If you can't take the heat...

I received a lot of compliments regarding my recent posts...to those that I've come across at Stop & Shop & Quick Chek and to those who have emailed me - THANK YOU for reading and I'm glad I could make Alpha Politics somewhat entertaining for you. To the woman who left 2 comments on this blog, which I will not post because they lack any common sense, I offer this to you and your nephew: "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." - Harry S. Truman

You Got To Know When...

A little over a month ago, I made a decision that I knew was going to be difficult to make. I privately told my family and friends that I wasn't going to run for re-election to the Borough of Alpha Council. Back in May of 1998, at the age of 19, I was appointed to the Borough of Alpha Board of Education and in April 1999, I was formally elected to the Board. June of that same year, I defeated a two-term incumbent Mayor in the Democratic Primary. On January 1, 2000, I took office as Mayor of the Borough of Alpha and in November 2003, I won a second term. After 8 years in office, I decided it was time to hand the reins over to someone else and ran for Borough Council. Now, after three years as a Councilman, I've decided that it's time to take a break. I'm 31-years-old and I've held every elected office in Alpha - an accomplishment that I owe to the citizens of Alpha. I have always tried to do what was best and I'm sure that I made mistakes along the way, but it really has been an epic adventure. Thank You Alpha!

I don't know what my future holds, but you can bet that I'll still be attending Council Meetings to make sure our elected officials are doing what's right for Alpha. Oh, and I'll definitely be blogging and tweeting about it! By the way, I can assure you of one thing...I will NOT be supporting 25 Cent for Borough of Alpha Council.

Never Say Never: If I do change my mind (hey, I'm human), I can always run as an Independent. ;-)

Team Coco
In other news, I was shocked to learn that Conan had signed on with TBS (think 'The Office' & 'Seinfeld' reruns). All signs were pointing to Fox, but congrats to the folks at TBS for this amazing coup.

They even started airing this promo:

Breaking: 25 Cent Files!

Well, it seems Craig S. Dunwell, aka 25 Cent, is no longer 'sitting on the fence' as he has just filed to run for Borough of Alpha Council as a Republican.

Check back later for an update!

UPDATED: 25 Cent

The following video features rapper Curtis James Jackson III, commonly known as 50 Cent:

Well, according to Councilman Michael Savary, Craig S. Dunwell is a possible candidate for Alpha Borough Council ("He's sitting on the fence.") and that's a good enough reason for me to continue mentioning him on this blog. Instead of constantly writing his name out, I'll refer to him as 25 Cent. Why? As I mentioned in a previous post, there is a lot to the Dunwell & Savary Saga and I need to save some of the good stuff for later.

So, at tonight's Council Meeting, 25 Cent applauded Councilman John Hajdu for announcing that he was giving up his 'in-lieu-of' medical benefits payments. He went on to state that he hopes that the other two Councilmen that take those payments consider the same action, but ONCE AGAIN, failed to mention Councilman Michael Savary, who has signed up to take the actual medical benefits that cost twice the amount of those payments.

[UPDATE (3/12/10 - 5:42am): Here's a link to The Express-Times article about Councilman John Hajdu's announcement. Some relevant points from the article:

Residents Louis Cartabona and Craig Dunwell commended Hajdu's decision.

"I think it's exactly the kind of leadership and the kind of tough decisions we need" at this time, Dunwell said.

Did Councilman Savary exhibit that same kind of leadership and make that kind of tough decision?

Following the meeting, Savary said he had not made a decision about whether he would forgo his health benefits.

By defending and not criticizing Councilman Savary and continuing to act as his surrogate, this is the kind of leadership that Craig Dunwell (aka 25 Cent) really supports.]

Interesting - the man that based his campaign against medical benefits and the 'in-lieu-of' payments for elected officials decided to take them upon his election to Council, but yet his "brain trust" refuses to criticize him for it. In November, I made the following statement: "Mr. Savary closes by asking our citizens to attend meetings and to hold us – elected officials – accountable for our actions. Well, come January, those eyes and mine will be focused squarely on Mr. Savary." Unfortunately, he would prefer that our citizens be blind to his own actions.

