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I would venture that the more compelling reasons the administrator decided to go with the GPS are due to his need for control, mistrust and the view that town employees are slackers and freeloaders. The cost of the GPS system and the vendor(s) selected can be obtained through OPRA; whether the system went out for public bid should also questioned in the OPRA request. Like most fleet GPS, I’m sure that the vehicles can be monitored and tracked from a PC or laptop, if the appropriate software is installed. The town seems to have a very large fleet of vehicles: between DPW, the construction department, the health department, the water department, the police and fire departments, recreation and administration there seem to be a significant number of vehicles. What one perceives as unnecessary, government can always justified as needed, so the why for spending is difficult to ascertain. I have been told that the hand scanners did cost money to purchase and install even though it’s tied to the ADP system. What that cost was and what the cost may be to maintain and process the data could probably be obtained through OPRA. From what I’ve observed over the past few years, the supervisors act as nothing more than figureheads, not exercising much authority; authority and oversight appears to be exerted more by the administrator than the department head.

Does it really matter? The Council will do as they please despite the public or public concerns. The residents of Kearny should be more concerned about the complacency in this current government, the absolute control of the administration, and the hegemony of the Mayor over the town. The lack of real progress over the past eight years should also be disquieting.

No opposition, no need for the door-to-door approach; in any Ward; in fact, no need to be concerned in the least. Do the Wards put out constituent newsletters, apprising them of what’s going on in the Ward? Probably not, without opposition there is no incentive or motivation. Invisible representatives equate to indistinguishable council members; disguised as politicians and hidden from public scrutiny; they are almost shadowy in substance?

I've heard that the settlement was in excess of $210,000; but that's OK because the insurance carrier remitted the payment? Why, because it was a negligence suit or some other type of suit? A settlement of this amount warrants notice and shouldn’t be so easily dismissed by the Mayor. What was the cause of the suit and how can such occurrences be prevented in the future; how does the town avoid future mistakes of this type? This is the dialogue that should be pursued by the Governing Body; and not discharged so cavalierly by the Mayor. 210,000 people plus have the right to raise the issue if they so desire. One other question should be addressed, was any taxpayer money involved in the settlement of the suit? How much did the lawsuit cost the town to defend in court, what were the costs associated with this case?

There are so many things flying around here, I need to put things in perspective courtesy of Wikipedia: Dictatorship is a form of government that has the power to govern without consent of those being governed - concerns the source of the governing power (where the power comes from). Dictatorship (government without people's consent) is a contrast to Democracy (government whose power comes from people). Totalitarianism (government controls every aspect of people's life) corresponds to Liberalism (government emphasizes individual right and liberty). Though the definitions of the terms differ, they are related in reality as most of the dictatorship states tend to show totalitarian characteristics. Now, what about the Absolute Monarchy that exists in Kearny? Any comments?

Frankly, I can make a convincing argument in defense of my preferred candidate; and who knows, perhaps some day we will engage in the exercise. Nonetheless, I don't think it particularly fair to categorically state that the third party candidates were devoid of a platform on major issues, including the economy and foreign policy - the ones that readily come to mind are the Green Party, the Libertarian, the Constitution, Nader's Independent Party and the Socialist Party. I'll leave you with this concerning my desire to avoid a dialogue concerning my stance on this (don't take the intimidate, threaten, coerce literally, please): TITLE 42 > CHAPTER 20 > SUBCHAPTER I > § 1971 § 1971. Voting rights ( No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose, or of causing such other person to vote for, or not to vote for, any candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, Member of the Senate, or Member of the House of Representatives, Delegates or Commissioners from the Territories or possessions, at any general, special, or primary election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting or electing any such candidate. When used in the subsection, the word “vote” includes all action necessary to make a vote effective including, but not limited to, registration or other action required by State law prerequisite to voting, casting a ballot, and having such ballot counted and included in the appropriate totals of votes cast with respect to candidates for public office and propositions for which votes are received in an election

No one may have told me directly who to vote for but frankly (from my perspective) a vote for McCain in NJ was destined to be a losing one and a vote for Obama in NJ was one of millions expected to be cast – either vote, in my opinion, had zero likelihood of helping to choose the next president. (And somehow I ascertained that no other candidate had any chance to win – figured it out all by myself, in fact). So rather than waste my vote, I decided to take a position that expressed my belief that neither major party candidate was worth my vote (in my view and opinion); and I went for someone closer to my personal philosophy and viewpoints. I believe that what I did is acceptable in a representative democracy. Furthermore, to illustrate how I do not waste my vote, if there are only two candidates on the ballot, and I don’t like either one, I will not cast a vote. This I feel is using your vote intelligently and with purpose. We are all unique, all different, and we each have different outlooks on so many facets of the life around us. Touchy, not in the least or at least I hope not; frustrated and impatient, at times I would agree.

