RonD

The link you showed only lists cell towers, not roof mounted relay antennas. This type of antenna has been mounted on the building across from the Roosevelt School playground for quite a few years now. They are also situated across from St. Stephens Church, the apartment building on Beech St. and Quincy Ave., above the newspaper store on Bell Pike in N.A. and were proposed for a building in the vacinity of the Lincoln Theater and the flag pole in Arlington Cemetary. While there is no evidence that these relay antennas are a threat, there also is no conclusive evidence to the contrary, although the amount of radiation emitted has been compared to that of a microwave oven at a range of three feet by analyists for the cellphone companies.

I just find it, as I always have, quite perplexing that people don't know what is going on in their own town and will always take the side of the gutteral remarks rather than expend the energy to find out the facts for themselves. I guess I really shouldn't care because I don't live in town anymore ( I can hear the snipes coming already), but I don't like seeing people, no matter where they live or who they are, blamed for something that is beyond their control and happened many years ago.

Not quite accurate about the "not quite accurate about Kearny following the guidelines" remark. If you reread my post you will see that one of the reasons for the suit was the residency requirement. As a result of the suit any employee can live in any community they choose, the town is following the guidelines and the need to falsify applications is unnecessary.

No, the court ruling never said that. It stated that Essex and Hudson County residents were to be given preferential treatment if they were qualified. Please note I am using the past tense referring to the decision because Kearny has fulfilled its obligation, the monitoring process has ceased and the town can now hire from any municipality with no preferences given, as in the case of Mr. Kerr, not Kerry. Thirty years ago you did not have to be a resident to be hired, you had twelve months after being hired to satisfy the residency requirement.

What's sad is people posting about things they know nothing about. During two earlier administrations lawsuits were filed by the NAACP against Kearny and other communities for discriminatory hiring practices that included the requirement that anyone employed by the town had to establish a residence in the town within 12 months of hiring. The court ordered Kearny to advertise in Essex and Bergen County papers and on radio, which the town immediately ignored. A second court appearance a few years later extended the period of time the town had to seek employees outside its boundries and set up a monitor to evaluate the process. The town had no say in the matter as it had conceded in the first round of hearings that it indeed had erred. Although the monitoring has ended, the town has continued to follow the guidelines in an effort to avoid future lawsuits which you would pay for. Yup, that's "how this town works".

My post of April 26: Some years ago, I believe when the issue of permit parking on some streets by Belleville Turnpike was discussed, it was also suggested that permit parking should be allowed across ones own driveway. Nothing came of it, but it would do no harm to have it brought up again at a Town Council meeting. The vehicle is blocking a curb cut the town allowed the property owner to make. The street, the curb and the first ten feet into the property from the curb all belong to the town. In addition, if you have a tree in your front yard within those ten feet it may belong to the town and permission may be necessary to perform any work on it.

Parking within a curb cut is a violation and has been for decades no matter who the vehicle is registered to. It has been the practice, though, not to issue a summons unless the resident makes a complaint. Some years ago, I believe when the issue of permit parking on some streets by Belleville Turnpike was discussed, it was also suggested that permit parking should be allowed across ones own driveway. Nothing came of it, but it would do no harm to have it brought up again at a Town Council meeting.

So you want the Mayor and Council to accept the unions first offer for every contract? That would go over great with the taxpayers. Using your theory, the taxpayer would be taxed in 2004, 2005, and 2006 for monies that may be paid out in 2007. You obviously do not understand municipal budget laws mandated by the state or you never would have made that remark. The budgetary process is for one year only and can not be used, by law, as a savings account for future expenditures. I too have attended many Council meetings and know of suggestions that have been brought up from the audience and have been passed by the Mayor and Council. One that comes to mind immediately is the parking lot behind Mandees. A young man from that neighborhood spoke up at a meeting a few years ago and within six months the town had an agreement with the property owners to allow residents to park overnight. I guess, however, you were not at those meetings, right?

Some things never change. People still make comments (that others take as true) that have no basis in fact and are therefore unsupportable. Fallacy: If I were an employee who worked to my highest potential for the town, (keeping the streets clean, making sure all of the towns parks and grounds were in good condition... Fact: The parks and grounds have not been maintained by town employees for a few years now. Fallacy: Also why do we have to pay for the health benefits for the town council, they have full time jobs where they get insurance,... Fact: Not all members of the Town Council have full time jobs. Fallacy: I could see them receiving a small stipen for their hours of service, but that is it. Fact: The small stipend paid to the members of the Town Council doesn't come near paying the costs associated with of being an elected official. Also, having been a union member for 37 years and an official of the union for over ten years, I can tell you honestly that not all contract delays are the managements doing. I'm not saying this is the case in these negotiations, but what would the taxpayers say if the Mayor and Council agreed to a union demand for a 9% paying raise, a large clothing allowance and all benefits paid for? You can't have your cake and eat it too with larger O&M increases and lower taxes. It just doesn't work out that way. On the topic of Town Council members working part time I say hockey pucks. If you were involved with the workings of the town you would know that these people put in many hours other than the couple of two hour Council meetings each month that all three of you attend. Paul, you have asked for specific alternative proposals. Well, let's put the members of the Council on a one year trial at an hourly rate, just like the other town employees, and see what evolves. I can guarentee the taxpayers will not like the results.

