March 24, 2010
Hon. Blonnie Watson, President
Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Hall of Records
Newark, NJ, 07102
Re: Ordinance #1
Resolution #39
Resolution #40
Dear Ms. Watson:
Ordinance #1 calls for the County of Essex to bond $4,500,000 through the Essex County Improvement Authority in order to construct a miniature golf course that is being designed for the South Mountain Recreation Complex. CWA Local 1081 respectfully submits the following observations and questions regarding the miniature gold course as delineated within the above cited ordinance and two related resolutions listed upon this evening’s agenda:
- Inasmuch as on March 16, 2010 the Essex County Recreation & Open Space Trust Advisory Board reviewed and approved the allocation of funds for the down payment of 5% of the loan in the amount not to exceed $250,000.00 for the project as well as the allocation of funds to pay back the Essex County Improvement Authority Pooled Government Loan Program loan of $4,750.000.00 in principal and interest over a fifteen (15) year period for the undertaking, why were the two applicable resolutions not placed upon the March 17, 2010 conference meeting agenda in advance of the first reading of Ordinance #1? Isn’t this an example of putting the proverbial cart before the horse?
- Receiving the particulars regarding the Ordinance and the two resolutions, particularly the latter, on the same day as the resolutions will be voted upon as addenda to the agenda puts the public and the press at a distinct disadvantage to be able to read and comment upon the resolutions prior to their adoption. As you will please recall, our Union wrote you on April 29, 2009 a missive entitled “Adequate Notice Code of Essex County. V5” in which we submitted “our request the Board review its processes regarding its acquiescence to the Administration’s requests that the ordinances and resolutions submitted by the latter are considered and approved by the Board upon first reading”.
- At the March 19, 2010 Labor Roundtable meeting Essex County Executive DiVincenzo informed the leaders of the Unions representing County employees a possible $26.8 million deficit exists for fiscal 2010 due to proposed cuts to the County’s budget by Governor Christie, which Mr. DiVincenzo stated could well lead to layoffs, furloughs and privatization. Is it not less than responsible for the County then to expend nearly $5 million on yet another “nicety, not necessity” as the proposed miniature gold course?
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President
CWA Local 1081