Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Union Elite

Where’s the outrage?

Two years ago, the Matawan Regional Teachers Association (MRTA), was outraged. Over two hundred teachers stormed a board of education meeting at Strathmore Elementary, wearing buttons that read “I CARE about our kids”. They picketed in front of board members’ homes and stuck placards in their car windshields when parking at the schools.

At the time, MRTA President Carl Kosmyna said "Tonight is about making a statement and about making the public aware that things are not what they seem in the district. We also want the board to see that we are standing here united."

Why was the union so outraged? Their salary guides hadn’t increased 4.5%.

Today, the school district is on the verge of terminating 73 employees. The union response? A flyer. Kosmyna’s only public comments, made literally minutes before a board vote on the budget, was a suggestion for the school board to recommend raising taxes as high as possible to avoid personnel cuts.

The union leaders are willing to beat the war drums for a raise but not to save scores of employees’ livelihoods? It doesn’t make sense unless, and this is just a theory, the union leaders were never fighting for their union. Maybe, just maybe, the union leaders were fighting for themselves. After all, even without increases to the salary guide, everybody but the highest paid teachers were still slated to receive a raise.

In 2008, the school board and MRTA ratified a memorandum calling for salary increases and retroactive pay in exchange for a change to the state health care plan, NJ Direct 10.

However, the exact language of the contract still needed to be negotiated, the biggest of which was the salary guide. The memorandum only refers to the total increase to the salary guide, not how that increase is distributed.

In an astonishing act of malfeasance, Board President Pat Demarest outsourced the writing of the salary guides to the teachers union and Joel Glastein, director of personnel. The salary guides were never reviewed by any third party or even by the school board prior to Ms. Demarest signing the contract.

While a district wants to increase salaries at the lower levels to attract the best teachers, unions want raises at the higher levels to boost pension income. With Demarest’s blessing, the union got what it wanted.

The below tables show what the union officers received from the revised salary guides. Comparing salary guides, our senior teachers earn over $3,000 more than their peers in most wealthy “I” districts in Monmouth County (p. 22), which explains the top-line’s slow growth rate – it can only grow so fast without appearing obscene.

However, the real story is the extraordinary spurt in income for those union officers that hadn’t yet reached the top rungs on the salary guides. To use an extreme example, Margaret De Be Voise, a building rep for the middle school, got a 62.30% salary increase over three years plus a five-thousand dollar check for retroactive pay. In fact, a third of union officers got about five-thousand dollars in retroactive pay.

Furthermore, among the officers, only Kathleen Vergaretti (32.35% raise) is earning below $84,000.

In other words, due to seniority, the union officers ain’t afraid of losing their jobs. Nor are they willing to sacrifice any raises to save jobs.

Let’s assume there’s $1.5 million budgeted for increases to the salary guide. The teachers could also shift to NJ Direct 15 for a 5% savings, or about $300,000. Additionally, the legislature looks likely to pass a requirement for all staff to contribute 1.5% of salary towards health benefits – another $500,000. That’s a total of $2.3 million savings. The terminations are saving the district $2.8 million. That still leaves a deficit of $500,000 but one that is far more manageable. Five more retirements could close the gap.

Absent union concessions, 73 staff members will lose their jobs and the district will begin looking for additional places to cut next year. Everybody but the most senior teachers and administrators will be at risk of losing their jobs.

Does the union leadership care? I’m guessing their membership does.


Name of Employee
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
3-yr Increase
Carl Kosmyna 80,580.00 82,330.00 85,220.00 87,080.00 8.07%
C. Marshall Gorman 69,330.00 71,900.00 86,540.00 87,900.00 26.78%
Patricia Mattern 82,960.00 84,650.00 87,540.00 89,400.00 7.76%
Janet Breslin 82,960.00 84,650.00 87,540.00 89,400.00 7.76%
Edward Kornberg 78,450.00 80,150.00 83,040.00 84,900.00 8.22%
Janette Caufield 65,998.40 69,750.00 76,110.00 84,350.00 27.81%
Rose Marie Turley 73,730.00 81,580.00 84,220.00 85,580.00 16.07%
Margaret De Be Voise 54,160.00 61,640.00 74,700.00 87,900.00 62.30%
Kathleen Vergaretti 51,560.00 54,440.00 62,070.00 68,240.00 32.35%
Suzanne Serden 78,450.00 80,150.00 83,040.00 84,900.00 8.22%
Barbara Lyttle 82,610.00 84,300.00 87,140.00 89,400.00 8.22%
Wenona Dubrowsky 64,070.00 71,900.00 86,540.00 87,900.00 37.19%


Name of Employee
Retro Pay
3-yr Increase
Carl Kosmyna 1168.00 6,500.00
C. Marshall Gorman 5120.00 18,570.00
Patricia Mattern 1168.00 6,440.00
Janet Breslin 1168.00 6,440.00
Edward Kornberg 1168.00 6,450.00
Janette Caufield 4954.49 18,351.60
Rose Marie Turley 1091.66 11,850.00
Margaret De Be Voise 5088.00 33,740.00
Kathleen Vergaretti 2104.00 16,680.00
Suzanne Serden 1168.00 6,450.00
Barbara Lyttle 1128.00 6,790.00
Wenona Dubrowsky 5120.00 23,830.00

>>> Read more!

235 comments:

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Teachers union is selfish: shocking said...

The numbers posted herein are astounding. So too is the silence from the teachers union in regards to the janitorial staff cuts and privatization. Teachers union way to stand up for your fellow workers that also serve the students in this district.

Anonymous said...

Let me be the first to say it...

WOW! What a bunch of scumbags...

Selling junior teachers' livelihoods for their own pay raises...

and...

Selling the blue-collar janitors completely down the river...

and...

I can't wait to see the big inflatable rat in front of Warren's house...

I mean screw it... My taxes are going up no matter what... At least now, I get my money's worth when the MRTA-Warren circus comes to town...

Bravo, Joey! I can't believe you're throwing them under the magic school bus! HAHAHA!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener,
Based off of the current union contract, how much money do you think a teacher should make a year? Please do not include anything about merit pay because it does not exist.

Aberdeener said...

As a capitalist, my answer is a teacher should be paid the market rate. Our goal is to attract and retain the best teachers.

Since we're competing with other public schools, let's use the Marlboro method - high starting salaries, lower ending salaries, and reduced stipends.

Considering a teacher's benefits - lifetime security - how about starting at 50K and ending at 75K.

Aberdeener said...

Oh, and I'd peg the salary to cost of living increases.

Anonymous said...

So are you suggesting that over the course of a thirty year career a teacher with a bachelor's degree should make an average of $62,500?

Aberdeener said...

Try again. It doesn't take 30 years to reach the top of the salary guide.

50% increase plus cost of living adjustments over 15 years sounds fair to me considering the added benefits of tenure, pension, and health.

Anonymous said...

I am not suggesting it takes thirty years. I am just trying to get an understanding of the average amount of money a teacher will make per year over a thirty year career.

Anonymous said...

That flyer is appalling. What gives them the right to distribute anything to the children without permission. What is administration doing about that?

Aberdeener said...

Prior Anon,

In a thirty-year career, a teacher is at the top of the salary scale for half of his career.

Remember, when you ask for exceedingly generous benefits and are excused from performance criteria, you have to be willing to compromise on salary.

Anonymous said...

So can you please just tell me a number, not a range, that would be an acceptable number for a teacher to average over a 30 year career.

Anonymous said...

So what would be an acceptable number, not a range, for a teacher to average over a thirty year career.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for the double post.

Aberdeener said...

70K plus cost of living adjustments.
More if any of the benefits were sacrificed.

Anonymous said...

how are you allowed to be on the negotiating committee and post on this blog which in turn will support your ideas by what ever it is you write?

Those increases which SHOW the biggest %raises were/are part of the natural salary guide.

Once again, you manipulate the public by skewing information to fit your needs.

How is this ethically right? And when people talk about things down the road which may come and BOE negotiating in good fatih, I just point to this blog as evidence as "good faith" being a myth with someone like you on the board.

Anonymous said...

cont. from above:

and I am not even a staff member in this town............'

Matawan - I pray for you. With a self serving know it all like Warren on the BOE, you are all in trouble.

Anonymous said...

Do you know the approximate average salary for a teacher in this school district who has taught for 30 years?

Anonymous said...

The union has never negotiated in "good faith". In the past they knew the system worked in their favor and they exploited it year after year. Joey is just trying to keep his public informed and you don't like it. Keep it up, Joey.

Anonymous said...

I believe, tell me if I am wrong, you are including the numbers of these teacher's stipends or extras they do after school - with their salaries??

Anonymous said...

Oh I see now why Joey's kids don't go to our schools.

Aberdeener said...

The chart shows only salaries, not stipends.

I don't know the average salary of a teacher who HAS thirty years experience but the question should be about the future. If a teacher starts today and works 30 years, adjusting the salary guide 4% a year and assuming 2% annual inflation, what is the present value of his average salary?

Anonymous said...

How should I know? You have the numbers not me.

Main Street Manny said...

Then add in all the extras like the thousands of dollars for coaches and such. How much does a varsity head coach make? How many weeks is a season? How many hours in a week do they coach? I don't understand how they can give these coaches a salary. Hourly rates should apply. I know for a fact that practices are not every day for the same number of days a week. The people got these fights all wrong. We cry about police and fire, but the real problems are in the school districts. Especially this bloated mess in Matawan.

Anonymous said...

Why do you have a problem with the union determining how the raise is spread out through its membership? Whether the union leadership gives all the money up front to new teachers or at the end to veteran teachers, their pensions are based on the average salary of their 3 highest years paid.

police raises in question said...

What about the local police getting a raise a half a percent hire then all of the other munciipal employees working in the same building. How fair is that. Not very fair if you are making less then your equals just because they had a better contract negotiator. We are not talking brain surgery after all and this isn't Philly or Harlem or the South Bronx. I don't know this for true so my apologies if my information was wrong when I got my cofee this morning. Set me straight.

Anonymous said...

