And So We Begin Again

I was elected a a Board of Trustee member of my home owner's association in October of 2012. I am one of  9 board members... a somewhat larger group than I am used to.  When I was a Board of Education member, I was one of 7.  The Council has 5 members.

The trick to working with a large group, or any group for that matter, is to be willing to listen to other opinions.  Jumping in all the time is just plain counterproductive.  I hope to work well with my fellow Trustees because I already know and respect them.

In some ways this will be easier than the Council since our constituency is only about 2500 people.  The township of  Jackson has a constituency of more than 50,000.  In other ways it will be harder, because I am on the Board of the community in which I live.

I have only been on the Board since January, so I have only had one meeting.  All of my fellow trustees were friendly and welcoming.  My first open Board meeting will be next week.  I will see firsthand what it's like to sit in front of your neighbors and have opinions that may be contrary to some of theirs. I have learned from my almost 30 years as an elected official that you really can't please everyone all of the time. But you CAN listen to people all of the time, and that's what I plan to do.

It's Over...Thanks for the Ride

Well, folks, I'm out of the Council business. At 12 midnight on December 31,2012, I was former Councilwoman Rivere. At 12:01 On January 12, 2013, I was Board of Trustee member Bobbie. Maybe out of the frying pan into the fire. We shall see. It was quite an experience for 4 1/2 years. I have been writing along the way since before the election. Many things have gone down over these years, and so much was based on politics. I truly tried never to make my decisions because of politics. OK, I cannot tell a lie. I did vote for a Board appointment on a political level. But when it came to Council decisions, I voted my conscience. I was in the majority some of the time and in the minority at other times, but I never voted because someone got to me. It was what it was, and I am pretty proud of my record. I will miss my parking space at the Municipal Building, but I am happy to let younger folks take over the job. I hope the fact that the entire Council and the Mayor are all of the same political party will not stop the members from making fair decisions. Perhaps there will even be issues that inspire debate among the Council members and that end up with other than a 5-0 decision. Good luck to you all. For me, I say thanks for the ride.

The Wind Down

I am now in the last months of my term. While it was extended until December 31, 2012, I can still start the countdown. I feel I am in a very unique position. Since I am not running for reelection, I really have no ties to anyone. I can do what I please, and nobody can have anything to say.

Since I have been on the Council, I have pissed off both the Democrats and the Republicans. I guess I am doing something right. But I have also been annoyed beyond words with party politics. I believe there were some pretty bad decisions made because one political party voted along party lines on issues that should not have happened.

It will be interesting to watch the race take shape. It is a Presidential year, and I am sure the parties will align their local candidates to the national election. That certainly will serve one party better than the other in Jackson. But I will sit back and watch as "silly season" progresses. It's already started, and the lines in the sand are being drawn. I may be a lame duck, but I'll limp loud and clear to the finish line.

It's Been Awhile

Well, I didn't get my wish. Things have NOT calmed down after the election. People are still going at each other, and others are still responding. Some audience members are still baiting, and others are still chastising us for our behavior. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Scott Martin is the new President, and Ken Bressi is the new Vice President. I have been moved both at the dais and in the parking lot. Oh well, I guess I will never serve as President. That's OK. I still set out to make my mark. I will NEVER vote for what I don't believe, and I will NEVER give into the politics on that dais. And if there are people who get annoyed at that, so be it.

We are awaiting the submission of a name for Township Administrator. The original name was never brought to a vote. According to the Mayor, we have approximately 50 applications. I hope we get one who is well qualified and experienced.

Can it Really Be Over?

Well, this recent election should be our last Municipal one for two years. Can it really be? I sure hope so. It was getting nasty there for awhile. But the politics is still there. People refer to the Council makeup as "The Republicans" and "The Democrats" and not as five individual members with Jackson Township on their minds and not politics. Which is the real case? I leave it to you, my readers, to figure it out for yourself. We haven't had a Council meeting in a number of weeks. I have to admit I liked the peace. Maybe the peace will continue because the election is over? Is it possible? Again, I leave it you, my readers, to figure it out.

Next week the budget is being introduced. There are items in it that break my heart...furloughs, layoffs, pay cuts. Since I have been on the Council, my salary has been frozen twice and will be cut 10% this year. Seems like we are going backwards. But with all that's going on in the Township, how in the world can anyone even think of not doing his or her part? Spread the pain, and maybe it won't be so painful next year.

This didn't happen overnight. One cannot use one time income from such things as land sales to balance a budget. You can sell every piece of land in Jackson Township, and one day the budget will still catch up to you. I will fight any such move if it comes up in my remaining tenure on the Council. It is no secret I feel this way. I have sure said it enough times.

Oh well, enough for now. I am just hoping my "Prophesy of Peace" on the Council comes to pass.

Softball, Scoreboards and Bathrooms, Part 2

Well, the girls will be getting their bathroom/concession stand this spring. It may not be ready for opening day, but it will be there. I, however, will be there on opening day. Maybe I'll even get to throw out the first pitch.

To say the last meeting was "exciting" is to put it mildly. Softball parents were out in force. News 12 was there filming the meeting, and a fine time was had by all. The two members of Council who initially opposed the resolution were interviewed, and they brought up their reasons for voting "no." The audience got to speak before the vote, and about an hour later, we passed the resolution 4-1. We could have cut an hour off the meeting if I were allowed to make the motion right away. But alas, the rules state that the audience has a turn to speak before any resolutions are discussed.

It wasn't an easy road. There was more than one threat of a lawsuit. As I explained publicly, I don't do well with threats. I was able to diffuse the one that was going to take place before the meeting. If that had been filed, there would be a gag order on the Council since we can't discuss any item in litigation. There would be no bathrooms if that had gone forward.

So now what do I look forward to? Oh, yes, there is election in May, and everyone on the dais except me is running for something. What an interesting time lies ahead.

Softball, Scoreboards and Bathrooms, Oh My

The most recent issue to come before us was the bathroom/concession stand at Bartley Field. For some reason, that issue led to some pretty lively discussion at the first meeting at which it was brought up. It was put on hold, and I agreed that was the right thing to do. I for one didn't want to go into a vote on this issue when Council members and Mayor were beating each other over the head. Getting the girls up to snuff is a good thing, not a negative thing, and I didn't think the atmosphere in December was going to produce the right result.

Fast forward to January 5th. Everyone was much calmer. The issue was brought up again with the intervention of George Gilmore, who told us what we all should have known anyway. I know you don't give away your numbers in advance, but a legitimate range should be perfectly OK. When Scott pressed me to the wall, (those who know me know I don't jump in with both feet until I hear what others feel), I gave my honest answer. I want the girls to have that structure. Port-a-potties are the pits, no pun intended. It's time the girls came into the 21st century with the boys. My problem is when someone tries to get their point of view across with threats of law suits and referendums. Not the way I operate, folks.

The next issue, of course, is who will maintain these structures. Is the softball league responsible? Is the township responsible? Mayor, Council, we need to address this issue before the structure is even built. But I am looking forward to seeing the bid specs.

Well, ya can't say that politics has finally taken a rest here in Jackson. Far from it. The petitions for the May elections will be ready for distribution starting on Monday. I don't know who will rush in to be the first, but everyone should be announcing his/her intentions very soon. I would guess that interviews for endorsements are going on in both major parties.

And here's a good one. If a particular bill passes in assembly, a local government will have the right to move a non-partisan election from May to November. If passed this will take effect in 2111. If our Council passes this resolution, my term could be extended six months. Oh, the joy I feel is indescribable.