Does he think we are that stupid?

Doug tries to foist Colicelli on council and the city again.

Almost a year ago, Trenton's city council pulled the plug on Barry Colicelli's sweetheart deal with the Palmer administration by not renewing his contract. Now he's back again in a resolution to hire his consulting company to be the city's "Youthstat Coordinator."

Colicelli, you may recall, was a former Newark cop and crony of former Police Director Joe Santiago who for three years or so had a contract with the city to be a special advisor to Mr. Palmer in matters pertaining to the city's gang problem. Colicelli's "Target Law Enforcement and Security Consultants, LLC" was given annual contracts worth just shy of $100,000 plus a car, cell phones, computers and furnished offer in city hall.

Finally, members of city council apparently had their fill of funding the position for an outsider when there must be one or more individuals already on the city payroll who could take on the tasks of this "consultant." Further, there might actually be a resident (or two or three) qualified to do the work.

Fortunately for Colicelli and Palmer, there was never any real look at the fact that the former was paid for work done without a contract in place; from apparently duplicated invoices; and without proper checks and balances from within city hall.

Fortunately for the taxpayers, a majority of council saw that it was their duty to not allow these questionable practices to continue siphoning off serious resources from a cash-strapped city.

Now, not even a year later, Colicelli/Target Law Enforcement is up for another contract with the city. While it is apparently a slightly less valuable contract (not to exceed $71,149), it is still questionable as to whether or not it is a reasonable or required expense.

First of all, we have never gotten a satisfactorily reasoned and explained answer to the question of whether or not we already had people on staff who could perform these duties as part of his/her job?

Second, there are questions about the "bidding process" used to fill this position.

Rumors have swirled for the past few weeks that an equally if not more qualified city resident expressed an interest in this consultant contract...and allegedly for a lower amount...but was passed over in favor of Colicelli.

Doug Palmer must thing we have forgotten what happened not even 12 months ago.

He must also be pretty certain that he has a majority of council votes to approve this contract.

After conducting a caucus on the front stoop, we suggest that the citizens of Trenton let their elected officials know that they will not stand for this type of shady dealing.

Once again, it is incumbent upon the residents to remind Mr. Palmer and city council that we are not stupid or forgetful and that we will not tolerate the administration's cavalier attitude towards spending our money on their whims.

Did Palmer administration officials promise a do nothing job

Letter alleges special treatment for son of labor leader

The Missing Mayor website (www.missingmayor.com) has posted a copy of a letter purportedly sent to city officials that details alleged preferential treatment of an employee.

The letter alleges that Dominick Talone, son of city union president Dave Talone, was given a job at the Trenton Sewer Utility in September of 2007.

Signed:

Respectfully yours,
Concerned Employees of the Water and Sewer Utility

the letter was sent to city council and members of the Public Works Department senior staff.

The writers raise questions about the how and why the younger Talone is treated differently than the very rank and file workers represented by his father. There are allegations of "numerous absences, no calls, or no shows." Although he started just under a year ago, the letter charges that Dominick Talone was given a raise after only a month on the job instead of waiting to his anniversary date as is standard.

Interesting, that the union represented by the elder Talone is supposed to stand for fair and equitable employment practices; practices that offer protection from political favoritism for public employees. But here we have a claim that the son of a union official is the beneficiary of just such special treatment.

Interesting, too, that the union in question has recently concluded contract negotiations with the city while the Police and Fire Unions are still working under contracts that expired three years or more ago. (It needs to be noted that once a new contract is agreed to, whatever increases in pay result will be retroactive to the old contract date...meaning a large lump payment to the police and fire personnel; a large payment the city can ill afford!)

Now, if we're not mistaken, Mr. Palmer is currently off schmoozing at the Democratic National Convention trying to land his next gig.

And one of the aims of the convention is to build party solidarity behind their Presidential candidate; solidarity that brings the blue-collar workers and union members back to the Democratic fold.

All the while, one of the party's "brightest and best" has let his administration betray the very ideals of fair labor practices.

Something stinks and it isn't just the sewage plant.

Let's see how they handle this one from 319 East State Street; or Hunterdon County; or Denver.