2010 is a tough budget year for Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway,  Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Union Township, Westfield, and probably Winfield Park and Elizabeth too though nobody seems to cover them.

But on the county level?

Life is good.  The County Manager returns from his Mt. Fuji trek to do MC duties for this week’s musicfest. No talk of spending cuts or furloughs but rather of upgrading golf courses and blanketing the county with solar panels.  How do they manage?

Very simple.  Lie about operating expenses, drown in debt, and hope nobody catches on.  It’s worked for them so far.

I forgot all about the County Manager’s annual trek thanks to the Love Hope Strength foundation and donors unknown until someone reminded me today. The trip was Aug. 21 - 29. Looks like he had a great time.

Some photo’s of his trip from the Love Hope Strengh Association’s website:

Previosly reported:
A: Mt. Fuji
Q: Where is County Manager George Devanney vacationing this year?
Thanks to a cozy relationship with a cancer charity, Love, Hope, Strength Foundation, involving a two-day rock festival, George Devanney and other county employees get to take exotic trips: Mt. Everest in 2007; Machu Picchu in 2008; Mt. Kiliminjaro in 2009 (George Devanney did not go on that one but his wife did). Read more.

Q: Where is County Manager George Devanney vacationing this year?

Thanks to a cozy relationship with a cancer charity, Love, Hope, Strength Foundation, involving a two-day rock festival, George Devanney and other county employees get to take exotic trips:  Mt. Everest in 2007; Machu Picchu in 2008; Mt. Kiliminjaro in 2009 (George Devanney did not go on that one but his wife did).

These are the days of police layoffs, pay freezes, furloughs, and budget gimmicks for most governments but, for Union County, it’s another hike.

I spent about 3 hours culling through gathered Open Public Records Act requests at the county last Tuesday. Here are some little tidbits I’d like you to know about.

The county paid $2,037.77 to the vendor “Christmas Spectacular” for a 3 ft sign for the courthouse that read “Seasons Greetings”.

An employee lawsuit was filed on January 29, 2010 Union County Corrections Officer Alvin White vs Union County Department of Corrections and John Doe(s)

Union County Alliance 2010 proposal for a $332,125 contract

Aruspex proposal for 9.1.09 through 6.30.10

Employee position control changes 2.1.10 through 3.1.10

Handouts pertaining to the 2010 budget hearings were not available in electronic format as requested, instead I was presented with binders containing the electronic documents which were printed. OPRA complaint? Stay tuned.

Too much to scan, you’ll have to take my word for it, or OPRA it yourself:

50 staff and volunteers were fed $900.00 worth of sandwiches from Dara’s Caters @ $300.00 per nights of October 22, 23 & 24th Hayrides.

George Devanney was reimbursed for the following items of interest:

$109.24 for what was labeled Lunch meeting re: Freeholder meeting held in Chili’s in Clark on May 14, 2009 (date not a typo) hmmm It cost taxpayers $1,767 for catering of the freeholder meetings held in March 2010 – I never thought to OPRA catering/food bills for staff meetings regarding freeholder meetings.. … also $137.20 for a staff meeting regarding freeholder meeting $137.20 at Delicious Heights in Berkeley Heights, NJ where Devanney lives. Why is staff traveling to George’s hometown – approximately 30 minutes out of Elizabeth for meetings? Does George have one of those stay at home and work from the dining room table jobs too?

$30.16 for Lunch Meeting regarding events and sponsors – Dolce Broad Street Elizabeth - that’s refreshing.

$926.91 for work related travel labeled Winning Strategies – Lobbying meeting.. $724.00 was for rail fare for 2 business class seats.

$65.71 for Lunch meeting regarding Open Space Association at the Garden Restaurant in Union – no date available.

$292.77 reimbursement for NACO county forum on energy independence, including $135.00 for 3 meals @ $45 each.

$365.27 for reimbursements for the League of Municipalities including $54.75 for in room dining.

More hidden MusicFest expenses, $3,000 Reimbursement for Food for September 12 & 13 Music Fest Volunteers – Tony’s Italian Sausage.

It didn’t bother me at the time.  Freeholder Chairman Sullivan in his closing remarks at a regular meeting of the board last Thursday mentioned that he would not be attending our citizen’s budget review hearing tonight in Cranford though the other freeholders, the county manager, and finance director Lawrence Caroselli were free to.  I noticed a reaction.

