The fly sat upon the axel-tree of the chariot-wheel and said, What a dust do I raise!
- The Fly on the Wheel, Aesop's Fables
We live in interesting times. As I’ve shifted most of my energies to the school board, the blog has suffered but the school board has taken a new direction. The Matawan-Aberdeen School District now takes guidance from the school board, as it always should have, and the school board is providing that guidance.
This year’s top four blog pieces are, appropriately, a scandal that rocked the town, my election, and the tragic passing of two our youngest and finest, Daniel Cleary and Jawann Brown. Still, traffic is certainly down from the days I investigated the school district and township. That’s fine by me. Readership was always a means to an end, not an end in itself. The blog averages over 5,000 visits a month and has an estimated 5% penetration rate, more than any other local news outlet excluding the Independent and APP.
Ms. Hayward and I had a campaign slogan, “A break from the past,” and this school board has certainly done that. The political lines have disappeared. Ms. Hayward and I have never been together in the minority. Nor have Ms. Rubino and her running mate, Mr. Ruprecht, ever voted together in the minority. Nor have two Matawan representatives ever been in the minority.
Equally important, much of the tension is gone and board meetings are often lighthearted despite the serious issues before us. We laugh and joke, something I had never seen at prior board meetings. We work well together.
My mother always taught me to reach for the sky but settle for the moon and that’s been my experience on the school board.
At the end of July, I listed three goals I had brought to the board. The first was to hold board members accountable, the second to ensure graduates were college-ready, and the third to hold the line on tax increases. Here’s what we got – Split votes are recorded as such in the minutes so people can quickly research how board members voted on “controversial” issues. The board has effectively endorsed the recommendations of the college readiness committee. And the board has set a goal of limiting tax increases to 2% or below.
Writing skills, another board goal, is now being stressed across grade levels and courses. The board has also adopted an objective measure for school performance.
As for my crusade against the “cheap and easy” online degrees, the administration has agreed to request sample coursework from applicants for salary adjustments to determine the degrees were actually “earned”. (Work will be reviewed for verification purposes, not for quality.) One word of warning, though – If any instructor is currently enrolled in one of the “cheap and easy” online schools, be sure to complete your degree and request your salary adjustment before a new contract is adopted. As the board attorney said at the last meeting, there’s no guarantee these degrees will be recognized in the new labor contract.
The technology department is laying the groundwork for providing parents the necessary tools and information to become full partners in their children’s education. That same foundation can later be used for massive data mining to determine the factors for success and failure..
The board voted unanimously against funding collaboration pairs. Dr. Delaney has fought against “paying teachers for speaking to each other” and this practice has been terminated.
We finally have a mission statement that actually holds the district accountable for results. We’re also rewriting and posting all our board policies. When I objected to enacting policies that were already covered by law, Mr. O’Connell argued we needed the policies as an easy reference for the public so they could hold us accountable. He’s right and I’m glad the board followed his lead.
After two years of complaining and millions of dollars later, we got preliminary results from the RTI program; they weren’t good and I doubt it will survive next year’s budget cuts.
Performance goals have still not been established for the superintendent but he and the administration will surely be held accountable for meeting the board goals. I would prefer a mathematical guide but it’s very unlikely the board would ever use one. I have a draft formula for my personal use and I still plan to publish it once the board goals have been finalized.
Next on my list are curriculum reviews and developing additional streams of revenue.
All in all, I’m pleased. Like the fly on the wheel, I can’t claim any great accomplishments but I’m enjoying the ride and I’m grateful to Aberdeen for the opportunity to serve. >>> Read more!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
End-Year Review
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Happy Holidays
According to tradition, biblical Adam was born on a Friday afternoon on the first day of the Jewish New Year. He was expelled from the Garden of Eden that same day.
As the sun began to set, Adam feared he was witnessing the end of the world on account he and Eve had sinned. God reassured Adam that not only was the world not coming to an end but the sunset would mark the beginning of a new day, the holiest day of the year, the Sabbath.
Over the following weeks, Adam noticed the days were getting consistently shorter. As winter approached, Adam again feared he was witnessing the end of the world. Once again, God reassured Adam that not only was this not the end of the world but this period would become a time for festivities and light for all generations. Hence, people throughout the world celebrate this time of year.
May this coming year be filled with good tidings and joy. May our community be blessed by the Holy One, blessed is He.
Happy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful new year. >>> Read more!
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Democrats’ Latest Campaign Filings
Click here for the latest Democratic election filings
Stung by repeated charges of pay-to-play, the Aberdeen Democratic candidates decided they would still take the money but hide it from public view. Rather than run one campaign as they had in the past, they decided to run four individual campaigns and then ask each donor to write four checks, each for $300 or less to avoid disclosure laws. If the donor wished to give more, he could donate to the Aberdeen Democratic Executive Committee. My understanding is that none of the candidates took a leading role in fundraising but they all knew what was happening; they took tens of thousands of dollars from the very people seeking to get millions from us, the taxpayers. In private industry, this is called graft. In the courtroom, it’s called bribes. Among our councilmen and mayor-elect, it’s called politics.
I raise the issue again because we now have the latest election filings with the NJ ELEC and some new items have come to light. Total campaign expenditures for the democrats were about $50,000, in line with historical norms. However, the problem here is that Councilman-Elect Lauro raised virtually the identical amount as the other candidates.
Initial filings suggested he had not taken money from the town engineer, CME, since that would have been a clear conflict with his duties as the public works director. (A government employee should not be taking money from the very companies he’s overseeing.) More recent filings strongly suggest Lauro did take money from CME while working as the public works director. I can’t prove it but he raised nearly identical amounts as the other candidates and we know the others were taking money from CME so it’s a reasonable assumption.
Since the candidates chose to skirt the issue of pay-to-play, the other unanswered question is who did contribute to their campaigns aside from the usual suspects? Well, we know one person who did because he asked for his money back. Good old Joe Kremer. You know Joe, right? According to the Dem filings, he lives at 26 New Brunswick Ave. You know, corner property on Charles St.?
What’s that you say? It’s a warehouse? Now, what would old Joe be doing living in a warehouse? Huh? You never heard of old Joe? That is strange. Well, obviously he’s someone who cares a great deal about our town because he donated $300 to each of the candidates. Yup, $300. That is the absolute highest amount that any person could possibly give to a local candidate and still remain anonymous. He must be a good guy to want to remain anonymous and all.