First of all just because you work in the same building you are not equal to a police officer. Second before you are picking at a half percent raise difference check your spelling. It may not be all those cities you mentioned, but does that mean that nothing is going to happen and officers are never in danger? Just because its not in the paper doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. Everyone has a choice and some people chose other professions then police or didn't stay out of trouble prior to applying for a position. The police have a very tough job. Its not all about writing tickets. Deal with people all day with every emotion you can ever imagine. Go from speaking to children and trying to be a friend, to wrestling with a person alot bigger then you to take into custody, to a CPR call, to picking body parts off the train tracks cause someone decides to end their life, and then going to their families house and telling them what happened. That is just a small part of why police are paid well. Emotions are huge but missing family on holidays is bigger. Police are always here to answer the call. You may not like the outcome all the time but they are always here when you need them. There are no snow days, there is no spring break, there is no off time for the convention, and there definately is no summer vacation. That is when it really starts for a police officer in the city or in Aberdeen or in Matawan.

fair is fair in the real world said...

Schedules that allow for extra outside work and more time off at a greater cost to the taxpayers.
Benefits like no other job after twenty years and at three quarters pay. Talk about dangerous professions. Try getting in a classroom with twenty five children and teach them all they will need to get through life.

I also agree that if the municipality gave the police more then management, clerical and others then that is just wrong.

I would teach because I love to teach. I should be paid far more then I am paid for the work I do. But when my union negotiates for all of us it works out to be the same for all of us. Simply because we are equal and add to the team effort as coworkers. We don't expect more just becuse our job is different or we have a better union mouthpiece.

Fair is fair and to defend making more then your fellow municipality employees is elitist and wrong.

Anonymous PD poster said...

BY the way you did not touch on the fact or clarify if your fellow employees got paid a half percent less and why that would be allowed. Why did you not explain that? You of course listed all the things you do but failed to mention that you work not much more then a teacher. Is that right? I am not arguing I am just pointing out the facts, Just the facts like they used to say on Dragnet.

Anonymous said...

Main Street Manny you are an idiot.
Seasons are months long, practices are 6 or 7 days a week - prep time, practice, and post practice with games travel to and from - and you are complaining?

Apparently you know nothing about sports. Hourly wage? You want to go that route?

Wow. Now I know why we have people who go nuts over this blog. People like you who are uninformed and have an outlet to show us just that.
Quit crying and focus on the real issues. You dolt.

And I am a dad. Not a coach.

Anonymous said...

Police and teachers are apples and oranges.

Two totally different lines of work and cannot be compared.

Teachers and police do not fall victim to some of these morons whose sole purpose is to stir the pot.

Anonymous said...

The problem is the way we fund the schools and police , we but the burden on the home owner not the residents people who rent in low income appartments exceed the occupancy of the apartments and are not paying there fair share. The school board Bozo named Joey knows it because he is one of those renters . He cares about nothing of the kids in the school he will not send his kids there so why does he care if the teachers are sub standard and janitors are pedifiles

Anonymous said...

Pat Demarest outsourced the writing of the salary guides to the teachers union and Joel Glastein? And we wonder why we are in the finacial mess we are. There is that name again Joel Glastein.

GLASTEIN NEEDS TO GO FOR THE GOOD OF OUR STUDENTS AND THE OPPRESSED TAXPAYERS HE SCREWS OVER FROM HIS LOFTY PERCH AND HIS SECOND TENURED JOB AT $135,000.00.

School board candidate Demarest should not get even one vote in April. She is a disgrace to women everywhere. Just when we think we are making strides and being more accepted in leadership roles what do we get? Pat Demarest and that wacko Cathy Z. Let me not leave out jan Rubino who is under an ethics cloud for wrong doing. As for Ms. Gatis she does not show up to the meetings she says she wants to be a part of or make her presence known by adding to the discussion. What will her views and opinions be for our district and students. I hope she is not another Barbara Williams. What a mess that one was. I have such disappointment in these sisters who embarass us at every turn.

Mr. G. and GREED said...

I agree with the above on Mr. G. he is truly dispicable, smug and a wolf in sheeps clothing. He needs to be forced to go if necessary. If not voluntarily then make him do some alot for a change. Bloated beauracracies are a hideout for people like Mr. G.

On another note a flier in support of the janitors from the teachers uninon is just as telling.

Greed makes the world go round.

Right Norm?

Anonymous said...

The flyer is a weak argument not to outsource. But raises some questions.

* Will the new firm have the option to hire some of the exsting staff?

* What criteria will be used to select the new firm?

* Will the new firm meet all requirements (whatever they are - bonded, background checks, etc)?


* Who is writing the SLA?

Anonymous said...

To above posts regarding salary ranges.

Just about all positions' pay in the corporate world are determined by a range which is determined by the market.

As per Aberdeeners example. The pay scale for a grade school teacher is $50-$70K.

If you're a grade school teacher for 30 years and at the top of the range (and want more money):

1) You can move on to a different position with more pay/more challenge
2) Move out of district
3) accept one time pay-out instead of salary increase. So as to avoid compounding.

Keep in mind the salary ranges are also adjusted for cost of living (although the % is much smaller than union % increases). In 20 years the range will be higher.

This would eliminate a teacher in one grade making $88K/Yr versus the teacher next door in the same grade making $50K doing the same job. I think this is one reason teachers get a bad rap for being overpaid.

Jim said...

I cannot believe the amount of fear-mongering malarky in that flier.

In my experience, outsource companies don't have piles of people waiting around for a job to open (broom-pushing or no), and they don't ship people in from Kansas/Mexico/Guantanamo/whatever. If they're replacing an existing service, the vast majority of their staff comes from rehiring the people that were doing the job previously.

Just take a look at the TSA. The screeners doing the job now are the same ones (sans turnover) that were doing the job 10 years ago. Just under new management, and with new training.

Anonymous said...

I would like to know HOW the salary gude was allowed to be signed by just Demerest and Glastein without any third party review OR the BOE reviewing it first?????? How is that even legal???

Stand Up Union Guy said...

Hey Carl,

What would you do if you were the president of a real union? Your membership would've thrown you off the tallest building in town by now..hopefully 10 stories or higher. You should be ashamed of yourself for how you treat your rank-n-file, Mutt!

Carl said...

If I were the president of a real union I would stop the "teachers who don't teach scam". I would have the union fully reimburse the district for all salary and benefits I get for not teaching and stop the district financing of union officials non-teaching activities. Just kidding.

concerned Parent.. said...

to Jim...

your wrong about the privitazation using rehired employees... A 10 min google search will show alot of the lawsuits settled or in process against the 3 biggest privitazation firms for either 1 or all of the following reasons:

1)background checks uncomplete or not done at all (a city in NJ 75% of the background checks were not done at ALL)

2)Petophiles working on buses, as janitors, or lunch aides---during school hours, alongside children!

3) Theft of equipment- ie: computers, printers, paper, monitors, tv's...

Also a little FYI--- The union for the teachers is the same union for the custodians... Same union raised hell for raises are in the back cowering away from the issue of layoffs... HMMM priorities are a bit missed, ya think

Concerned Parent said...

Also remember, that 80%(maybe higher) of the custodial staff LIVE in the district, and have/had children in these schools..They have a vested interest in keeping the schools/children safe and sanitary... The privitaztion co. BUSES workers in who DO NOT live in the district, they do not know the children/teachers, and do not pay taxes here!!

The custodians currently in jeopardy of losing their income/livly hood, have been in the district 15+ years, and are the same people that search the trash when a child accidentally throws away a retainer/glasses, or loses a heirloom ring/braclete/charm/necklace.. This has happened to ALOT of you, and you have gotten your items back--Be assured that will not happen with strangers in our schools!!!!

Matawan Mom said...

Mr. Warren-
Can you please tell me what will happen to custodians who are only months away from retiring when you out source their services? I'm sorry but I missed you last meeting if it was explained then.

Anonymous said...

When are the teachers going to realize that the fat cats are selling them out and declare a vote of no confidence in these idiots? We as a community value teachers but not thier selfish union leaders who will watch as many very talented educators and caring staff members are handed pink slips, just so they can pad the top 1%'s pentions. The days of a union that was there to ensure equal and fair pay for all has long ago faded away. We parents and taxpayers don't like this situation anymore than those on the chopping block but you also can't bleed a stone. It is up to the teacher's to demand that their leaders agree to a pay freeze for a year if they want to save jobs. Carl won't offer the option to you, look at how he threw the janitors under the bus on Monday! Parents and taxpayers want to support teachers and the district in making it through hard times but we are not willing to do so if the union is not giving too!! There will be no community or parent support for you teachers if you allow your union to continue the standard tactics of years past. Those days are done! We are through letting guys like Carl dictate what we pay and causing us to lose good educators in the process. This district is in the top 3 paying in Monmouth County, things here are pretty good for teachers. Things could be better for everyone if old bastards like Carl were no longer running things. Stick up for yourselves and kids! You shouldn't have to work 15 yrs before you make more than a couple hundred bucks more than when you started. Carl got himself a fat 8+% raise -- what did you get last year?

Anonymous said...

I think the tax payers should give more money to O'Malley

Whoknows said...

Teach, you really think that's all we do? I guess you're unaware of teachers helping students navigate the tumultuous years of adolescence, or forgoing lunch to console a child who is being ostracized by peers. Or how about working with DYFS to ensure proper placement of a child who confided in us about his neglect. These are just a few of the "other" things teachers do because they care. Oh, and then there's attending a student's game or activity because you know that you are the only familiar face there to cheer them on. Remembering to acknowledge a child on his/her birthday when you know it is just any other day for them is squeezed in our day as well.
This year on "shake it up day" I think that each BOE member and Supt. O'Malley should trade places with any middle school teacher (special education preferred). I guarantee that they will find it near impossible to hold the attention of 10 or more students with learning/behavioral challenges for 72 minutes of math, sci/ss, and language arts/literacy. Oh, did I forget to mention that each student has his/her own goals & objectives to master? That's right, you will be required to simultaneously managing students working on different levels. Couple that with the fact that the majority of parent(s) never show up for their child's IEP meeting! Without support at home, our job has just become twice as difficult. If you didn't have "thick skin" walking into our classrooms you will by the time you leave! Please, I encourage anyone to trade with us for a day or two.

