Down to the Wire!

Down to the Wire

Today we stand on the precipice of history, looking at a brand new day that will dawn at the advent of 2009. That new day will begin to dawn at the rising of the sun on the morning of November 5th – we hold it in our hands. That means that we have an obligation to ourselves, to our children, and to the generations unborn to vote for transformational change; change that will bring healthcare to the 47 million who are currently without it, create jobs for those who don’t have them, revive our faltering economy, and restore our standing in the world. If this is to be, we must turn out in droves on this coming Tuesday, November 4th to vote for the next president of the United States of America, Barack Obama.

Take nothing for granted, don’t be swayed by the polls, and don’t be lulled into a state of complacency that might lead you to believe that your one vote doesn’t matter. Your vote does matter, and it will make the difference between the setting of the sun on the broken promises of yesterday and the rising of the sun of tomorrow in the person of Barack Obama to shepherd us through the perilous waters to get us back on solid ground.

We are now down to the wire; let’s volunteer during these last few days to get the vote out in those key states that are critical to Obama’s success.

Together let’s change America; let’s vote early on Tuesday and avoid the late afternoon/evening rush. Vote for change--vote for Barack Obama!

Regards,
Adrian

Take Responsibility, Mayor Robinson-Briggs

The recent revelation of a $1.6 million error in Plainfield’s introduced SFY2009 budget was not the greatest sin in and of itself committed against Plainfield’s taxpayers; the greatest sins were the administration’s attempt to escape responsibility by throwing the auditing firm under the bus, along with the deafening silence that can be heard from Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs.

City Administrator Marc Dashield knows that the auditor is not responsible for preparing the budget; he knows that that responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of the Chief Financial Officer. After the CFO prepares the budget, it supposed to be reviewed by the Director of Finance and then the City Administrator in consultation with the Mayor.

Was the $1.6 million error a deliberate attempt to understate the true amount of the mayor’s tax increase, given that she is already campaigning for re-election? Or was this just another in a series of financial blunders that have been evident since this administration took office? Or was this yet another attempt at deception? What ever the real motive might have been, what is crystal clear is that Mayor Robinson-Briggs and members of her administration do not know how to take responsibility for their actions. We all make mistakes on a daily basis; therefore, it is crucial for there to be checks and balances which allow us to catch our mistakes and correct them.

Thus far, we have yet to hear from the mayor, which leaves us to wonder whether she understands the potential impact of this blunder on tax payers or even if she really cares. I subscribe to the “buck stops here” philosophy of management. One should always refrain from blaming others—one should instead take responsibility for ones actions or inaction.
So, to the mayor, I say, come forward and set the record straight, speak the truth to the tax payers and take full responsibility for the failings of your administration! After all, the buck stops with you.

Regards, Adrian

Love, Honor, and Respect

I recently attended a "Green" conference, sponsored by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) at Mercer County Community College. One of the topics touched on at this "green" conference, surprisingly, was domestic violence. The discussion centered around placing victims of domestic violence into "Green-sustainable" jobs to provide them with economic independence, thus making them less dependent on their abusive partners. I had never thought about "green" living contributing to ending domestic violence, but it makes sense. Green living is healthy. Living a life free from domestic violence is healthy as well.

I feel that it is my duty as a man to speak to those among my brothers who would abuse women. I want to take this opportunity to appeal to all men who have been abusive to women:

Think about what you are doing. Think about the example you are setting for the generation of young men who would emulate you. By your actions, you are telling these young men that it is all right to abuse the women and girls in their lives. The vicious cyle must end, and it must end with you.

Women are our mothers, our daughters, aunts, and nieces; they carry us and nurture us. They are at the core and center of our being, the givers and sustainers of our lives. They deserve to be loved, honored, and respected.

Regards, Adrian