I’m sorry, what’s that you’re saying about the warehouse? It’s owned by SPH Holdings? Nope, never heard of them. They want to get a variance from the township? Nope, didn’t know that either. And they’re on the tax sale list for not paying their water on time?
Well, no wonder Joe asked for his money back.
Yup, good old Joe. Thanks to guys like him, the Dems got four more years. >>> Read more!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Go Huskies!
Congratulations to the Huskies on winning the state championship at the NJSIAA Central Group II title game on Friday, crushing Manasquan 28-12.
Thanks to Coach Martucci and all the coaches for leading our team to victory.
A big cheer for all the community support. 350 students rode school buses to the game. Over 2,000 people attended to support our team. A victory parade is planned for Sunday afternoon.
For game highlights, you can check the APP's coverage or watch some video at AberdeenNJlife.
Below is a list of our football champs. Congratulations again. Name Agosto, Rich Allison, Jared Alvarez, Jim Antwon, Brian Bartlett, Justin Beaty, Keith Bellamy, Juwaan Carter, Ian Castell, Joel Cleary, Tom Clinton, Kendal Crombie, Bill Davis, Austin Durantt, Marcos Faccas, John Garland, Derek Garner, Shakier Gleason, Sean Gray, Dion Green, Mike Gumbs, Malik Hagan, Kareem Hodge, Andre Incle, Dave Inguaggiato, Brandon Lazar, Andrew Liebowitz, David Maamouny, Ahmed Malta, Michael Masonius, Albert Morenz, Matt Neal, Greg Newsom, Aaron Nicholson, Deaven Palumbo, Francis Quaglieri, Anthony Rafferty, Sean Reyes, Dillon Richmond, Andrew Rocco, Nick Rodriquez, Terry Santana, Justus Santimauro, Ken Short, John Simpkins, Solomon Slay, Ted Smith, Jon Smith, Tyrone Underwood, MacArthur Urciuoli, Joe Vega, Zeke Walton, Chris West, Brandon Wilkins, Tim Williams, Cassius
>>> Read more!
Friday, December 4, 2009
A Modest Proposal Redux
“I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children. . .
I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.” – A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift (1729)
Political satire, demonstrating the fallacy of logic absent principle, is surely a lost art but one that, even employed imperfectly, still has its uses.
To my readers’ credit, it didn’t take long until someone who wasn’t an incorrigible critic recognized the title of my prior post was a reference to the most renowned political satire, Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”. Nor did it take long to recognize the essay was contrary to my declaration of support for the new mission and vision statements. Granted, nobody noticed that it also conflicted with my statement at the prior week’s board meeting that “I believe no student should be forced to sit in a classroom with an unfit teacher” but hardly anybody watches those board meetings, anyways.
So, let’s first demolish the underlying logic behind the article and then consider some of the responses.
The notion that a student who’s withdrawn from an extra-help tutorial has forfeited his right to an education is ludicrous. As for the idea that we should assign our lowest performing teachers to our lowest performing students, that had been a quiet practice in the district that Dr. O’Malley terminated. For example, Kimberly Rogers, one of our finest teachers, is the instructor for AP English and SRA Prep Language Arts (for those who failed the HSPA). Simply put, every child is entitled to an excellent teacher unless he forfeits that right by stealing another child’s opportunity to learn or stops coming to school.
The assumption that a significant percentage of high school juniors will always fail the HSPA is false. The middle school made dramatic improvements and I expect those improvements to grow. The high school has been making long overdue changes to the curriculum, such as making writing a core element of a student’s education. With better prepared students and an improved curriculum, our test scores will rise, as they must.
As for the comments, some of them were absolutely delicious. The outrage, shock, and horror that we would assign unfit teachers to our neediest students. Yet, many of these same commenters maintain the administration should be barred from removing unfit teachers from the classroom, thereby subjecting our students to the very outrage, shock, and horror they abhor. The only difference between their plan and my satire is they would assign these unfit teachers randomly so that every child has the same chance of being robbed of an opportunity to learn.
At least, for the first time, my critics have finally conceded our district does have unfit teachers. Only a handful, to be sure, but we do have them and no child should be forced to accept them as an instructor. I propose every parent have the right, at the beginning of the school year, to transfer his child to another class if he is unhappy with the instructor.
Still what do we do about the 20% of juniors who withdrew from the lunch tutorials? First, shame on them and their parents from withdrawing the program. Shame on them! I don’t know what the administration plans but I would suggest the following:
Lastly, I concede the teachers are dealing with a far more difficult teaching environment than I imagined. I was wrong. Assuming that the parents of the junior class are representative of the community, 20% of parents and young adults don’t care about education. Horrific. Just horrific. But it changes nothing. For the 80% of us who do care, our mission remains the same - to provide a safe and supportive environment where educators inspire, empower, and encourage students to excel. >>> Read more!
Monday, November 30, 2009
A Modest Proposal for the Unfit
One of the perennial problems of all public schools is the inability to remove tenured but unfit teachers. New York City has resorted to the use of “rubber rooms” for teachers who actually pose physical threats to students but still can’t be terminated due to tenure protections. Although the number of unfit teachers is small, they incur huge costs to the district – their compensation, the opportunity cost to their students, and the additional cost to the district to help those students recover from their lost educational time.
Last week, the Middle/High School Director, Ms. DeLuca presented ghastly news to the school board but one that I believe offers a solution of what to do with our own unfit teachers. Following our district’s historical norm, over 30% of our juniors are at-risk of failing the state-mandated HSPA. Contrary to past practice, these students may not be afforded an alternative route to graduation.
The district had previously tried to offer before and after school programs, with transportation, but they were poorly attended. Ditto for Saturday morning programs. This year, the high school implemented a lunch program – 30-minute daily tutorials followed by a short lunch break.
The at-risk students were automatically enrolled in the program. Letters were sent to their parents stressing that, without the program, the students had a high risk of not graduating. The high school principal, Ms. Ruscavage, then personally phoned the parents to again stress the program’s importance.
Two-thirds of the parents withdrew their children from the high school lunch tutorial in full knowledge their children would likely fail the HSPA and not graduate from high school.
