BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAM, that is the best way we can describe the last Council meeting. The meeting was going along relatively smooth. Councilman Mullaney asked his 'electioneering questions" regarding the 2009 Budget. Borough Administator, Bill Garafolo, with assistance from Mayor Buccellato answered his 3 questions. In our opinion questions could have been asked and answered by a simple conversation with the Borough Administrator prior to the meeting. But, hey, it is election time and Councilman Mullaney wants us to think he is on top of things. What things, you ask, your guess is as good as ours. What ideas has the Councilman offered up to save the Borough money you ask, well so do we? Wasn't it Councilman Mullaney who offered up a Pay to Play Ordinance......oops, that's right, until he found out it could possibly affect him and others on the dais.

Sorry, we digressed, election time becomes a waste of time and energy for the Borough Council when its members and their families use their positions as a political podium!

Back to the BAAAAAAAAAAM....

Open Privilege of the Floor - A woman, identified herself as Mrs. Mendes of Key Auto Body Shop, Mother/Employer of Councilman Kevin Mendes, demanded to have a conversation with Mayor Buccellato. She commenced with demanding to know why her family business is being attacked by the Mayor and insisted on seeing the data he referenced in an Asbury Park Press article and a subsequent editorial. The Mayor stated he had the paperwork in his car. Interestingly enough she did not request he retrieve it from his car. Mrs. Mendes then demanded the Mayor provide a retraction, he stated he could not. Mrs. Mendes ending by claiming she would be back next meeting.

Comment: To do what? The Mayor, as he tried to indicate, does not control the news media. Assuming the figures quoted were taken from the Borough books, where is there misinformation? Figures don't lie.

We all know the Mendes family has done some good things for the Borough of Matawan over the years. Why after the article appeared over two months ago come in and take a public position. Would not a meeting or a telephone call to the Mayor have been more productive?

During the dialogue between Mrs. Mendes and the Mayor, he asked if it was okay for Councilman Mendes to accept health insurance benefits from the Borough when everyone else on the Council has declined coverage. Mrs. Mendes chastised the Mayor claiming it had nothing to do with the issue at hand.

Comment: During this time of economic difficulties, where the Borough has to make cutbacks, why has Councilman Mendes (the only Council Member) opted to take the Borough Health Plan Coverage? Does he contribute? Did he have private coverage through his employer before? These seem to be questions that need to be answered.

Aberdeen Teen Missing

UPDATE: We are pleased to report April has been found in Mass. and the process of reuniting her with her family has begun.


As taken from The Independent

Township police are investigating a missing persons report filed by the family of a township teen.
According to family members, April Goodwin, 16, left her house last Sunday morning, Sept. 4, and has not been seen since.
According to family members, Goodwin is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. She has a light brown complexion and black hair with red highlights. She attends Matawan-Aberdeen Regional High School.

Aberdeen Township Police Chief John Powers said the department is actively investigating the missing persons report. Anyone with information about this teenager is asked to contact the police department at 732 566 2054

Matawan Borough Council Meeting 9-15 @ 7:30pm

Matawan Borough Council meeting 9-15-09 at 7:30pm, Matawan Borough Community Center, 201 Broad St.

Tonight's meeting has nothing earth shaking on the Agenda. Pretty much business as usual.

Old Business - An amendment to Ordinance 09-07, Bond for the Improvements to the Water Treatment Plant will be voted on.

New Business - Resolutions - Two Matawan Police Lieutenants contracts

Two amendments to the Policy and Procedure Manual for Borough Employees:

a) Uniform Time Record Keeping

b) Opt-out for Borough Employees to reject Health Benefit Plan

Bill List - No elected officials or family owned businesses on tonight's Bill List.

Last but not least, a fine job done by the Matawan Recreation Commission at yesterdays Matawan Day event. It was re-scheduled from Saturday but due to weather conditions was re-scheduled to Sunday. A good time was had by all. Thanks to all the volunteers.

MATAWAN DAY RESCHEDULED, SUN. 9-13

We have just learned Matawan Day is rescheduled for Sunday, September 13th, between Noon to 5pm.

MATAWAN REMEMBERS 9-11

Nothing needs to be said, all who can read this blog remember with heavy hearts. God Bless America and all who serve to keep us free.

