Atlantic City Property Tax Re-Evaluation Thursday, Nov 29 2007

The number one concern for Atlantic City residents is the imminent property tax re-evaluation.   The re-evaluation is guaranteed to raise residents’ property tax bills.   The sole question is, “How much is it going to be raised?”

You would think that City politicians would champion the issue for its abundant political capital.   Your thinking would be wrong.   The person to step in to the spotlight and alleviate the impending fiscal trauma would be hailed the saviour of the people.  That person would win November’s special election by a landslide.  That person has been no where to be found. 

 A.C.’s Mayoral Mayhem has calmed down.  Mayor Scott Evans and City Council had their first meeting together Wednesday, 28 November.   There was much discussed and taken care of during the proceedings.  The biggest idea that was not championed by any of the elected officials - which incidentally would soften the imminent property tax increase - is to trim the City budget.

 The first answer to the question, “Why are my property taxes being raised?” is that Mayors Whelan, Langford, and Levy have been too cowardly to re-evaluate and face the voters.   Many areas surrounding A.C. have re-evaluated their property values.   Why has A.C. been particularly reluctant to re-evaluate?  It is because of the second answer to our above question.

 The second answer to the question ”Why are my property taxes being raised?” is that the re-evaluation betrays the immense amount of waste in the City budget.   The large amount of city employees, programs, exorbitant wages and benefits, over-priced contracts, elected official perks, and outrageous per-pupil spending fuel the need for taxes, in the first place.

The Atlantic City Scoop has a brilliant idea for the esteemed Councilmen that sit on their dais: Robinson, Mancuso, Ward, Small, Marsh, Mason, Tibbitt, Schultz, and Councilwoman Mollineaux, as well as Mayor Scott Evans - stop increasing City spending!   Derek Harper rightfully took for granted, in last Friday’s article on Scott Evans, that the newly appointed Mayor will be given a budget to sign that surpasses the $200 million mark.  It will be an unwelcome historical first.  That budget will attest to the great legacy of A.C.’s fiscal irresponsibility.

The big surprise is that property owners are not outraged that City Council and the Mayor plan on increasing spending while residents are scared to have to pay for the current spending.   Residents are contemplating moving to other cities or states and the best political solution that Council and the Mayor come up with is to increase the spending.   Welcome to Atlantic City government.

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Tim on Manners Saturday, Nov 24 2007

By Timothy Ryan McGuire
timothyryanmcguire@gmail.com
 
   Manners are fun.  They are little codes that are indistinct in origin and are not general to any wide geographic location.  I read one time that the Japanese are so oriented to “returning the favor” that it is rude to do a favor for a stranger.  Example: Mr. Fujiwara’s hat blows off in the weather, I pluck it out of the air from an almost certain descent into, say, an abyss of some sort, and poof, poor Mr. Fujiwara is in my debt and may never have the chance to repay.  This, as it turns out is not a “fun” code of manners, yet there are some good ones in the USA and Britain that are lots of fun to observe. 

     I was fond of reading a particular book about cowboys when I was small.  This particular text regaled me page after page with the cowboy way.  One of the cowboy ways is, “even if you are rich, it is not polite to make a woman sick in a stagecoach with your stinky brand of cigar.”  As the situation heightened in tension, I waited desperately for the heroism I was bound to see by the cowboy in the stagecoach.  Of course I was not disappointed.  After asking the fine gent a couple times to toss out his tobacco, the big-hearted bronco-buster ejected both the cigar and its owner from the aperture of the bumpy coach.

     Needless to say, I wriggled in delight when this outcome developed.  What could be better than a wrangler taking care of manly Clint Eastwood-business out on the range?  The woman was most grateful and the driver determined that the uncouth lounge lizard would do well to walk to his destination.