Two-thirds of at-risk high school juniors, 20% of the entire junior class, with informed parental consent, demonstrated they have no interest in learning the three R’s of reading, writing, and arithmetic. We’re talking about scores of 16-year olds, young adults, who don’t want to learn.
As a district, what is our moral responsibility towards the education of these young adults? None whatsoever. They’re not interested in learning. Their parents don’t care. Our only obligation is to provide the statutory minimum level of education in a safe environment and ensure they don’t poison those students who do want to learn.
Which brings me back to the original question of what to do with tenured but unfit teachers. I propose that any junior or senior at risk of not graduating who has withdrawn from all extra-help programs with the informed consent of his parents/guardians, be segregated into special classes and assigned those teachers who have been deemed unfit to teach students who want to learn.
Why subject real students to unfit teachers when we have so many lost students who couldn’t care less? >>> Read more!
Friday, November 27, 2009
I Respectfully Dissent
The following are topics raised at the last board meeting from which I dissented from the majority or am likely to do so in the future.
Staff Travel
The Matawan-Aberdeen school district spends approximately $350,000 annually for professional development. This includes the costs of the programs, travel, hospitality, and substitute teachers. Considering the number of teachers pursuing degrees and credits through no-name online institutions, I asked if a teacher had ever requested reimbursement to attend an online seminar. First everybody laughed and then Dr. O’Malley answered no, never.
Moving forward, if I notice a teacher has received a salary adjustment based upon credits/degrees received from a lowly regarded online institution, I will object to that teacher attending any seminar that requires him to “lose” a day of work. If the teacher believes that a “Walden” education warrants a huge pay raise then I see no reason why he can’t attend online seminars that don’t interfere with his classroom instruction, not to mention the cost savings to the district.
Salary Adjustments
I will object to all salary adjustments based upon “Walden” degrees and credits if the administration has not spot-checked that individual’s application to ensure the degree/credits were “earned” as the contract requires.
The administration reserves the right to take reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the labor contract. It should be standard practice to “trust but verify” and I hope the administration reconsiders its posture in this regard.
Collaboration Pairs
In the words of fellow board member, Dr. Delaney, “we’re paying teachers to talk with each other.” Those teachers involved in special education or intervention programs need to consult with the classroom teachers regarding specific students. Since the teachers sometimes don’t have overlapping prep periods, they need to have the discussions after school hours and the “past practice” is to compensate them for time spent talking with each other.
However, this has morphed into the fraudulent practice of paying all teachers who need to consult with each other regardless if they have overlapping prep periods or not. For example, the agenda calls for $9,400 in middle school teacher stipends to “talk with each other” even though, due to block scheduling, every teacher in the middle school has a shared 36-minute prep period each day.
The board tabled the motion and, moving forward, I doubt we’ll be supporting any stipends for collaboration pairs when a pair shares a prep period.
However, I will be taking this one step further. Given the recent test results, I will not support any further expenditures for the RTI program. If a collaboration pair is still implementing the RTI program, as most in the elementary grades are, I will not support those stipends unless the program has been changed to something with a proven track record.
Policies
Policy #1540, the Administrator’s Code of Ethics states:No administrator shall use or attempt to use his/her official position to secure unwarranted privileges, advantages, or employment for him/herself, a member of his/her immediate family, or any other person.
I objected to this policy because it does not preclude an administrator from recommending himself for a paid position to the superintendent.
The teachers union openly discourages its members from competing for stipends if a more senior teacher has demonstrated an interest. If only one person applies for the job, he’ll generally get the job. There’s nothing to prevent an administrator from doing the same.
The present policy creates financial incentives for administrators to hinder the recruitment and interview process to their own benefit. Even if the superintendent is the one ultimately making the recommendation to the board, if only one person applies for the job, he’ll generally get the job.
I am not presently advocating that all administrators be barred from extra-curricular positions. Rather, they should not be given a financial incentive to game the process and recommend themselves to the superintendent. >>> Read more!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Proclamation of Thanksgiving
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State >>> Read more!
RTI R.I.P.
After lobbying the school district for two years to provide any data justifying RTI (Response to Intervention), we finally got the information at Monday’s school board meeting. Looking at a two-year window and comparing our district to the rest of the state, we see broad advances in math and mixed results in English. However, the math advances are largely from the Everyday Math program, as demonstrated by the large jumps in advance proficiency. The main test for RTI was in Language Arts where it uses specialized programs such as Reading Recovery. Given the program’s expense, over $2.2 million a year, the costs cannot be justified by the results.
Below are three tables that include all grades and schools that implemented RTI. The first table shows the current percentage of total proficiency and advanced proficiency for the classes of 08-09. The next table shows the change in total proficiency and advance proficiency since RTI began in 07-08. The final table shows the net change compared to the state average. For example, if the state’s proficiency rose by 10% in the past two years, and our district rose 20%, the net change is 10%. This should cancel any changes in the state exams or measurements, such as increasing the pass score for proficiency from 40-45% to 50%. 08-09 Test Results LAL TP LAL AP Math TP Math AP Cliffwood 66.7 % 2.6% 86.1% 36.7% Ravine Dr 82.4% 13.5% 94.5% 54.1% Strathmore 63.2% 2.8% 82.1% 39.6% Lloyd Rd (4) 69.2% 9.5% 82.1% 35.5% Lloyd Rd (5) 69.2% 9.6% 80.2% 37.2% 2-year Progress LAL TP LAL AP Math TP Math AP Cliffwood -22.0% -1.2% -2.9% 14.5% Ravine Dr -5.2% -1.1% -4.5% 20.8% Strathmore -23.9% -5.0% -2.4% 3.4% Lloyd Rd (4) -10.5% 1.8% -1.0% -0.1% Lloyd Rd (5) -24.6% -4.2% -11.3% 6.0% 2-year Progress vs State LAL TP LAL AP Math TP Math AP Cliffwood -1.3% -3.2% 9.2% 14.9% Ravine Dr 15.5% -0.9% 7.6% 21.2% Strathmore -3.2% -3.0% 9.7% 3.8% Lloyd Rd (4) 7.1% 1.8% 10.7% 13.4% Lloyd Rd (5) -1.6% 0.0% -4.4% 3.3%
RTI was hatched by Superintendent Quinn and designed by Assistant Superintendent Kim Honnick. The two former administrators were quick to promote the program’s virtues and downplay the costs despite the absence of any evidence of success. According to the APP, “Quinn said he is honored to have made positive contributions to the district. Some of his unforgettable moments, he said, are the $660,000 [sic] initiative called Response to Intervention . . .” Honnick joined the speaking circuit - “Participants will learn how a small district in central New Jersey researched, designed, and implemented the response to intervention (RTI) framework . . . designed to employ scientifically based programs.”
