A proposed 5 Year Austerity Plan

A budget is to be formulated that will not exceed the income from the taxes. <------ Ya see that is the hard part. You will have to elaborate more on this one sentence budget to make this plan even the slightest bit conceivable. I don't get this one, then we eliminate one of the city's biggest revenue generators, this is supposed to make us money? I can keep going but it’s pointless. Finally, by appointing the first three members of this "board" you emulate the "powers" that you claim to be fighting against.

I agree that an austerity plan is needed but the mechanism for implementing same has to be able to withstand the built in fail safes that the system has put in place. Civil service, mandatory arbitration, mandated programs which do not come with funding, automatic sale of diligent tax liens are but a few. The beast will never relinquish power back to the electorate voluntarily. We need to build an organization outside of their influence and power the and only then will they respond and make the cuts. They spend to preserve their power. In other words they spend to ensure that they will get reelected. What we have to do is make them fear us more than they fear the unions. If there is a real desire for freedom then we must unite those of a like mind. A simple exercise would be to organize a voting tree. We each need to identify and communicate at least ten like thinking voters who will vote with us and in turn find ten more voters and so on. There is a potential pool of 32,000 voters. If we could consistently organize and turn out half of them the Council and Mayor would change their ways. Then we could move to change the County and State, large blocks of vote command respect.

A novel idea but....

1. Who's on the board and what's THEIR political agenda?

2. "Arranging" an escrow account for taxes to be deposited to would be legally sanctioned by who?

3. The "above procedure' may in fact be used for tenent landlord disputes but it in no way, shape or form is applicable to municipal taxation.

4. Who's going to enforce the "Employee Questionaire"?

5. By what authority are the "three above named parties" appoint seven people with the authority to "dismiss as many city employees as possible"?

6. When accidents and other actionable issues arise, who's responsible for the liabilities that will occur? The volunteers you imagine will show up in droves?

7. By what authority will this all powerful board simply "ignore" the unions and their contracts? Who pays for the legal action that your "Group" would have absolutely no answer for? And for the record, valid, ratified contracts aren't "misuses" of public funds.

8. What in the world makes you think people will show up in droves day in and day out to be part of a "Citizen Volunteer Group"? "Citizens" have careers, homes, families, and responsibilities that will come long before volunteering to provide municipal services when they'll still be taxed?

No offense but you're selling a pipe dream.

Hi Scorp:

It would be highly improbable to have Bayonne declared bankrupt. Could you imagine the embarrassment that it would cause Joe? Could you see the headlines, especially in those sections of the state where the pols don’t like Joe?

I see several problems:

• At this time it would be impossible to offer a 25% tax reduction. The following item will highlight why.
• I’m not that familiar with the budget but my recollection is that less that 45% of the MUNICIPAL budget is paid by our property taxes. The balance is made up from fees, licenses and GRANTS. In addition, about $40mil is coming from the BLRA. All this does not address the BOE budget.
• There are always liability issues when dealing with volunteers.
• Who would determine which volunteer is ‘fit’ enough for that particular responsibility?
• What would be the recourse if volunteers decided not to accept direction?
• Major lawsuits could erupt if the administration fails to follow agreements set forth by the various union contracts. Just the same, I suspect that if the City is in a state of emergency changes can be negotiated. Since I don’t have solid information I have to consider this a rumor, someone expressed that years ago the city of Chicago fired union employees regardless of having a contract in full force and effect.
• By what authority would the proposed board put into effect any of the suggested changes that can pass legal muster?
• What would be the source for legal advice?

I suspect that Mike’s idea would work effectively. But it would not happen overnight. But it’s possible that once there was a reasonable outpouring by the citizens it would give the pols pause to reflect.

Mr Massone,
Let's be realistic about building an organization. For months on end we've been reading on NJ.com (which seems to have a much larger readership tha the Bayonne Advocate) about the need to march on city hall, to protest, etc.

What's come of it?

Nothing.

A march on city hall is a short, single event, not a long term commitment like the one Scorpo and yourself are describing. Yet, not even a single march or protest has ever occured. Neither will the creation of a lasting "Citizen Volunteer Group" occur.

The people this primarily appeals to are too busy living and managing their own lives to make it happen, which ultimately leaves it in the hands of the more affluent people who simply want a change in the administration to benefit their own causes, in other words, politics as usual.

Meet the new boss......

Sorry City, I want changes because the slippery slope we're on will crush the taxpayers who could least afford the overburdening expense.

Add to that I have no desire to become a politican. Can't speak for others.