We met once many years ago. If you want to know who I am just ask Debra. We served on the same town committee for over ten years.

Yes, Jim does have quite a bit of knowledge about the financial aspects of the town, but what about your opinion? What do you think needs to be done? Paul hit it on the head when he said, "Your post is just the usual carping about taxes, with not a word what to do about it". Unfortunately this attitude of "let the other guy do it" is prevalent in Kearny and many other communities. If things are as bad as some of you say, and I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with that, why then is there no taxpayers organization, no tenants organization, no viable other party challenging for control? No letters to the editor in the Observer and next to zero attendance at Council meetings? The answer is simple. Apathy!

I happen to know of numerous budget cuts over the years because I probably attended more meetings than any seated council member for fifteen years. Unless any of you were in the Council Chambers for those meetings you would not know of these cuts, therefore the posting of misinformation. Now I know you expect me to release this information, but no, it is not my responsibility to keep you informed. That is in your hands and on your shoulders. And by the way, the Mayor does not have the authority to make cuts in the budget anymore than he has the authority to raise taxes.

I thought I explained it quite clearly in my first post, but I guess I'll have to break it down for you. " You'll find that in many cases when the School Budget gets rejected by the voters, the state comes in and Imposes a budget, generally favoring what was rejected," You omitted the steps of going to the Mayor and Council for amending, going back to the BOE for review and the BOE filing an appeal, three important points in the process. Yes the Mayor and Council dont make much of a concession the the Budget, but, frankly, they really arent allowed to". To say the Mayor and Town Council aren't allowed to do certain things to the budget is a complete fallacy. They can cut as much or as little as they see fit. I hope this answers your question.

I really think more of you should learn how your government operates before posting any more incorrect information. 1. BOE budget is rejected by the voters. 2. It is sent to the Mayor and Town Council for review. They can cut as much or as little as they feel is needed. 3. The budget is sent back to the BOE for review and consideration. 4. If the board rejects the new budget it can file an appeal with the state. 5. An appeal to the state goes through the same review process and the state makes a final determination. Whether you agree or disagree, that is the process.

There aren't too many left in Kearny, but this one down the shore is still run by the original family ( I don't think Stewarts is). And, they ship every Tuesday across the country. We shop there every week for meat pies, sliced and bridies. Although the prices are higher than what you remember, the quality is still excellent. http://www.cameronsofkearny.net/

Nothing short of an apology for your statement would make me change my opinion of you.

Yes, young men and women do die every day, and each one is a sad occasion not to be taken lightly. You ask, "what is the real difference in the end between one of many soldiers who is dead, a deceased family member, or even you when you pass on one day". Maybe as you grow older, and I truly hope you do, you will realize the thrills and wonders of life that this young man, and many others, will not be able to experience. Those are the differences. Burying your child, not the normal chain of events, is the difference. You also mentioned it's good to focus on the living. This I could not agree with more, but perhaps you should have directed these words to Strife767. Do you think the family left behind by this brave young man would appreciate his disrespect for their loved one? Was he focusing on them as he put his words down? I think not.

I haven't posted anything on the recent topics at hand because I have friendly attachments to more than one person involved in the issues, but this statement I can not let slide by. Strife767, although you cowardly hide behind this name, I hope those who know your true identity will come forward to tell you what an insensitive, uncaring person you are. A young man is dead, with his family and friends in mourning, and you, instead of offering condolences or just ignoring the subject, have to interject with a snide, cruel remark. If an apology was ever appropriate, it is by you, now.

Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone. I just stopped in to see what was going on in town when I saw this post. I'm glad to see my friend Russ came through on his promise to continue this worthwhile tradition for our shut-ins.

So, you know what is going on in town? Then why all the questions? When and if you decide to be civil about it, just ask and I will supply all the answers.

Now why would anyone chop down healthy trees? Does that make any sense to you? Do you know the process for removing a tree? Do you know the checks and balances before a tree can be removed? Before making accusations and name calling maybe you should make a few calls to the right people to get answers to the above questions.. It's people like you that enraged me when I lived in town.