Well, here are the results of their handiwork, over $4.5 million dollars later. Given Dr. O’Malley and Ms. Zitarosa haven’t been able to salvage the program after two years, it’s fair to say RTI is beyond salvation. Students who need extra help should receive extra help that actually helps. Compared to advances made by simply changing the math curriculum, RTI has failed that basic test. >>> Read more!
Friday, November 13, 2009
MARSD’s New Mission
MARSD’s current mission and vision statements have always been a bone of contention for me. Thankfully, with a new board we have a new mission. Under Dr. Gambino’s direction, the Mission and Vision Committee has drafted new mission and vision statements that are virtually guaranteed passage at the next board meeting. The primary difference between the new and old? Accountability.
The current mission statement is –
To provide every child with the highest quality of instruction, curricula, and services; to treat every child with respect and dignity; to give every child the opportunity to learn and mature, to acquire a thirst for knowledge, to experience the satisfaction of accomplishment, and to anticipate becoming a productive member of a democratic society.
Look at the key action verses – “To provide every child . . . to treat every child . . . to give every child . . .” The mission statement has absolutely no connection to student outcomes. How often have we heard administrators bemoan the socio-economic backgrounds of our students? How often have we heard the staff blame the parents, the students, the community, everybody but themselves?
No more.
The new mission statement will be –
We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where educators inspire, empower, and encourage students to excel.
If our students fail to excel, the fault is not only theirs and their parents’; the fault is ours.
The vision statement is a reflection of what we hope to achieve.
The current vision statement –
Upon leaving the Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District, all children will credit us with having given them what they need educationally to help them succeed in life in the pursuit of their own goals.
The new vision statement –
Students will become life-long learners, critical thinkers, and creative problem solvers who achieve success as honorable members of society.
Once again, the difference is accountability. The key phrase in the old vision is “children will credit us”. The key phrase in the new vision is “students will become”.
If our students don’t excel, we have failed. If they don’t become life-long learners, we have failed. If they don’t become critical thinkers and creative problem solvers, if they don’t achieve success, if they don’t live honorable lives, we have failed.
All we need now is God’s grace and a community that holds us accountable. >>> Read more!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
We Salute Our Veterans
The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his. – General George S. Patton
U.S. Marine Corps. Hymn
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.
U.S. Army Anthem
(The Caissons Go Rolling Along)
Over hill, over dale
As we hit the dusty trail,
And the Caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the Caissons go rolling along.
U.S. Navy Anthem
(Anchors Aweigh)
Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of
day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more:
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.
U.S. Air Force Anthem
(Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder)
Off we go into the wild blue yonder
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At'em boys, giv'er the gun!
Down we dive spouting our flames from under,
Off with one hell-uv-a roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame,
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force! >>> Read more!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Un-Earned Credits and Degrees
The contract between the Matawan-Aberdeen School District and the teachers union states the following:
Salary guide column changes, based upon newly earned degrees or credits shall be effective on February 1 of each calendar year, where full documentation is submitted to the administration by January 15th of the same year. This shall in no way affect the practice of granting column change credit for September 15th payrolls which are fully documented by September 1 of each year.Here’s the scenario:
A teacher submits a transcript from Walden University, a virtual college accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, demonstrating he has completed the necessary coursework to entitle him to an upward adjustment on the salary scale.
The contract demands that he submit “full information” of the “earned degrees or credits”.
Has the teacher satisfied the conditions of the contract to warrant a raise? I say no.
At last night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, I argued that Walden University does not authenticate the website user beyond a simple username and password. Therefore, we have no idea who submitted the coursework or participated in classroom discussion.
In a brick and mortar school, we know who is attending the class and submitting the work. At Walden University we simply have no evidence whatsoever that the person “earned” the credits or degree.
Since we have two weeks before the school board takes any action, I suggested the board advise the administration to request additional information from the teacher. I said I would be satisfied with any “smidgen” of evidence that the teacher had done any work towards her credits. For example, the teacher could email her work assignments to the administration or the university could provide information that her classes included some element of “in-person” participation as well.
Ultimately, only Mr. O’Connell and Dr. Delaney agreed the administration should inquire if there was any evidence the credits were “earned” but we were rebuffed by the majority. (Interestingly, O’Connell, Delaney, and I also comprise the technology committee.)
Dr. Gambino felt we didn’t have grounds to distinguish between a brick and mortar school versus a virtual school. I believe the situations are entirely different. We are not measuring how much effort is necessary to “earn” a degree. If a person attends one class, he has theoretically “earned” his credits. In an online environment, however, we have no evidence that he ever “attended” a single class or submitted a single assignment.
Anybody with the username and password could have done everything on the teacher’s behalf. Considering the ease, the financial incentives, and the anecdotal evidence of online abuses, this isn’t a farfetched scenario.
Mr. Ruprecht suggested that requesting additional information was nearly akin to accusing the teacher of fraud. I objected to that characterization. We are merely adhering to the plain language of the contract that the teacher provides “full information” that the credits were “earned”. If a teacher’s “word” is sufficient, then why does the contract require “full information”? Why not “any information” or a teacher’s “written notice of completion”? Why shouldn’t we stick to the plain language of the contract?
Mr. Ruprecht also held the board had already established a “past practice” by approving prior online degrees and credits without requesting additional information. I argued that “past practices” could only be established upon informed consent. Since online degrees are a relatively new phenomenon and the board was unaware that teachers could receive credits and degrees without actually doing any work, no “past practice” had been established. On the contrary, approving the current request could establish a past practice and bar us from ever requesting additional information.
I plan to revisit the issue at the next board meeting when we’ll be able to receive guidance from the board attorney. In the meantime, those teachers planning to enroll at cheap and easy online schools should be forewarned. Salary guides are determined by contract and the current contract expires on June 30th. There’s no guarantee the school board will recognize any school of low standing after that cutoff date. After all, the raises for earned credits and degrees were designed to encourage teachers to help students, not to help themselves at taxpayer expense. >>> Read more!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Does the Blogger Have No Clothes?