Teaching since 1986 when teaching was just that.

NSectionJoe said...

While the entire situation is not good for the janitors, teachers and taxpayers it is the greed and voting block hungry leadership in schools, municipalities and state government that is truly to blame for the financial mess we are in. The real problem is that those who have caused the problems for the most part are now trying to convince the taxpayers that they should be trusted to fix the problems they themselves created. We are not that stupid. Or are we?

The last election saw a majority vote for change through stringent fiscal accountability and elected a corruption fighting man, with a success rate for fighting corruption that is beyond reproach. The problem is the voters returned the same old popularity driven and patronizing politicians who caused the fiscal mess in the first place. That puts Christie behind the eight ball right off the bat. Or does it? We shall see during the budget broadcast next week. What cuts in salary, wage freezes, staff cuts and more will the leadership in the statehouse take themselves?

While Christie did not bring many more of the hundreds of other corrupt power brokers and sleazy politicans to trial, leaving an awful lot of the corrupt manipulators still in our midst, there is still time to stop the stranglehold these power brokers have over the taxpayers hard earned monies. I myself think that it is in the works and very soon plans will become evident that will stop the likes of a George Norcross and others who feed on the blood of the taxpayers like vampires.

My hope here in our school district is that the janitorial services and teachers can help each other out, and that a way can be found to cut the administrative staff to the bone, while saving the positions of the people who actually do the work.

While I understand all too well the bump and grind of administrative tenure procedures, these tenure protected administrators also need to be given a workload equal to their exorbitant salaries.

The gravy train is coming into the station Joel. Start earning that exorbitant salary or retire. Joels total package could save a minimum of five janitorial staff positions or three teacher positions alone. There are several Glastein types that would not be missed one bit in this district. They have the required time to retire and it is time for them to go.

The cuts needed to save the jobs of teachers who teach is job 1 for Dr. O'Malley. Nothing else really matters in my eyes other then preserving the instruction of the students. Anyone not adding to that purpose or who are layered with stipends and expensive assistant principal titles need to be brought back to reality. There is much to be said for tenure on the basis of its true purpose at its inception. It was initially placed to protect teachers instructional practices not to ensure that after three years they could not be touched or removed from their positions for any reason through leadership changes. Tenure has spiraled down to merely be a protective term for the burnt out and dusty who mark time and have long since given up on education.

Don't get me wrong there is no way I could do that job. I have great respect for teachers I assure you. The true problem is the way the system is set up the likes of a Glastein and others in governmental leadership have engineered the system to serve themselves and have long since ignored the students, voters and taxpayers.

The time for change has come. The fact that Ms. Demarest has not added to the discussion or have actually taken positions against the district they purport to want to serve this past year, again is all too telling. The same old strategy of PTO phone chains and more that allowed BARZA to rule the day must be rebuffed. BARZA failed us before and the intent to run one of them for office again is not the reality of what this district needs. Now more then ever.

Anonymous said...

Teaching since 1986,

I have absolutely no doubt that all you have said is true and more. I also know that there are at least a few board members who understand what you do everyday too. All the more reason that your union should be advocating for you as hard as they are for their leadership. I won't insult you and what you do by beginning to suggest that they advocate for you and your fellow educators/staff members as you do for your students..they would not even begin to understand how to do that. As stated before parents value teachers, aides and custodians but you all need to demand that your union president value you too. What he has said in public and his lack of compassion for the custodians/teachers who will be let go if he refuses to see the facts in front of him, are obsene and offensive to all. The arrogance to think he can demand that the board just raise the tax levy to the maximum with no consession at all is testiment to how much he values what teachers like you do everyday. And in case you did not know, that man has never done much of anything to look out for special education teachers...EVER. This is not about bashing teachers, this about putting the union brass intheir place and you all would do well to find yourselves better leadership!

Aberdeener said...

Matawan Mom,

The custodians will still be retaining their pension benefits, although most of them are probably still too young to collect.

Also, I'd like to clarify an earlier comment regarding a salary freeze. I'm not even asking for that much. If the union sticks with the current salary guide, everybody below the highest pay scales will still be getting their scheduled raises.

That's all I'm requesting. Just stick with the current salary guide for one more year.

Laundry Queen said...

OOOOOH, I just figured it out! Carl and BARZA want Demerest back so they can make sure Carl gets to write the salary guide again! NO WONDER!!! Gee, I wonder what the BARZA kickback % is?? We all know Demerest is just a puppet for Barbato anyway, I mean seriously, has she EVER had an original thought...that wasn't an idiom of some kind? "If you had your ear to the ground.." "put your nose to the grindstone" "lets put the hammer to the nail".....AHHHHHH, I don't think I can stand another three years!!!!

Unions Built this Country said...

Just a couple of points.

Should the union elect inexperienced teachers with no experience in collective bargaining to negotiate a fair deal for its members? I'm sure most of you would say yes. It would allow you to take advantage of one of the hardest working professions out there.

If the Board of Ed negotiates the salary raises, where does the public get the right to have any say in how those raises are passed around to the members of the union? If the public has a problem with the raises, that's fine. Go to a a board meeting and complain. But understand that the union leadership distributes the raises along the salary guide and then takes a vote amongst its members to ratify them. Whether or not those raises are at the bottom or the top, the taxpayers still have to pay the amount the board negotiated.

Finally, ff the membership was really at odds with the union leadership, they could simply vote no when it comes to ratifying the negotiated contract. This is just one more attempt at union busting that will not work.

I await an intelligent reply.

Union Wife said...

As a union wife I will reply to your post. As you state it all sounds so logical and civilized. If only that was how the politics within a union really worked.

I think, mr. Unions built this country, you know full well that the top brass dictate much of what actually ends up taking place in the union hall when a "vote" comes up. The contract that the leaders and big shot negotaitors want is the one that gets ratified. Period. end of discussion. The reason unions are failing their members, like my union man, is because they have forgotten that they represent the little guy.
People care about how this union is distributing it's money because of fact that younger, vibrant educators are not being treated fairly while the "negotiator" cries poverty and demands more than we can bare to pay. Your intelligent answer is that "UNION PRIDE" which did build this country does not apply to this union leader.

Unions Built this Country said...

Good reply Union Wife. There is just one thing you are missing. It is up to the union members to change the status quo if they are unhappy with the leadership. All unions have elections and if the members are unhappy, they vote in new leadership. It's that simple. So let's stop acting like the union membership is being held hostage by its leaders.

Union Wife said...

Unions built,

What you say is absolutely correct, the union membership does have the right to vote in new leadership. And in this case, I hope this union's membership does that very thing. Of course, it will take some guts on their part, voting out leadership is never as simple and civilized as you make it sound. Threats and indimidation are not unsual when status qou is threatened....especially in a union. We have learned that first hand in our family.

Anonymous said...

Has the teachers union ever not gotten what they want at the end? I can't remember them giving anything just take take take. They ask for 10% they get 4% which they wanted in the first place but bid high and get what you want. Then they scream strike. Go ahead and strike. Shows how much they care. Its not like they don't make enough to live in comfort.

Stand Up Union Guy said...

Unions Built,

You make many valid points. If only their voting system is not rigged, like many others. Then members voices may actually be heard.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener used to stand for:

self righteous
self promoting
grandstanding

and now add-

unethical.

Anonymous said...

Just remember the unions tell the members who to vote for. Unions use their union mambers dues to elect and keep in office those favorable to the union or those who bow to union pressure and demands, time and time again. Unions are just organized lobbyists who care little for the over all costs borne by ninety percent of taxpayers who are not in unions. And you wonder why people are tired of paying for these union pressure tactics and the very detrimental manipulation of the system.

Merit pay for teachers who actually produce is the latest example that the union leadership will fight tooth and nail. All for one and one for all is the union mentality. It don't work any longer and has long since stop being benficial to all, especially the people who pay the bills.

Why do you think the N.J.E.A. spent two million dollars against Chris Christie to keep that idiot Corzine where they needed him to be. They wanted to continue their reign against the taxpayers and they needed Corzine in place to do that. That did not work and they know what is coming there way. The N.J.E.A. fears the changes and level playing field Christie will be bringing to this state.

As a senior without children in any school system long these twenty five years I do not mind paying my fair share at all. My fair share is now fifty two hundred dollars to the schools alone. How fair is that when sixty percent of my monthly income goes to such a thing. It leaves little to live on in the end. It just needs to be more fair.

Why ?????? aberdeener said...

Keep blaming the aberdeener for bring his points, topics and publicity of our educational and political sytems failures to light. That will not make things better by complaining I assure you. Maybe suchy discussions will and perhaps a more involved and questioning public will arise. This is what this sight is about after all. Opposing points while sometime muddled by self serving interests or the hidden or expressive guilt of those who slam the aberdeener does little to add to the discussion. They know they are at fault and have inner angst and aggrivation for their own failures that get brought to light on this site. I say good for the aberdeener. He is not perfect but should not be slammed for facilitating this site and his opinions are no different then your own. He like you is free to express his opinion. Don't like it don't come on here. Maybe you can look at the njea site and see what their priorities really are.

Anonymous said...

Anyone hear that the Fire Company on Lloyd Road that their new Chief and Captain resigned on Tuesday allegedly having something to do with the "so-called retired" District Chief? Maybe Deputy Mayor/Fire Commissioner Vinci knows something, like we would get a strauight story out of him.

Aberdeener said...

Does anyone know if the union membership ratified the contract or did they only ratify the memorandum? I suspect the latter and, if so, the membership never voted on how the increases would be allocated.

Anonymous said...

What the hell is a District Chief? Anyone know?

Anonymous said...

How many vacation days and sick days does an average teacher get?

Anonymous said...