25 Cent also questioned a comment that I made in a recent article.

While the borough's five full-time employees' salaries have already been settled in contracts, Zikas said part-time workers' pay will be determined in the budget.

"We try to be as fair as possible, but that's something we could play around with," Zikas said.

He said that I was quoted that all contracts had been settled. Yes, that's what the article says, but my quote has to do with part-time salaries. I remember speaking to the reporter and when she asked me about salaries, I stated that the five full-time employees have contracts that dictate the amount that is put into the budget line items. Part-time employees don't have contracts, so we can be flexible with their salaries when it comes to budgeting. First let me state that the reporter who wrote the piece is an excellent journalist and an asset to The Express-Times. She did contact me after the story was published to clarify the situation and I offered her an apology if my statements mislead her in any way since that was obviously not my intention. For the record, the contract for the three full-time employees in the Department of Public Works has not been settled yet. They are currently working under their last one which expired on December 31, 2009.

25 Cent didn't stop there, he continued his diatribe and basically said that I should no longer offer comments to the media. As I said tonight, I truly believe that that's a disservice to the public. I will continue to offer my feelings and opinions so that the people I represent know how I feel or where I stand on an issue. This quote by Elbert Hubbard says it best: "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."

If I was a doctor, I would have also diagnosed 25 Cent with selective hearing tonight. During my report, I mentioned that Alpha's official website was coming along and went on to show Mayor and Council a quick preview. When it came to our public comment period, 25 Cent asked about the site and criticized the delay. I can't help but chuckle, because his vendetta against me all stems from the reason he's earned the 25 Cent monicker.

Bruce, I couldn't have said it better myself...

Pinstripes? Oh, that's a bar in Alpha.

You can't handle the truth!

My record is expensive for Alpha!? Oh, really?
After 8 years as Mayor and 2 years as a Councilman, Alpha has over a million dollars in surplus and we have a better bond rating because of our low debt, yet Craig Dunwell asked, "Isn't it time for a change?"

From The Express-Times:

Alpha officials search for $150,000 to cut from budget

By SARAH M. WOJCIK
The Express-Times

Sunday, February 28, 2010

ALPHA | Borough officials want to cut about $150,000 from the proposed municipal budget to minimize the use of surplus money in balancing this year's $2.7 million spending plan.

To keep the municipal tax increase below 3 cents per $100 of assessment, the borough planned on borrowing $400,000 of the $1 million surplus fund, according to borough Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Rossetti.

Seeking to preserve some of the surplus for future years, Rossetti asked council to find between $100,000 and $150,000 to eliminate from the budget.

"We want to use a healthy amount that we could still rebuild over a year or so," Rossetti said.

Council acknowledges the search for that money in the already lean budget won't be easy.

"I think we need to go through with a fine-toothed comb," Councilman Michael Savary said. "I'd like to know where the money is being spent (for each item) and if it's justified."

Rossetti said money is budgeted for undetermined capital projects that could be axed to make room for more urgent needs in the borough.

"This isn't the year to fund a project that doesn't have a name yet," Rossetti said.

Councilwoman Klara Tarsi said even if the council must take small amounts from several different places, she's determined to hunt down at least $100,000.

"We're going to look everywhere humanly possible, even if it's little by little we cut," Tarsi said.

Councilman Harry Zikas Jr. mirrored that sentiment.

"From my standpoint, no line item is safe," he said.

While the borough's five full-time employees' salaries have already been settled in contracts, Zikas said part-time workers' pay will be determined in the budget.

"We try to be as fair as possible, but that's something we could play around with," Zikas said.

Rossetti said the borough's finances appear in good shape. The borough's low debt, for instance, has scored Alpha a better bond rating, she said.

The borough has $898,000 in debt, well below the state's cap of $7 million for a municipality Alpha's size, according to Rossetti.

Reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-258-7171, ext. 3631, or swojcik@express-times.com.

Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet, Little Lies

From The Express-Times:

Zikas' record expensive, embarrassing for Alpha
Thursday, January 28, 2010

It was baffling to read Alpha Councilman Harry Zikas Jr.'s letter (Jan.17) on the "in-lieu-of medical benefits" issue. With New Jersey's budget crisis, high taxes and loss of state aid, why is he so preoccupied with petty sarcasm and name-calling?