“My friends are not worth the powder and shot it would take to kill them! ... If there were two Henry Clays, one of them would make the other President of the United States!” – Henry Clay
Okay, that quote is a bit harsh and unfair to the Aberdeen Republicans.
Although my name wasn’t on the ballot, the local Republicans’ sound thumping at the polls is being characterized as a defeat for the Aberdeener. Well, those who know, know better. I’ve been quite restrained this year because my first responsibility is serving on the school board, I happen to like Tagliarini and Lauro, and my only hope was to break the democratic monopoly by electing at least one republican. Although the gap was wider than expected, the result was not; the Republicans ran a poor campaign.
Does that mean this blog’s role in local politics is an illusion? Au contraire. Last year, I endorsed Ken Aitken for the school board and he lost by a larger margin (percentage-wise) than the Republicans did this year. Then site traffic dropped precipitously when I barred anonymous comments. By autumn, everything was in full swing again and the rest is history.
Since I’ve been serving on the school board, I haven’t submitted a single OPRA request. I haven’t been to a single town meeting. I haven’t met with a single town official. But there’s nothing stopping me. If the need arises, I can return.
For now, I will keep crossing items off my to-do list.
To Fred Tagliarini, James Lauro, Margaret Montone, and Gregory Cannon, my congratulations. May God’s grace direct you on the path of honor. You have my support to uphold your oath of office.
A vigilant citizenry is the best guarantee of prosperity. Aberdeen’s best days lie ahead so long as the people hold their representatives accountable. >>> Read more!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
New Faces, Same Democrats
This election season has been quite a disappointment. Election campaigns have only three objectives – 1) Build your support 2) Demolish your opponent 3) Get your supporters into the polling booth. Looking at both campaigns, it’s impossible to say that either the Republicans or the Democrats made any major advances on any of those fronts. As the opposition party and underdogs, the Republicans failed to educate the voters. As the party in power for over a decade, the Democrats had to either run on their record or break from their past policies.
For the last few months, I’ve been waiting for some sign, anything, suggesting the Democratic candidates would break from their party’s history. They have not. Despite Tagliarini’s and Lauro’s stellar personal histories, all evidence suggests they have been engulfed by the borg that is the Aberdeen Democratic Party.
During Tagliarini’s short tenure on the town council, he never broke with his party or initiated any action. He supported appointing as lead developer an ex-con who attempted to bribe an IRS auditor and cost Matawan hundreds of thousands of dollars in a vindictive lawsuit that had no merit. Tagliarini also allowed the township’s powers-that-be bury the draft pay-to-play ordinance.
What’s most disturbing is that Tagliarini and Lauro didn’t need to do any of these things to win the election. Given their name recognition and reputations, they could have bagged the election by just using their rolodexes.
Therein lies the problem. Have Tagliarini and Lauro given us any reason to believe they’ll govern differently from their predecessors? Once in power, they’ll have a lot of IOUs to cash and, being men of honor, you know they will. >>> Read more!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friends of Donna C.
Friends of Donna C. Foundation
84 Idolstone Lane
Aberdeen, NJ 07747
EIN # 27-1047919
I'm writing on behalf of the Friends of Donna C. Foundation. Our group is a non-profit organization raising funds for Donna Calicchio and her family. Donna is a long time resident of Aberdeen, NJ. She is a loving mother, devoted wife, and thoughtful friend. Three months ago, Donna suffered a brain aneurysm. She has been in the hospital since then and has had multiple brain surgeries. Although she has shown signs of recovery, she has also had major setbacks. As of late, her husband, Tony, has found out that their health insurance reached its maximum and will no longer cover the medical expenses. Since Donna's traumatic injury, Tony has not been able to return to work full-time. He has he been daily by Donna's side and is caring for their 10-year old daughter. We need to raise funds to help relieve some of the monetary burden that the Calicchio family will be encountering in the weeks, months, and years to come. We are working hard to raise these funds.
We need your help with our upcoming auction on December 6th, 2009, to benefit the Friends of Donna C. Foundation. We need items we can offer as prizes for our auction. We'd appreciate a donation of any value to help us achieve our goal for this fundraiser, which is $20,000.
Your generous donation will be publicly acknowledged at our event through promotional announcements, fliers and a prominent note in our program. We feel that your business will benefit from the community goodwill generated by your kind donation to our group.
To learn more about our group or our event, please contact Michael Donohue, Treasurer, at
Thank your for your consideration of our request, and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Jenny Cox
Volunteer, Chairperson
27 Fierro Avenue
Matawan, NJ 07747
732-583-1722
PS - So that we may better plan our event, would you kindly let us how your decision by November 15,2009. Thank you. >>> Read more!
Clarification on the School District's Stimulus Funds
At last night’s meeting, Dr. O’Malley clarified the details swirling around the use of the stimulus funds for balancing the budget and funding the RTI program.
Last March, the state informed the Matawan-Aberdeen school district that funding would be flat. Dr. O’Malley then presented a zero tax-levy increase budget based upon the state’s assurance that state funding would remain at the prior year’s level.
In September, the state informed the school district that federal stimulus money had been used to fund the state’s obligations to the school district. The federal government was now requiring a report as to how many jobs were “created or saved” through the use of the federal stimulus funds.
Dr. O’Malley recommended we report to the state that the funds were used to “save” the RTI teaching positions.
Moving forward, however, Dr. O’Malley does not expect that funding will be available next year. That means we’re likely looking at a $1.7 million revenue shortfall for next year.
Next month, the district will provide a review of the RTI program. Undoubtedly, a $1.7 million revenue shortfall will entail program cuts somewhere or everywhere. >>> Read more!
What Would Joey Do
For the three or four people out there who are wondering what I would do if I were mayor of Aberdeen (not that I ever will be), these would be my plans:
Property Taxes – There are only two ways to cut property taxes – cut spending and increase revenue. For those property owners who have fallen behind in their payments, the tax collector should be authorized to contact and negotiate payment plans just like IRS agents before people get hit with huge interest charges. This year, 100 properties are likely going to tax sale, most for small amounts. (Hat tip to AberdeenNJlife)
Payroll Cuts – Offer every municipal employee the opportunity to purchase up to 2 weeks vacation time. In the private sector, this is considered a huge perk and it’s far more amenable than mandatory furloughs.