Quick question for you Mr. Aberdeener:
The board is planning on terminating over 30 teachers w b/c there isn't enough money. Then HOW is it okay for YOU (As a Board Member) to APPROVE the SUPERINTENDENT getting a $12,000 raise over the next 4 years???
Shouldn't you AS A BOARD MEMBER, try to save money rather than get rid of teachers and give a SUPERINTENDENT a raise? SHOULDN'T he be on the same wave as the teachers??

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

I was one of the board members who pushed for the contract extension.

The CSA already had a contract to get an extra $3,000 a year through 2012. We extended that by two years.

Are you upset the CSA will be getting a $3,000 raise three years from now?

By the way, the paper failed to mention that, moving forward, the CSA won't be able to cash in vacation days so, next year, we'll actually be saving money on his contract.

Jim said...

Anon 10:27,

How many teachers do you think you can buy for $3,000 a year? Or even $12,000 a year?

Anonymous said...

Anon 10:27,


$3K = 1.5%. If everyone was OK with that perhaps we can save some of those jobs.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,

How many of the bloated budgets and 4+% contract raises with no healthcare contribution did Demerest and Barza vote yes on or negotiate?

Want Quinn Back ? Hell NO! said...

Is the answer to not give a superintendent a raise? The answer is simple you get some pompus idiot like Quinn again. You remember Quinn he spent us into this mess. But after all he did get our school into the school bus business. Why many of us still don't understand that boondoggle.

Anonymous said...

The old saying "you get what you pay for" is so true. Contracted janitorial services pay there janitors a sub-standard wage and have no requirments for the job. They must get fingerprinted at Segum Morpho, a company where school employees go. I contacted Segum Morpho to find out the extent of there search and was told only if a person was arrested in the United States would show. So that means this search would not detect criminal activity within another country nor will it detect someone using fraudulent documents. If you "do your homework" and search online, you will find problems with a private company's janitorial staff. For example, you will find high turnover rate due to low pay, theft, incidences with students and not able to communicate, just to name a few. However, if you look at the qualifications for the current, board-hired custodians, you will find that they are licensed by the State of New Jersey for their black seal, able to run boiler checks every 2 hours (to comply by law), trained in proper chemical safty, handling, and disposal, trained to identify and contain asbestos-contianing materials, trained to spot gang members that may enter your school, they are also trained in dealing with medical waste (i.e. treating for blood-borne pathogens, viruses, and potentially dangerous bacteria), etc.
All in all, know what you are paying for.

Anonymous said...

Only 73 positions cut? They should cut the whole lot of them and start from scratch and maybe the kids test scores will go up. As a resident of Matawan, the taxes I pay to this school district, Carl Kosmyna should come to my house every night and wash my dinner dishes and come this spring each teacher can take turns mowing my lawn. By the way, due to the school district, I make it a point to send my daughter to private school.

Anonymous said...

A district Chief is a glorified Fire Official who sits on his fat ass and plays solitare two days aweek at the expense of the tax payers.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous who wrote about sending your daughter to private school.
Let me first say that you, sir (or ma'am), are talking complete nonsense! Your position is completely illogical and preposterous! -You think you can correlate 73 job loses to student test scores?! How do you know that this is true? Do you have data supporting that? If you are going to post such data, please have EVIDENCE!!!
****
"As a resident of Matawan, the taxes I pay to this school district, Carl Kosmyna should come to my house every night and wash my dinner dishes and come this spring each teacher can take turns mowing my lawn."
-What in the world does this have to do with the topic at hand? If you have a problem with the taxes, well then look at the leaders of this fine State, your town and your school leaders. Cutting 73 jobs will NOT reduce your taxes! Please think logically here! What you need to complain about are the salaries of the superintendents and multiple principles and asst. and directors and supervisors. Do you think it is fair for the superintendents to get raises EVERY SINGLE year!!! WHY? Now let me take you back to your first comment about test scores. Basically you are saying that the whole student body is getting poor test scores BECAUSE of the 73 teachers and custodian jobs. Now where should the blame fall? On the 73 teachers and custodians? I think not
The blame should go to the superintendents. I will offer this: Once the test scores of students increases, then the superintendents can get a raise. If the test scores go down, then the superintendents should lose money. See this is more logical than what you proposed!

Anonymous said...

To Jim:The fliers the union put out is not (fear mongering malarky) it is the truth! But Time will tell when your new janitors are in the schools. I can't wait to read this blog then, and see how happy everone is with the service, how much the district is saving and how much everyones property taxes went down as a result. HAHA

Anonymous said...

Solitaire two days a week? Really?
This may need to be looked into by the supervisors in the firehouse. It is obvious that whatever happened as they always protect their own. It may be time for some sweeping changes around there. Maybe some new blood? Does anyone know the list of supervisors for the fire service involved. It was mentioned previously that councilman Vinny Vince is involved. Is that true?
Someone who was there needs to step up and tell us what may have really happened in this taxpayer funded building. It is not like they are holding illegal card games or hosting parties with wild women for money. Let us not overreact.

Anonymous said...

Also Jim the current staff won,t be able to afford to stay on with the contractor. You obviously don,t have experience with school janitorial services!!

Anonymous said...

To add to what a district cheif does is very glorifide.Along with solitare he is the man with no updated licenses that stands in the shadowes that workes the strings attached to the five puppets he chose to be his bosses.

Anonymous said...

To add to what a district cheif does is very glorifide.Along with solitare he is the man with no updated licenses that stands in the shadowes that workes the strings attached to the five puppets he chose to be his bosses.

Anonymous said...

why three times we get they have problems.

Straight Arrow said...

If memory serves me correctly, when Demerest declined to run for re-election last year, I recall there was an ethics charge pending. Now that she is on the ballot to run again and if re-elected, does the ethics charge reinstate?

P.S. we must not forget this ethics charge, it is time to refuse to elect corrupt people to our board.

Anonymous said...

Main St. Manny,
My son is on the HS wrestling team. From Thanksgiving to the end of Feb. I dropped him off of the school before 7am every saturday. and he was not home until 5 or 6pm most days, some even as last as 10 pm. Thats 10-12 hours on a sat.

During the week when he has matches(a few a week), he is not home until after 9pm. he is at school from 7:15 am to 9:15 pm. school ends 2:15. the coaches are with him from 2:15 to 9:15. That is 6 hours on a weeknight.

The coaches in schools put in a crazy amount of time for not alot of money. and 99 percent of the coaches are very dedicated.

It was the coaches dedication and enthusiasm for their sport and team that created an interest in my child that does not revolve a video game. He wants to wrestle in college now.

Pay the coaches hourly minimum wage and their pay would double or triple. know what you are talking about please.

Anonymous said...

Agan the problem lies in the way we tax the home owner and the renter that lives in a one bedroom apartment with a family of four does not pay there fair share. the school board and the municpalities
need to compare addresses and occupancy in theses apartments and enforce occupamcy of a apartment , we all know that these apartment complex owners dont care they need the rent, and are not paying there fair share of taxes

Anonymous said...

Joey-

Cutting teachers will not save as much money as you suggest. For each position cut you have to pay their unemployment benefits. As close as I can figure that will am't to about 30 grand per full time employee.

Just a fire house spat said...

The whole thing with the fire house sounds like problems with older staff versus the new members who are bringing change and new ideas. I aksed about this situation and this was the response i was given from an insider. It is time for the old guard to go. The main player in this mess retired once already and now is only around enough to cuase trouble and tell everyone what they are doing wrong. They know it is time for the door to close on this one person in the fire house. There are qualified people in place to step up and fill the slots. It is time for the main problem to be put out to pasture. They won't do the right thing in this case. That was his final word. This type of thing happens in all organizations from time to time. We should leave it as just an internal squabble. The service and dedication these people provide outweighs an occasional territorial spat. Let them handle it. The same goes for all the rumors about the police chief in Matawan. It will set itself right soon enough.

Anonymous said...

This is not just an insider spat. Unless the system works the way it's suppose to, the Fire Commissioners need to address this, right Councilman/Commissioner Vinci. This will not settle itself and should not be swept under the rug like Mr. Vinci would like. The firemen/fire company do a hell of a job keeping this town safe and will continue to do so but know that this needs to be addressed by the proper people in place. There is no issue with the fire company personnel, they are all upstanding dedicated people. Maybe some questions will be asked at their next meeting April 13th @ 8PM at the Firehouse or at least the subject be raised.

Anonymous said...

the date of the Fire District Meeting is April 12th, not the 13th... get the facts straight

Anonymous said...

Take your shot Joe M after what happened with you and you know who.

F????????????????????D said...

The fire commisioners deal with one of their own. Never gonna happen. Too many years covering for each other. They all know where the bodies and moey was buried all of these years. Did anyone hear if someone was assaulted that night during the meeting.

Anonymous said...

Does this mean a second retirement party at the Battleground. If he will really leave this time count me in.

Anonymous said...

Hey has anyone seen this before?

http://mapta.wordpress.com

they call themselves the Matawan Aberdeen Parent Taxpayer Association, it's pretty entertaining...

Anonymous said...

WOW! Did everyone read the press today? A U.S. al-Qaida suspect worked at nuclear plant in N.j. It says he worked for a CONTRACTOR!!!!! A contractor who does background checks. I wonder how that happened? BEWARE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES COMMING SOON

NSectionJoe said...

There will be no response or criticism from me in regards to the recent postings in regards to the ATFD. The recent and somewhat minor incident I was involved in is over for my part. Whatever is going on within the ATFD this week is there business alone to work through. Random suggestions thrown around anonymously add little to solving the situation that I feel should be handled internally. The volunteers in our emergency services, whether it be the First Aid, Fire Department or the Community Emergency Response Team need support, not anonymous criticism.

Anonymous said...

They should have put that guy out to pasture years ago. They won't. He owns that firehouse. They do nothing without his approval.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Njoe Vs. The ancient fire boss....talk about a battle of the big mouths

Anonymous said...

Once again joe gets ridiculed for doing the right thing. Being the better man around here is tough.

Anonymous said...

"Where's the outrage?" Usually wherever the troublemakers stoke it. At least the volunteers will be able to put out their own flames! Hahaha!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha this said...

