Council, School Board Unveil Preliminary Budgets

Both sides discuss challenges they face as they try to find cash to maintain programs residents expect from city, schools.

The Summit Common Council and Board of Education held their annual joint meeting in council chambers to present their annual budgets and express  Council's Budget: City Administrator Chris Cotter handled the presentation for the council, warning that Summit faces challenges controlling property taxes to keep them within the 2 percent cap. Cotter said that a limit on raising revenue for the city “puts more stress on local budgets,” particularly affecting the city budget while residents' demands for services increase. Council President Richard Madden said that 50 percent of the city's $123 million budget is used for Summit public schools. BOE Budget: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nathan Parker led the presentation and outlined challenges …

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Tyler D

10:44 am on Friday, February 24, 2012

Paying for what I have is exactly what I would like. The problem is that I get no choice at all. The money is taken from me by threat of force. It is spent on someone elses wants and not mine. It is given to schools in which I have no choice or control. You cannot assume that just because the government takes the money and spends it "for us" means that we would not do the same with our own money…   more ›

2012 Reorganization Meeting Tonight

Mayor-elect Ellen Dickson and council members-elect will be officially sworn-in at 7:30 p.m. meeting.

Tonight's meeting marks the first Common Council meeting of the year, as well as the introduction of the new mayor. Meeting schedules will be announced and new local government appointments will be made as well as the appointment of professionals in other city agencies such as the police department and fire department. Here's a breakdown of what to expect: The reorganization meeting is preceded by a reception in the lobby of City Hall starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome.

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Summit Council Makes Key Appointments

Council President David Bomgaars and newly elected Councilman Dr. Robert Rubino appointed to the Board of School Estimate.

Christmas Spirit in Council Chambers

Bill Robinson and John Carlini highlight the season with holiday songs during the last Common Council meeting of the year.

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: A View on City of Summit Goal Setting

“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” --Albert Einstein

Summit’s annual goal setting meeting provides useful insight into the thinking that both created problems and how they may be solved. The challenges are well known. A need for high quality services in an environment of declining budgets and rising costs. What guidance does the public give to City leadership? First, let’s consider the not-so-obvious barriers. The public relies on a city administration that is in control of the supply of services. The policies and procedures that guide them may well be inadequate to address public needs in today’s economic environment. Reducing head-count will likely produce a claim that a loss of people means a loss services. This should not be accepted as fact. Taxpayer-funded services should be held to a …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Susan Hairston, At-Large Candidate

Smart, friendly, thoughtful, and willing to collaborate.

To the Editor: When I heard Susan Hairston was running for the At Large spot on our city council, I was thrilled.  I've known Susan for almost two decades, on a personal level as neighbors, as Washington School moms, and as fellow parents cheering from the basketball sidelines while our daughters played for a team our two husbands coached.  More importantly, I was also able to observe her work on the Board of Ed as my time on the SEF and Rec Boards overlapped her time there.  She's smart, friendly, thoughtful, and willing to collaborate — all valuable traits for a Common Council person and traits that all four of the Democratic candidates have.  While I haven't known the rest of the slate as long as I've known Susan, I can say with …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Susan Hairston for Council-at-Large

She exemplifies the integrity and spirit of service that we in Summit value.

To the Editor: I am delighted and honored to support Susan Hairston for Council-at-Large, Summit Common Council.  I have been privileged to know Susan for many years and to witness her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to her family and her community, “up close and personal.”  There is no one who exemplifies the integrity and spirit of service that we in Summit value. I first met Susan when upon her return to Summit as a new college graduate she volunteered to lead a newly formed Girl Scout troop at Fountain Baptist Church. As chair of the scouting committee and a corporate manager, I was immediately impressed with her organizational, leadership and interpersonal skills.   Susan was able to work effectively across the spectrum of …

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