So my plane from Seattle was just about to touch down on the runway Tuesday at Newark Liberty when it went back up in the air again. A flight officer explained that another plane was in the way, so we had to do a "go-around" and try again.
A fitting analogy for the many times an anticipated outcome here has turned out to be still up in the air. One current example might be the request of nightclub owner Edison Garcia for use of city parking lots in July and September for fiestas celebrating independence of our nation (on July 5, 6 and 7) and several Central American nations (on Sept. 14 and 15). Based on information in the council packet for May 6, I posted this preview.
I was away for Monday's meeting, but saw a resolution online that only mentioned the July dates. Last year, as noted in the blog post, a conflict arose for the September dates and was resolved by allowing Garcia and another nightclub owner to hold events on the same weekend in city parking lots flanking Watchung Avenue. Both were successful, despite some questions (see post here).
I will have to check tomorrow on what the anticipated outcome is for the September event. It's kind of a minor thing among all the other city concerns on the table, but the dual events drew thousands of visitors and it would be good to have clarity on the plans.
Looking at new notices from the City Clerk's office, I see that budget hearings will be condensed into one each for three city departments, regardless of how many divisions involved, and a general one for the rest of city government and the six-year Capital Improvement Plan. Then it's on to amendments, a public hearing and possible adoption, all in less than a month for a process that in the past has allowed more time for deliberation. See Plaintalker's 2012 commentary here.
For whatever reason, time is short now and the budget must be finalized as soon as possible. The city changed to a calendar year budget last year in part to avoid operating for many months on temporary appropriations, but half of 2013 will be gone in June. Maybe by 2014 the anticipated outcome of early budget adoption will happen without things going up in the air again. At least this year we will once again have guidance from budget consultant David Kochel, who brought us in for a happy landing despite glitches in 2012.
--Bernice
I'm not sure where the bigger surprise is.. Christmas Morning..or watching this city cough up a budget like a cat with a hairball...
ReplyDeleteAt least with Mapp simple math won't be a hair puller and we'll see a budget for the operating year prior to the midway point.
Mr garcia claim his event is to promote unity in the city but the language that he used before council on mon.was very devisive im glad.several council members had the courage to admonish him for the position he took lets truly unite all segments.of our community for common good of the whole i.e. proper education safe neighborhoods and economic development.lets work as one plfd for peace progress and prosperity for all. Norman x johnson community organizer for one united plainfield
ReplyDeleteMapp can add and subtract and will make sure we have a full cabinet and have the fiscal oversight we need to be successful and grow. I agree with Rob, Mapp will not give us a budget nearly half way into the year and have it so fouled up that it takes weeks to fix. I can't believe this woman did this and expects to get re-elected. Well, there is one born every minute.
ReplyDeleteI wish I didn't have a class to teach on Monday nights or I would give an earful to those who decided to waive fees, especially that game player Reid. He won't pay for an expert to help us with our budget, but will wave fees for two nights of an event many Plainfielders don't attend, but for a man who makes plenty of money off of these events and Plainfield. We do seem to have our share of losers on the City Council starting with Reid and including Vera, Brown, and Rivers. The real losers are the citizens of Plainfield and that's sad.
ReplyDeleteCan you remind me what happens to runaway freight trains again? I can’t remember.
ReplyDelete