May 3, 2009
Hon. Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive
Hall of Records, Room 405
465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: OPRA Request
Magazine Advertisements
Dear Mr. DiVincenzo:
Attached, please find a copy of the Open Public Records Request (OPRA) form CWA Local 1081 has submitted this day to the County of Essex requesting the following documentation regarding the several full page color advertisements the County placed primarily within the back inside cover of Suburban Essex Magazine:
- Within the April 2009 edition of the magazine is an advertisement inviting County residents to Essex County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day to be held on May 2, 2009 and to the Essex County Computer Electronics Recycling Day to be held on May 16, 2009. At the bottom of the advertisement is stated “Advertisement support by the Essex County Utilities Authority”. Inasmuch as the estimated ad rate for Suburban Essex Magazine is $2,530.00 for a full-page, black and white ad, please provide our Union all documents delineating the amount of money the County of Essex spent for its above cited advertisement within the magazine’s April 2009 edition.
- Within the March 2009 edition of the magazine is an advertisement inviting County residents to the 2009 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. At the bottom of the advertisement is stated “Advertisement supported with a grant from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a private 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Essex County Parks Foundation. Not printed at taxpayers’ expense”. Inasmuch as the estimated ad rate for Suburban Essex Magazine is $2,530.00 for a full-page, black and white ad, please provide our Union all documents delineating the amount of money the County of Essex spent for its above cited advertisement within the magazine’s March 2009 edition. While the bottom of the advertisement alleges the ad was “Not printed at taxpayers’ expense”, the fact is the funding received by the Essex County Parks Foundation is derived from a one percent (1%) annual tax upon Essex County residents.
- Within the February 2009 edition of the magazine is an advertisement inviting County residents to take part in several Turtle Back Zoo events, including the February 2, 2009 Ground Hog Day activities and the Nature Explorers Summer Camp. At the bottom of the advertisement is stated “Advertisement supported with a grant from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a private 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the Essex County Parks Foundation. Not printed at taxpayers’ expense”. Inasmuch as the estimated ad rate for Suburban Essex Magazine is $2,530.00 for a full-page, black and white ad, please provide our Union all documents delineating the amount of money the County of Essex spent for its above cited advertisement within the magazine’s February 2009 edition. While the bottom of the advertisement alleges the ad was “Not printed at taxpayers’ expense”, the fact is the funding received by the Essex County Parks Foundation is derived from a one percent (1%) annual tax upon Essex County residents.
- Within the October 2008 edition of the magazine is an advertisement inviting County residents to order a free “My Essex County 2008-2009 15 Month Calendar”. There is no mention at the bottom of the advertisement stating by whom it had been paid. Inasmuch as the estimated ad rate for Suburban Essex Magazine is $2,530.00 for a full-page, black and white ad, please provide our Union all documents delineating the amount of money the County of Essex spent for its above cited advertisement within the magazine’s October 2008 edition.
Attached, as well, please find included within the Open Public Records Request (OPRA) form CWA Local 1081 has submitted this day to the County of Essex our Union’s request for the following documentation regarding the full page color advertisement the County placed within the front inside cover of Essex County inBiz:
- Within the October 2008 edition of the magazine is an advertisement inviting County residents to take part in the Economic Development Corporation of Essex County. There is no mention at the bottom of the advertisement stating by whom it had been paid. Please provide our Union all documents delineating the amount of money the County of Essex spent for its above cited advertisement within the magazine’s October 2008 edition
- Within the Fourth Quarter 2008 edition of the magazine, featuring a photograph of you on the cover seated at your office desk at the Hall of Records, is a three-page article, entitled “Essex County Leads the Way”, featuring an interview with Essex County Small Business Development Office Director Deborah Collins and you. CWA Local 1081 genially grants the fact that the article is well written and that you both exhibit a handsome visage within the photography posted.
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President, CWA Local 1081