could afford the time if they cant.
Not having a CFO since 2007? Wow. Why can't a qualified interim CFO be appointed until a permanent replacement is found? I find it hard to believe there are no qualified CFOs out there (in retirement or in-between jobs) willing to fill-in on a temporary basis. The appointment of an interim CFO would not usurp the Mayor's right to appoint a permanent one.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the two Council members that missed the CFO vote, to be fair, I would reserve judgment until they have the opportunity to explain their absence. Until we know why they were absent; assuming the negative would be tantamount to a leap to judgement. What if they have completely understandable reasons?
Is the Mayor using an Executive Search firm to assist in identifying qualified CFO candidates? If not, would this be an appropriate option to consider? The search firm would do all the leg work, the initial marketing for candidates, vetting and interviewing. Suitable candidates would be forwarded to the Mayor as the next step in the selection process.
ReplyDeleteI would also hope that the Mayor includes Councilman Mapp in the interviewing process. As a certified CFO and Council member, his perspective would be invaluable and also ensure City Council's participation in the process.
If all the above is already occurring, great and disregard this reply.