Cityedition:
Why is it so difficult for you to believe in your fellow citizens? Hope is the one trait that makes us human. I will grant you that it is sometimes difficult to believe that people will act but believe me they will once they are roused. Sometimes its an act of injustice and at other times it is a real or perceived threat to what they treasure most. The trigger is there. The art of politics is to keep the people away from the trigger. You are correct when you say that the ramblings on NJ.Com have produced little in the way of action but I submit to you that the creation of this forum is a step forward. The very fact that resistance is being discussed will cause them to lose sleep. Give it a shot what do you have to lose.

Hey! I got off my fat arse because I got PO'd. Neil provided us with this site because he got PO'd. From time to time Neil attends meetings and speaks because he's PO'd.

Yes, it's not a volcano erupting, but people will begin to speak out. As our situation gets worse more will show up and maybe even speak their peace!

Stan and Mr Massone,
It's not a matter of not believing in my fellow citizens but it's not 1968 and the Chicago Seven are long gone.

Yes, people aren't happy but when was the last time you saw the Council Chambers filled? It was during the bonding debacle last May.

With a new, albeit temporary leader in city hall who's actions defy the nonsensical theory that he's Doria's puppet, new leadership (Director Nichols) at the BLRA that's producing positive change in just a few short weeks, and the dismantling of the remnents of Doria's prior influence on the BLRA where's the trigger?

Now more than any other time in the last nine years is the time for citizens to stand behind the city leaders rather than storm the gates.

It is NOT in the city's best interest for anyone entity to employ a divide and conquor strategy at this point in time, but rather their own.

And Stan, I didn't mean to imply that you were trying to become a politician, I agree 100% with your post #4.

City,

Your assumption that the nj.com forum has a "much larger" readership than the advocate is probably incorrect. There is no doubt they have a somewhat larger readership than this site. However, I have watched the traffic carefully. I peak around 300+ unique users on a busy day. Those busy days occur when a hot topic is posted here, or when nj.com is down or has been censored heavily. My website has been sufficiently mentioned on nj.com, so aside from very occasional readers, most know where this site is and how to get to it. Therefore, I believe that nj.com does not have more than 400 unique users in a single day on the Bayonne forum. This just comes from my own experience in technology and having watched traffic before. In fact, I think most days our numbers are very similar.

Also, just like on nj.com's Bayonne forum, many more people read than take part. However, unlike nj.com, I am not required by law to keep their records because this is a community blog, not a news organization. Therefore, those who are worried about their identity are safer here than they are on nj.com.

As to "Volunteers", as noted, they would be persons willing to give 2 to 4 hours a week (or a month, if enough sign on), and they would be assigned simple jobs like cleaning up the parks and things of that nature, where there would be virtually no chance of any type of injuries and they would be asked to sign waivers, that they will not attempt to sue if the fall or get a small cut.

Othe Volunteers, most likely composed of concerned parents and possibly retired relatives would replace all crossing guards. What happenned before there Crossing Guards ??? The parents or relatives walked their kids to school and picked them up afterwards.

These are the only two groups of Volunteers that I envisioned, but even cutting all the crossing guards and trimming DPW will result in savings.

Possibly others can think of other ways Volunteers can be used.

This Auterity Plan was concieved to make poeple think and to urge them to come up with more ways to do SOMETHING to curb the excessive waste that is destroying the City and the TAXPAYER.

As to Unions and existing contracts and possible lawsuits, we just ought not be concerned over them if a plan such as this was implemented.

And here is the reason we ought not care, because when the Unions complain, it will attract attention, in facy the proposed Plan itself will attract attention in the media and if we force the Vity into Bankruptcy, a Bankruptcy Judge has the power to just terminate all Union contracts Lawfully.

To City.

Those suggested to be the first on the Board have have a SINGLE POLITICAL AGENDA --- that ids to save the City and to save themselves and all taxpaers from the destruction that is currently happenning.

The concept of an "Escrow" account where we pay our taxes into will again cause great attention from the media, whether it is lawful to do so or not. If Slumlords can be punished and made to do the correct thing, possibly an action such as this can compel Politicians to do the right thing.

The "Employee Questioner" could result from a Citizen application to the Mayor and Council to draft an Ordinance requiring such a procedure that could be repeated every 2 years until we obtain a LEAN operation of the City, with NO PATRONAGE FAT.

The Questioners, by Ordinace, would have a Citizen Panel (absolutely no Politicians) that would be selected by people that we know and see challenging the waste in our City. I named the few that I know, such as Mike MKassone, Stan Marko and Mr. Kantor, these three would select the 4 other citizens.

I percieve this as the only method of cutting all the wasteful, unnecceary patronage jobs in all departments of the City.

City, instead of attempting to shot down suggestions, how about supplying some productive suggestions on how to save the Vity ???

Scorpo,
My intent wasn't to shoot your proposal down. I'm being pragmatic. With regard to liabilities anything that happens to a volunteer during there service time is actionable, waived or not.

