<p class="MsoNormal"><o> </o></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I understand that this particular stand may not win the Advocate allies in some sectors of education, the Advocate is not here to serve them. The mission of the Advocate is a simple one: It is to inform the tax paying citizens of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Bayonne</st1lace></st1:city>. Our motto is a quote by John Adams: “<st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Liberty</st1lace></st1:city> cannot be preserved without general knowledge amongst the people”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o> </o></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, it is not enough to just take information and disseminate. Another key component of the Advocate is citizen activism. The purpose of publishing information is to get it into the hands of the public so that they may decide for themselves and then hopefully act on it. This will enable the government to no longer work in a black hole, wherein meetings are unattended, and politicians vote as they please.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o> </o></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In part because of the Advocate politicians and board members are being faced with a more knowledgeable public. An intelligently asked question is sure to make any politician or board member in this town take notice much more than just an angry rant.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o> </o></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So it is with that in mind that I would encourage all of you to attend the Board of School Estimates meeting tonight, and voice your opposition to granting benefits to teacher’s aides. On the face of it, this seems like a hard position to take. Who am I or any of us to deny benefits to a working person? However the reality of the situation is much different. We as a city are no longer in the position to provide benefits for all of our employees. Indeed, many are not paying enough of the benefit burden, forcing the city to pick up the tab. When the city picks up the tab, then the taxpayers pick up the tab.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o> </o></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I agree that teacher’s aides should have benefits, I must compel the Board of School Estimates to vote against it. The needs of the many taxpayers outweigh the needs of the aides.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o> </o></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do not be fooled by speeches of compassion for the workers. This issue can be very compelling when seen in a bubble. However we can no longer afford to look at things in a bubble....

neilbarton

A couple things:

Neil, the Bayonne Public Advocate was mentioned --great work!

The BOE amended the nonsensical "95% of top 25%" to be more reflective of the total graduating class, not just 23.75% of it. Thank you.

I was handed a bunch of Bayonne stats, that I have, for the most part, already seen in various places. Other than continually trying to focus on demographics as an excuse for mediocre district performance, it would be nice to see a 3-5 year academic improvement plan using those demographics for insight, not as excuses. An improvement plan with measurable, time constrained results(accountability and consequences would be nice too) and with incremental improvement requirements along the 5 year plan. If not achieved, no raise, no cash in's, no cars, no stipends, etc. Start at the top....make the high paid accountable. I dare the BOE to be courageous and develop a 3-5 year plan across the district towards academic improvements and cost control. How about all Bayonne schools ranking at or above the average total state Title 1 performance rankings (without the beloved excuse of racial categories, reduced lunches, poverty levels, special ed kids, etc? How about incremental improvements having to be achieved annually toward the final goal? How about a 5 year stay on residential property tax increases at the same time. Too challenging? There are very very highly paid, highly educated minds in Bayonne'sBOE "Central Office"........its time they were used for more than just figurehead lauding. We've committed over a million dollars to one single person in the next 4 years.....its time to demand performance.

Ok....enough venting:

Bayonne is planning and early childhood program (3-4 year olds). I'm kinda having a hard time with this one. Firstly, is it a legal mandate for our district to provide daycare to 3-4 year olds???? Why do 3 and 4 year olds need anything more than constructive/safe daycare???? I'm not getting the real advantage here for the child here....Unless absolutely mandated, legally by the state Boe, I'm smelling another way for Bayonne to secure money to spend spend spend with no accountability We are not an Abbott district and I'm getting the feeling that becoming one is what our BOE goal. Looking at the proficiencies of our current K-12 district compared to other similar districts, I'm not convinced this "early childhood initiative" is a good opportunity to anyone.

LDePinto

From the Jersey Journal today:

<font size="4">2 on council call for making Rogers fire chief </font>Friday, March 28, 2008
By RONALD LEIRJOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The top-ranked candidate for Bayonne fire chief has at least two members of the City Council in his corner, although the choice is strictly up to interim Mayor Terrence Malloy, who interviewed the contenders on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Gregory J. Rogers, who placed first on a state Department of Personnel test for chief, sounded hopeful about his chances although he'll be up against his boss, current Acting Chief Patrick Boyle, who was third on the test. Deputy Chief Joseph Hurley was second. Under DOP regulations, the city can pick from the top three scorers but needn't select the person with the highest score. Rogers said: "I have been with the Bayonne Fire Department for 27 years and have risen by merit through all the ranks. I come highly qualified . (and) I'm excited at the prospect of serving the citizens of Bayonne as their new chief, and will work with the current administration and council to provide services in a responsible manner." Boyle, a 29-year Fire Department employee and a veteran, declined comment, and Hurley couldn't be reached. Malloy, who has until June 20 to name a permanent chief, doesn't need City Council ratification of the appointment, but Councilman-at-large Anthony Chiappone and Third Ward Councilman Gary LaPelusa are pressing the mayor to promote Rogers. "It would be a travesty if the No. 1 guy doesn't get the job," Chiappone said. "Gregory Rogers should be appointed. . The public needs to be shown that we're doing things the right way." And LaPelusa said: "I'm not in favor of the 'Rule of Three.' I'd urge the mayor to go with No. 1 on the list." First Ward Councilman Ted Connolly and Second Ward Councilman John Halecky each said they'd trust the mayor's judgment. Council President Vincent Lo Re Jr. didn't return phone messages.

SloppyJoe

from the Jersey Journal today:

Bayonne Medical Center officials will hold a town hall meeting tonight at 7 at City Hall to address confusion about insurance coverage.

City officials will also be on hand to answer questions at the meeting.

Link to article

neilbarton

Before that stupid scare letter from Doria last year I was content to sit on my fat ass and watch, eh maybe, the council meetings.  Now I find myself getting involved by going to various meetings and such.  This is something that I never once fathomed doing.

I find myself frustrated and angry at the snail’s pace that change is occurring.  In some instances said changes have the feel of “Bayonne politics as usual!”   Just as frustrating is the fact that people are complacent.  Perhaps I don’t have the right to criticize since until recently I was among the ranks.  But we must change.  We need to speak out. There are a few of us who gather at the council and BLRA meetings.  Sometimes we even get up and speak!  But more importantly is the fact that we are there!  Our city fathers know that they are not just speaking to the four halls.  Unfortunately there are only a handful of us.  Having a few others showing up from time to time would send a message to the dais that the citizens are interested in what’s happening to their town, and not just the regular suspects.  And not just the big 'ticket' items like tomorrow night's hospital meeting.  I invite you to stop by and say hello.  But I digress.Rather than sit and kvetch about the happenings in town I started to communicate my feelings to council and forum members.  Just recently I composed a missive which was sent to a number of folks about Mr. Doll and his interest in securing the Executive Director position on the BLRA.  I would now like to share that email with you.

dollandtheblra.doc

HappyPolski