Professional Services – Establish a threshold above which the town is required to issue an RFQ – request for quote. The township is not required to accept the lowest bid but all bidders will feel pressured to offer competitive pricing.
Shared Services – Pursue shared services with neighboring municipalities, particularly in police services and sanitation. If Matawan isn’t interested, check with the other neighboring towns.
Township Engineer – It makes no sense that the person charged with ensuring all engineering projects are cost effective earns more as those projects become less cost effective. Bar the township engineer from directly participating in any engineering projects.
Better Financial Planning – We’ve been spending down our reserves by going over budget. Why are we going over budget? The township first discussed changing healthcare plans in 2008. Why the delay? We borrowed money to conduct the revaluations so far in advance that much of the loan was paid back before we ever paid for the revaluations. Why?
Legal Fees – The school board hosts a committee meeting about two weeks prior to the action meeting to give board members and the public the opportunity to review and comment upon action items. The school board has also ended the practice of having an attorney present when no action will be taken, meaning nearly all the committee meetings. The town council could adopt the same practice in place of the current schedule of workshop meetings preceding regular meetings that same night. Doing so would be better governance and cut several thousands of dollars of legal fees.
The town council should also avoid pursuing legal action when there’s little chance of success.
Land Development – I would aggressively pursue commercial development through massive tax giveaways that gradually disappear over a ten-year period using the PILOT program. Any tax revenue we’d generate in the meantime is more than we’re getting now and without the tax giveaways we’re unlikely to see any near-term commercial developments. As for residential development, I would not grant variances to any residential development that does not “pay down” our existing COAH obligations. The costs of COAH are too high to justify residential development.
COAH – Nobody wants “the projects” built in their neighborhoods. The argument that these homes will go to cops, teachers, and other public workers is nonsense. Most young couples have dual incomes. Plus, there’s a waiting list to get these homes and, by the time a name is called, cops and teachers would likely be earning above the income limits. I would not provide any variances to any development seeking to fulfill a “projected” COAH obligation. In the meantime, let’s see what the courts say about current lawsuits objecting to the new COAH regulations before approving any new COAH developments.
Assessments – This is one of my old ideas that may not be viable. The township has a lot of discretion when to reassess a property. I would allow property owners to schedule their properties assessments so long as they do so once every ten years and the classification of the property hasn’t changed. That way, we’d reduce the tax penalty for improving one’s property and provide a new revenue source by charging a fee for the reassessment. We could also use the service to provide property appraisals for homeowners seeking to re-finance their properties. Since we’d have continuous rolling assessments, we should be able to avoid the costs of town-wide property revaluations.
Merger – I still support merging Aberdeen and Matawan. The opportunities to cut costs, develop Main St. and the transit village, and petition Trenton for increased funding outweigh the risks.
Grants Writer – Share the expense of a full-time grants writer with Matawan and the school district to pursue public and private grants. A one-year trial period would be worthwhile. (This idea was originally proposed by Ken Aitken.)
Newsletter – Have the township newsletter published and promoted by an independent company that can attract paid advertising.
Naming Opportunities – Similar to the highway programs, allow companies and individuals to sponsor public areas and assume the maintenance expenses. We can also lease the naming rights to parks and fields.
Votes – As a school board member, I have abstained from voting on the addition of a friend to the district’s substitute list. Gambino and Delaney recused themselves from appointing someone who worked for the New Jersey Department of Education. Yet, our councilmen brazenly vote to give million dollar appointments to their biggest contributor. I would bar any councilman from participating in any way as regards a person or company with whom he as a strong relationship.
Appointments – All appointments should be made upon the recommendation of the town manager. The town manager should also be tasked with ensuring the township receives at least three qualified applications for each appointment.
Candidate Debates – The school district sponsors a televised debate among the candidates, moderated by the league of women voters. By contrast, immediately following the Republicans announcing a Meet the Candidates Night, the Democrats scheduled a last-minute H1N1 presentation to starve the Republicans of any news coverage. (Hat tip to AberdeenNJlife again) The town council should adopt the school district's policy of sponsoring a televised debate among candidates.
Public Meetings – Public meetings should be televised and their minutes posted in a timely manner. >>> Read more!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
School Board Goals
Like a turtle in mad pursuit, the school board has finally settled upon its first three goals. Although the final language won’t be set until the minutes are approved, they go something like this –
- From 3rd grade through high school graduation, all students will be proficient in reading and writing
- Each class will have an increasing percentage of students who are proficient and advance proficient on the state exams to the point the graduating classes will be on par with the I-districts (communities with a higher socio-economic status)
- Future school budgets will not hike taxes beyond 2% a year
The first goal was explained by school board member, Dr. Delaney. Prior to 3rd grade, students learn to read. After 3rd grade, students read to learn. Statistics show that students who don’t achieve reading proficiency by 3rd grade are at the highest risk of falling behind in later years. Therefore, we have an imperative to ensure that all kids are reading by the 3rd grade. Then, once they’re reading, we want to make sure they keep reading.
I requested, and the board agreed, that we include writing as well. Writing is one of the components of the state’s Language Arts Literacy exams and one of the most egregious weak points in our students’ educations. We’ve encouraged the administration to begin stressing writing skills across curriculums wherever appropriate but particularly in English, history, and the social sciences.
The problem with the goal is that we’re aligning our metrics with the state exams. I don’t think anybody considers the state exams as the ideal metric but it was one the board could readily agree upon without too much discussion.
Using state exams as a metric for the higher grades creates the additional problem that the exams only test for English, math, and science and the material they test doesn’t necessarily encompass the skills and knowledge we want our children to acquire. However, the state exams and the SATs are the only broad based means by which we can compare ourselves to other districts. Since the SATs are only for high school, the state exams became our only metric for cross-district comparisons.
The budget goal was purely the result of compromise. One view, espoused by board member Ruprecht, was the board should refrain from setting a cap lower than the 4% state mandated cap. He argued that setting a lower cap would distort the superintendent’s priorities, such as education and long-term facility planning.
I argued the board cannot impose a tax increase on the community during a recession. Whatever needs to be cut, however worthwhile it is, will have to be cut.
