The Facts of Life

Hello, Blogolanders.  Oh, where to begin?  I know, earlier this month when Councilwoman McBride rambled on about the fact Tom Neff of the Department of Community Affairs is really the Mayor of Trenton.  She started this because business administrator Sam Hutchinson said that DCA would NOT approve it if Trenton spent $200,000 on the hotel.  My feeling when I heard that DCA would not approve this expense was, "Thank God!!"  The next few days stories came out that the DCA did not want the hotel, the $200,000 was already in the budget,  MIDJersey Chamber of Council was holding a pep rally in support of the hotel.  The only thing we did not hear was that the famed Waldorf-Astoria was moving to Trenton.

Kevin Moriarty wrote several excellent pieces about the hotel;  I don't really agree.  I doubt very much if Governor Christie gives a damn about the hotel.  Yes, he's out looking for votes, but not here in Trenton; he's down at the shore.  Did you notice he wasn't buying Prince Harry lunch at the hotel.  Naw---he took him to the Shore. 

Blogolanders, most of whom I believe are Trentonians, if you want attention from the State House, you have to give him votes.  We're not going to vote for him.  You and I know it.  If someone were to say, "Governor, if you give us help, we'll guarantee you 10,000 votes.  That would get his attention. 

As for Heartbreak Hotel - it's time to let it go.  Yeah, the Chamber of Commerce blows in and announces support, but where?  At the hotel?  NO!  They gather at the ball park!  Kevin Moriuarty published list of meeting places for this august group.  So far this year two in Trenton and neither at the hotel. 

Far too often, people talk - talk is so cheap.  They give credit to everyone in sight but no one comes up with cash.  Trenton cannot afford the hotel.  Trenton never could.  Are we going to lose money?  Yes, and a lot of it, but we can begin to move forward financially. 

You Are Entitled to an Attorney....

For several reasons, I did not attend Thursday Nite Live but was there Tuesday and noticed Resolutions calling for some $265,000. in outside legal fees.  The city attorney gave a long, convoluted explanation about conflict of interest, attorney/client privilege, etc.  And her department is also overworked - just TWO staff members.  Who ain't overworked these days?  What I didn't ask (and doubt she would have answered) was how many of these lawsuits are plain frivolous or outright specious?  Case in point.  The Civil Service Commission ruled againt the city - Michael Morris must be rehired and Chico Melendez removed.  The Honorable Mayor decided to challenge that decision.  What will this challenge cost?  Much more than it's worth.  And, Blogolanders, Trenton now pays both men for the one job!!! 

I also feel it is time to rethink - redefine - attorney/client privilege.  As long as we, the taxpayers, foot these legal bills, we have a right to know what's going on and why.  I'd also like to see the statements from these outside lawyers.  Are they overworked?  Are they billing four hours when two hours would have done the trick?  I don't know. 

Bringing in the Gold

...we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the gold.  Good morning, Bloglanders.  Yes, this is my play on, "Bringing in the Sheaves,' a popular hymn with gospel choirs.  For whatever it is worth, I love gospel music, but what brought me to this?  Today's issue of, "The Trenton Times," and an article on page 9 to the left of an article about the freakin hotel.  Here's a quote from the photograph - "Trenton Central High School Inspirational Gospel Choir won first place in the Music in the Parks high school chorale division on Saturday.  The choir beat out 21 other high schools to win the Atlanta competition..." 

First, how many Trentonians even knew there was such a thing as the Inspirational Gospel Choir?  I didn't.  But then I didn't know there was a super debating society, either.  And how many knew these kids took first prize?  And why wasn't this splashed over the front page of our newspapers?  Given a choice between some child porn suspect and an inspirational choir, I'd go with the choir. 

To these young men and women, I offer my sincere congratulations.  "How great thou art..."

It's Time...

to leave the table.  Blogolanders and Trentonians, the hotel continues to be a very white elephant; a millstone; an overpriced luxury.  We must sell it!  Yes, Trenton will lose a lot of money, but, hell, we've already lost a lot of money!  The hotel was a bad idea from the beginning; if Trenton had a market for a hotel, a private chain would have been here on their own.  Maybe a smaller hotel would have worked - you know, one hundred rooms, seventy-five rooms.  I don't know.  What I do know is that we can, as a city, no longer afford this place.