Maybe the explanation is two-fold: Zikas is up for re-election this year and wants to distance himself from his failed policies over the last 10 years. His general approach is both insulting and embarrassing.

This controversial medical benefits plan, adopted during Zikas' second term as mayor, has been a complete disaster for Alpha taxpayers. Since 2004, more than $108,000 has been paid to elected officials, with almost 70 percent going to just three council members (Robert Gara, $35,410; Louis Pettinelli , $22,243; and John Hajdu, $15,358) even though they all receive "Cadillac" medical benefits from various governmental bodies.

Also, in a Twitter post, Zikas called Pohatcong Township Mayor Stephen Babinsky "the Hugo Chavez of Warren County." During an Interstate 78 scenic byway presentation, he insulted and belittled Elaine Emiliani, Greenwich Township's mayor.

When Michael Savary objected to giving the borough attorney an exorbitant 7 percent increase, Zikas shot back, referring to a uniquely male part of Savary's anatomy.

If all this weren't enough, his tie-breaking vote approving the pool fiasco, his multiyear foot-dragging developing a borough Web site, the explosion in payroll costs under his watch, and Enron-style financial shell games with the water/sewer money should cause voters to ask, "Isn't it time for a change?"

Craig S. Dunwell
Alpha

I want to thank Dunwell for giving me so much to work with here - I don't even know where to begin! I would love to respond with a Letter to the Editor of my own, but The Express-Times only allows one letter per month and I reached that quota on January 17.

The first thing you need to know is that Dunwell is Councilman Michael Savary's 'Karl Rove', the "brain trust", if you will. He claims that he's not 'a surrogate' for anybody, but the writing is clearly on the wall. To be fair, Dunwell is currently a private citizen with his own opinions and he's clearly entitled to them, but when you attack my record and reputation, I'm going to respond and respond forcefully I will.

So, let's begin. Dunwell insinuates that I'm not concerned with "New Jersey's budget crisis, high taxes and loss of state aid". I would like to know where he would get an idea like that! Just like every citizen, business owner and elected official in this state, I'm extremely worried about our finances.  Dunwell mentions 'loss of state aid' and unfortunately, that is an issue every municipality will have to work through. I'm not sure if Dunwell remembers, but when I first took office as Mayor, one of the first things we did was apply for extraordinary aid to help repair Alpha's finances. Our application was successful and after a few more years of that additional aid, Alpha was on course to a stable financial future. Council held its first budget meeting of the year on Tuesday and if Dunwell were in attendance, he would have found out that our years of hard work are paying off. In fact, Moody's just upgraded our rating from Baa2 to Baa1. **See Below**

Ok, let's take his next shot at me - Dunwell states that I'm pre-occupied with "petty sarcasm and name-calling" because I'm up for re-election and I want to distance myself from my failed policies. While my seat on council is up this year, I haven't made a decision on running for re-election as of yet. I also don't consider my policies a failure and neither do the voters of Alpha who re-elected me as their Mayor in 2003 and allowed me the opportunity to continue serving Alpha as a Councilman by electing me to my current office in 2007. He opines that my general approach is "insulting and embarrassing". What about Councilman Savary's 'curb scandal'? Wasn't that "insulting and embarrassing" enough for him?

Dunwell brings up the story that won't die - the medical benefits plan! Yes, Alpha switched from a private health benefits package to the state health benefits package. Yes, we did it to save money. No, we were not aware that it had to be offered to elected officials. Was it a disaster? Far from it. While most of the savings were eaten up by having to offer the plan to elected officials, I still feel that the decision to switch was a smart move. It's interesting to note that Dunwell fails to mention Councilman Savary's decision to accept health benefits and what that will cost Alpha's taxpayers over the next three years of his term. Between the years of 2004 and up to and including 2006, Councilman Savary cost Alpha's taxpayers $15,688.68. Over the next three years, it is estimated that Councilman Savary's health benefits will cost $22,717.80 for a grand total of $38,406.48.

