It wasn't a huge photo-op check, but the one Union County Improvement Authority Executive Director Daniel Sullivan presented to city officials Monday will still put $1.09 million in Plainfield's coffers.
Sullivan, Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22) and Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter made a surprise visit to the City Council meeting for the presentation. The check represents proceeds of a settlement the authority made with the city in August over disputed payments in lieu of taxes and certain costs incurred when the authority was in charge of redevelopment projects. Sullivan was named executive director of the authority in August, following the May resignation of former director Charlotte DeFilippo. Sullivan expressed hope that the settlement will "signal a new era" for the authority and the city.
The UCIA developed the office building on the downtown Park-Madison lot, but years passed without the authority carrying out conditions imposed by the Plainfield Planning Board. See Plaintalker's 2006 post here. The settlement provides for resolution of several issues, including use of the building's parking deck and relocation of a street clock. See Plaintalker's August post here
Green, who succeeded DeFilippo as chairman of the county Democratic organization, told the council the settlement was better than having wasted eight years and then incurring $1 million in legal costs.
Carter, a former City Council member, said, "This was an issue when I was on the council."
Carter said she hoped the two entities would be "able to move forward with a clean slate."
--Bernice
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Lets not forget that they got it originally from us "Taxpayers" so it was not "theirs" to give back.
ReplyDeleteThe UCIA is nothing but a dumping ground for all persons connected and their family members to get employment. Remember Ms. D conducted the UCIA business or lack there of from her dining room table in Hillside. I wonder where the new office is located? Perhaps Prospect Avenue.
ReplyDeletewhat's the timeline for completing the rest of the "promises"?? 10+ yrs for those? Hard to not look this "GIFT" horse in the mouth considering this county's record toward the city..
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