State Aid to Plainfield: Is Zero the number?

Since I haven't been swatted for being a rumor-monger for at least two days, I'm kind of feeling withdrawal symptoms.

Herewith, three quickies of Plainfield interest that are floating in the air --

1. IS ZERO THE NUMBER?
   
   Plainfielders have been waiting for months for the Robinson-Briggs administration to get its budget act together. The reason given for the delay has been 'we're waiting for the State's Extraordinary Aid figure' (in the previous year, Plainfield had received $800,000). As the old gag goes, 'That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it'. Now, I hear rumors that the State aid figure will be ZERO, as in $0.00. And the Robinson-Briggs administration proposes a 1-person layoff plan?
   
   
2. 'GREATER FOOL THEORY' CONFIRMATION?
   
   I'm also hearing word in the street that Mayor Robinson-Briggs may have a live one on the hook for the vacant Director of Finance and Administration slot, to which Plainfielders will recall Mayor Robinson-Briggs has made FIVE previous appointments in three years. With less than 10 months left in her term, what kind of candidate would take the job? And will the Council require Plainfield residency?
   
   
3. YOU'RE GONNA DO WHAT I SAY, OR ELSE!
   
   Though many folks doubt the fiscal wisdom of the pension plan contribution deferral proposal that Mayor Robinson-Briggs is hawking (having painful memories of the last such 'holiday' -- see here), it just may be that municipalities will have NO SAY in the matter. Seems the plan is part of Gov. Corzine's I'm-from-the-government-and-I'm-here-to-help-you plan, which some wags view as an election-year ploy to impress voters/taxpayers. How cynical is that?!

At any rate, those are three I've heard.

What, me repeat gossip?!

Never!

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-- Dan Damon

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