Matawan Day Terhune Park 9-12-09 Sat. Noon-5pm

Come one, come all to Matawan Day at Terhune Park this Saturday from noon to 5pm! Celebrate Matawan with your family, friends and neighbors. There will be rides, food, fabulous entertainment and much more. What entertainment you ask? How about a fabulous gospel choir, how about a D.J., how about acclaimed singer, songwriter Beth Arentsen and last but not least, how about performances by winners of the Matawan Idol Contest!

Matawan Day has always been a fun day. It continues to be a celebration of the Borough we live in. Each year it just gets bigger and better. Thanks to our Recreation Commission and the people who selflessly volunteer their time. Thanks also to Matawan's business community who come out every year to support Matawan and its people. We residents should show our appreciation to our business community by frequenting their estalishments all year round.

A special thank you to one of our readers who reminded us of this event. We appreciate the heads up.

Borough Council Meeting/Workshop 9-9-09

As we sat in the audience the night of the Borough Council Workshop meeting, we were astounded to hear several statements coming from both the dais and the floor at the Open Public portion of this meeting. The usual Borough business was reviewed without incident. An amended Budget was passed. Still pending is the Final Budget. We believe more cuts will have to be made and trust the Council will work diligently to do so.

Then, Mary Mullaney, wife of Joseph "Buddy" Mullaney, sitting Councilman, stepped up and in what appeared to be a planned speech, commenced chastising Councilman Joe Urbano for not acknowledging the great job the Matawan Police Dept. did on Matawan's Annual Night Out. Mrs. Mullaney was informed it was an oversight on the part of Councilman Urbano, not intentional. We all are aware of the fine job Matawan Police perform, not only on the Annual Night Out but every day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What we found appalling is that Mrs. Mullaney is aware that Councilman Urbano recently suffered a personal tragedy when both of his parents, two aunts and an uncle were all killed in a horrific automobile accident this Summer. Don't you think Mrs. Mullaney, you could have chosen the higher ground? At the very least, as an act of kindness, gotten up and acknowledged the fine job done by Matawan's P.D. (without taking cheap shots at a Councilman who suffered such a great loss) and patted the P.D. on the back for a job well done? We do believe it was an oversight by Councilman Urbano. We do suspect there was malicious intent on Mary Mullaney's part. Shame, shame, shame on you Mrs. Mullaney! If this is the way you intend on getting votes for your husband, you are doing a disservice to Matawan.

All of this was done by Mrs. Mullaney while noting the Matawan Alliance had participated in the Annual Night Out. This begs the question, since Mrs. Mullaney openly admitted an association with the Matawan Alliance, maybe she could let us all know how much money was collected for the alleged Memorial Fund for the poor Shark Attack victims? When is this monument going to be built? Public donations and public tax dollars were donated to the Matawan Alliance and people are asking, "where did their money go" and "why are the books not available to the public"? Or do we need a "secret decoder ring" to gain access to the books?

Oops, we did say there was two statements made that night didn't we? Well, Mayor Buccellato, who has been the victim of a smear campaign by his adversaries (guess who?) decided to enlighten the audience on the scope of the Executive Sessions. These Sessions are closed to the public and done for the benefit of all members. From what we gathered, the Readers Digest condensed version, person(s) who participate in these Sessions have been leaking out information to the public and jeopardizing the confidentiality of these sessions, oh, and more importantly, VIOLATING THE LAW! Plain and simple leaking out information said during these meetings is placing its members at risk. If the members cannot discuss freely amongst themselves varying positions and ideas, progress will be impeded and members could be sanctioned.

We have at times disagreed with the Mayor and Borough Council. Still would like to see more done by the Council majority. Main Street, Renovating the Police Dept. Building, the Dams, Redevelopment, etc. are just a few of the issues we would like to see some progress on when financially feasible.

Overall, in the 2 1/2 years Councilman Joseph "Buddy" Mullaney has been in office, what has he done to reduce or curb spending? What has he done in terms of promoting transparency in government? Or is it transparency is fine with him, as long as it doesn't interfere with his own self interests? Perhaps less attacking of your fellow Council members and more working together to improve Matawan should be his agenda.

As we have said in the past, perhaps not enough, we want to see our Council work together for the common good. Once elected, political parties, must be put aside and they must remember who they are working for, you and I! Yes, we know election time is near and yes, the games have begun. Being optimists, we'd like to see more emphasis on "working for the Borough."

Hope to see you at the next meeting......