Open for Business

April 11, 2008

By:

Nicholas J. Veliky

And what a Swan Song it was. . . Clifton Board of Education Commissioner Mary Kowal attended her last meeting as a sitting Commissioner on the governing body. While many speculated as to the reasons for her not seeking re-election all rumors were put to rest as Commissioner Kowal delivered her final meeting end remarks this past Wednesday.

Commissioner Kowal confirmed what many residents had suspected but never really knew for sure. Her reasons were clearly stated, she could no longer take being part of a governing body that compromised her integrity. She told of threats by fellow commissioners when she insisted on asking questions, she was tired of issuing no bid million dollar contracts for legal, architectural and consulting contracts where the main reason for choosing the firms hired was simply the boards "like" in working with them. Mrs. Kowal also named Commissioner John Traier as someone who she had allegedly gotten into a heated exchange with over her questioning issues before the Board, Kowal stated "Mr. Traier was so incensed about my recent inquiries and my 'no' votes for expenditures that he 'warned' me to stop making inquiries. He screamed at me and went into a frenzied tirade that I had already voted for some of these items." (See page 16 for her complete statement). Kowal also noted that in her opinion "it's not about the kids; it's all about the money". It seems her time on the Board was more than anyone had imagined and anyone should have to endure. She also commented on the "Grandstand effort to silence Commissioner Michael Paitchell". In any case the City was served well and lucky to have had a fine upstanding individual like Commissioner Kowal doing the people's business as our representative on one of Clifton's most challenging Boards. There is just one question, who are the two un-named council members who also pressured Mary to change one of her votes?

Guess who is back in town . . . no not Santa, the Easter Bunny, or Jimmy Hoffa> It's none other than Dr. Mike Rice our beloved past Superintendent of Schools was in town to bid a proper farewell to his former Assistant Superintendent of Schools Ira Oustatcher at a dinner attended by about 25 guests. Just wondering out loud, did the good Dr. have an opportunity to discuss campaign strategies with his number 1 candidate. The long arm from Michigan touches Clifton again.

It seems the Board of Education will add any number of items to the budget to appeal to a segment of the population in order to get the budget passed, on the national level it's called Pork Barrel Spending, in Clifton we call it adding something for the Band. Yes the Clifton Mustang Band does need new uniforms; however the last time the Band needed new uniforms it became a community project, the entire City rallied around our show band of the East. Residents attended dinners, supported car washes, bake sales and various fundraisers in order to help one of Clifton's greatest assets raise fund for new uniforms. Raising money in that way was hard work and yet it took some time, but a community came together to do something that they could all be proud of, everyone felt a part of the Mustangs success.

Adding a $150,000 line item may make the Board members feel good, but it disenfranchises the rest of the community from playing a part in the band's success. There is something to be said for doing it the old fashioned way. This just in the Pro Logis building on Brighton Road, the one directly to the right of the proposed Brighton Road School site has apparently been acquired by a major tenant, word has it an international company will be moving in shortly, but don't tell anyone we don't want the BOE to object.

The legal reserve line item in the 2007 - 2008 budget was $1.9 million. The same line item in the 2008 - 2009 budget is $538,000 what happened to the balance? Those hours really add up and somebody got paid 1.4 million.

The Sewer Bills have proven to be a challenge for all, the residents don't understand them, the amounts charged on the bills are incorrect and the bills were dated so that they were late before they got to the taxpayers. We will all see relief in next year's tax bill, or so we are told. In any case the City of Clifton as a result of using the new sewer bill was able to avoid cutting services minimizing the increased tax burden.

Good news, the City was able to successfully negotiate a new contract with the City's Fire Department rather than go to binding arbitration, saving taxpayers a bundle.

Get well to Steve Hatala some good is going to come from this, a giant leap for Clifton City Council into the 21st Century. Councilman Hatala, while he is convalescing will be attending meetings via conference call. I'll bet you thought I was going to say Webcam, but remember this is Clifton we're talking about. . . Word has it that while he is on the mend Councilman Hatala will be using some of his idle hours working on tax incentives and an economic stimulus package for the City. The Council has decided to take a proactive approach in light of the nation's current economic condition.

Who would have imagined that a candidate's night scheduled to take place at Clifton Senior High School which was said to be sponsored by the students, would be cancelled because of questionable ethics involved in organizing the event. It seems someone very close to one of the incumbent candidates was responsible for writing and distributing the questions for the candidates. Come on now, did you really think you were going to pull this off? Maybe ethics charges are in order here as well, but don't hold your breath.

The spin doctors are at it again . . . it seems the communication from the DEP regarding 290 Brighton Road only clears the site for soil remediation. There is still no "No Further Action" letter from the DEP in spite of intervention by a State Senator and an Assemblyman. Once again the question is posed, are DEP requirements something we should pay attention to or can we get rid of them through political influence?

Clifton's Historic Botany Village is proud to welcome two new businesses to the Village, they are Uncle Sloppy's Tools and 10,000 Steps Hungarian Book Store. Why not stop by and pay them a visit. While on the subject of Botany Village, remember that every Thursday night a local Blues Band plays in one of the Village's taverns. Their goal is to make Botany Village the Blues Capitol of Northern New Jersey. Remember, in the Village, the beer is always cold and the Blues are hot. . . Wanted, old photos - Clifton's Historic Botany Village is actively looking for old pictures of Botany Village and they are offering prizes Send or bring your entries with your name, address, phone number and where and approximately when the photo was taken to: Clifton's Historic Botany District, c/o Joe Nikischer, 315 Parker Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07011, Contest extended until April 30th.