Post above this one is lame. Maybe I needed to say that just n case the poster did not know it deep down inside. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Anonymous said...

Sorry, Couldn't resist!

Anonymous said...

Man this Fire Department thing is spinning out of control, people better be careful what they wish for, before they know it, the Aberdeen tax dollars will be paying for paid positions other than Fire Officials. With the exception of the old fart, I hear the other two are quite professional and word has it that the old fart assaulted a Fire Company Officer in the presence of two (2) District Commisioners (Paul Percuissi & Tom Wilson) yet there has been no disiplenary action. since when does employee over rule employer? From what I am hearing this old fart is king shit over there and does and gets away with anything he wants, including assault. What a job, is there room there for an unemployed knucklehead like me? If the new Company Chief, Deputy Chief and Captain resigned, who the hell is protecting the life and property of Aberdeen. I hear the old fart is quite the cowboy and can fight fires with one hand behind his back and one working eye. Does anyone not find it a conflict that two (2) councilman (Vinci & Lauro)also retain elected positions as Fire Commissioners. What happens if the fire budget fails and has to go to the town council, do they excuse themselves from the council for conflicting interest or do they bury there noses up everyone elses rear end to get it passed? Vinci doesn't have enough of a past with NOT paying property taxes on land he purchased for $1.00? I can imagine the skeletons this wannabe has in his closet. He better start cleaning that closet out as this incident seems to be picking up speed.

I still am curious about this past retirement of who they call the old fart. If he retirered some 10 or more years ago, why is he still there playing solitare two days a week and getting paid for it. Sounds like a big shit storm is coming someones way, I will be curious to see if the Commisioners do anything disiplinary to this individual? What a shame, I hear that department has a lot of great volunteers and it sounds like its going down the toilet because of this old asshole, oops I meant old fart. If this comment makes its way to any of these Commisioners, I suggest they do the right thing or there could be some serious recoil and don't forget, you guys retain ELECTED positions. I'm thinking that perhaps the Mayor might want to make a few inquires or perhaps the county, maybe the state? Yikes all of this because a crotchety old man is loosing his senility. Bail while you can as I don't think there is any saving grace here.

Anonymous said...

FYI on the MAPTA blog: the opposite of here. The comments are very heavily filtered.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener: It sounds as though, after all this time, you are a little envious of people with union benefits. Perhaps you should attempt to join one. Try being a teacher for one day. Then, go home, dry your tears of miserable failure, and happily got back to your career. Your apology will be anticipated.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener,Please explain to me the big savings there is by outsourcing the custodial staff. After reviewing the school budget in the Asbury Park Press today I am in shock. If you look at the cost per student it comes to a whopping 95 cents. YES TAXPAYERS ONLY 95 CENTS! Why would you put the students safety at risk for a savings of only 95 cents per student? Please answer

Aberdeener said...

If we outsource the custodial staff, we'll be saving up to a million dollars a year after one-time severance payments. That's over $250 a student.

You got a better idea for saving a million dollars a year or should we just take it from the taxpayers?

Anonymous said...

Joey,They should outsource you, asshole.

I would say I hope you lose your livelyhood, and your home, but you don't own one do you? Housebitch.

Anonymous said...

How cool would it be if there was a big snowstorm, and Warren and Kosmyna both slipped on ice in front of the high school and both broke their necks because the privatized janitors didn't clean the snow correctly? That would be awesome.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener; where are you getting your figures from? Did you get the bids in yet and opened? How do you know what this figure is utill then? OR is an agreement made already?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener; Dr. O proposed budget showed 550,000. first year and 770,000. the second and your now saying 1 million there after every year? How could you predict that. Contractors are in business to make a profit. What will they be paying the staff?

Aberdeener said...

We used a consultant. According to the consultant, we could save a million bucks. O'Malley is projecting unforeseen additional expenses in future years.

Our projected expenses are based upon other districts of similar size.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener; I understand your using Edvocates services for your assessment. The figures they qouted West Windsor dont add up. They claim the custodians will be paid 12.68 up to 14.00 an hour for black seals, plus a medical pkg? I'm adding it up and i am sorry but it doesn't add up to what your claiming. I'm sure they use the same figures for contractors pricing.

Anonymous said...

to the projectors of savings out there old saying figures lie and liars figure pretty simple

Forrest Gump

thats all I got to say about that

Anonymous said...

I think once you go to privitize janitors with black seals I will contact them and organize them into my union operating engineers local 68 and I will bring the Rat truck we love new members

Anonymous said...

Will O malley apply his same savings in vacation days wont be carry over in his contract languge looks like he can carry over

Anonymous said...

correction cash out vacation days

FormerStudentAdvocate09 said...

In the proposed budget cuts, page 10, it states "What is Included." Does this mean what is included in keeping for next year's budget? or included in cuts? If it will be retained, are any of those programs or costs going to be reduced?

Its about the kids said...

If you ever had any doubt, the union leaders position put the debate to rest. We now know that for the teachers, its not about the kids. Maybe it was before. It certainly isn't now.
Greed?
Yes, its about that.
An unwillingness to spare some of their colleagues from the unemployment line?
Yes, that's part of it, too.
But, the kids? No. Not even close.
Are members of the teachers union willing to discuss options to consider making a slight sacrifice for the sake of the children?
Not hardly, at least not the unions leadership. The fact is, tens of millions of Americans have to give back plenty in the midst of one of the worst economic periods of a generation. And with the state of New Jersey in such financial straits, all public employees should expect to give something back. The unions leadership and membership need to stop its posturing. They need to do the right thing here. In the end, it should be about the kids and we will never forget what you did for greed.

Gorton Jopin said...

In my day we would take these teacher union types out back, tie 'em to a post and smac 'em with a shoe!

CLIFFWOOD BEACH IS SAD said...

Fred Tag, Greg Cannon, Mauntone, and Lauro MADE SURE that their faces were seen in the CLiffwood Beach section when they handed out all of their literature.

They were in front of the volleyball net and looked out over the water.

WELL THE BEACH GOT EFFED up last night. Lets see how quick everything is cleaned and repaired.
Plastic bottles and garbage all over the beach from cans or where ever. Sand all over. The volleyball net sand gone. The basketball court underwater. Debris every where. It is was the Old Bridge side it would be fixed and right quick.

The FOUR OF YOU used Cliffwood Beach in your fliers, we are watching to see how we are treated when it counts.

Anonymous said...

To (its about the kids).... You wrote that beautifully. I absolutely agree with you. I don't understand the entitlement thinking on every leval.From the Superintendent to the teachers. How can the Super. expect everyone to agree to a pay freeze, and contributes, when he himself is clearly only concerned with his job secutity, medical insurance, and raises. What happened to lead by example? I know if everyone worked together and really did whats best for the children , no one would have to lose a job. But when greed is the motivator this is what happens.

ANONYMOUS EXPERTS KNOW ZERO said...

I find it amazing how all of these so called ANONYMOUS EXPERTS know all the numbers put forth by the Aberdeener and Dr. O are wrong *?*.

Put your name out there ANONYMOUS EXPERTS and be available to be criticized and held out to be scorned in the same manner you so easily ridicule others. We are waiting.

I am amonymous because I don't doubt professionals and people who put their names on there postings when they question leadership.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener,You stated yesterday O'Malley is projecting unforeseen additional expanses in the future as a reason for abolishing the custodial staff. So... If a tornato maybe in my future, I should knock down my house? I dont understand the logic here. There are custodians on the top of the guide who will be retireing, four on step one, and if you lower the guide, the new ones comming in would be even lower, have a pay freeze, and the contributions to the medical I can't see it not working.

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

You've misread my comment. Dr. O'Malley is projecting a $700,000 saving every year after the first from outsourcing the custodians. I'm telling you the savings will likely be greater but Dr. O'Malley is being conservative because there could be unforeseen expenses related to outsourcing the custodians.

Anonymous said...

I know sports is a sensitive topic, but how can you get rid of over 70 staff members without cutting from sports? The test scores will drop even more from these cuts. Why are sports protected? A school in VA had to cut one of the best basketball teams in the state due to money problems, saying that sports will have to take a hit before the classroom. Why isn't it the case here?

FormerStudentAdvocate09 said...

In the proposed budget cuts, page 10, it states "What is Included." Does this mean what is included in keeping for next year's budget? or included in cuts? If it will be retained, are any of those programs or costs going to be reduced?

Anonymous said...

To the person that dsaid lead by example Bravo , O Malley just like CEO in this country talk the talk but dont walk the walk, and I understand about teachers taking a freeze or medical contribution thats not the answer , labor in this country has been doing that your years and CEO still get big bonus , why now that we have used the mexicans up we know look at China to explot for the greed of cooperate america , whats next slavery we are going back wards

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous Expert; I haven't read anyone claiming to be a expert. Whatever this anonymous commentator prints is public info from surrounding school district. Just check it out for youself.

Aberdeener said...

Former Student,

Sorry, I forgot to respond earlier. The items included refers to items being funded under the current proposal. However, if the budget is defeated, these items may be on the chopping block.

fd assault and vince said...

The following number is what the supposed leadership will do about the assault of a fire company member by a senior fire company member who is so closely connected to the fire house commisioners.

0

The list is long of the problems this senior member causes and the senior members always look the other way.

One question for any member present. Did former cop-commisioner-councilman Vince know of the assault. If he knew and did nothing he is just as guilty then.

Anonymous said...

This fire department thing needs to be looked into from top to bottom. You would think that with all of that money they could send a flier out and let people know where there money goes to and why they need more money every year. The fact that they need more money every year without a public explanation troubles me. Does the department have a surplus they should be dipping into like the school board has been told to do. Anyone see the results of the last fire election. How is it that it is held in February and not in November. Maybe like the school board they like it seperate so no one comes out except themselves. That is not an election that is a fraud when the taxpayers don't really know where the money goes. The excuse that it is only another sixty dollars a year does not hold water anymore. Every dollar counts for every household. I applaud all of there service and feel it should be more transparent. If nothing happens over this assault someone needs to resign or get fired.

