MOSTLY FALSE
In keeping with his policy of making statements that place blame on others and place himself in a favorable light, Mr. Shehady has once again used his political acumen in writing his .
Anyone who reads the Star-Ledger knows they print a column regarding statements made by New Jersey politicians and rate it on their Truth-O-Meter. By their definition, a mostly false statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression.
If there is something Mr. Shehady is good at, it is making this type of statement. In particular, after stating that the incumbent Republicans up for re-election (does anyone see a campaign plug here?) did a wonderful job in maintaining fiscal prudence, he explains that Springfield has an old pension obligation of $760,000, dating back to 2009, and specifically blaming the previous mayors; Ken Faigenbaum, Hugh Keffer and me.
The truthful portion of his statement is that there is $760,000 due for the pension deferral. The information that he omitted, which makes his statement mostly false, is that when Springfield, as well as every other city/town/municipality in New Jersey was notified that money was needed to properly fund the government pension, we had the choice to pay it all in one lump sum ($760,000) or spread it out over the next 3 years (2009-2012). Any amount paid before the 2012 deadline would not incur a penalty or interest. So, in essence, it was the state’s way of giving everyone an interest free loan for 3 years.
If we would have paid the amount in full in 2009, it would have created a municipal tax increase in excess of 15 percent for our residents, on top of the increases both the county and school were requiring. The majority of the township committee voted to defer the payments (Mr. Shehady voted against deferral) and make partial payments over the next 3 years, mitigating the tax burden on our residents.
You may ask how this all came about, so a quick refresher is in order. From 1994-2001 New Jersey’s Republican Governor, Christine Whitman, advised everyone the state pension was overfunded due to the ever increasing stock market, and there was no need for further pension contributions. So, each city/town/municipality began using those funds that had previously been earmarked for pension contributions toward other things needed by their towns. If you remember, a number of years during that period, municipal taxes didn’t increase or increased slightly since money previously used to fund the pension was now being used for operating.
Since professionally, I work with people planning for their future retirement, my question is, who in Governor Whitman’s cabinet was ridiculous enough to believe the markets would continue to go up without any downward correction?
My other question is why, in 2010, during Mr. Shehady’s first term as mayor, did he fail to make any payment toward the pension debt? He was very quick to take credit for reducing the towns’ health insurance costs when our municipal workers had to start paying for a portion of their health insurance. But a further look at that situation reveals the change was not of his doing, he was just at the right place at the right time. Each and every township committee, Republican and Democrat, for at least the past 12 years had tried to do the same thing. It was not until the change was made in Trenton under Governor Chris Christie did things change.
Specifically, whenever any previous mayor (mayor’s Katz, Marshall, Mullman, Harelik, Faigenbaum, Keffer, and me) attempted to have our municipal employees pay for health care, the unions took us to arbitration and each and every time the town lost. It was not until Governor Christie appointed arbitrators who were in line with his thinking that a change occurred.
So for Mr. Shehady to take credit for it is disingenuous at best.
My question, again, is why he didn’t make a payment toward the pension obligation when the town started saving money with employees having to pay part of their health care costs; he boasted about a savings of approximately $1 million. In addition, in 2010 Springfield paid the township attorney, appointed by Mr. Shehady, in excess of $240,000 whereas the cost for the previous township attorney (2009) was $92,000. Simple math tells us that the pension obligation could and should have been paid off by now, as we had planned.
So rather than blaming others for the large pension obligation due this year, maybe Mr. Shehady should have planned for our future instead of constantly campaigning for his political future.
One last point. If you have not noticed, whenever Mr. Shehady posts something on the Patch he does it without allowing the readers to respond. This is done intentionally by him, in order to avoid opinions that differ from his. I personally don’t think that’s fair, but besides the fairness of it, it doesn’t allow anyone with knowledge of the actual facts to dispute his claims. But then again, for anyone who has attended a Township Committee meeting or viewed it online, they can see that Mr. Shehady does not like it when people disagree with him. So much for "open government.
Freeman, how do you know that in 2010 it wasn't mentioned to repay the deferral? Where you there? When you don't pay the deferral and pass it on to the next group, you don't have to increase taxes, so you look great. But there was a slight increase in 2010, so where did the money that was saved from the health insurance go? I know where $240,000+ went, to the township attorney's firm. And about $60,000+ to the public safety director. Those 2 alone were $200,000 more of expenses then we had in 2009, so that's where some of the money went. But where did the rest go? Come on, you know the answer, so as the late Sam Kennison once said "SAY IT, SAY IT".
