Its Friday June 25th

Good morning. Good news to report. The City and the Millville Police Union agreed to no layoffs for the Police. Instead the police will have 8 unpaid furlough days. I am really relieved about this. We need all the police we can muster. Glad, both sides kept their heads and made a fair agreement. Its been a long hot summer of crime. Just 2 doors down on my block of Pine, there have been 2 robberies this past week. I was told the Bloods were involved from my neighbor. There were lots of police but the latest scum got away. Yesterday, we had a VERY POWERFUL thunderstorm. It happened about 3:15 to about 4pm in Philly. Millville got 10 minutes. It had hail and some swear there was a tornado but that has NOT been confirmed as of now. It was a sight to see
Last night was Artists night at Carl's. We had delicious gumbo and a Stromboli from Hard Times pizzeria near the Ashley store. Man that was good. We had good conversation about BP, the Millville Police agreement, and that dude who went to Pakisstan to capture Osama Bin Laden. He failed but then again who didn't. We wondered aloud if Bin Laden is really DEAD. He needs kidney dialysis and well Pakistan and Afghanistan are not the most advanced in the health care field. Finished the nite with Sitar Bob and Carl listening to some coo groovy tunes. I will find out the name soon!! In the outside world, things are pretty much the same. Gov. Christie is calling on Public Sector workers to "share sacrifice" with the NJ budget. I KNOW next July state workers will be asked..no TOLD to share the sacrifice no matter WHO is elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Pa. I am sure my pay increase in October this year will be the LAST for several years. Well, I will keep my benefits then I can live with that. So many are unemployed around me so I ain't gonna bitch. Now if the Pa Legislature fiddles with the budget AGAIN, I at least will GET PAID!! Our Union SEIU 668 took the state to court and the court stated that state employees must be paid. So thank God for that. Oh and still more complaining about the NJ Motorsports Park. Not sure what the opponents REALLY want. This writerseems rational for asking racing to stop at 10pm. He says that racing went till Midnight. Yup, I can hear it but I hear the sound of commerce and economic help which Lord knows we need here in Millville. One last item to write about today. NJ Transit is going to eliminate one of the times for my bus the Route 408. The 6:15 out of Camden is history after today. So I either catch the 5:55 or catch the 6:53pm and if I MISS the 6:53pm due to errands or pet-sitting, then the NEXT bus is 8:13pm YIKES. This is pretty bogus I say my fares go up 15% and I have less rides. My biggest salary increase EVER was 4% and I have worked for the state for almost 20 years! Oh F**ing well, the Middle Class squeeze. When I ask my co-worker at the Welfare Office, "What's up?", she says.."the gas bill, the water bill, electric bill!! NOW that's what's REALLY UP!!! Well, lets hope SEPTA (they increase their fares July 1st) does not have problems like the one that happened below with smokey tracks. Oh I am driving today and doing several pet jobs. Lets hope Team USA beats Ghana tomorrow afternoon!! Next week is supposed to be cooler. Lets hope so...

Police Protest at Millville City Commission

This is what I witnessed at City Hall on Tuesday night. There I saw a mass of large men in crew cuts hanging around at the foot of the steps leading to the City Commission meeting. Earlier I saw some Vineland firemen at the Oar House at the bar from 4:30 till about 6pm.( see video below) I had a feeling they were going to the meeting to support the Millville Cops. I was CORRECT! They were very intimidating for sure. Some even mocked my PINK camera (oh well.) See the video below its proof of the intimidation of the folks there. Now I do understand that NOBODY wants to lose their jobs and lord knows we need the police in Center City Millville where I live, I just did not find the mob mentality that was present. I had to leave early but I got the idea. The City Commission does NOT want to raise taxes and they are doing anyting they can within the bounds of state law to do it. I am sure they do not relish laying off police officers but public safety is 62% of the city budget. Well, the Motersports Park got the OK from a private firm. This is not a surprise since the noise ordenance does allow 80db for 20 minutes. Its good news that the city is having negotations with the NJMP. I trust that Dale Finch will handle it with poise. I just thought of something, the sound of the Oar House on band nite (last nite was a good example) has got to be louder then the racetrack and it lasts longer then 20 minutes. I do know of course I KNEW that a bar was close by when I moved from Holly Village to Center City Millville.

Police Protest at Millville City Commission

The real reason I write is what I witnessed at City Hall on Tuesday night. There I saw a mass of large men in crew cuts hanging around at the foot of the steps leading to the City Commission meeting. Earlier I saw some Vineland firemen at the Oar House at the bar from 4:30 till about 6pm. I had a feeling they were going to the meeting to support the Millville Cops. I was CORRECT! They were very intimidating for sure. Some even mocked my PINK camera (oh well.) Now I do understand that NOBODY wants to lose their jobs and lord knows we need the police in Center City Millvill where I live, I just did not find the mob mentality that was present. Well, the Motersports Park got the Ok from a private firm. This is not a surprise since the noise ordenance does allow 80db for 20 minutes. Its good news that the city is having negotations with the NJMP. I trust that Dale Finch will handle it with poise. I just thought of something, the sound of the Oar House on band nite (last nite was a good example) has got to be louder then the racetrack and it lasts longer then 20minutes. I do know of course I KNEW that a bar was close by.

City Commission Meeting May 5th 2009

This meeting was the last before the May 12th City Commission Elections. The police union is not happy with the Public Safety Director. Officer Richard Kott, a representative of the local police union PBA 213, said he's unhappy with Public Safety Director Dave Vanaman, and would like to see a change after the May 12 election. He stated there was a a mass exodus of officers." from the Millville Police Dept. Commissonor Vanaman stated that he did not have to defend his record. He stated that he respects Cheif Ed Grennon and that HE runs the Police Department Kott left the commission meeting after speaking in front of the commission. Vanaman spoke at the end of the public portion of the meeting and quipped about saying his piece before anyone else had the chance to leave the room.
Vanaman said he has done nothing wrong regarding promotions. The three officers eligible for the sergeant position were separated, based on their civil service exams, by less than 1 percent. Per state law, he said, seniority does not apply in that instance. Interviews were held and the best candidate was chosen for the position. You can see the videos here at my YouTube site .

Jim Parent was thanked for his 20 years of service to the City Commisson. A great majority of the citizens stood up and supported the current commission for a fine job over the past 10-12 years. The Millville First was silent on the most part. The Motorsports Park was well represented in the Meeting. Reps from the group TrackRacket were not seen nor heard at this meeting. Track Racket is having a meeting at 6pm at the Millville Public Library. I plan to go but have a Zoning Board Meeting at 7.