Anonymous said...

I know sports is a sensitive topic, but how can you get rid of over 70 staff members without cutting from sports? The test scores will drop even more from these cuts. Why are sports protected? A school in VA had to cut one of the best basketball teams in the state due to money problems, saying that sports will have to take a hit before the classroom. Why isn't it the case here?

Anonymous said...

Union shills should stop getting on this blog and making comparisons between the outlandish contracts they get time after time to the contract of a Superintendent. First off, the Superintendent is a 12 month employee, not a 10. The Superintendent has to oversee the operation of an entire district, and unless it is a very small one, that is a massive job. The teachers over see their classroom, no less important, but definately not as demanding in terms of the many different aspects of running a district. The person who is a superintendent has to answer for everything that happens, teachers have to answer for what happens in their classroom/building-- again no less important, just less demanding. And if we are going to say Quinn was better because he made less money...we all deserve to have our heads examined and our property taxes go up another 48%, as they did when he was superintendent. As for O'Malley, he shouldn't got the huge raise he got in the fall, it was dumb to do such a thing in this economy, that being said, he is head and shoulders better than Quinn ever was and worth 10 Carl Kozemenas, so if you union minions want compare yourselves to a superintendent, you should think again, your contracts have been plenty rich for way too long. I for one think the younger teachers should get exactly the same amount as you crusty old misers-- do us all a favor, you got your 30 years in, retire and save some jobs for teachers who still want to teach!

fire him or charge him said...

It is a taxpayer building right?

If an assault occured and no one called the police is it a crime?
If it was witnessed and no supervisor called the police is there some liability the town is responsible for? I think the Aberdeener needs to look into it and any financial libilities if any. If a supervisor witnessed the assault and did nothing are they personally liable as a supervisor to have reported the assault?
If any council people know or heard of an assault and do not call for a police investiagtion are they and the twon liable too?
So many questions for a guy who was supposed to have retired. Time for the house to cut its losses and put the old geezer out to pasture with all the other old cows.

Aberdeener said...

I agree with you but the CSA has made every effort to preserve as many programs as possible despite the cuts.

We pay the head coaches for golf and bowling $5,700 each. We spend another $17,500 in stipends for winter track and $10,000 for tennis. Toss in all the other expenses and you've got enough money to save summer school.

Forced to choose between golf, bowling, winter track, and tennis OR summer school, I'd choose summer school.

New blood time said...

Old cows that is funny. Lou should go right now. Time for the new blood to move the old crows out anyway. It costs to much to keep them around to do nothing but play solitaire and talk about the old days. Last call out how many responded that get paid as commisioners. Time to stop padding the pensions as well. How much money is enough.

Anonymous said...

Choose summer school for kids that don't care or haven't put in the effort to tget a passing grade. I think not

? a heart joe said...

Cant believe that joe missed a chance to pile on big lou. He does have a heart after all.

Anonymous said...

Why is it bowling and golf that get the axe? In Bowling's 5 years of existance, it reached the Shore Conference Tournament 3 times. The Golf team has shined state spotlight on MRHS with their girl golfer. Why can't baseball or basketball get a cut of some sort? Or why does the football team get new uniforms every year? Why does the football team have 10+ coaches? The newly formed United States Football League only have 7 coaches per team. It seems like every coach for the athletic department also holds a spot on the football team. The tennis coach, basketball coach, baseball coach, track coaches. Can't funding be cut in that area?

Anonymous said...

Your $5700 for a golf coach has paid off- congratulations to Logan Connaughton who just received a full ride to college on a golf scholarship! If the administration wants 100% of their students to apply to college they need to endorse their sports/clubs and the coaches/advisors who spend many hours with the students so that they have all avenues open to them.

Anonymous said...

Why does everyone assume that teachers who are in their jobs for 20+ years are lazy and don't work? Can the same be said for all of you who have been in your jobs for the same amount of time? I think not. Generalizations are just plain wrong and very inflammatory! Veteran teachers are always asked to mentor the new teachers and are often the chairpersons of school committees based on their experience. It's also no wonder that the veteran teachers are the union leaders-therefore the salaries listed at the beginning of this blog are no surprise.

Anonymous said...

Your girl's bowling assistant coach is a teacher who volunteers- who said teachers don't work for free?

Anonymous said...

Dr. O'Malley should turn down his raise in good faith if our district is in such dire straits...or at least donate his raise each year for a scholarship to a MARSD student(s).

The Board should walk the walk, talk the talk. They are as bad as the Wall Street execs who cried poverty, laid off people, then gave bonuses.

Anonymous said...

Golf, bowling and all of the extras seem to be such a priority for many of the posters. Why? Back to basics is what we can afford.

Anonymous said...

The raise of the Superintendent was not an issue of the board. Lets now look at where we can save money from the children becasue he walks away with his wall street raise. "Let the people eat cake as the king is taken care of."

Can't wait for the school board election.

You are all geniuses? said...

To retain highly professional person in O'Malley, although many of you would rather have that idiot Quinn and barza back for some un-God-ly reason, this supposed and contentious raise is $3,000.00 Quinn wasted that on a new shredder for his cronies BA office, to hide their mismanagement. But keep complaining about a 1.5% increase for O'Malley that he has not yet been given. Keep picking at the little things while you let the big things just happen years ago, under the incompetent leadership of Quinn and barza. You are all geniuses?

Aberdeener said...

O'Malley got a contract extension and a slight change in benefits to compensate him for losing the ability to cash out his vacation days. He did not get a raise.

His previous contract guaranteed him a $3,000 increment and his current contract guarantees him a $3,000 increment.

Those people screaming that we should have stripped the increment from his contract forget that O'Malley always had the option of sticking with his old contract and still earns considerably less than most of his peers managing similarly sized districts.

Anonymous said...

If you are eliminating jobs..OMALLEY SHOULDNT GET SHIT! Share the pain.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
It seems your cuts would have been quite different from O'Malleys. You would then have to assume that our educational future under his cuts would be worse than yours. Your post on the amount of tax increase and what to cut are completely different then what he did, yet you still support him for contract extensions and raises. The decisions he makes now will have a tremendous effect on the outcome of what type of education our children will receive.
Many believe the cuts are in the wrong areas and will not support this budget. Will you vote to approve this budget as it is presented or do you still believe it could be done with more educational value and less of a tax burden?

Anonymous said...

Question on Summer School

What options are available for a kid to go to summer school?

Can he go out of district and get credit? Why can't he go to OB or Hazlet for example? If there are costs pass it on to the student (parents). Even in MARSD summer school the parents should be paying more anyway not the taxpayers. Why should taxpayers pay for kids to get the same lessons twice?

Anonymous said...

This is for the jackass who doesn't know what his tax money is associated with the Fire Budget. Get off your lazy ass and ask for a copy of the budget which is available to you under the Freedom of Information Act. As for the election date, it is published under law like it is supposed to be just like the school election.

Anonymous said...

Anybody been down to the beach? The sand dune did its job! And its mostly still standing, though it looks like it took quite a pounding! Tons and tons of plastic has washed up, and half the beach on the side where the dune was low is practically on the road. We should thank whoever was responsible for restoring that dune twenty years ago. I think the lady from the shade tree commission had a lot to do with it. Does anybody know her name?

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

I intend to support the budget despite the tax increases.

My disagreement with Dr. O'Malley is whether budget cuts should be kept as far as possible from the students or whether funding should be focused upon our core mission of education. We agree that expenditures should be balanced against the rights of taxpayers.

In practice, that means I would cut some non-essential programs, services, and personnel while investing in other programs, such as a computer programming class and technology. Dr. O'Malley intends to maintain all popular programs.

I've had a number of discussions with Dr. O'Malley and I believe I've had a hand in preserving funding for a number of programs I believe are important for our district's future. At the same time, the original recommended tax levy has dropped a third down to 2%.

That's because Dr. O'Malley and I worked in good faith towards making a better budget.

At the same time, if the budget fails, then some of the programs I've fought to protect may be back on the chopping block.

I doubt the town council would recommend much in further cuts so I'd rather pass the current budget than risk cuts to important programs.

As for summer school, I'm still working to save the program but students would have an opportunity to attend summer school out of district.

Anonymous said...

Who said, "Unlike prior boards or the town council, we must lead, we must set targets, and we must hold our administration accountable. I oppose any tax increase this year". Joey Warren, again not speaking the truth.
Don't blame the union. It is doing its job of protecting teachers. Blame the school district management, the school boards, the state department of education and state legislators, who "allow" the union to call the shots. They are the ones who have let down the kids.

Anonymous said...

What changed between January 12th and today? Now we can afford a tax increase?

Aberdeener said...

The only thing that's changed is I lost the debate.

Dr. O'Malley presented the board with a list of his recommended cuts, a couple of which I strenuously opposed. I also opposed his recommended 3% tax hike.

Additionally, Dr. O'Malley provided us a long list of items we could conceivably cut from the budget, including athletics, administrators, outsourcing personnel, staff reductions, etc.

I presented an alternative set of cuts, one that would have resulted in a small tax decrease while maintaining funding for priority programs.

Not one board member publicly supported any of my recommendations.

My only opportunity for a better budget was to persuade Dr. O'Malley to cut more and elsewhere.

So, what would you have done in my shoes? Compromise for a better budget or stand firm at the cost of higher taxes and cuts to important programs.

firemen questions no answers said...

If the fire dept wants a free and public election move it to novemeber. If they want the public to know where the money goes they will tell the taxpayers. They dont want people to know and that is why the old coot who assaulted a fellow fireman will not be punished or finally be pushed out. That is what you get from a hidden beauracracy like that. How many people other then firemen and there families voted in the last fire budget vote. $569,000.00 increase for what.

Straight Arrow said...

Hey Barbato,

you disappointed wiseguy, couldn't make it in the old neighborhood, so you run down here to jersey, and the best you can do is make a bunch of PTO moms your crew. The boys in the old neighborhood would be real proud of you. You might even get bumped up the ladder to flunky status(sounds alot like a Freddo).

