I Can’t Recall

A prolific writer and always a community favorite, member “Poor Richard” has submitted yet another compelling look at the current state of affairs in Belleville.

Great stuff, thank you Poor Richard!

I sometimes wonder what people must think about Belleville. I can’t recall a time when Belleville has received so much bad press as it has in this last year.  First a Board of Education majority that can’t figure out where 5 million dollars might have gone, let alone apologize to the children they cheated out of an education. Then one of those same Board of Ed Trustees is elected to the Township Council. Add to that, the fact that a sitting councilman would take himself off the ballot almost guaranteeing that this Board Member would get a seat on the Township Council.  Should you really feel like you were elected by the people if you win this way?  Last but not least, a Councilwoman who can’t remember or recall what she says from moment to moment. This includes a tape of her making racist remarks.

I find it unforgivable that Joe Longo, Belleville’s newest Councilman, would try to curry public favor by using autistic children on his Facebook Page. As a Board of Ed Trustee this is the same person,  that allowed many special needs children to be denied the education and services they required by allowing misappropriation of funds. Some of these children were sent to a talk show on numerous occasions instead of receiving the intervention they required and deserved. If he really cared about our children, would he have left our School District in such a mess?

I guess we should feel sorry for Councilwoman Strumolo Burke. She can’t really apologize because she can’t remember saying anything wrong.  I guess it’s not a “lie” if you can’t remember.  After listening to her over the last six months, I am wondering if she doesn’t understand what she says or she just can’t remember anything.  I guess that’s OK.  We will all get old someday and may not be able to recall what happened yesterday.  Hopefully, none of us will be serving in Federal, State, or Local government at that point in time. I do not believe that the recall of a public official is always worth the expense. However, if you can’t “recall anything” maybe it’s time for you to leave office.

In 1990, Marion Barry was Mayor of Washington DC.  After being videotaped smoking crack cocaine and arrested by the FBI, he had to leave office. Prior to being elected Marion Barry served on the Board of Education for Washington DC.  Does any of this sound familiar?  Do we really want public officials that are an embarrassment to the community?

Belleville is not Washington DC. We are a working class community that expects our public officials to care about our community, especially our children. We expect them to represent us in the best light possible.  If you live in Belleville and vote, make sure you go to Board of Ed and Township meetings. Make sure you learn about your public officials and possible candidates.

Then,  when it is time,  make sure you vote.

The Belleville Board of Education now has to account to a State appointed monitor. He did not create the problems we face. He is only trying to correct the problems created by a very careless Board of Education and Central Office Administration specifically the Superintendent and Business Administrator. Our only hope is that the Board Education and Administration will start to work honestly with Mr. Egan to fix our district. If they do not, we are surely destined for a total State takeover.

Thankfully, Mr. Freda has seen the light and will not be running for the Board of Education in November. Sadly, he still doesn’t realize how he and his family were sacrificed to get his “friend” Joe Longo elected.

Perhaps, someday those responsible on the Board of Education and in Administration will realize what they have done and apologize to the students and taxpayers of Belleville for their total failure to serve the best interest of the community.  Maybe at that point, we can start the healing.

Although I have the utmost respect for our teachers, I am not a Belleville Teacher or part of the Teacher’s Union. I am not Mike Mignone, neither by the way is Griff.  We are caring God Loving citizens that are attempting to present the facts as we see them in Belleville and Nutley as well as this State and our Great Country.

This is for that that former Board of Ed member with the bowtie who suddenly finds it necessary to quote scripture on his Facebook Page:

If you insist on taking something GOD did not give you, HE will take back something he gave you.

Poor Richard