O’Connell believed a 0% percent tax increase would require draconian cuts to school programs and services. He suggested we take the middle road of 2%. For the purpose of reaching a consensus, the board adopted his suggestion.
At the upcoming meetings, the board will discuss additional goals though it’s expected to limit the number of total goals to a half-dozen or so.
On October 27th, the board’s Mission and Vision Committee (open to the public), chaired by Dr. Gambino, will be considering final revisions to its proposed mission and vision statements. The current proposals are –
Possible Mission Statement:
- The Matawan-Aberdeen School District’s mission is to equip (teach) our students with the knowledge and skills that will empower them to reach their potential and become engaged members of a global society
- The Matawan-Aberdeen School District’s mission is to equip (teach) students with the knowledge and skills that will empower them to reach their potential and become engaged members of a global society in a respectful manner
- The Matawan-Aberdeen School District’s mission is to equip (teach) students with the tools and skills to lead productive lives and become engaged members of a global society
- To empower, inspire and encourage all students to become active learners and reach their fullest potential
- Every student of the Matawan-Aberdeen School District will be afforded the opportunity to become a compassionate, creative and knowledgeable problem solver through a comprehensive and effective education
- Upon graduating the Matawan-Aberdeen School District, every child will be a critical thinker, problem solver, explorer, creator and informed (knowledgeable) member of society
- Every graduate of the Matawan-Aberdeen School District will be a compassionate, creative and knowledgeable problem solver
- All students of the Matawan-Aberdeen School District will be compassionate, creative and knowledgeable problem solvers via a thorough and effective education
Mission: To build scholars and leaders
Vision: Every graduate will make us proud
Perhaps there’s still time for my suggestions to reach the final cut.
(I have refrained from pursuing performance metrics for the superintendent until the board has finalized its goals. However, I have shared my plans with the superintendent and business administrator in private.)
Regarding the budget, there are two more programs that are facing heightened scrutiny. Last year, the state approved $2.6 million (40% share) for specific capital programs on the condition that we match the funding with $3.9 million (60% share). However, we only have $1.3 million in our capital reserve fund and would need to bond for the rest. The cost of putting a bonding referendum to the voters (legal fees and election costs) would be a little under $25,000. Passing a referendum requires 60% of the vote. If we don’t bond, we’ll be walking away from $1.7 million in state funding for capital projects that need to be done (though not right now) and at a time when interest rates are still at historical lows. Given the recession, the board will likely decline hosting a referendum absent a public show of support.
The other item is the district’s Response to Intervention program. For nearly two years, I’ve been asking to see the data justifying this program. Last year, I sharply criticized the board for sponsoring a program that lacked any goals, any objective criteria, and any data that children were being helped. Dr. O’Malley has agreed to present the data next month but this time there are two differences.
I and many board members were under the impression the district was spending $600,000 a year on the program. Actually, that number represented a state grant that only partially funded the program. The true cost is over $2 million including salaries, benefits, and indirect expenses. (Cutting the program would likely only save $1.5 million since senior teachers in the program would displace junior teachers in the regular programs.)
The other change is that the district’s state funding was cut $1.7 million. That money was supplanted by the federal stimulus program. If the money isn’t found next year, just maintaining the program, to the exclusion of all other cost increases, would require a 4% tax increase.
On a final note, the board discussed crafting new policies related to personnel and presenting controversial topics. However, I believe there is a growing consensus that 2,000 pages of policies and regulations is too much and that the board needs to begin reducing, not increasing, that number.
Like the turtle, consistently moving forward will ultimately win the day. Still, I’d rather go fast. Our students don’t have the luxury of time. >>> Read more!
Friday, October 16, 2009
More Politics as Usual
This was to be the year of change. All of Aberdeen’s incumbent representatives, from the school board to town hall, had chosen to not seek re-election. The township had ended the past practice of special land deals and the Democratic Party stopped paying “consulting fees” to a sitting councilman. There was a proposed ordinance to limit pay-to-play. Then the Democratic Party nominated two outstanding gentlemen, Councilman Tagliarini and Public Works Director Jimmy Lauro, both longtime residents with stellar reputations and a deep history of community service.
That was then. This is now.
Bill Shenton, the titular chief of the Aberdeen Democratic Executive Committee is also Aberdeen’s Planning Board Chairman. It should be no surprise then that all four democratic candidates have also served on the planning board, including Cannon and Montone whose recent appointments were likely made to buff their resumes prior to running for the town council.
Shenton has also gone neck deep into pay-to-play. Rather than run as one group, the four democrats are running as separate candidates to circumvent campaign contribution disclosure requirements. Look closely – except for Lauro, who can’t accept CME money directly, they’ve all collected the identical amounts. That means each contributor had to write 3 or 4 checks, each check for either $100, $200, or $300. These are not small contributions from local residents.
Between the individual candidates and the local party, we’re talking about $40,000 for this campaign. We pay CME over a million dollars a year. Ever wonder why none of the other major engineering firms compete for our business? Ever wonder why none of our professional appointments ever face real competition? Now you know.
This week’s Independent quotes Councilman Tagliarini as saying “The 2009 budget is $577,000 less than 2008, a 4 percent decrease in spending.” How Orwellian. Not funding an under funded pension is called a “decrease in spending”. That’s like charging everything to your credit card, making only the minimum payments, and then crowing about a “decrease in spending”. That is, until the bill comes due.
Last week, Greg Cannon, the youngest and web savviest of the candidates, launched AberdeenDemocrats.com. The launch coincided with the township’s newsletter touting the democratic candidates. On the website, the Democrats claim a commitment to “sound financial management”. A two-year tax increase of 16% during a recession and under funding a pension is "sound financial management"?
Then there’s this beauty – “It is paramount that Aberdeen's state-mandated COAH obligations be fairly distributed throughout the municipality, without concentrating them in any one area of town.” Is that what they call 132 COAH units in Cliffwood and 90 COAH units on Church St.?
”Finally, and most importantly, our candidates . . . pledge to keep residents informed and aware of the issues facing them.”
You’ve got to be kidding. Until last week, the township had not posted any town council minutes since January. As for the planning and zoning boards, those minutes have never been posted. As a school board member, whose responsibility includes oversight of Huskievision, our only local television channel, I had no idea the township was negotiating a 10-year contract with Cablevision.