Anonymous said...

Did you see this? http://www.app.com/article/20100315/OPINION01/3150301/1029/Poor-timing-on-extension

Aberdeener said...

Considering the APP editorial board has been wrong about O'Malley at every turn, I see this as a good omen.

Anonymous said...

What has the Asbury Park Press been wrong about on O'Malley?

Aberdeener said...

Two years ago, they opposed his contract. Last year, they opposed his raise.

Anonymous said...

And where is that wrong? Times are tough. You people are firing blue collar workers with over 20 years of service to the district!

Yet, at the same time you want to give this guy a raise?

He makes almost $200k as it is!

Why the hell are you giving him a raise when you are firing lower paid workers?

I know. Because you have a bug up your ass about a janitor with 20 years making more than a rookie teacher.

is it because janitors don't usually go to college that you hate them so? I think it is.

Aberdeener said...

I keep hearing this again and again - that the board gave a raise to O'Malley.

Tell me - what was the raise?

Anonymous said...

And another thing, janitors, if you survive this bullshit, get the hell out of the teachers union. Its pretty obvious the don't give a damn about you either. Trust me on that one, I have a Matawan teacher in the family. They don't like the fact that you guys make more than the rookie teachers...good luck..fuck joey and omalley

Anonymous said...

His raise that the Asbury Park Press and most of the taxpayers who end up paying for disagreed with. The raise for $12,000, from $173,000 to $185,000, when his contract ink was still wet called for $3,000. Stop playing stupid when most people don't agree with these raises.

Anonymous said...

The Asbury Park is dead on again and are pointing out the abuses by boards of education on its public.

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that with all the comments about the Fire Department that no one mentioned that along with getting paid for two days a week to play solitaire that the old fart also is provided a District vehicle at the taxpayer expense. Also when they bought the new SUV, replacing a perfectly fine Explorer, instead of giving it to the Fire Chief, who actually needs it, they (the Commissioners)gave it to the old fart. When asked the excuse was that it was done that way in lieu of a raise that they cannot justify on the books!! This travesty needs to be investigated.

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

You're telling me that the raise people are complaining about is the one we gave O'Malley last year?

Sounds like you're the one playing stupid. Maybe you should re-read some of the prior comments.

Anonymous said...

I read the APP article and became motivated to review O'Malleys Contract on the districts website. What I learned was he was hired in February 2008 at a salary of $173,000 with a $3,000 increase each year for 4 years. However, his current salary today, two years later is $185,000. As I understant it, he is soon to get another raise which will bring him to $ 188,000. His contract has been extended to the year 2014 with $3,000 a year guaranteed. He has a nice high salary and a guarantee of a increase each year.

It just does not seem fair. The APP article really made me better understand the situation. Don't we all wish we were guaranteed a $3,000 raise each year. SOME EMPLOYEES wish they had jobs next year.

Aberdeener said...

Anon,

Our district needs to compete for talent. Why don't you look at contracts for other CSA's and then tell me if we got a good deal.

Anonymous said...

For his experience and accomplishments to this point, this is not a good deal. It seems that it is your contention that most people agree with this boards position on the raises and contract extensions. Some of your own board members don't agree, including a staunch supporter Mr O'Connell. You don't know the public you represent if you think the majority agree with your position on this. A similar size district is looking for a superintendent and has over twenty five applicants. A good steward of the community would get the best they can afford, agree on a contract, re-evaluate at the end of the contract compared to what else is available. Not tie the communities hands for years to come with exorbitant raises year after year.

Anonymous said...

O'Malley, who earns $185,000 with a base minimum increase of $3,000 a year starting in July, had his contract extended from 2012 to 2014 by a 5-3 vote. One of the members who voted against it said he was concerned about "ambiguous" language in the contract regarding performance goals and making O'Malley's campaign finance reports available to the board from his second public job as a Raritan Township committeeman. The board should have insisted he resign that position so he could devote full attention to the school district.

In arguing in support of extending O'Malley's contract, board President Charles Kenny said the board wanted to ensure it could retain him. Please. He's making good money. He's getting raises while others are losing their jobs. And whenever there is a superintendent opening in New Jersey, dozens of highly qualified applicants line up.

Aberdeener said...

You see? There's that language again about getting raises even though he's getting the same salary whether or not we extended the contract.

As for all those board members who voted against extending the contract, only Dr. Gambino opposed the extension itself. Mr. O'Connell was unhappy with the language of the contract that he wrote as president. Ms. Rubino was unhappy with allowing Dr. O'Malley the option of substituting one benefit for another benefit of equal value.

Mr. Donaghue couldn't vote but he's a strong supporter. So, that's eight board members who supported extending Dr. O'Malley's term.

As for whether we're getting our dollar's worth, you can look at my recent posting on Dr. O'Malley's record. That's the basis for his contract extension, not what he did before he got here.

FD ? GROW DAILY said...

Gave an explorer away. That must have not made it onto the budget posting this year. Would the explorer have been an asset or a tax deduction then.

Anonymous said...

Yes, our tax dollars are being put to good use by the Fire Department. Last year their secretary retired. One of the commissioners took her place with a whopping raise!! He's his own boss. Cool HUH!!!

Anonymous said...

If Dr. O was as great as you say why didn't he forsee the changes to state aid when the writing was on the wall since Corzine was elected? He should have managed the budget better with a small tax levy instead of none-then we wouldn't be talking about cuts to teachers and programs and privitization of valuable services we have total control over now. As far as keeping "talent", the job economy is so bad that it's a buyers market for jobs. You could have let him out of his contract and attracted people just as good for less. I feel Dr. O is doing the same thing the union is-padding the top to get the best pension he can. And really...who can blame him or them?

Aberdeener said...

Uhm,

You're saying Dr. O'Malley should have prepared for the revenue shortfalls by raising taxes last year?

And you're saying we shouldn't have given a contract extension because, two years from now, we could get someone equally qualified for less?

Anonymous said...

Amazing that a 5-3 vote can be construed as 8-1 in your mind. Ever think that this vote was a done deal, as you know, and some people kept their remarks to a minimum. That linguine spined, feckless Donoghue would blow O'Malley after what he unethically got in return for his support. Just wonder what he is telling the custodians, or will he hide from that vote too. What does he know anyway, he has been on the board forever, and has been part of the problem, not part of the solution. He was part of the last three superintendents hirings, raises and extentions. This fuzzy math is the same kind of logic that allows you to believe the majority of the public supports these moves. Or, do you really care what the publics opinion is on this.

Aberdeener said...

If you were at the meeting, you'd have heard their public statements. I trust them that they said what they meant. You think they may have lied because they're stated reasons don't align with your thinking.

Anonymous said...

See how much we approve of you next time you're up for election.

Anonymous said...

That's exactly what I am saying. A good manager anticipates future bumps in the road and doesn't pull tricks like presenting a flat budget when big cuts are on the horizon.

And yes in hard times you could negotiate for a bargain superintendent when his term is up. And not one with the qualifications Quinn had or didn't have. Isn't that what you expect teachers and custodians to do? You even suggest that teachers stay on the same contract. You would have had more credibility if you expected your superintendent to do the same.
Test scores will improve when the right curriculum is implemented. Teachers need the correct tools. If Dr.O gave the teachers the right tools then his work is done and he can move on. What happens if scores tank and he becomes complacent, then we're stuck with him and his rising salary??

Anonymous said...

If O'malley really cared about MARSD he would stay raise or no raise. That's the true measure of the man.

Anonymous said...

O'Malley doesn't care. he got his contract. Neither does Warren, he's nothing but an O'Malley lapdog. Just ask the janitors how much those 2 care.

Anonymous said...

Uh, what are we going to do about the beach? Half of it has moved, all of it is strewn with garbage. We should call Rutger's and gets some erosion advice. Who or what department has responsiblity for the beach, anyway? Heaven help us if another storm hits this season, Midnight Point will be under water!

Anonymous said...

In arguing for support of extending O'Malleys contract, Charles Kenney made four points to retain him:
1) Please. (begging?)
2) He's making good money.
3) He's getting raises while others are losing jobs.
4) And whenever there is a superintendent opening in New Jersey, dozens of highly qualified applicants line up.

That's his argument for extending a contract. It sounds more like an argument to not extend someones contract at this time. No wonder the Press called it shameful. What is going on here?

Anonymous said...

Instead of sitting around typing about the Fire Dept. why don't you guys get off your A... and do something about it. Maybe its time for the younger firemen to stand up to the old dogs and show them how to run a fire dept. The only people that are being punished by Lou and his band of brothers is the people who live in the town. Lets think about them for a change.Thats why you became FIREMEN!!!

Anonymous said...

The boys of old who run the firehouse protect each other for years now. That is why the old guy will stay right where he is. I think i will never vote for another budget for them as long as i live. A few of us still vote in that fire budget procedures. That is contrary to some postings on here lately that says only fire people vote. I do agree it is alot of money and the public should be better advised. I only know that they put one printing in a legal notice section of a paper since that is the least they have to do. That may be another questionable tactic to hide the truth from the voters. Typical of the old boys some might say old boys who dont know when to let go and let the younger members serve in leader roles. Vincei and the others better do the right thing before all the little secrets start coming out one by one. Some of us know about the card games for years now. I also agree that someone in a leader role should have called the authorities if someone was assaulted. That should have been done immediately no matter the connection to the older leadership. This will leave many questions in the more active members. That is if something official is not done by the leaders in the present roles. It is a shame that they may choose to protect one of their own at the expense of many who will not learn a proper lesson.

Anonymous said...

Not defending the old guy, but, if I was smackes or whatever by some 80 year old chain smoking relic, I don't think I would go running to the cops. Seriously, think about it, would you? They do however need to take his truck, and power away.

Anonymous said...

