December 25, 2009
Hon. Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive
Hall of Records, Room 405
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: Gold, Platinum and Mahogany
Dear Mr. DiVincenzo:
As people throughout the world celebrate this day, our Union is reminded of the story of the Three Wise Men, the Magi. The Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12) describes the gifts The Three Kings brought the baby Jesus as consisting of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Sometimes the gifts are described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer and myrrh symbolizing suffering.
Your administration had Resolution #1 included on the December 22, 2009 agenda of the Essex County Board of Freeholders for approval. The resolution’s Decision Memorandum asserts “The Department of Parks and Recreation has requested a contract for fabrication, delivery and installation of custom hand carved signs” at a total cost of $24,648.25. Four of the signs will cost the County a total of $7,500.00, two will cost a total of $9,042.00, one will cost $2,422.25 and one will cost $5,684.00.
The signs are to be at least 80% hand carved and have a “Hand carved raised County seal or Parks department seal done in 23k gold leaf in County blue”. The “Surface guild shall bejeweled and platinum leaf. Facility name shall be hand carved and 23k gold leaf” and the architectural post covers will consist of “furniture quality mahogany”.
We, the members of CWA Local 1081, pray you will exhibit greater virtue and appreciate the suffering of many Essex County residents, including the County’s employees, by henceforward eschewing such economic extravagances.
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President, CWA Local 1081