Next up, Dunwell references my infamous Twitter post about Mayor Babinsky.  I think I made it pretty clear in my blog post that I said what I said out of frustration due to Mayor Babinsky's unwillingness to cooperate with the Borough of Alpha on several cost-saving, shared services proposals. He continues on to say that I "insulted and belittled" Elaine Emiliani during a Route I-78 scenic byway presentation. If asking questions is insulting and belittling, then I'm guilty. Again, I posted a few entries on this blog regarding my feelings on the scenic byway proposal and how this state has bigger issues to confront and solve before we start designating highways as scenic byways.

Ok, Dunwell's next statement definitely needs some clarification. At Alpha's recent re-organization meeting on January 5, Councilman Savary decided to vote on our attorney's contract, which called for a 4.4% increase not 7%. I objected to him voting at all, whether for it or against it, because Councilman Savary is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the Borough of Alpha that is being litigated by our attorney. When our municipal clerk went through the roll call and I heard Councilman Savary enter a vote, I finished voting and this is what transpired:

Me: "...My colleague, Michael Savary, just voted on this resolution and I don't mean, pardon my language, to bust your balls, but you are a current defendant in litigation that our attorney is [representing us on]."
Savary: "So, you want me to abstain?"
Me: "You should."
Savary: "Yeah, I was wondering about that...yeah, I'll abstain."

I tried to stop Councilman Savary from crossing the fine line of ethics, but I'm the bad guy because I said the word 'balls'. The horror!

Dunwell finally closes his letter with a bunch of rapid fire accusations. Let's take them one by one:

- my tie-breaking vote approving the pool fiasco
Yes, on May 23, 2006, I voted to break a tie to enter into a contract with the local YMCA to run the John Dolak Memorial Pool. I was willing to give the pool one last shot to break even, but unfortunately, it did not. We learned our lesson and decided to permanently close the pool after that season ended.

- multiyear foot-dragging developing a Borough website
While I did put the website on the back burner, the Borough's site is currently under development and will be live soon. Printed directories, newsletters and a mass e-mail list were developed to keep residents informed in the meantime.

- explosion of payroll costs under my watch
I don't think modest pay increases for our employees would qualify as an "explosion". Alpha had a history of constant turnover with our clerk and finance officer, but since 2000, the same two people have held those positions.

- Enron-style financial shell games with the water/sewer money
Coincidentally, Councilman Savary used the same attack line in his campaign flier that I issued a rebuttal to back in November 2009. This statement was made because our three public works employees are paid out of the water/sewer fund instead of the general fund. The Borough of Alpha's finances and records are audited yearly and our budget meetings are open to the public. The public has full access to the process and we have absolutely nothing to hide.

"Fiasco", "foot-dragging", "explosion", "Enron-style" - all words used to alarm people, because usually where there's smoke, there's fire, but in this case, where there's smoke, there's two desperate men rubbing sticks together trying to start a fire. There's a lot more to the Dunwell & Savary Saga, but I'll save it for the days and weeks to come.

**MOODY'S UPGRADES BOROUGH OF ALPHA'S (NJ) G.O. RATING TO Baa1 FROM Baa2**

Baa1 RATING APPLIES TO $350,000 IN OUTSTANDING PARITY DEBT

Alpha (Borough of) NJ
Municipality
New Jersey

NEW YORK, January 26, 2010 -- Moody's Investors Service has upgraded the Borough of Alpha's (NJ) rating to Baa1 from Baa2, affecting $350,000 in outstanding general obligation debt. The bonds are secured by the borough's general obligation unlimited tax pledge. The upgrade reflects significant growth of financial margins evident in the Current Fund balance increasing more than 600% since fiscal 2005 and the expectation that reserves will remain in-line with recent trends. Fiscal 2008 Current Fund balance was $1.06 million (44.1% of Current Fund revenues). The Baa1 rating incorporates the borough's improved financial position, limited $233 million tax base with the presence of several age restricted housing developments in Warren County (GO rated A2), wealth indices below state and national medians, and modest debt position. Pay out of debt is rapid with 100% paid within the next eight years and the borough has no future borrowing plans. All of the borough's debt is fixed rate and the borough is not party to any derivative agreements.

