Dear Editor:
The League of Municipalities had their annual meeting and/or convention in Atlantic City this past week. The main goal for this outstanding event is to gather up in one central location all the best and brightest minds the State of New Jersey has to offer. This amazing feat was originally initiated to primarily enhance discussions and implementations of certain pertinent, social, economic and security procedures. Numerous meetings, training, projects and workshops are scheduled to enhance all constructive positive measures which shares in open dialog. Successful aggressive goals that are discussed in the rehabilitation and rebuilding process will attempt to correct all critical problems, eventually, with the common objective of improving the quality of life in all our urban areas.
Sounds good doesn’t it but it contains extraordinary camouflages of hidden deceptions. Certain situations above and beyond my control, I am forced to administer to you a very difficult reality check by breaking your bubble and replacing your safe, tranquil, soothing dream into a disturbing chaotic nightmare.
Truthfully speaking, if you believe this, then you probably and most certainly have no doubt in your mind that Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid and Tinker Bell really do exist.
Let’s face it, this convention is just a clever well-thought executed plan to legitimize the transformation of one gigantic festive time of social governmental carousing and deal making which is ultimately charged to the unsuspecting clueless taxpayer.
Each of the departments in Hudson County/Jersey City has their own so-called petty cash account geared especially to fund their representation and appearance to this extravagant occasion. Rooms, private parties, breakfast, lunches, dinners, shows, social and personal pampering, luxuries and casino comps are their rewards. These perks are not only limited to them but also liberally administrated and extended as their guests to other municipalities and departments who wish to attend these wasteful extravaganzas. Saying at least one sufficient kind virtue and compliment about our privileged politicians, Deputy Mayors, Directors Department Heads, government employees and board members. They are without question so overwhelmingly generous and considerate as to extend an open invitation to anyone who wishes to attend all these social celebrations of merriment at our expense.
Why isn’t each and every person and branch of our city government required to publicly acknowledge all their monetary municipal expenditures used at this annual event? In full view and scrutinized by the taxpayers? Why does this remain a mystery every year?
Having all the confidences in the world that there will obviously be no relevant answers from all involved to any or all of these pertinent questions or observations. We must ask ourselves this simple question; when will these shameful displays of political monkey business that plagues all the residents of Hudson County/Jersey City on a daily basis end? We have all the power and the means at our disposal to bring an abrupt halt to all these unnecessary abuses in our expenditures, but with deep regret, we obviously don’t have the courage to use them.
William P. Frasca