     It is a beautiful thing to live in harmony with our neighbors.  The best way to determine how polite, in general, a city is is to ride the public transportation.  Is it dirty? graffiti ridden? unused?  I love the metro in Rome.  One time I put my foot on an opposite seat while I was reading a book.  A sixty-something Roman rather curtly requested that shoes be placed where shoes belong.  After recovering my pride and replacing my shoe, I reveled in the concept that someone cared enough to tell me not to put shoes on seats.  I was part of a city where there was someone with a standard that he expected others to follow.  I was thrilled.  I wanted to put my shoes up everyday to find out if there were more like this old crank, but his warning echoed so loudly in my conscience that I was unable to violate that sacred space even for such a worthwhile social experiment. 

     So, on behalf of my fellow-hard-working American, Lillian Ortiz, I would personally like to toss off any Jersey subway anyone who disturbs her ride home unnecessarily.  I would like the offender to land in a dusty cactus and have to walk all the way to town pulling out cactus spines as he goes.  Close quarters call for manners more than any other place.  Good Americans do not need a sign to tell them not to leave their coffee cup on the metro when there is a trash at every stop, good Americans in a hurry still have the time to excuse their rush through the train doors, good Americans also respect sleeping Americans and treat them with the dignity that women like Lillian deserve.  Now, to the gent on the phone, “I am glad you won, I really am, but Lillian is not so glad to hear it at shouting volume every five minutes on the phone.”  Lillian, don’t be afraid to tell someone to cool it on the ride home from work, because all the good Americans out there have got your back on this one.

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The Forgotten Nomination for Mayor Saturday, Nov 24 2007

Atlantic City has had a new Mayor for three days now.  Scott Evans was selected from a pool of three choices: himself, Dominic Cappella and Barbara Hudgins.  Evans was selected in a 6-2 vote by Council at 21 November’s special meeting.  Cappella was voted down 2-6.  It is Hudgins that I now focus upon.

 Hudgins - a former A.C. Councilwoman and Jim Whelan ally - did not receive a vote.  That was not due to a lack of effort.  Hudgins publicly tried harder than her two opponents to get the nomination.  She sent a letter advocating her candidacy to all the members of Council earlier that day.  She even went so far as to read that letter in Council Chambers.

 The most remarkable Hudgins move was “The Future of Atlantic City Tour,” which made its latest stop during the vote for Mayor.  One man - a Hudgins operative - introduced a parade of 8 young women as “The Future of Atlantic City.”  The women approached the microphone, designated for the public’s use, and introduced themselves in the following manner, “I am _____.  I graduated Atlantic City High School in ______.  I now go to ______ College/University.  And I am - I am - the Future of Atlantic City.”

Those in attendance wondered to what purpose the young women were introduced.  It certainly did not get Hudgins the Mayoral nod. 

This is Hudgins’s second failed attempt to gain office.  She ran for and lost the Democratic nomination for Councilman At-large to George Tibbitt.  Tibbitt went on to win that Council seat in the general election.

 While those girls may be the future of Atlantic City, it is sure that Hudgins will not be.  She has had her time and both City Democratic voters and the City Council have decided to go with a fresher face in public office.

As “The Future of A.C.” parade sat down, after speaking from the microphone, a not-so-fresh face stepped-up.  “I am the future of Atlantic City,” said Joseph Pollillo. 

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The Magic of Atlantic City Thursday, Nov 15 2007

Is it not amusing to have a magical room, where the same type of activity is both encouraged and discouraged?  When you go to this same magical room and gamble, you are both complimented and arrested.  The magical room is none other than the Borgata Poker Room.  The magic governing the rules in the Poker Room are supra-rational.  It defies logic and common sense.

The case of the sports betting “bust” reveals the dark magic of NJ political activity.  Representative Sorceress, Anne Milgram, deplores the bad people who were sports gambling.  ’How dare they gamble in a Poker Room?’ bellows Milgram.  

The principle at play in the Borgata Poker Room “bust” is ‘How dare you gamble and not give a percentage to the NJ government?’  The longer that we see the magical workings of state and local government the sooner we live under the principle, ‘How dare you even breath without giving a tribute to King Corzine and “All the King’s Horses and all the King’s Men.”

