Did you know that $2,500 from a General Improvement Bond was used for a WBLS van appearance in a July Fourth parade? Or that funds from another bond were used for bubble wrap, drapes and pool tables when the Senior Center relocated to the Monarch building?
This is the kind of free-handed approach to public money that has a lot of people worried about city finances in the absence of the kind of checks and balances a full-time chief financial officer might provide.
Click here to read about the Senior Center bond issue. Once the moving and furnishing expenses were taken out, the balance of more than $3 million was canceled. Did that mean it went into the general fund where it was accessible for other administrative ploys?
Years ago, administrative consultant Robert Casey gave the council a lesson on bonding and debt service. Maybe the current council needs a catch-up course to guide their decision-making. There may not be anyone in City Hall who can give an accounting of all outstanding bonds, whether they were used for the purpose stated when issued and the total debt. It was stated at a council meeting that the $8 million in new bonds would only bring the city up to one-third of allowable debt. How about filling in the whole picture?
The 2013 election could bring a continuance of the current administration or introduce a new one. Either way, the council needs to know the fiscal state of the city, whether through an exit interview or an orientation to a new administration.
The current mayor called for a "forensic audit" of the prior administration and now resident Robert Darden is calling for a forensic audit of her administration. Auditors prepare statements every year for the city, but a forensic audit is more like an investigation and carries the implication of wrongdoing. Things may not have to go that far, but more information is definitely needed on city finances.
This dearth of information on fiscal policies and performance goes back a while, as Plaintalker reported here in 2009. Shouldn't we clear things up by the end of 2013?
--Bernice
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I don't recall Mr. Darden ever calling for a forensic audit of "her" administration, but rather the City government generally. Mr. Darden is aware of the financial fraud perpetrated on taxpayers by both the City and PMUA beginning not under the current administration but the McWilliams administration. This was a point in time when the City Council consisted partly of current PMUA commissioners Malcolm Dunn and Harold Mitchell, as well as today's mayoral hopeful Adrian Mapp. On the flip side, current Councilman Reid was a PMUA commissioner during the formative years of the scheme, which continues to this day.
ReplyDeleteIt should also be noted that Mitchell and Councilwoman Tracey Brown, both of whom remained silent when City Administrator Bibi Taylor, either with malice or naivete, scammed us about revenue sharing, have both been recipients of illegal excess compensation during their terms on the PMUA board. Mr. Mitchell's take alone in these ill-gotten gains amounts to more than $100,000.
It is doubtful any of these individuals, the mayor included, of course, will bring to the table the degree of fiscal oversight and transparency needed to right this leaky vessel we call the City of Plainfield.
Mr. Darden will likely be calling for a forensic audit for years to come as slippery financial procedures seem to be at the very core of those who've gotten party-line support.
Who can forget the party chairman begging the City Council to keep Trenton away from looking at PMUA during public comment at the PMUA Task Force meeting over a year ago? That initiative either died on the vine or was dropped like a lead balloon. Talk of accountability and fiscal transparency, let alone effectiveness, is more of a charade (at best intramural nit-picking) for most our local politicians. There really is no stomach for the radioactive material likely to be unearthed by a "Darden Audit."
so incredibly true... Corrupt or Corrupt lite .. And to those who wish to scream and disagree regarding that characterization of Pre Mayor Mapp..silence is complicity.
DeleteBut..that goes along with most of the notable Dem's who choose to "fight from within" for show.
Where is Bill Reid? He did not want a consultant to help with the budget (namely Cockel who has done a good job of making sure the money is at least accounted for) because he said the council, himself included, could figure it out? What happened Councilman Reid? Missed this on purpose?
ReplyDeleteIf Mr. Darden can organize how this audit should be done, I am sure he will have plenty of people signing the petition.
ReplyDeleteThe thought that the City has only sold 1/3 f its statutorily allowable quota of Bonds does not provide solace, rather, it is frightening. Compound this with the little known fact that the City has guaranteed the Bonds issued by the PMUA and the PMUA likewise has the ability to issue Bonds in an amount vastly larger than the amount currently outstanding and it is tantamount to living on the side of a financial Mount Vesuvius.The PMUA prospect is even more distressing because they are not under the scrutiny of the public eye to the same extent as the City Council. And the PMUA is virtually autonomous. We can go and register our protests ( up to a limit of 2 minutes ) then sit down. go home, and wait 30 days for another 2 minute opportunity at futility. Bill Kruse
ReplyDeleteBill it's ok... Just look how well the City Council and local Dem's have been keeping the PMUA in it's place.. it's all for you, the taxpayer and citizen of this city.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't your interests and well being not be the first priority of the City and The Local Dem's???
Their hypocrisy wouldn't be so offensive if they weren't so blatantly in your face about us being "lucky" we have them watching our backs.