Extinguisher, I am quite impressed with your knowledge of the ballot… congratulations. Frankly, besides a third party vote for president, I voted for one additional third party candidate, one republican and two democrats. And by the way, it would be rather foolish of me to broadly call party-identifying citizens as “sheep” who “blindly” vote; they are more akin to puppets being manipulated by a group of well financed marionettes. Please, hold on… before you go off again, let me say that I sincerely respect those who follow their consciences and adhere to their principles; and I would concede that a large number of people today consciously and intelligently vote and vote closely along the beliefs and philosophies of individuals and/or party. I admit that there is nothing wrong with sustaining ones' values and ideology along party lines.

I always thought every vote counted?

I didn't blindly vote for the Democrat or the Republican; that much I can say. And who I voted for, frankly, is none of your business.

Very valid points; well taken.

I see this reaction as your "across the board" solution to things that are perplexing; have you considered anger management? One other suggestion, perhaps an expansion of your vocabulary is also in order; at least get pass the "f's".

I'm sorry, but who are you to tell me how to vote and if my vote were wasted or not! The audacity of such a comment; you want me to make my choice based on your beliefs and your values and not my own? You want to tell me what the choices are, what my choices are and how I should decide, after I followed this election for far too long? I decided that both candidates were not suitable to run this country; therefore I didn't vote for either one - I made an informed choice (it may not be to your liking, but an informed choice) and cast my vote as I have every right to. Now you imply that I have no right to make my own choice/decision and need you to tell me? What's next in your view, following someone into the booth to ensure that that person votes for one of the two parties, only? What you say is totally preposterous - I only pray that this is the direction our county does not go in; and I can only hope that this was not one of the two competing directions for the country proposed by either candidate. It is this type of thinking that truly frightening and that will certainly bring down our democracy as we know it!

I respect what was said, what you said and I'm certain there are many who agree with you; however, I don't necessarily have to agree to your point, and in this instance, I don't. I don't believe this respectful disagree automatically makes me a bad person either. I can acknowledge and easily recognize fairy tales such as Hans Christian Andersen, SurLaLune, Mother Goose, the Brothers Grimm and Children's and Household Tales, Aesop's Fables and even Lewis Carroll, but cannot quite come to grips with or quite understand the Judeo-Christian one you allude to? I am also not in a position to judge God, so I'll refrain from a comment about Him in here as well. I willingly assume responsibility for my actions, realize that there are consequences to things I do, and I understand I must "pay" for them as I must; but future generations are not obligated to "pay" for my past actions, mistakes or indiscretions; they may suffer the consequences of such actions but are not responsible to "pay" for them. Once more, my congratulations to the president-elect and all the best to him and his team.

Extinguisher, it may come as a surprise but I neither did poorly or well in this election; I didn't vote for either major canidate (Republican or Democrat) because I didn't think either one was suitable or best for the country. I exercised my vote, but for a third party candidate. You should have questioned before making the wrong assumption about my party affiliation.

Very good and very well put

One would expect nothing more from one blessed with so much ignorance! Such expression must come deep from within and take a great deal of thought and insight!

It is written here that, “But his election is the closest thing America can have to redemption for our original sin.” I respect the comment but I will refrain from a response and only note that as an American I personally am not guilty of “our” alleged original sin; I did not commit this grave offense, and consequently, do not need redemption. Nonetheless, to clarify the term I cite Wikipedia, “Original sin is, according to a doctrine in Christian theology, humanity's state of sin resulting from the Fall of Man.” “Roman Catholic teaching regards original sin as the general condition of sinfulness (lack of holiness) into which human beings are born, distinct from the actual sins that a person commits. It explicitly states that original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam's descendants.” My main point is one of congratulations. The election of Obama has to instill a certain pride about America, and Americans; yes, I am uplifted by the strides we’ve made and doors we’ve opened, even though I am not an Obama supporter – what is validated is that we still live in a land of opportunity. Personally, I wish him all the best, and we should all give him a chance to govern and a chance to lead – this is the least we can accord to the winner of such a grueling election and the victor in this marketing contest we call the presidency.