In 2002 the city of Summit set up a task force to study county government.  Twenty people were involved, none from the county.  A report was released in 2004 critical of county government which included on page 40:

The county shows no interest in learning our point of view. During the course of our investigation, we repeatedly invited County Manager George Devanney to meet with us. Not only did he not meet with us, but he also did not have the courtesy to even respond.

In 2010 not much has changed beyond a 59% increase in county taxes.  The Westfield Leader, in editorializing their involvement in tonight’s presentation, noted:

A county spokesman has criticized our participation in this discussion, saying the Watchdog group is not a legitimate organization.

To the county the Union County Watchdog Association is not legitimate as the task force in Summit was not legitimate in 2004 and as you taxpayers have never been legitimate to them.  Apparently you’re all bastards or at least that’s how you’re being treated.

Will the county be represented in Cranford tonight?  Judging by the smirk I witnessed, no.  Will you be represented?  At long last, yes.

According to a memo dated Nov. 12, 2009 from the county manager, George Devanney, certain personnel require “24/7” access and usage of a vehicle for purposes of ensuring health and safety…. The following personnel are considered to be “24/7” or full time first responders:

Listed is Thomas MacDermant, General Supervisor Construction (salary $80,073)

Four years ago the County Watchers reported that a judge had ruled that MacDermant, who was serving time in the Union County jail for a third D.U.I. conviction, was let out of jail improperly. He was allowed to leave jail and go home on a wristlet without the permission of his sentencing judge. He was supposed to serve a mandatory 180 days. His attorney stated in a brief “The time he spend in the Union County jail he was held on the medical floor the entire time, not even released to the population.”

Previsouly reported: March 15, 2006
Friends don’t let friend’s drink and stay in jail for D.W.I. convictions

Two new positions were created in 2010 for former Berkeley Heights employees. George Devanney has been serving on the Berkeley Heights Planning Board for several years now. His wife Angie was the Township Administrator. They support the local Republican council members and Mayor David Cohen.

Raymond Sullivan (no relation to the freeholder) was the zoning officer for Berkeley Heights with a salary of $65,697. He joins Union County with a $14,303 pay increase, with a salary of $80,000. According to an anonymous letter I received recently people are pretty upset over what they view as obvious waste and patronage.

This position is for a grants writing position within the Engineering Department. The letter states in part: “They require someone capable to apply for federal stimulus money for projects. They cannot train existing staff for this? Do more with less? Do I personally feel this is needed with an announced hiring freeze, ABSOLUTELY NOT! They lay off the entire department in the guise of saving $1 million dollars with the stimulus package knocking on the door. That savings was never really seen since work has backed up and monies to consultants have been flowing even more to get things out the door. Moral is very low and people are very disgruntled.”

According to a document obtained from the county, Sullivan is supposed to develop a data base to be used by all county departments to track grants, reporting dates, etc. I don’t see anything in his application that makes him uniquely qualified for this. Although recording reporting dates and deadlines is pretty basic Grants maintenance. Pretty sad that this hasn’t been done all along and that it takes an $80,000 salary to do. In a real business a summer intern would handle it. This salary is being paid for with Grant monies. I’m not sure if that’s state or federal. I am sure they can’t afford to waste money either. The job description calls for a B.S., Sullivan only has an associates.

Another hire straight from the Heights is Amy Wagner who was making $42,646 she joined the county with a $14,854 increase, with a salary of $58,500. Her job title is Clerk Typist/Planning Analysis Coordinator. Her job application shows she listed the county manager’s wife, Angie Devanney, as a reference.

She is responsible in part for the development of new programs which will increase the effectiveness of government by working with other agencies. - Oh goodie. Now things will be done better.

I couldn’t make this stuff up. See for yourself:

Raymond Sulllivan’s paperwork.

Amy Wagner’s paperwork

New York County Supreme Court building at 60 Centre Street

FACT: If Union County Democratic Chairman Charlotte DeFilippo were to become a Union County Superior Court judge she would be allowed to preside over cases brought against the party faithful and their family members from the bench.

Union County Superior Court Judges Katherine Brock and John Malone are former Union County Democratic Chairmen that directly preceded DeFilippo. This doesn’t keep them from presiding over cases against democratic powerbroker Sen. Raymond Lesniak’s nephew and other politically connected families.

Not that there is anything wrong with that in a legal sense. No where in the Code of Judicial Conduct does it say a Judge who is a former Union County Democratic Chair should not preside over lawsuits in which a Senator’s, family is concerned. Even if the Senator facilitated their appointment.

