Screenshot of Google cache for Burney post.
Plainfield's City Council President Rashid Burney posted his concerns about the Robinson-Briggs administration's proposed layoff plan to his blog last Sunday, November 15.
His original post was altered at 10:16 AM to remove a section at the request of Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson (note that this was on a SUNDAY; Williamson, it seems, is working on the Sabbath).
After outlining some of the plan, Burney takes exception to one element. Here is the section that was removed --
Let me explain. For one, the plan decimates our planning department to the amount of 50%. I guess the argument is that such functions can be taken over by our engineering firm (at "no cost" as was the argument presented two years ago). But here is the problem with that logic:So, Councilor Burney is questioning the wisdom of gutting the Planning Division.
- 1. They really do not know our town that well.
- 2. While it makes sense to outsource repetitive tasks, tasks that require planning and tasks that affect the entire city cannot be outsourced readily. Further, the actual costs to us will be much more if not this year, then next year. And far more again, when the right planning is not done right. This is not the first time this department of so few has come under the axe. I fail to see the value of such cuts.
I know that a lot of people out at last Monday's Council meeting were there over the same issue.
The question here is WHY Mr. Williamson wanted these points taken down, in advance of the Council meeting and -- presumably -- before much of the public got to read them.
Fortunately -- or UNFORTUNATELY, it depends on your point of view -- documents posted to the Internet never die, they just go to live in Google's cache.
Hence you, dear reader, get a second chance to read this one in particular.
Why do you think Mr. Williamson wanted this section taken down ...
'For now'.
- As I See It (Burney's blog) -- "Is this the right layoff plan for this city?"
-- Dan Damon [follow]
Posts
8 comments:
Crafty Dan ... !
Dan,
When the city (under previous admin.) hired an in-house engineer, we were on track to save a great deal of money--he was ceritifed, etc. The Green/Robinson-Briggs administration got rid of him so that they could give out pay for play contracts to their friends and political contributors like Remington & Vernick. This is why the city paid to have new engineeing studies done at significant cost. I don't know why Burney is afraid to post his honest thoughts. He will be up for reelection this year so maybe he is once again depending on the largesse of Jerry Green and Charlotte defillippo for money to get himself reelected. Or maybe he hopes that Remingotn & Vernick will give him some political contributions. Taking down that section doesn't make sense in any other context. Say what you mean and mean what you say. To accede to the request of someone like Williamson doesn't sound like "transparency" to me. Glad you found us some REAL transparency Dan.
Dan,
My parents taught us to lead by example. The example our political leaders ( Green/Briggs ) have taught us to spend others money with no regard. Why doesn't the city council members lead by example and pay for their own cell phones,health insurance,dinners,and even work for a $1? Many other town council members work for ONE DOLLAR $$ becouse they truley wanted to work to better the town and not work for pay and very expensive benefits.The management of the city of Plainfield has proven to lead by GREED.
The best thing about this is that Williamson drew more attention to the comments by requesting that they be taken down. More genius on the part of Plainfield officials who fail to realize that we are watching them and their time of doing what they do unnoticed is over. Great job Dan!
While Rashid may have acceded to Williamson, I would hardly say that Rashid is not transparent. He is trying to get something done in a very childish like environment.
The administration does not get that we are all in this together, and would love to help them given the chance. This is our Plainfield, too.
The council is much smarter than the administration as a whole (which is why the administration should look to them and the citizens for help; it will only make them look good), and grows impatient with the lack of leadership and action.
Rashid is trying to ride that fence that will allow concessions to the administration in order to get things done, and still do the right thing. Tough job. Glad it's not mine.
. Follow the $$$$
Consultants make big bucks and give campaign contributions. Hmmmm connect the dots .....
Plfd Vox -- you wanna post a comment, you gotta stick to the topic, otherwise go play in the njforums sandbox. Get my drift?
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