Yes, it cannot be denied, Mayor Santos does have a stranglehold on the Town, his puppet Council exacerbates his control as well as rubber stamps whatever legislation he proposes, and his Business Administrator not only manipulates chosen situations for Santos but ensures that his “dirty work” is carried out. But overall, what’s there not to like about the Mayor, he doesn’t do anything of consequence or of substance to dislike. I suspect that the Mayor and his people have full control of every board and commission within this Town, so consequently, there is no need for excuses. If it is decided to challenge the incumbent in 2009, the best time to take a shot at him is during the primary, but I don’t see anyone within his own party willing to challenge him because of the control and power he yields. And a contest in the general election would probably result in another Santos victory since the opposition party is weak; no, the better expression is essentially non-existent.

Sour grapes implies resentment, jealousy, bitterness, ill feeling, envy; I assure you my posts are not motivated by any of these nor do any of the responses or posts on KOTW induce such sentiment. The arrogance, well, I guess I watched too many Obama performances, sorry, speeches. But you know Extinguisher, there may be a degree of condescension, self-importance and haughtiness in your posts as well.

I don't know, I'm referring to NJ and Hudson County. In NJ and Hudson County in 2000 it was Gore and in 2004 it was Kerry; Bush did not win NJ either time.

Why is it that when someone makes a comment or an observation, (" That's correct. But Obama hasn't even taken office yet and he's already looking for wiggle room"), the response has to negative and unconstructive as the one quoted above? By the way, the 52% or so majority that voted for Obama made him the clear winner, but frankly, I personally don't know what this majority was thinking when they cast their respective votes; so many things were in play. So, I am rather reassured that there is someone omnipotent enough to know that "no one in the majority that voted for him was naive enough to anything of substance would be easy or happen overnight." I too want to see us, as a country and as Americans, move forward; reaching new heights, progressing in new directions - together as a people. And if someone is reluctant to move forward, I'm not going to shout and say get out of the way, I'm going to try to reason with them and take extra time to invite them along.

I may be mistaken but the Congress legislates, influences policy and makes the laws; therefore the damage marking this country and which is all around us is more the result of the actions or non-actions of a Democrat-controlled Congress rather than the Republican Executive Branch. Before the term “sour grapes” is used again, a bit of unsolicited advice, perhaps I should remind you of a quote from one of your own, in 1976 Jimmy Carter declared, "Our income tax system is a disgrace to the human race." So what’s wrong with scrapping our confusing, unfair tax code and replacing it with a simple flat tax of one low rate with no deductions or special interest loopholes? Under a flat tax, all income would be taxed only once and at one rate; all deductions and credits would be eliminated, lowering the overall tax rate. The only income not subject to tax would be a generous personal exemption for every American, allowing families to afford to cover their needs before paying the government. This concept should be popular with the American people because it embraces the core belief that all Americans, rich or poor, should be treated equally before the law. See you don’t have to live in Latvia after all to appreciate a flat tax. I'll leave with this quote from Dick Armey, "If you want the government to get off your back, you've got to get your hands out of its pockets.”

I don't believe it is a secret that Mayor Santos indirectly controls the Kearny BOE; just look at the current configuration and their affilications. I think upon closer scrutiny, you will find the majority of BOE members have an allegiance to the Mayor, which is fine and which we shouldn't complain about considering this is the way we, the residents of Kearny, allow the Board and Town of operate. Of course Mayor Santos and his legion will attempt to control the BOE as mayors before him have, let's not be naive. Once more, until the residents take a stance, expect the same to continue.

I was thinking more along the lines of the Rev. Moon; demonic nonetheless. But before someone pounces on me for my statement, please consider this an opinion, and please respect it as such, given the fact that certain constitutional rights still exist. I know it is difficult for many to positively or constructively respond to others comments and opinions, and I know it is hard to refrain from trying to insist to others that it is "I can only be right and you wrong", but at least until such time as the Democrats take full control of country, freedom of speech still exists.