Here are two serious questions for you to ponder:

1) Are football and horse racing both sports?

2) Why can you gamble on horse racing, but not football, in an Atlantic City casino? 

(Reading - http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_story/story/7516862p-7416021c.html)

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NJ League of Municipalities Gather in A.C. Monday, Nov 12 2007

By Timothy Ryan Isaac McGuire
timothyryanmcguire@gmail.com 

New Jersey State League of Municipalities officials are
converging on the City of the Atlantic for what they label as a
conference.  McGreely dubbed it a frat party.  So, what does it mean
that a large group of politicians are inserting themselves into the
gaming capitol of the East coast.  This is not necessarily a quiet
place where a responsible authority could retreat, and reflect on his
or her strategies of governing.  Most Americans would picture a
tranquil rural setting, albeit with modern convenience, to pour over
a three ring binder given to him by some one like, Tony Robbins, Bill
Cosby, or even Jerry Seinfeld.  I am sure a flock of magistrates would
learn more from a man who has dedicated himself to “nothing” in the
typical corporate retreat center, than in a casino, each party member
with a personal trainer of the politico ways, in a month of Sundays.

    There is only one reason to be in a casino for a conference, that
reason is to play and party like rock-stars.  But, lawmakers are not
lime light junkies.  They are servants, not sovereigns.  Each American
citizen should have a leash on his/her representative so tight that a
local assemblyman would have to call his constituents if he needed to
pause his research into correct political behavior to scratch around
in the sandbox.

    On the other hand, let us not be so opposed to these weekend
trysts as the fruit of their instigators often falls from the vine
unripened.  Here is a key example: one recent high-profile incident in
which 11 public officials were arrested for bribery — including
former Assemblymen Mims Hackett and Alfred Steele — It was during
last year’s convention that the FBI rigged a hotel room at the Trump
Taj Mahal with surveillance equipment and planted an agent to catch
the envelope passing first-hand, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

   But Dressel noted the alleged bribes in that case also reportedly
took place at diners and restaurants across the state.

“For those that want to go to Atlantic City to learn and get the most
out of their conference experience, we provide them that venue,” he
said. “You don’t become corrupt by going to the League of
Municipalities Convention.”

Dressel says, “not corrupt.”  Very nice indeed, if the very best thing
I can say about my functionary is that he/she is “not corrupt.”  Most
office holders are not corrupt, we hope, yet we also would like to say
that they are not incompetent, that they are not irreverent,
obsequious, simple-minded or boorish.

    I will find something nice to say about the local politics, if I
am hard-pressed.

    Among the seminars on the menu this year, U.S. Attorney Chris
Christie and Attorney General Anne Milgram will hold a program for
local officials called “Ethical Pitfalls in Public Service” — lessons
welcomed by event organizers and staff.

“The majority of people go down there for the right reasons,” said
Lambertville Mayor David DelVecchio, also the League president. “If
people are doing inappropriate things, let the chips fall where they
may.”

    “For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground and tell sad stories
of the death of Kings.”  The chips are all about fools luck, office
holders must be about free will and informed decisions.  These
participants take a chance when they go to A.C. and so do we when we
put faith in these hand-shakers and their policy.

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John Pershing Perrin, from Atlantic City Monday, Nov 12 2007

It is good to remember those heroes amongst us.  Please keep the soul of Spc. Eric Rivera, Atlantic City’s first casualty, in your prayers.  We remember his passing this Veteran’s Day.  Also, pray for his family.

There is a good story about another Atlantic City military hero.  Perrin lived with his parents in Atlantic City.  he was involved in WWII.

(Reading - http://johnibii.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/simple-act-of-heroism/)

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WELCOME TO THE ATLANTIC CITY TAXICAB : BUSINESS 101 Tuesday, Nov 6 2007

 I put “legislated transportation monopolies” as one of the top three issues in Atlantic City.  I welcome this guest column on A.C. transportation woes.