Quick example: a volunteer crossing is stuck by a car while crossing the kids. Think about the sanitation worker who just recently lost his leg. And what if, God forbid a child is injures or killed in the presence of a volunteer crossing guard?
Would every parent also be expected to sign a waiver indemnifying the volunteer crossing guards?

What happens when a volunteer's plans change in between the time they volunteer and their scheduled time?

Just "not being concerned" about unions and / or their contracts is implausable for a number of reasons, and expecting a judge to arbitrarily terminate a valid contract is wishful thinking.

With no malice intended the simple fact that Mr. Massone has a relationship with World Wide and the fact that city buisness and BLRA issues are so deeply intertwined would exclude him for participating due to, at the very least the appearance of a potential conflict of interest.

My suggestion would be to see what happens with the new mayor and BLRA director both now and after the upcoming election.

Scorpo,

[I responded to your post on the NJO board, I was in a rush to leave work and now have put more thought into it, however, with the same concerns]

I understand the concern for the rampant appearance of nepotism within the city payroll. However, I have some thoughts:

1. Will the Panel of Taxpaying Citizens (PTC) be required to have an education or other experience in Human Resources and Law? What about the PTC expertise on the area the employee works: DPW, BOE, BLRA, Admin, etc.?

2) Will the recommended dismissals to the Council be based solely on nepotistism? or will skills and education for the position be considered? Will you not request a dismissal for an less than skilled worker that has no family or friends working for the city?

3) What if there are multiple employees from the same family, who is the one to get fired?

4) What about friends of other city employees. There are probably instances where a friend of a city employee was given a job because of who they know? Will that be considered and added to your form? How can you prove or disprove it?

5) What if a city employee doesn't accurately complete the questionairre? You state they will be immediately terminated? Who will verify the accuracy? The PTC? If so, how would that be done?

6) What if the employee doesn't explain the exact relation? My sister and I can both work for the city but our last name's will not be the same? With the PTC have the ability to pry into personal profiles of city employees to find out this information.

7) Why would the PTC care about date of birth? Would you recommend a dismissal based on age? That would probably be against the law.

8) Why are you excluding teachers? Are you saying that nepotism doesn't exist within the teaching community? Do we recall the lastest teacher drug bust story? Isn't it possible for a family member to be given special hiring consideration but not have the same skills as another non-related applicant?

9) If your plan was put into action, are you willing to be without city services until other, non-relatated, non-friend, city employees are hired? If indeed nepotism is as bad as you say, how will the city function?

10) When it comes to the FD and PD, are you then discouraging sons and daughters to not follow in their fathers, uncles, grandfather's footsteps? There are many lines of family in these two fields.

11) By asking for address (which I also don't think is legal), are you looking to make sure all city employees work in Bayonne? If so, don't you think this could be a problem? If you eliminate potential applicants with family and friends in Bayonne, you may need to look outside Bayonne to fulfill these positions.

12) What if these "connected" city employees also posess the skills and talent, do we punish the city because they could be related to another city employee?

13) Will we make sure the PTC is no way connected, either by relation or friendship, to anyone in the city? If not, this can be looked at the same as you do with nepotism.

The bottom line for me is I want to see the most qualified people working for the city. The only way to do this is to make sure all job openings are listed on the city's website and in city hall for all to view. Then before any hirings take place, the entire list of applicants must also be listed (names only). The applicant's qualifications can legally be listed along with their names and the job position required. Openness is the only way to get around this issue. Not every family member of a city worker is a bad employee, most likeley quite the opposite.

Sorry for the lenght of the post but those are my thoughts.

Jude Americk

For City

The fact that Mr. Massone is connected top anyone and a challenger at the BLRA is the reason he should be one of the first on the proposed Board.

Mr. Massones challenges focus on the benefit to the taxpayers, there is no issue uregarding a container port.

I will respond to the other areas of your post at a later time.

Thanks for your comments, they may help HONE this idea into a productive tool for the Taxpayers.

To Jude

I just finished responding to the NJ Forum question and have copied it below.

If there is something not covered I will submit an additional reply.

As stated to City, any comments are appreciated and ,ay serve to HONE the concept into a productive tool for the Taxpayers.

__________________________________________________________________

But as to teachers, as noted below in an earlier post, the teacher is doing a job for what is standard pay ... they are doing a REAL job.

That cannot be said for all those assistants to assistants to assistants that do nothing and take in the big bucks. That is why the teachers are excluded.

It would be recommended to the council to dismiss an employee based on whether or not that person is doing a genuine and essential job necessary to operate the City.

The target here is to eliminate needless jobs and especially the needless jobs that were created by Doria for his friends.

