Dysfunctional in Somerset

by: Thurman Hart

Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 11:40:07 AM EDT

It isn't just Jersey City that's endorsing corruption. The Somerset County Parks Commission wants in on the under-the-table action, too.

The Somerset County Park Commission last night delivered a split verdict on reform measures, tightening some rules but putting off action on others.
Six of the nine commission members attended the session, which came as employees raced to meet today's deadline to comply with another state subpoena for park financial and personnel records.

Wow - one-third of the governing body can't be bothered to show up on the day they are required to meet their obligations under a state AG subpoena.

Come along below the fold and see what else is happening.

Thurman Hart :: Dysfunctional in Somerset

Last night, the commission agreed 6-0 to accept a stricter policy for employee use of county cars that just was adopted by the freeholders for other Somerset agencies and departments.
Ten parks employees already have turned in their cars, leaving five, officials said last night. The commission voted 5-1 against a motion by Commissioner Robert Horowitz to require the remainder to return their cars by Sept. 30 unless they received approval for continued use.

Anytime someone says ethics rules are "unnecessary" after having just gotten their hands slapped, I think we can be permitted to be a bit cynical about it.

[Parks Director Ray] Brown also got a reprieve on rent on the $1.6 million park property in Bridgewater he shares with his wife, Roseann, the deputy county clerk. Last month, the Browns began paying $1,000 rent, up from $500. But an appraiser hired by the freeholders estimated market rent on the house at $2,500 a month.

Nice. The apartment across the hall (680 sq. ft.) from me rents for $1800 per month. Want to bet Brown has more room than that? Now rent varies across the state, but the idea that even $1000 a month is adequate for a $1.6 million property is ludicrous. What's even more ludicrous is that the Comission was deadlocked on a motion to rent for market rate. Huh? Can you be more blatant when you flip off the people of Somerset County?

Horowitz also called for requiring the commission seek competitive proposals on professional services contacts worth more than $17,000, and making vendors disclose county political contributions and familial relations with officials or parks employees.
But county officials said those rules would be tougher than the ones used in other Somerset departments.

This is basic business, folks. This shouldn't even be debated for more than - oh, ten seconds - before it gets approved.

This is what happens when one party has a monopoly on power. They get so used to running the government as a patronage mill to sop up benefits for friends and family that they can't even see an ethical move when it slaps them in the face.

This is the sort of stuff that drew me into politics. It drives me crazy to see this sort of stuff happen. And all I hear is some variation of, "Well, this is Jersey. You have to epect this sort of stuff."

I disagree. I hate it when this happens in my town and in my county and I fight it whenever and however I can. But reform takes everyone because corruption hurts everyone. I don't live in Somerset, but I'm supporting Melonie Marano for Freeholder. If you can't get outraged over what's happened with the Parks Commission, check your pulse. If it's still there, help Melonie out. Maybe next time, it will be someone in your town asking for help. Help Melonie now so we can help send a message to every crooked politician in the state - we're madder than hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!

The Revolutions Starts Now!