By: Pete Antone | thetoughguys@aol.com

Monopoly Power Revenue Enhancement program
1. Confiscates driver’s earnings through high cab rentals protected by lack of free-market.
2. Suppresses service to the people. Why serve the citizenry when the only objective is to maximize certificate owners income on a limited number of cabs?
3. Collects all cash from drivers thus possibly evading taxes, plus no opportunity to collect sales tax since monopolies want no records.
4. Authorized agents for the license holders force drivers to buy cars charging upwards of $6000 for them and they don’t even pass inspection, for renewals by threatening to give there license to others in waiting .
This leads to recruiting only low caliber, often foreign drivers, who have little option or ability and no chance to learn. The turnover rate often exceeds 300% per year.
Rental rate is set too high for long survival and development. The monopolies have no mechanism or desire for driver development since the only objective is to confiscate their earnings.
The rental rate is set too high for long survival; accumulating wealth or paying taxes is out of the question.
Any limit or certificate except on knowledge is monopoly power and thus anti-free-market.
The driver is left with not enough income to pay his taxes or participate in this society. They pay all cash. New York City, the two largest fleet operators, have between 4 and 5 million dollars come across their desk each week. — evade taxes?
This is a municipally sponsored criminal conspiracy.
Atlantic city has a cap on only 250 taxicab licenses, they will not issue anymore on request.
So called market value at a so called supply in demand scale was around
$40,000.00 in 1996. Now in 2007 it has grown to around $185,000.00 . for one cab license!!
But visitor business is down and gas is higher then ever before and even casino revenues are claiming the worst loses ever.