As for the just released minutes, here are a couple of doosies.
2007’s financial audit wasn’t presented until January, 2009. The findings include:
“One item has a significant deficiency – fixed assets. The current fund had a slight decrease in surplus . . . collection rate was 98 ½ %. Water and sewer funds are self liquidating. Both funds need to be monitored. The comments and recommendations of the 2007 Audit are Fixed Assets has not been updated since 2003, Corrective Action Plan states CFO will reconcile by May, 2009. Several bank reconciliations were not in agreement with the general ledger, CFO states she will make changes in the preparation of bank reconciliations and she will be responsible for the monitoring. General capital fund reflects negative cash balances, which means you spent money you haven't raised.”
But not to worry because “Compared to other municipalities the Township does an excellent job.” Hey, you want to be auditor, this is what you gotta say or they’ll find someone who will.
In February, CME recommended “an increase of $382,125.50 for the storm drainage improvements and road reconstruction of Idlewild Lane for a revised Contract amount of $2,325,069.07.” Are these projects ever completed under budget?
In March, we had the following scenario –
Councilman Tagliarini made a motion to adjourn to executive session, seconded by Councilman Drapkin and unanimously concurred by Council.
The meeting reconvened with the same members in attendance except Councilman Drapkin.
Councilman Raymond made a motion to introduce Resolution No. 2009-53, Appointing Silver Oaks as Redeveloper for the Aberdeen Commerce and Transportation Center Development, and move its adoption. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Gumbs.
So, an executive session for the special purpose of reappointing a convicted felon who cost Matawan hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills to be the redeveloper for the transit village.
Then there’s this cute quote from May. – “Councilman Vinci asked are the [library board] members we appoint to the board looking out for Aberdeen.” No comment.
As for the Anchor Glass development – “Mr. Criscuolo stated Anchor Glass is being used as a warehouse. Approximately, 30,000 watermelons were stored in Anchor Glass, and 10,000 began to rot. They were issued notices of violation. We have been watching them very closely.” Yeah, real close.
And this little tidbit in July – “Councilman Perry stated for 7 years, 7 months he was under the assumption that anything that came before Council passed through legal review and that is not the case.“
They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. Tagliarini and Lauro are both good men. I fervently hope they remain good men. >>> Read more!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Aberdeen’s September
As the self-proclaimed “second-most hated man in Aberdeen”, I have a pretty thick skin. But the one criticism that really goads me is the claim that you can’t believe anything on this blog because it’s all hearsay, fiction, or lies. Considering the vast documentation on this site of egregious improprieties, an incredulous volume that belies the size of our tiny hamlet, one would have hoped for shock, dismay, and a demand for answers. Instead, defenders of the status quo have chosen to denigrate this blog. And, to a large extent, they have succeeded.
(Note: All of the below quotes are taken from Winston Churchill, a great man who was frequently vilified for being right.)
“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”
During the past several months, I have refrained from investigative reporting to dedicate more time to my position on the school board. However, I never imagined that in just six months people would forget the allegations, the evidence, the pure chicanery that betrays the very premise of clean government.
“You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
So, for everybody who’s forgotten what this upcoming election is all about, I’ve chosen to review last month, September, just a single month, as a sample of what happens in our town.
“The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.”
In September, the township balanced its budget during a recession by increasing taxes, taking “surplus funds” from the library, and suspending payments to the pension fund. The township then postponed discussions of building Section 8 housing on County Rd. until after the election.
Also in September, Councilman Vinci opened a new home equity line of credit for $242,000. That, by itself, is of no consequence but the number itself is peculiar. According to the latest property assessment, his property is worth over $350,000. Why not ask for a line of $245,000 or $25000? Why $242,000? Well, by coincidence, his prior assessment valued his house at $246,000 (using an equalization factor of .37). Why did his assessment increase so dramatically? Because the prior assessment didn’t include the 8,688 sq. feet of property he purchased from the state and township for the grand price of $2.
It could all be a coincidence but, if I was planning to subdivide my property, I would only take a line for the portion that wouldn’t be separated, just like Councilman Vinci did.
It’s too bad the rest of us can’t get those great land deals. On September 15th, Donald McMahon, a resident of Cliffwood Beach, purchased 3,460 sq. feet of land from the township. Like Vinci’s situation, the land was unused, vacant, and adjacent to his property. Unlike Vinci, McMahon had to pay $15,000.
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”
John Samaha of Samaha Farms also has to deal with the township on occasion. Earlier this year, he requested permission to join lots so that his property could meet the 5-acre farmland requirement. As part of the resolution, he was asked to sacrifice 2,836 sq. feet for a road improvement program. Last month, the township paid him $1 for the land. (Note: The argument's been made that Samaha voluntarily agreed to the deal, he greatly benefited from the lot consolidation, and it is therefore inappropriate for me to claim he was victimized.)
By contrast, the county needed to buy two small parcels of land at the Lloyd Rd.-Rt.34 intersection to add some turn lanes. The county paid $36,300 in September.
Another interesting real estate purchase in September was from Matawan Borough Councilman Cannon. Looks like he’s moving back to Aberdeen, again, which would explain his decision to not seek re-election. The interesting part, though, is that he was able to purchase the property with only a $5,000 down payment. He probably used the same mortgage broker as his son, Gregory Cannon, democratic candidate for township council, who only made a $4,000 deposit on his property. It’s good to know such loan conditions are still available.
”There are a terrible lot of lies going about the world, and the worst of it is that half of them are true.”
I don’t print everything I know. Sometimes I give people the benefit of the doubt. Other times, I trust the source but can’t find supporting documentation. That doesn’t mean these things didn’t happen. When I read anonymous comments, I often pursue the stories and many times I find them to be true but I can’t get the documentation without jeopardizing my sources. There’s so much that can be proven, I don’t need these other stories to justify my case – that we, the community of Aberdeen, have been done dirty by those we elected to represent us.
”Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
I and most of the readers on this blog are so critical, so vehement in our opposition to corruption, because we love this town. We’re angry and we’re loud because we know clean, competent, and limited government is the best hope for our community’s future. I am not always right but, the next time you hear someone criticize this blog, ask yourself this – Is the Aberdeener right at least half the time and isn’t that enough to prove his point? >>> Read more!