Moody's believes the borough's financial position will remain sound given a healthy Current Fund balance and management's conservative budgeting practices. Over a three-year period ending in fiscal 2008 (December 31), Current Fund balance increased to $1.06 million, or a healthy 44.1% of Current Fund revenues. Positive financial performance was primarily due to collecting property taxes in excess of budget and nonbudgeted revenue. Based on unaudited fiscal 2009 results, the borough expects to fully replenish its $243,000 in appropriated surplus and increase its Current Fund balance by $29,000 to $1.09 million (approximately 45% of Current Fund revenues). The majority of Current
Fund revenue (fiscal 2008) is comprised of properties taxes and state aid at 70.4% and 11.6%, respectively. Moody's believes the borough's financial position will face pressures in the near-term given the current operating environment of the state but expects reserve levels to be maintained well in excess of 2006 levels.

The borough defers payment of $1.03 million (a sizeable 37.2% 2008 Current Fund balance) of the local school tax levy. The deferred amount represents an off-balance sheet liability, which Moody's believes could create fiscal vulnerability in the event that school property taxes are reduced. However, the borough has kept the deferral amount constant thereby reducing the deferral as a percentage of the levy to 37.2% from 42.3% in 2005, and below the maximum permitted level of 50%.

STRENGTHS
* Low debt burden with no future debt plans and rapid amortization of debt
* Strong Current Fund balance at 44.1% of Current Fund revenues
* Management's conservative budgeting practices

CHALLENGES
* Limited tax base of $233 million
* Below average wealth levels in western New Jersey
* High debt service expenditures as a percentage of Current Fund expenses

KEY STATISTICS:
-2008 Population: 2,386 (-3.9% since 2000)
-2010 Full Valuation: $233 million
-2010 Full Value Per Capita: $97,458
-1999 Per Capita Income (as % of NJ and US): $20,104 (74.4% and 93.1%)
-1999 Median Family Income (as % of NJ and US): $45,435 (69.5% and 90.8%)
-Direct Debt Burden: 0.3%
-Payout of Principal (8 years): 100%
-2008 General Fund Balance: $1.1 million (44.1% of Current Fund revenue)
-Long-term G.O. Debt Outstanding: $350,000

New Jersey's Youngest Mayor

It used to be me, but as of last night, it's Springfield Township's own Ziad Andrew Shehady, 25. I want to wish Mayor Shehady all the best and offer him the same advice that an Alpha resident gave me: "Being new is hard, but being young is even harder".

From PolitickerNJ.com (January 5, 2010):

25-year-old mayor takes the reins in Springfield

By Daniela Quintanilla | January 5th, 2010 - 11:41pm

Springfield Township became the municipality with the youngest serving mayor in New Jersey on Tuesday night.

Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady, 25, was sworn into office by Lt.-Gov Kim Guadagno along with newly elected Republican councilmen Marc Krauss and Jerry Fernandez, whose campaigns Shehady managed.

“I am giving the oath of office to someone half my age,” joked Guadagno, 50.

Shehady is four years older than Harry Zikas, Jr. was when he became mayor of Alpha at the age of 21, serving two terms from 2000 to 2007.

The traditionally Democratic town is now under Republican control with a majority of 3-2 in the town’s governing body, which elects the mayor.

Shehady was elected to the township committee in 2008 and in 2009 served as chair of the finance committee of the township council. He urged that the governing body would “put Springfield first” as a “productive and responsible team” to create a government organized as a business.

The new mayor said he plans to consolidate various boards and committees to simplify processes and ameliorate what he described as poor communication between departments. The new mayor said he is also excited to undertake new beautification and eco-friendly initiatives. In addition, Springfield will soon boast its own public access channel to improve communication and transparency between the government and its constituents.

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Clinton Twp.), Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit), Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield), Senate Minority Whip Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), Garwood Councilman Anthony Sytko (R-Garwood), and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi attended.

Deputy Mayor Bart Fraenkel, the former mayor, said that the new administration will be working diligently to accomplish “the things that we’ve been talking about for years: get bipartisanism out of the way, get government first.”

Despite a majority turnover, the emphasis of the event was bipartisanship and teamwork. Krauss said, “The 2010 township committee isn’t about our respective parties; it’s about Springfield and its residents first. Always.”

Lance further endorsed bipartisanship in spite of his party’s victory, saying, “Together we share a sense of purpose, recognizing in Lincoln’s immortal phrase that America is man’s last best hope on earth. May that always be the case.”