Rental rates for:
Atlantic City Taxicab License renewal per year to city $150.00 a year
License Holder collects /varies on deal w/wo insurance etc. $15,000.00/ $33,000.00
ATLANTIC CITY cab rental / lic. and insurance only . the car is separate and you must provide your own and maintenance it. $500.00 A WEEK/ $325.00 shift
Since the monopolies are self-funded, and insurance coverage is dismally low, the incentive is to keep the limit on licenses abysmally low. More cabs would mean higher risk of loss and accident rates. The victim is the public. This depresses service to the citizenry and visitors.
The monopolies are a cruel scam played on the city and especially the poor. The opposite of this is open entry infrastructure financing and high standards for the drivers or owner-operators and the vehicle. Today America is a country of monopolies formed into a cartel in Kensington , MD (ITLA). They are closed entry with no standards. The certificate (PCANS) become de facto property in violation of the constitution’s ninth (9) and fourteenth (14) amendments. They operate in a black market world of monopoly power. They are municipally sponsored criminal conspiracies.
The objective of the certificate owner is to get the least qualified driver (operator) behind the wheel and thus confiscate his/her earnings. Monopolies do three things: confiscate the worker’s earnings, reduce service to the people and evade taxes. The taxicab industry in Atlantic City and throughout many other cities in America does all these. It is outside of the moral, social and economic life of the nation.
Certificates of Public Conveyance and Necessity: An artifact of a century ago based on the progressive’s aversion to the raw capitalism of the 19th century. Now, like other such adventures gone sour, perverts original intention and creates monopolies where a free-market should reign. The certificates have become monopoly property and the business opportunities mere chattel to the certificate owners.
International Taxicab and Livermen’s Association (ITLA): The cartel of nationwide monopoly interests by jurisdiction. Their members own the certificates of public conveyance and necessity by municipality. Their number is limited and does not respond to market forces. These, like all monopolies, depress service to the people, confiscate the driver’s earnings through higher than free-market rentals to the driver and evade taxes. The American taxi system is outside the social, moral and economic life of the U.S.
Vicious Cycle: The socio-economic description of events that feed on each other in a downward cycle to collapse. The cab customer gets poor service, the cab driver makes less money, good cab drivers leave, and the customer gets poor service, less pay, less drivers, less customers, until collapse.
The taxi system in America & Atlantic City’s geopolitical areas are a national disgrace. No decent and affordable service can be provided, no owner/operator opportunities provided, no taxes paid, no community involvement, and no responsibility. This is totally outside of the social, moral, economic, constitutional and environmental framework of our society. The taxicab industry is underdeveloped throughout the United States. Lack of standards has frozen it in the mold created more than a century ago. Bernard Fall in his writings on the war in Viet Nam noted that the French controlled only a few major urban areas in the country. They did not control municipal governments throughout much of the country, did not collect taxes and did not run the schools. Between municipalities in America and their taxicab industries there is a similar relationship.
How many unqualified taxicab drivers are out there? How many can read and write at a normal business level? How many licenses that are out there were issued without passing a test. How many drivers are actually insured? Can the police tell at a traffic stop if the cab and driver are insured?
Some of these drivers are now charging people the most outrageous prices ever heard. For example: A decent driver with good ethics and a decent dispatch provider will charge $15.00 to $20.00 dollars to a customer. But another driver with no training or guidance from a decent dispatch provider will charge $30.00 to $60.00 dollars. You can find the good drivers if you look. But there is few and most have had to move into limousine licensed vehicles such as towncars and vans to provide decent and affordable rates to there clients and visitors alike that they have built up over the years. These owner operators are real good guys that have families to support and have grown up here and to run there businesses with morals and fairness. Because the taxicab license business in Atlantic City has been claimed by these monopoly Mongols the good guys have to now struggle to provide dependable service for the citizens and teach good ethics policies to any people they can recruit to help them.
There seems to be Timely events dictating the demise of the good drivers,some cab owners and now limo owner operators, such as election times. Election years seem to be the time that municipal crack downs are perpetrated against the higher caliber drivers. Psychological terror is inflicted upon good drivers and owner operators that have built businesses over the years. Guys that have been driven down time and time again by the tactics of so called code enforcement officials by means of stalking and harassing them with threats of violations. Some frivolous half baked rules that are questionable and twisted by words that don’t even exist in the ordinances. Good men with character, morals a decent business sense for the public and overall general concern for there businesses and families shouldn’t have to endure such atrocities that are indeed evidence of monopoly, dirty politics and corruption.
But do not worry ! We are here and we are legally licensed and insured to carry you everywhere you want to go! We will bring our towncars, our vans our limousines and what few decent taxicabs and drivers we have left to service you. Just call us ! You know who we are!
We will not give up our right to service you in a decent and most affordable way that we can!
We will not give in to the monopoly power enhancement program of license holders that are backed by yellow cab and city halls municipal conspiracy !
This is the taxicab and limousine world of Atlantic City. These are the facts.

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The Election Day Excitement Tuesday, Nov 6 2007

Today is my birthday.  I was born on the day that Reagan won re-election for a second Presidential term.  It must have been destined that I would have strong views and interests in politics.

It is not a smart thing to do.  I refer to making political predictions - actually, predictions in general seem like a bad idea.  How do gypsies ever make a living?  When you are right people expect you to be right.  When you are wrong people like to scoff. 

I am not afraid.  Please note the time: 4:30pm.  Here are my predictions, from an A.C. perspective.

 Fifth Ward Councilman - Dennis Mason will win re-election.  Everyone that I have spoken with says one of two things about Zingarelli: 1) “Isn’t he the guy who stole electricity? and 2) “Everyone wearing a Zingarelli shirt is an alcoholic.”
Our reports show that Mason has a strong showing at the fifth ward polling places. 

Sixth Ward Councilman - Tim Mancuso has held this council seat for close to two decades.  Steve Layman has spent considerable money in challenging the seat.  Ytit Chauhan has come out strong with some positive media.
Ytit would have been better off with a shorter campaign.  Like Obama, his youthful appeal has petered-out as his statements and stances on the issues betray a lack of political understanding. 
Steve Layman is putting together a formidable challenge, but Mancuso is too well-liked and known in the sixth ward.  This will be the closest that Mancuso will come to losing, but he will pull out the win. 

