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Davis' State of Emergency Proposal Had Best Intentions
Friday, September 28, 2012 • 11:01am
Dear Editor,
Whilst I think that the City Council's draft resolution declaring a state of emergency sent the wrong message to investors, potential residents and employers in a very public way, I want to make it clear that I understand Council President Davis' reasoning behind taking this drastic step. He acted with the best of intentions. He acted to save lives.
I think that everyone is missing the point here. The real issue which we all seem to have lost sight of is there seems to be no meaningful plan forthcoming from this administration to effectively combat the rise in violent crime in this city and this is why Councilman Davis took this step. The ultimate irony was Mayor Jones agreeing with Governor Christie by saying this resolution "... makes us look like we don’t have a clue". Without a plan, its clear to anyone of the meanest intelligence that we don't. The news media pretty much confirmed it yesterday.
Governor Christie is correct, the finances in Paterson have been very badly handled, there are some 560 municipalities in New Jersey of which we are one. All but 6 don't get any aid at all. Why indeed should he throw good money after bad when overtime is paid to those who don't qualify for it, when we send unauthorized delegations to conventions, ignore the State's directives and then expect them to throw money at us. The sad reality is that Paterson probably won't get extra money on top of the state aid it will apply for and will have to use the resources it currently has to keep our streets safe.
The Mayor and public safety committee need to work with the acting Police Chief to make use of the State Police, Sheriff's Department (and volunteers) to hammer out a plan to drive out the criminal element in this city. Our Economic Development team needs to find new revenue streams to finance the additional services we need. This is why they were all hired in the first place. In the absence of a plan its completely understandable why Council President Davis felt his resolution was necessary.
Michael SymondsWhilst I think that the City Council's draft resolution declaring a state of emergency sent the wrong message to investors, potential residents and employers in a very public way, I want to make it clear that I understand Council President Davis' reasoning behind taking this drastic step. He acted with the best of intentions. He acted to save lives.
I think that everyone is missing the point here. The real issue which we all seem to have lost sight of is there seems to be no meaningful plan forthcoming from this administration to effectively combat the rise in violent crime in this city and this is why Councilman Davis took this step. The ultimate irony was Mayor Jones agreeing with Governor Christie by saying this resolution "... makes us look like we don’t have a clue". Without a plan, its clear to anyone of the meanest intelligence that we don't. The news media pretty much confirmed it yesterday.
Governor Christie is correct, the finances in Paterson have been very badly handled, there are some 560 municipalities in New Jersey of which we are one. All but 6 don't get any aid at all. Why indeed should he throw good money after bad when overtime is paid to those who don't qualify for it, when we send unauthorized delegations to conventions, ignore the State's directives and then expect them to throw money at us. The sad reality is that Paterson probably won't get extra money on top of the state aid it will apply for and will have to use the resources it currently has to keep our streets safe.
The Mayor and public safety committee need to work with the acting Police Chief to make use of the State Police, Sheriff's Department (and volunteers) to hammer out a plan to drive out the criminal element in this city. Our Economic Development team needs to find new revenue streams to finance the additional services we need. This is why they were all hired in the first place. In the absence of a plan its completely understandable why Council President Davis felt his resolution was necessary.
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