Maybe its time that the taxpayers of Aberdeen should realize that sometimes wisdom does not come with age and that some of the older card playing firemen if thats what they are should be made to retire and get some new younger blood in there. Remember one thing we are not voting for Prom Queen we are voting for people that will one day save our lives or the life of someone we love. If everyone would just come to terms with this maybe the fire dept. can graduate from high school!! Not being mean or disrespectful to any firemen, but its time for change. Everyone has to let go of the little things in life and understand what these men give up for us. Remember they have wifes and children at home, but everytime they get a call they kiss their families goodbye not knowing what the outcome will be. Maybe someone should kiss a fireman and just say THANKS FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO AND EVERYHTING THEY ARE GIVING UP. I kiss my fireman everyday and prey when he walks out my door that he walks back in when he is done doing what he loves to do!!!!!And lets not forget that these men ask for nothing in return its everyday life for them.

Anonymous said...

The teachers union is the perfect poster child for communism and aligns itself with socialism and has for many years. Good or bad teachers get equal pay. Incentive is killed. Morale dies. The kids lose. The parents lose. The country loses. The future loses. Teachers unions, not teachers, are the great obstacle of educating our kids.

Anonymous said...

Unions were created to make sure teachers were well compensated for arguably societies most important occupation, molding young minds. Those who choose the profession, and do it well, deserve to be paid well. But, somewhere along the line, the union lost their way. Now they've gone from advocating for teachers rights to impeding childrens rights.

Stemler Drive is back said...

Excerpt from this mornings Asbury Park Press page A3 titled COAH bill advances to full senate.

The bills primary sponsor Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D Union, said it would provide "more affordable housing less beauracracy". Politicians lie so easily.

Lesniak allowed testimony from ONLY two people during the 30 minute session: the president of the Camden chapter of the NAACP and a representative of the Mental haelth Association of New Jersey.

Only 30 minutes of discussion and only two people "allowed" to speak on something so costly to most every taxpayer and community in the entire state?

It should be noted that the state NAACP has filed ethics charges against Lesniak and one of his co-sponsors because their law firms
represent builders and towns on affordable housing matters. Talk about conflict of interest. That never happens here does it?

The main problem and all too telling statement from Lesniak is that the changes would allow more direct control over the developments on affordable housing to be controlled and implimented at the local level.

You know what that means? KAUFF! KAUFF would then control all development in Aberdeen. Not that he does not control all of it now. Of course no development happens under KAUFF in Aberdeen since under KAUFF it is all about billing millions in fees and repetative study after study for Kauff and his CME pals to get rich off of.

While criticism from only two speakers was ALLOWED who said ""the bill was poorly thought" and "will promote segregation and concentrate poverty in our state".

KAUFF, Lesniak and more fees for the big political contributors and developers to be named later. Anyone surprised? No one should be surprised.

Just remember Fred, Jimmy, Margeret, Greg, Owin, Sister Gumbs and Vinci that we are not going anywhere and we are not your dumping ground for your much needed corrupt campaign monies that KAUFF will get from the Cifeli people.

Where did I put that number for the Red Bank NAACP? They need to be invited to the meetings for KAUFF and his corrupt COAH plan.
We know you pull the strings KAUFF and we are sharpening our scissors to cut the strings on your puppets on the council and your approval boards.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back stem. Where u been.

Anonymous said...

The naacp is a corrupt organization, that no longer serves any purpose, other than lining the pockets of its upper management. Its time has come and gone.

Anonymous said...

The NAACP is old and crippled and more concerned with collecting dues, holding meetings, and planning award shows.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Aberdeener,

Is Demberst going to run with the Rev. Gaddis? I read in your blog that Demberst humiliated the Rev. last year when she put her up for an empty board seat? Why would the Rev. Gaddis run with her? Peoples was saying that if Demberst and the Rev, Gaddis get on the board they can save the janitors. Is that true? I feel sad about the people who clean the schools losin their jobs, but our kids are getting help with the after school program that the Rev. Cawley and the schools worked to get us. I hope that is not going to get cut.

Aberdeener said...

It's my understanding that Ms. Demarest and Rev. Gattis are running together.

Rev. Gattis believes that Ms. Demarest was the one who tried to help her get on the board and it was people like me who kept her off.

Unfortunately, despite all the wonderful work Rev. Gattis has done for our community, she is not familiar with the school board issues or its makeup. There is absolutely nothing they can do to save anybody's job aside from petitioning Dr. O'Malley. Considering Ms. Demarest's open contempt for Dr. O'Malley, I don't consider that a possibility.

As for Dr. Crawley's MOST program, everybody on the board and in the administration supports the program. As the program develops, I hope our support will grow.

Stemler Drive is back said...

I had to take care of some important matters out of the country. I am back and going after Kauff and his corrupt cronies like never before. It is time many more taxpayers know of the Kauff corruption and the cost we pay for him and his gang of miscreants. It is also time the open public records act became our best friend. Transparancy in government is our tool. Every meeting Kauff calls we need to see minutes or listen to recordings. Every lawyer representing a potential developer needs to be known. Any potential connection to Kauff needs to be analyzed very closely. Make Kauff uncomfortable and let the people know what his corruption costs us all and Kauff will go away. The tide is turning in politics in our state and Kauff needs to go. Time to shine the light on Kauff.

King Friday said...

NEWSFLASH!!!!

From the Land of Make Believe Newsroom..


Anonymous Hero Vows to expose Norm!


By Elmo Monster, Staff Writer.


ABERDEEN:

Anonymous national hero Stemler Drive checking has vowed to do everything in his or her power to expose Norm, and his corruption.

He, or her, whatever the case may be, due to this person being anonymous stayed "I am going after Norm and his corrupt cronies like never before"

I know one thing, if I was Norm I'd sure be scared if this anonymous hero had his or her sights on me.

Just look at everything that he, or she has done in the past to rid the world of corruption (enter cricket noises here)

If there were only more heroes like him, or her, whatever the case may be, blogging, the world would be much less corrupt.

Anonymous said...

A brand new vehicle to drive back and forth to work to sit and play solitare and push his weight around. Man oh man what a life he leads. This old man is as crooked as they come, no wonder he and Vinci are buddies. A secretary retires making a menial salary and in steps one of Lou's puppets and is granted double what the previous was making. Assaulting an Officer during a fire call in the fire house and gets away with it. Be careful Commisioners, this old fart would not think twice about throwing you under the bus and should/when the shit hits the fan, if the old man goes down, he is going to drag the whole lot of ya with him, you can make bank on that.

FD Advocate said...

The whole damn situation with the Fire Commissioners and their puppetmaster the District Chief stinks, and is corrupt beyond measure. The very idea that a District Chief is needed to do the Commissioners job for them is first on my list. I think they should all not only be removed from office, but have to return the funds they've been paid all these years. Also the District Chief should reimburse the Township for all the money he's stolen over the years. These are our tax dollars being wasted, and abused. I'm calling on all citizens of Aberdeen to show up at the next Commissioners meeting on April 12th at 8pm in the Lloyd Road Firehouse to demand their money back.

NOT ONE LAYOFF NORMAN said...

HEY NORMAN WERE YOU LISTENING TO GOVERNOR CHRISTIE SPEAK TODAY?
YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I HOPE YOU SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL. I HOPE YOU CAN SMELL THE ROSES. FINALLY I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT THE FAT LADY HAS SUNG. YOUR TIME OF ABUSING THE TAXPAYERS IS OVER. MANY ARE WAITING IN THE WINGS TO SEE IF YOU WILL HAVE YOUR PUPPETS TALK ABOUT LAY OFFS AND FURLOUGHS AGAINST THE HARD WORKING TOWN EMPLOYEES WHILE YOU GIVE THE FARM AWAY TO YOUR HANDPICKED PROFESSIONALS. THE PROOF OF YOUR CORRUPTION IS IN THE WAY YOU HAVE NOT EVEN ASKED THE TOWN EMPLOYEES HOW WE COULD SAVE MONEY OR WHERE THE WASTE IS. THE WASTE IS AT THE TOP AND YOU KNOW IT NORMAN. CHRISTIE TALKED ABOUT MORE LOCAL CONTROL AND MAKING SURE THAT MUNICIPAL OFFICES ALSO WATCH THERE SPENDING. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE FUNDING YOUR CORRUPT CAMPAIGNS BY OVERPAYING YOUR BOYS AT CME SO YOU CAN GET YOURS ON THE BACKEND.
ABERDEEN WILL BE THE EXAMPLE OF HOW SCREWED OVER THE TAXPAYERS CAN BE WITH MORE SUPPOSED CONTROL AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. OUR UNION IS LOOKING TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH AND YOU WANT TO GIVE US SCRAPS ON THE FLOOR WHILE YOU GIVE GENEROUS RAISES TO VINNIES FAVORITE VOTING BLOCK. THAT WILL HAUNT YOU TOO REAL SOON WHEN ALL THE EMPLOYEES AND THE FAMILIES START COMING TO EVERY COUNCIL MEETING AND START WALKING IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE WITH SIGNS AND REPORTERS. TIME FOR YOUR STOOGE TO GO AND GET A REAL MANAGER. THAT PUPPET IS A JOKE YOU PUT IN THE OFFICE. YOU KNOW IT AND THE COUNCIL KNOWS IT ALSO. PULL THE PIN NORMAN AND CUT OUR LOSSES. ADMIT YOUR MISTAKE NORMAN AND SEND YOUR JOKE PACKING. GO AFTER ONE JOB NORMAN AND WE WILL BRING THE COFFEE TO YOUR HOUSE EVERY MORNING.
PACK YOUR BAG NORMAN. YOUR SHIP HAS SAILED NORMAN. TAKE GILLIGAN WITH YOU TO. BON VOYAGE! BY THE WAY NORMAN WE ARE GETTING SOME GREAT LEGAL ADVICE. GUESS WHO IT IS FROM.

Union stand strong against kauff said...

Just jumped on and it seems the natives are restless at town hall. Maybe it is not just the taxpayers who feel that kauff has ripped them off all of these years. The new gang he put in place needs to see the reality of what the kauffster has done and the agravation and hatred against kauff. I hate him since that low life Robinson ripped off the water company years ago. Now the kauffster uses him for his dirty jobs and secret favors for developmers from what my wife hears from her girlfriends.

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