Ah, Tuesday night. An “off” night for CSI. I don’t mind the repeats this time of year. I prefer the original one that takes place in LV, though. A dreary, wet night. But the kids are fed (a good comfort meal of meatloaf, mash potatoes and green beans) and the dishes are done. Hmm, maybe I should go to the Amended Budget meeting. If last week’s discussion about the budget (see blog below this one) was any indication the meeting this week should be “fun”.
It started with Mr. Luongo, the HH School Superintendent trying to explain to Mr. Introna, who used the dais as a “grandstand” last week, why the Special Needs budget is difficult to get down. He told Mr. Introna that his door was always open and when the school budgets were being discussed to re-evaluate he was more than welcome to walk down the street to see him and discuss his concerns.
He also tried to explain to Mr. Introna that the school district has its hands tied by complex Federal and state regulations. That the school district also tries to keep the cost of litigation down when it comes to these cases. Mr. Introna still did not seem to grasp this concept. This is understandable as he works in an Abbott school district (Union City) and they derive 78% of their $180,000,000 (yes, that number is correct) budget from State Funding. And 5% from the Federal gov’t!
http://www.union-city-nj.org/budget-ppt/2005_2006_budget.htm
Yes, our precious tax money is going to fund the school district that supplies his paycheck where he supervises a high school sports program. I am sure his program gets all kind of nice, new sports equipment whenever he needs it. That there is plenty of space and funds for the Union City Special Needs kids. That they don’t have to beg for funds. FYI? They are also getting multi muiti-million dollar school buildings and a sports complex. All paid by the state (sorry, by you and me). Yeah. And you wonder why he can’t understand budgets.
http://www.njscc.com/Archive/2005/07/07.11.05/nr_07.11.05.asp
Introna could not grasp that the “school budget” boat had sailed when it came to the current budget in front of the council. He had the opportunity to comment and make suggestions when the Council and School board finance committees were going over the budget months ago but he couldn’t be bothered. I guess as long as he is getting his nice, fat Abbott school paycheck every week, it is unlikely that he cares if the employees of HH get theirs on time.
Saccamono again expressed her pseudo concern about seniors of the town and the average increased tax of $450/home. But again, as the Mayor asked, did she offer any suggestions during the municipal budget process to help adjust the numbers?
Noooooooooooo.
Just more patronizing grandstanding on the dias after the fact.
Looking forward, Mr. DiPisa stated that the council is looking at the possiblity of more consolidating of services with other towns nearby and Mr. Meli offered the information that some NJ laws will be changing that will allow more towns to look at things to help decrease employee medical costs.
Mr. Kronyak, the borough’s very qualified ”money” man added in regard to this years budget dramatic increases were seen in oil related items, like electricity and gasoline. He also mentioned the increased cost of carrying bond money as the cost of borrowing has gone from 1% to 5%.
So they vote…yes, DiPisa, Kistner and Meli. No, Introna, Skiba and Saccomano. The Mayor was the tie breaker so that HH gets a budget to keep functioning.
Mayor Jones added at the end of the meeting that the obligation of the Councilpeople is to the citizens of the borough and that the budget should never be a political issue. That if they had truly wanted to try and save the taxpayers money it is not done by saying “NO” way after the fact, but by doing their homework and asking questions before.
I agree.