Although Judge Wortimer ruled on various motions somehow Judge Catherine Brock will decide this Friday weather a case brought against the Union County Manager, George Devanney by a former employee will be thrown out on a technicality. At issue is the lawsuit named the Union County Freeholders, and not Union County.

You have to wonder if the average citizen can shop around the Courthouse for a Judge until they get the ruling they want.

Catherine Brock was appointed to the bench when only one Democratic Senator was in office, Senator Raymond Lesniak – George Devanney’s uncle.

From what I could gather on the process, which isn’t in writing – even though the secret Mafia Ritual of Induction now is - prospective jurists contact the party chairman and/or state senators in their county, sometimes they go to their senators first, sometimes to the chair - it depends upon their relationships, who then ask the Governor to nominate them.

The process in which a would-be judge is nominated by the Governor is apparently paperless or it might as well be. The Open Public Records Act exempted lawmakers from revealing their letters. You might try the governor’s office for any letters, but chances are they will invoke executive privilege.

The incription in the above photo is a quote from George Washington - “The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government”.

Tina Renna is president of the Union County Watchdog Association, she can be reached at tinarenna@unioncountywatchdog.org.

The Union County MusicFest is this weekend. To the county, entertainment has become the most important service they provide.

More resources, staff time, money and energy has been put into these two days of MusicFest, and for the first time this year four days of a county carnival, than any event in the county’s history and during one of the most challenging economic crisis our country has ever faced.

Insiders know it is a personal party for the appointed county manager, George Devanney - nephew of Sen. Lesniak, who happens to leverage his involvement with one of the acts into an annual exotic trip, this year his wife will be joining him. In a county publication he stated “MusicFest is Union County’s Window on the World” and “Making connections has always been at the foundation of MusicFest.” Freudian slips perhaps.

There is one glaring aspect to the promotion of what we are told is a “FREE CONCERT” for “Union County residents to join together and enjoy the excitement of a crowd”, residents from the urban areas of the county aren’t being encouraged to attend.

The promotion of the concert has been over the top, going so far as to putting thousands of lawn signs along side county roads and private property. Including my very own front lawn.

There are also banners strung across roads, billboards in county parks, and electronic signage on roads but only in the suburban towns. There is not one mention of the MusicFest in the county owned Montano Park in Elizabeth or Cedar Brook Park or Green Brook Park in Plainfield. I didn’t spot any banners as I drove through Hillside. In fact you would be hard pressed to find any promotion of this event in the urban towns of Union County. There is more signage on the out skirts of the north side of the county inviting non-residents than there are in our inner cities.

The message from the county is loud and clear. They are looking to attract 50,000 people but only the people who they find attractive for this event. It is interesting that the six towns that are responsible for tilting the election overwhelmingly for the Democrat freeholders are not courted when it comes to their campaign kick-off whistle stop, their votes are already assured. This premier county event isn’t for the whole county, Roselle, Union, Linden, Rahway, Elizabeth are treated as “different ”. The more affluent towns, where the Freeholders must campaign harder are given all the attention.

If the county is going to spend over a million dollars (I’m guessing, I’ve never been able to ascertain just how much they spend of public dollars on MusicFest.) on a FREE event such as this, complete with carnival rides and Freeholder VIP tents, an extra effort should be made to invite every resident of the county. Property taxes are regressive, we all pay the same rate irregardless of our incomes. The costs of the catering and “Celebrity port-a-johns” for the VIP tent are shared by all residents.

The county has patted themselves on the back for presenting this entertainment while residents are experiencing tough economic times. But they aren’t handing out the coveted freeholder VIP tent passes at county soup kitchens and the unemployment lines.

MusicFest is also the launch of the Democrat power-broker controlled Freeholder Board election campaign. They will be brought up on stage for bows at strategic times during the event. “It’s all about getting elected baby!” Devanney was alleged to have said to several freeholders as they prepared to step on stage one year. Their names will be announced throughout the day giving thanks for their benevolence and generosity. Freeholders will even go as far as to perform on stage right along with the acts.

Freeholders Kowalski & Scanlon offered themselves as back-up dancers to Rock Legend Chuck Berry. (Freeholder MusicFest Performance photo gallery.)

Tina Renna is President of the Union County Watchdog Association. She can be reached at tinarenna@unioncountywatchdog.org

Photo by: Alexi Friedman/The Star-Ledger
Union County work crews filling in sand traps at the former Oak Ridge Golf Course in Clark now that the property has been turned into a multi-use park.