I was greeted yesterday morning by a friend who wanted to know if I had seen the front page of the Trentonian. "Tony Mack In Foreclosure" was not that much of a surprise.
I commented several times in the past election season that I was concerned about turning over the books of this city to someone who apparently could not even balance his checkbook. Money troubles have dogged His Honor for years, but he never gave up his goal of becoming this city's mayor.
It is too simplistic to say that he ran because he had a grudge with Doug Palmer. Admittedly there was a lot of troubled water under that bridge, but they had an amicable transfer of power.
The present appointments in this regime are being questioned on many fronts. I spoke to Tony Mack several times when he visited here at Pellettieri Homes and had an opportunity to point out the need to change the face of this city to the world, the need to help felons back into society, even expounded on the need to sell the outlying parts of the city water company.
I see now where Eric Jackson is working as an assistant at the water company. Tony had the smarts to put him under Bill Guhl's wing for several weeks to give him a taste of the city administration. When he transferred him to the water company, this gave Tony an opportunity to get Eric's input on the real status of the financial headaches of that organization and maybe set some real-time goals.
I am hoping that this outsider viewpoint will help Tony,the Mayor, make some informed decisions about this albatross around the city's neck. I have known of several towns who thought that the maintenance of pipes and meters, replacement of aging structures, so burdensome that they sold their whole kit and kaboodle for $1.00 to anyone who could take over the problems.
As to the appointment of Mr. Badger to housing and development duties: Unless this chap is presently involved in skulduggery, let's give him a chance. The real estate licensing authority saw fit to let him be active to date. When does this society forgive and let felons who serve their time back into the real world? Also, we have a Republican Governor with a prosecutorial background just a few doors down in the State House who will be peering at this administration with a magnifying glass.
If there is something amiss, the Trentonian will sell a lot of papers. And that brings me to one of the most important issues facing us today. What does the rest of the world think of us? Do you really think that these headlines are going to bring tourist and business dollars into our economy?
We have to turn down the smarmy opportunists who are hovering like vultures. We must have an honest administration. Having financial problems can be a result of bad investments, bad luck or just plain stupidity but are not necessarily indicative of illegal activities. Throughout the city's history, some of her most successful characters were charismatic frauds and speculators, with suckers drawn to them like moths to a flame.
Let us hope that this administration is different.
Have a nice day.
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As Director of Public Works, Eric Jackson had the responsibility to direct a number of Divisions within the Department of Public Works. One of those Division was the Division of Water and Sewer. As Director, he had total access to information regarding the financial status of the Water Utility. Consequently, moving him to the Billing Office does not give him any more insight into the financial status of the Water Utility. He now has to narrow his focus to reading meters, calculating and issuing bills, and discontinuing service to customers who don't pay on time or at all. As evident in the published 2009 Water Utility budget, he already knew that there was a about a $10 million surplus being generated by the existing rates during the 2009 fiscal year. For the 2010 fiscal year, a similar surplus was produced. With a surplus of that size, the financial headache is how to use that money prudently.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback. The "surplus" you refer to makes me wonder if it is money or accounts receivable. I have been concerned for some time that folks who had objected to the proposed sale of the outlying water assets might not have been able to show the actual income, ie. collected monies, that come into city coffers. Many businesses tout their accounts receivables as real money when nothing is further from the truth, and gotten a lot of mileage out of borrowing against outstanding receivables. At least in city limits, you can put a lien on property. Outside city limits, you would have to sue every instance individually and with the alleged leaky meters in place, readymade defense for anyone to contest a bill....
ReplyDeleteThe surplus referred to is the difference between revenues (money collected) and expenses (money spent) during the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). It does not include receivables.
ReplyDeleteCustomer meters were not alleged to be "leaky". The underground pipes were alleged to be leaky. Since customer meters are the cash registers of the water utility (as well as the sewer utility), it is an important function of the billing and meter offices to monitor the performance of customer meters. This is one of the managerial functions and responsibilities of the managers of those two offices and the higher level personnel to whom they report.
Dear William,
ReplyDeleteThe candidates referred to "leaky meters" that would have to be replaced as part of the sale contract for the outlying parts of the WC. If you go to the contract that has been published in the internet, I believe you will see that there was going to be equipment replaced in order to upgrade for the obviously more accurate rendering for billing. Mr.Mack spent over 20 minutes with me Fri before the election arguing about this very item (among other things). If you have good info about the difference between income (cash) and expenses (that correspond to the same period in time, no fudging here please) show me. Talk is cheap and I am not impressed one whit by the enthusiasts foaming at the mouth at the prospects of selling water to Hopewell in the future. Show me. I am so sick of the posturing involved in this water issue. Gov. Christie has appointed the president of American Water to his latest non-profit. You mean to tell me that this is not a done deal? I am afraid that Trenton is going to lose everything in a bankruptcy as someone else will call the shots.
Thanks for your concern and optimism. Maybe you should be in the accounting offices at city hall.