The old Bart Bait and Switch. Go write another opinion piece about how great the PD and FD were under you mayoralship and what you did to fix each department on your own. If I recall the Chief of Police and Deputy were long gone when public safety director came on board. It's in the Patch. Those salaries were a savings in themselve. Boo hoo Bart.
MJ - you also mentioned the turf field. The field isn't just for the students at JDHS. Our local businesses will benefit from it as well because visiting teams and their fans will come to Springfield and patronize our establishments and see what Springfield has to offer. The Mountain Ave and Morris Ave stores should see an upswing in business. Visitors may also see an opportunity to open businesses. So actually the turf field and downtown redevelopment are indirectly connected in making Springfield a better a place. "Build it and they will come" That's my Field of Dreams analogy. Have to look at the bigger picture to see how the whole town will benefit.
The reason I bring that up is because I'd still like to know why the money that was saved from health insurance wasn't used to pay off the pension deferral. It was the governing body's responsibility to make payments in 2010-11-12. And yes I was on the TC in 2010, so while I couldn't make the payments myself, I also have to take responsibility as having been a TC member. Its just too bad that the majority did what they wanted instead of what was needed. Oh, by the way, during my term we met with all the property owners but because the economy went south so did our plans.
You are so desperate to start an argument you are trying to spin the charter study against Shehady. Keep trying. And there you go misleading the public again with your half truths. The referendum question is not about directly electing a mayor. It's about exploring other forms government for Springfield. You can read about in the patch http://springfield.patch.com/articles/november-ballot-will-feature-charter-commission-question. I think everyone would like to know why you didn't pay pension referral in 2009 and passed the debt. Please don't insult the public with it would of increased taxes 15% as you stated. It would of taken millions of dollars to raise taxes that high.
I do the fluffy Patriot, there are some good things in there and then there are some things in there just to fill up the pages. I also want you to know that I am not picking on any one person or any one party, IMHO they ALL have sucked lately. We can do this back and forth like a lot of others in here do a lot of the time and that is not my intention but i will leave it at this. As of right now there is nobody that deserves my vote for anything. But am hoping that will change some year. Our TC worries and argues over silly shit like fireworks in july. But someday it may change.
I've spoken to some die-hard Democrats, some of them once believed in you, and they are just annoyed and disgusted by your comments and personal attacks on Shehady and everything you write about. You've completely alienated them to the point that anything you say and write here is considered a lie or complete fabrication. Good going too bad everything is going to backfire on you. You see Bart, you're just jealous of Shehady because he has done more for Springfield than you ever did or dreamed of. You are great a criticizing everyone else's efforts and accomplishments, but have none of your own. What did you do for Springfield Bart much?
I suggest if you really want to know something about what's going on in town get it straight from the horse's mouth (Fernandez & Krauss) and not the horse's a$$ (Fraenkel). Thank you for the honest dialogue. This will be the last time I respond to you here.
First of all no one is going to bother looking up and comparing past posts. Second as long as you post as annoy nymous. No one is going to take you seriously. Go ahead, rant and rave make moronic comments. They are empty as you can see when I can easily substitute Fraenkel and his cyber cult of personalities.
I look forward to your postings, responses, and letters to the editor because the more you write the less people believe you. Keep it coming. The ranks of the Former Fraenkel Followers is growing. This is my last posting on this article. I'm bored with it.
I thought your words worked much better when it reflects a more accurrate description of Z (you?). Why haven't you or anyone else talked about the debacle that occurred at last weeks BOH meeting? One of the new members, appointed by the 3 Republicans as an alternate, wanted to ask a question and was told by Mr. Krauss that he couldn't. Open government at its finest! Control over every aspect of the local government is all this administration is about. They don't want anyone asking questions or offering differing opinions and that is why they the November election will see them lose. People know what's going on and are absolutely fed up and will use their vote to express that displeasure.
I was just having this conversation with someone - that survey that was sent out about what we all would like to see in our downtown that we see similarly in neighboring towns - what happened to that exactly? There isn't a more disgusting place that I can think of in a 15 mile radius than our downtown area. The sad thing is that the area by 22 is getting more popular retail than anywhere else in town! I don't know anyone here on a personal level, but man I am completely embarassed for all of you. If this is what local / municipal politics is like, than I can't even imagine what it must be like to be a politician at a higher level; thank god I do private-sector work. This back and forth is disgusting. I suppose I'm adding to it right now, but I just had to respond to that ridiculous comment about the downtown area being "championed". Of all words, that one could not be farther away from reality. GET US A STARBUCKS! L'shanah Tovah.