Losing money on a a deal does not make me happy, but I also know when to leave the table.  Ain't gonna get better only worser.  And you wonder why the big, bad state doesn't jump in to give us millions?  Hell, we've borrowed money that we haven't even begun to repay.  If this were an AmEx card, we would have been cut off long ago.  Obviously, we're not too good with money.

Kevin Moriarty did an excellent posting on this hotel nightmare - read it.  Hopefully, the four members of council will stick to their guns and vote down anymore money. 

By the way, a bit of history.  Former South Ward Councilman, John Ungrady, always said, "The city shouldn't be in the hotel business." 

Finis for a bit.

It's the Media!!

At the last (hopefully in the sense of, "no more")town hall meeting, the Honorable Mayor opened his screed with, "The media give Trenton a bad name..."  (Not an exact quote.)  Yeah, sure.  Blame a free press.  And let's look at today's Trenton Times and the front page.  First page - above the fold - the best placement.  What do we have?  Two stories.  One about Mercer County efforts to control mosquitos.  Very informative - not what one could call negative.  Another about public monies going to private religious training schools - is this legal?  This is an issue that concerns the entire state.  Just below the fold is an article about the resignation of a candidate for Hamilton council.  She's been accused of stealing from a client.  Nothing to do with Trenton!!  Now - here it comes...

Below that is an article about Trentonian, Dan Dodson, and his recent experience with an intruder.  Several people have pointed out questions about what happened Sunday evening.  Yesterday, I was told, "someone broke into his home and took stuff."  Apparently, the intruder never made it beyond the foyer.  But it took the police some twenty odd minutes to respond!  Now that makes Trenton look bad.  If the police had appeared within a few minutes, the story would probably have never even made the paper, certainly not the front page. 

I strongly advise everyone involved - dispatcher, officers, victims, administration - to find out exactly what happened and why and issue an HONEST report.  Just a suggestion, but since the Honorable Mayor has been ignoring suggestions for nearly three years, I doubt he will jump on this one. 

I am very happy to learn the Dodson family is safe and sound. 

Ode to Gregory

This posting is inspired by the, "Killer Groundhog," that chased a bunch of Little Leaguers.  The story was posted on NJ.Com.  Those who feel it was female protecting her young are probably right.  Any animal with young can be very protective - vicious.  For several years now, I've had a groundhog living under my back porch; several times, I've tried removing him to Hunterdon County via a havaheart trap.  I swear he calls a taxi the minute he's released because he's back.  So I've decided to live with him; his name is Gregory; I'm sure he's a male as I never seen any small groundhogs around.  He's not dangerous.  In fact, he's rather shy; the slightest sound sends him running off.  He has a taste for tulip buds which is my only objection.  Watching him is rather amusing especially on warm, sunny summer days when he lies on his back with his little paws in the air.  Or when the local feral cats come; the cats and Gregory have stared at each other without moving for over an hour.  Thank you, Gregory, for the many pleasant times you provided.

Wishful Thinking - I Think

Last evening, city council met for about an hour to discuss what happens when the office of the mayor or a council seat is declared vacant.  Other bloggers have posted the info so I won't do emphasis through repetition.  Of course, the last time Trenton faced this problem was in 1989 and there was no scandal involved.  Art Holland died. 

Right now, we have a mayor who has been charged with a federal crime, and whose lawyer will probably stall the trial as long a possible.  Don't expect to see the Honorable Mayor in a court room any time soon.  And the Honorable Mayor is one lucky dude.  How many times has he dodged the bullet?  So, until he is found guilty and sentenced, we're stuck with him.  And I'm not betting he will be found guilty; I can see him with a verdict of, "Not Guilty." 

The next muncipal election will be held in a year.  The Honorable Mayor seems to think he'll run again, and win.  If he is not in a federal prison, he'd run and maybe even win.  I don't have much faith in the average Trenton voter.  And the average Trenton voter doesn't read this blog. 

As I see it, there is only a small possibility - if the mayor (or member of council) is declared mentally unfit to serve.  Frankly, I've often suspected many of our elected officials could use medication.  It's not easy to have one declared, "mentally incompetant," so scratch that idea.

So, let's all accept the fact that the Honorable Mayor is ours for at least another year.