It will not be solely on the fact they are related to other city employees or even a politician, the key will be are they doing a genuinely needed job to run the City and doing it better than the next guy. In the event that for example there are 3 or 4 people working in the DPW, but only one is really needed, then it would be pick a short straw situation. Remember the prime objective is to run the City in a lean as possble way, unfortunately, that means getting rid of employees. Our concern is to put the City on an even keel without drowning the Taxpayers.

If someone is related to another or others on the city payroll, no one would have to go if they are doing a job that is essential.

This Would include PD and FD? It ought focus on the top personnel ... are they genuily essential to run the City? If not they ought be let go.

Yes the Panel of Taxpaying Citizens (PTC) will base a decision on qualifications of the employee, that would be the prime objective.

They will not take into consideration union rules, it is the Unions that helped create the overburdened paroll in the first place. If forced into a Bankruptcy Court, when a Judge focuses on the objective of getting the City out of the 400 Million plus hole the Taxpayers are in, I am of the belief that he too will ignore the Unions rules.

If the questionnaire isn't completed accurately, if the employee attempts to embellish how important he is to the operation of the City, as the Questioner notes, the person would immediately be dismissed.

The PTC have the ability to challenge the information by delving into the city employee's "profile" and proving
they were not truthful about the duties of the job, whether they are related to someone will not neccessarily disqualify them .... if they are essential to the LEAN operation of the City.

The objective in regard to nepotism and political friends, is to eleminate them draining the Taxpayers money.

To All Concerned:

The proposed "5 Year Austerity Plan", was not intended to be a final or completed document or concept.

It was created in the hope that others will add to and refine it into a potential productive tool to bring this City back to being a nice and affordable place to live.

We have been duped by Doria and his appointees, if we do nothing our problems and TAXES will continue to by squandered away by those in power.

I humbly request that every concerned person add to and refine this concept into something productive.

Thanks

Scorpo,

My thoughs on some of the other points.

6. The Taxpayer Citizen Board will create a “Citizen Volunteer Group” to compensate for the loss of minor City services, such as Park clean up (currently performed by the DPW, serious jobs will continue to be performed by the trimmed down DPW) and as crossing guards, and the like, that can be accomplished by the average person without a drain on the City treasury.

I cannot see this actually working. Are you saying you would want volunteers to do the work of a paid city employee for park cleanup? Will this volunteer group use their own equipment and vehicles? What are the other minor city services? What happens if the minor service being performed by the volunteer turns into a more complex situation?

Plus, why would anyone want to "work" for no wage? I work 55+ hours a week, when would I have the time to volunteer for this duty? Also, who would insure these volunteers? If I fell while cleaning the park, who is responsible?

Also, I am not too sure I want a civilian as a crossing guard. Let's see, little Johnny's mom decides to volunteer for the crossing guard duty. While she is waving little Angela across the street, Johnny's mom doesn't realize the light didn't change, and Angela is run down by a large SUV. Who will be responsible? The city? little johnny's mom? Will the city be twice as liable because they allowed an average person to perform the duties of a trained crossing guard? Will the volunteer then need to be trained? At who's cost? I am not sure of the training behind crossing guards but it has to exist.

Also, what do you classify as minor city services?

5....."and the dismissal of all Meter Maids, their function will be performed by the Police Department on their normal patrol, even if it means the poor Officers having to get out of the cars to write tickets"

Hmmm, so you would prefer the PD getting out of their cars, which would have to be double parked nearby the area they are "meter maiding" (they can't be far from their cars in case of an emergency), and inspect each meter. Would this require just one cop or would a team of patrol cops be required? Would the safety of the city be in jeapordy? Do you want patrol cops performing the tasks of a meter maid rather than patrolling the rest of the city?

7. The Taxpayer Citizen Board will ignore all challenges by any Union and will demand that said Union accept the dismissals of their members as part of the 5 Year Austerity Plan, and alternatively will add said Union or Unions in Court and/or Bankruptcy Court actions as members of those involved in the misuse of Taxpayer funds.

Will the TCB be prepared to face the challenge, which will be a legal challenge, from the unions. If so, where would the financing come from? Would Mr. Massone perform this function gratis (speaking of volunteers)?

I am not just trying to rain on your parade, but there has to be more thought into these issues. The city is indeed in a financial mess, which hasn't happened overnight. For things to get better, the city needs to rethink their plan for the MOT and attract businesses, industry, etc. to the MOT. Stop with the housing - the latest article about Kaplan is the icing on the cake. Cutting a job here and a job there isn't going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things.

Jude

Scorpo,
See what you started. Great stuff right? You will need to print and review all responses. Each one has some meat. I'm still wrapping my head around the questionnaire and its ultimate purpose. I believe, even without salary data, it would be a good way to get an overview of the workings of each department with the possibility of consolidation and staff reduction.
I'll try to come up with meaningful suggestions.