Its Wintertime Folks

Where Rt 55 meets Rt 42 7am 1-12

The snow was not that bad going to work and yet the Philly and Millville schools were closed. Route 55 was in good shape. I did drive 50 or so to be careful At my job at the Philadelphia County Assistance Office, half the staff were out. My unit bosses were not there. It was a pretty mellow day at the Elmwood District. I got somethings done and at decent pace instead of breakneck as is the norm when one has too much work and not enough staff nor time to complete ALL the tasks that are to be done.

Larry's Bar 1-12

After work, I met some friends at Larry's Bar. I was treated to pinball and a  cold beer. It appears that the Oar House will not return a painted that was loaned to the establishment. Not sure why this is going on but it does leave a stale taste in one's mouth. Its another example of turning off your customers. A friend told me the Oar House was very empty. So it appears that business is suffering under the new owner. Not too cool.
Oh, I read that the state of NJ wants to pass a law to make every bike owner register their bikes. An article in the News of Cumberland County sums it up well:

Tire pressure? Check.


Brake cables? Check.


License plate and registration?


A recently-introduced bill would require bicycles to be registered with the state Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).


If operators decline to do so, a fine of up to $100 could follow.


The bill, A-3657, was sponsored by Assemblywoman Cleopatra G. Tucker (D-Essex) and introduced seven days ago.


Since then, public response has been skeptic, the MVC has been silent and media inquiries to Tucker have proved futile.


License plates, to be provided by the state, would need to be attached when riding on any public land or road in the state.


First-time registration would expire after two years

Image via Wikipedia

Now what is the perpose of this? How much will police go tracking down errant folks on bikes?
This is just unnecessary considering all the problems we have here in New Jersey. Its smacks of big-brother and its just another rule to follow.
Speaking of rules to follow. I have got to get dressed and catch the 5:47 Rt 408 bus. The driver on Thursdays tends to be early and is a bit too old to drive but that is another story. Off I go. Enjoy the video!!!

Closing of Bridgeton MVC: Politics as Usual!

Well, read today's Vineland Daily Journal and saw that the state of  New Jersey is going to close the Bridgeton MVC office to save money. I note that state Assemblywoman Celiste Riley was caught off guard and plans to fight the closing.

State Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, D-3, said she learned unofficially of the closing decision Thursday. Bridgeton is in the 3rd District.
"I'm going to fight to keep it open because it's one of the few things we've got in Bridgeton," Riley said.

 Good luck Ms. Riley.  The article talks about the attempt by then-Governor Corzine to close the Vineland office in 2008 and how the Agency Manager James Forcinito who shortly afterward was removed from the appointed position. Now the Vineland office is run by someone well-connected in local Republican politics.

The Vineland manager now is city resident Carlene Greco, who replaces Van Sant.

Greco is the wife of county Republican Party Chairman Robert Greco.
She applied for the job in May and took over July 6 with a salary of $65,500. She is the first woman to hold the job in Vineland

I see they did not attempt to close the Vineland office and I do not expect them to. Political connections matter no matter what political party. Its easy to think that if big Lou loses his throne to the Republicans, a new fiefdom will emerge. Time will tell.

Privatization: A Bill of Goods!

Image via Wikipedia

Today I am going to comment on the news of the day. I can find my camera adapter and its very early in the morning.
I read that NJ is going to end motor vehicle safety inspectionsand just do emissions testing. Are we going to see savings in taxes? Where is the 17 Million our money going to go to?? A good point  to be made is  the cost of auto maintenance. Folks who barley can afford their cars are going to skimp on repairs and guess what drive on OUR streets. Oh yes, watch the insurance companies hike rates. Yup, penny-wise and pound foolish I say.
The Christie Administration wants to privatize more state servicesto save 210 million.

A New Jersey task force created by Gov. Chris Christie said Friday the state could save at least $210 million a year by privatizing motor vehicle inspections, turnpike toll booths, preschools, state parks and some services at state prisons.

The five-member task force, commissioned in March to examine the potential savings of privatization, submitted a 57-page report to the governor. The group is made up of lobbyists and business interests.

Now, we seem to hear the wonderful savings and efficiencies that come with privatization. Note the quote above mentions that the group charged with writing the report is made up of LOBBYISTS and BUSINESS INTERESTS! They stand to gain big time on any privatization scheme that passes. We all remember what happened when Governor Christie Whitman did this in 1998 with motor vehicle

inspections and the whole plan had to be scrapped due to cost overruns that cost the TAXPAYER millions. This report by the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation shows what does happen when privatization goes wrong. The proposed "savings" will line the pockets of the business lobbyists and the any savings will cease to exist due to lax oversight. This is a history of poor results with privatization. Another blogger explains it quite nicely:

But doing it “right” does not mean firing state workers and employing a private company to do the same job with lower-paid (and most likely less qualified) employees while the politically-connected contractor skims off a handsome profit at the taxpayers’ expense. Since the contractor is accountable to shareholders and not voters, steps must be taken to ensure that the taxpayers’ interests are being addressed appropriately. This requires oversight and insight by qualified and empowered state employees. That cost must be included in the equation when considering privatization.
The New Jersey Legislature MUST take a steely-eyed look at ANY proposal to follow though on these recommendations. They are the folks with the obligation to watch our tax dollars and not sell out to the highest bidder.
The recent decision on emission is short-sighted and so is the Governor's proposals.

Related articles by Zemanta

• N.J. Democrats criticize Christie administration report suggesting privatization (nj.com)
• N.J. Governor Christie to Examine Privatization to Cut Costs (businessweek.com)
• Chris Christie Privatizes New Jersey (maggiesnotebook.blogspot.com)
• N.J. will drop requirements for mechanical inspections of cars to save $12M yearly (nj.com)
• N.J. auto repair shops steamed after buying expensive equipment as state dumps inspection rule (nj.com)

A Day Off!

Had the day off from work today since I will be starting Censorshop training tomorrow at the House of Pooh. Today slept in till 8:30 and did some errands. One of them was getting my car inspected. Now I thought that I might miss the long lines that occur on Saturdays. I was very wrong.I was in line for almost 2 hours. I listened to the NJ State budget hearings. I believe Bret Schendler the new Sec. of Education was answering questions. He kept saying he did not like the cut but to vote for Gov Christie's budget and funds will be restored later. I am not buying that one.
In other thoughts, the Phillies are having their struggles and the Republicans with Democrat Ben Nelson have the votes to filibuster the financial reform bill. Lets see how the Conservative tea baggers feel as they plan to vote for more Republicans in office. Geez, I love it when folks vote against their own economic interest because a wealthy TV personality tells them how to feel. (e.g. Hannity, Limbaugh and Beck)