Councilman At-Large - I thought that George Tibbitt had the election in the bag.  However, three factors work against him: 1) Ernest Coursey’s campaign picked up steam very quickly and is vying for Tibbitt’s votes, 2) The weather works to reduce the number of voters that will turn out from the Tibbitt/Coursey base, and 3) Tibbitt [DELETED PER MANAGING EDITOR].
Mike Toland has a strong base and history in A.C. He will pull-out a close victory.

Freeholder At-Large - Joe McDevitt will unseat Joe Kelly.  The county-wide republicans, who largely stayed home when Kelly first won, will be out in force to re-claim this seat.

County Executive - Jim McGettigan has consistently lost his credibility on all issues.  Dennis Levinson will will comfortably.

Freeholder, District 1 - John Bettis will defeat Charles Garrett.

Assembly District 2 - Vince Polistina and John Amodeo will take the day.

Senate, District 2 - Jim Whelan would have been a schoo-in, but what hurts him more than his history as a Mayor, is the political climate in A.C.  All political factions in A.C. are as active as ever. Whelan will overwhelmingly win P’Ville, but Sonny McCullough will pull a respectable number of votes from A.C. (for a Republican).  That will be enough to put McCullough over the top.

 All four ballot questions will fail and Steve Lonegan will face-off against Chris Christie in the Gubernatorial race.

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Steve Layman: Part II Saturday, Nov 3 2007

(JK:)    You stress the importance of stable city government, in order to encourage future development in Atlantic City.  What city-wide issues in government will you address to ensure stability?

(SL:)   Stable city government is key to improving the quality of life here in our city.  We do not presently have a stable government.  If you are happy with the status quo then hold your elected officials accountable; if not, make that change and make your voice and choice heard.  A stable government will encourage and give confidence to investors in economic developments for the city, to the benefit of its citizens. I would fund the ethics committee now, and re-introduce the pay-to-play ordinances for the city.  The county government has an ordinance that would make all professionals bid on contracts.  We must mirror that ordinance.

(JK:)    Why did you decide to challenge long-time Councilman Tim Mancuso?

(SL:)   Over time, some elected officials, who are incumbents, lose their zest for good government.  We have witnessed this over and over.  I believe our current councilman has taken the voters of the 6th Ward for granted.  Look throughout the 6th Ward - the streets, light standards, landscaping and general city services are poor.  He has had a problem with misuse of issued city vehicles.  Unlike ordinary citizens that he represents, his DWI charge has yet to be heard in a court of law – when the law calls for that to happen within 60 days.  It has now been six months.

(JK:)    Do you have any second thoughts about giving your vintage car away?

(SL:)   No, that car was a labor of love and like love should be shared.    Much like that car, being good Legislators should be a labor of love not a position of entitlement which we currently are witnessing by our city councilman here in the 6th Ward.

(JK:)    Where do you stand on the four ballot questions?

(SL:)   No, No, No, and No.

(JK:)    Some of the people who read my blog are interested in political theory.  What is your idea of city government?

(SL:)   There is only one word for political theory and that is Integrity.  My idea of any city government is low taxes, void of any corruption, outstanding services, reviews of outside agencies, routinely having a city that stands against and competes with other cities for those types of services.  Honest election. And listen, - get to know your residents and their concerns.

(JK:)    How have the events of the past few months, in AC government, affected your idea of city government? 

(SL:)   Amazed!  We have a true opportunity to make changes in this election.  Everyone should get involved and vote.  This is the only way to invoke change [in] our government.

(JK:)    What would be the best outcome, hypotheticallly-speaking, for the current Mayoral situation?

(SL:)   Less than ¼ of the residents of Atlantic City vote. My goal is to turn that apathy around.  Appointment is what the law mandates for the opening of the Mayor’s office at this time.  We are a nation of laws -abide by them.

(JK:)    If there were a special election for Mayor, who would you like to see elected?

(SL:)   I do not plan to run for the office of mayor in this special election.  It is too early to tell which person would serve our city best.

