To the Editor:
I became thoroughly disgusted with what I saw at the July council meeting. A $500,000 contract was given to In-Line Air Conditioning Co., even though they were not the lowest bidder. The lowest bid was thrown out because of a technicality, costing the taxpayers money. All the council members voted yes with the exception of 3rd Ward Councilman Ray Greaves, who abstained.
The City Council should have withdrawn the bid and reopened it to others. It is common knowledge that In-Line’s vice president, Matt Dorans, was very influential in helping Ray Greaves during the election and is a Smith Team supporter. Matt Dorans is also the head of the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce, and treasurer of the Ray Greaves Association. His company should not benefit from his political friendships.
This is just one more bad decision that smells, like the selling of the Military Base to the Port Authority, who does not pay taxes. It is just as bad as the council trying to do away with rent control. How could you give Shop Rite a tax abatement a year after the store was on the tax rolls and open for business? This council has not thought of the people in any of their decisions. Why hasn’t the rent control ordinance that ended on June 30 been renewed? Maybe Debbie Noble, chairwoman of the Rent Control Board, is too busy attending Ray Greaves’ events instead of sticking up for the residents.
I think Mark Smith and Matt Dorans should be ashamed of themselves. The taxpayers deserve better. Some people would rather line their pockets than do what is right for the city. This has to be the most controlled council I have ever seen, and history will know them as the worst council ever.
TOM SOLARI