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Re-Visiting the A.C. City Democrat Committee Meeting of 17 Oct. Friday, Nov 2 2007

Discussion about the Atlantic City Mayoral situation has significantly dimmed in volume.  I would like to take this opportunity to re-visit the Atlantic City Democratic Committee meeting of 17 October.

In discussing the possible ways that Judge Valerie Armstrong can rule, a lot hinges on her view of the 17 October Democratic Committee meeting’s proceedings.  Was the process of motions and voting legally acceptable?

I wonder why the Barsky contingent acted the way that they did.  Assuming that the people who voted Scott Evans, Dominic Cappella, and Barbara Hudgins had previously agreed on those names, and further agreed on what words Evans would end his opening statements, so that Dr. Barsky would perfectly time his motion and no one else would have time to make a motion, why was the whole tactic performed so harshly?  The leader of the meeting is in on the plan - again I am only thinking hypothetical - the Sargent-at-arms is in on the plan, Toni Dixon is ready with a motion to adjourn, once things work out, along with another person to second the motion, yet the band of 23 was not smooth while in-control of the A.C. Dems. Committee meeting.  What else was going on?

I posit a few points:
Scott Evans overestimated his ability to deal with Marty Small, the 75 guests, and the media. 

The votes were mis-counted ahead of time. 

There were 41 people whom arrived, one 15 minutes late, another 30 minutes late. The final vote was 23 for the Barsky/Evans clan, 18 opposing. 

I believe that the Barsky/Evans clan counted less than 21 that night.  I would put the number around 19. 

Further I estimate that they counted 16 SOLID votes against their motion.  That puts four votes in question, but leaning against the Barsky motion. 

Put your self in the counter(s)’s place: if all four uncertain votes swing to the opposition then you lose by one.  Whew . . . one more of your votes comes in, now it can at worst be a tie.  But if you lose the tie, that will be the worst case scenario.  After all of the planning some other plan squeaks by on a tie-breaking motion, by a vote or two.  That scenario is out of the question. 

Whew, whew . . . another vote in favor arrives.  Now it is time to vote.  All the votes swing against the sloppy plan, due in main to Marty Small’s rant against the proceedings.  All of your votes come through and the motion passes and is upheld against Small’s motion to reverse the first motion. 

Both motions are decided 23 for Barsky’s motion and 18 for Small’s.

Maybe you enjoy my analysis, or are at least amused with the imagination.  I invite you to create your own scenario of what happened behind the scenes leading up to and during that meeting in the UAW Hall.  Leave your synopsis in the comments. 

Here is - by request - the roll call from the meeting: 

Present

Rhonda Gibbs-Allen
Alonzo Bailey
Dr. Howard Barsky
Shirley Barsky
Jerrylyn Beaman
Raymond Bethea
Damian Callaway
Dolores Callaway
Dominic Cappella
Geraldine Cappella
Bernice “Sandy” Couch
Mark Crumble
Angelo DeMaio
Diane DeMaio
John Devlin
Toni Dixon
Sherry Elder
Scott Evans
Annette Faldetta
Antoinette Forest
Eva Garrison
Gary Hill
Barbara Hudgins
Frank Irvin
Mohammed Islam
Cherlyn King
Dennis Mason
Joyce Mollenaux
Terry Phillips
Muqtadar Rahman
Rochelle Salway
Kaleem Shabazz
Nashir Sheikh
Andrea Stephens
Marty Small
Paula Thomas
George Tibbitt
Eugene Wharton
Beverly Wharton
Marcus Wilson
Sybil Victor
41

Absent

Beverley Bromley
Diana Burgos
Rich Catonowics
Ernesto Echevarria
Juana Gilbert
Florence Lang
Joel Nunez
Juanita Pryce
Madeline Ramos
Arthur or William Seward
Frieda Sultana
Floyd Tally
Darren Vinson
13

(54 people were called at the meeting.  I am under the impression that there are only 52 members on the committee.  There might have been substitutions due to the fact that some members were indicted.  I am still looking in to this puzzle.)

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