Chefron
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On the article Freeholder Chairman Mirabella: After Sandy, Moving Forward
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On the article Tonight's Council Meeting to Focus on Power Restoration Problems
Chefron
11:23 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
ReplyAs much as these threads have brought a lot of us together, to share information and blow off steam, the reality is that that's all it ends up being without action.
While I have been extremely critical of the mayor & council's head scratching lack of presence during the past two weeks, I've got to say that I was more than a little disappointed at how few people showed up at last nights meeting to voice their concerns.
Out of the 10 or so citizens who addressed the council, only two directly addressed the town's poor performance.. The majority of the people who did attend were loyal long time residents, suck ups, and volunteers who acknowledged and thanked the efforts of every one who pitched in, including several councilman and the mayor herself. All of these people were recognized on a first name basis when called to speak.
There was ample opportunity to address concerns, in addition to an NPR journalist who interviewed anyone who had an opinion. Councilwoman Portuondo, the only member who had the good sense to join citizens in the lobby to discuss their concerns, was receptive and open minded.
Say what you will about the mayor (and I have), but I'm sure she thought she was walking into the lion's den. She showed up and was prepared to take her lumps. You could almost hear her sigh of relief when the disgruntled never showed. -
On the article Power Fully Restored to NJ by Sunday, Christie Says
Chefron
9:42 am on Friday, November 9, 2012
ReplyBOB
Exercise some discipline before posting your responses.
Rather than jump to conclusions about what you think you're reading, ask a question.
Semantics are a minefield for communication.
Allow me to rephrase: in place of privatized, insert independently owned and operated.
Madison owns their utility. They purchase power at wholesale and are able to pass the savings on to residents.
They are independently staffed through their public works dept., with additional work done by outside contractors, on an, as needed basis.
They are one of only nine municipalities in the state that operate this way.
Even though this isn't technically a forum, it can be used to share information. Some helpful, some not. Or it can be used to just air frustration. Its all good.
Challenging and indoctrinating isn't helping anyone right now. Look outside your window. We're all disenfranchised, and in this mess together.
This is coming from someone who has made the mistake of ready, fire, aim more times than I can remember. -
On the article Power Fully Restored to NJ by Sunday, Christie Says
Chefron
10:04 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
ReplyI don't know why I keep checking JCP&L daily restoration projections.
Their figures change so drastically, that its harder to follow than the stock market.
My opinion is that this has more to do with "El Niño" than global warming.
You guys crack me up.
This has been so entertaining that I can almost feel my finger tips. -
On the article Power Fully Restored to NJ by Sunday, Christie Says
Chefron
6:01 pm on Thursday, November 8, 2012
ReplyYou might as well be mad at PSEGJCP&L.
Throw in a few more letters if you like.
The reality is that the present system doesn't encourage a competitive environment.
Sort of like the two party system which no longer addresses our needs.
Pressure your townships to privatize their energy utilities.
Madison is an example of a town that has done this effectively. You won't find their restoration figures obviously, but ask anyone you know who lives there how it's been working. Of course, politically connected, experienced leadership doesn't hurt either.
There was an immediate response the day after the storm.
I saw more crews in Madison working in one day, than I've seen in Summit for the last 10 days combined. -
On the article Summit Recovery Report, Nov. 7: Mayor Talks FEMA Visit, Efforts With JCP&L (Video)
Chefron
10:27 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
ReplyAt this point, I want power restored if for no other reason than to not have to listen to the a** covering BS coming from the mayor.
Hidden message in all of this "if anything goes down this is what I've been doing!"
What a transparent phony.
Glad you've now decided to get busy, but curiously missing in all of this is what these conversations produced. What committment you've gotten from any of them.
Well, I guess the ball is in their court now. -
On the article Letter to the Editor: JCP&L Partner Helps Hotel After Storm
Chefron
7:40 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
ReplyRead between the lines (see T. Durden post)
She has every reason to not step on the Gov's toes.
Smells funny to me. Doesn't sound like something he would say.
Maybe a nicely worded query to the Gov, just to verify this, is in order. -
On the article How Does the Snow Look? Send Us Your Pictures
Chefron
7:30 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
ReplyNo offense taken.
Levity works for some people.
Sarcasm keeps me sane, and curiously warm!
Thanks for you're sincere efforts.
You're on the right track. -
On the article How Does the Snow Look? Send Us Your Pictures
Chefron
7:13 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
ReplyThere's a recovery going on?
Why wasn't I notified?
If you can tell me what those trucks look like, I'll let you know ASAP.
I'll get you those snow pics as soon as I can find my camera.
Man, it's dark in here for some reason. And cold!! -
On the article Summit Mayor Makes Emergency Call to JCP&L (Update: 6p.m.)
Chefron
3:39 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
ReplyTwo issues in play here.
1) JCP&L buffered communication with the public
2) The mayor's inability to effectively communicate with the community at large.
While I appreciate your research Diane, the problem here, and most people affected would agree, is that your information is exactly what should be coming from the mayor's office.
Keep in mind that many of us in addition to not having power, have no internet access.
The alternative press just parrots general restoration figures that are available at JCP&L website.
Code red has been equally vague.
The most glaring deficiency however, is that it took 10 days for mayor Dickson to pick up the phone on our behalf.
If she had taken any action previously, that we are unaware of, wouldn't it have made sense to let us know?
My issue isn't with the unfortunate reality of our decimated utilities, but with a mayor who lacks the common sense and empathy to realize that the best way to allay the public's fear and anxiety is to communicate with the public as though they are family.
The people posting here can't all be suffering from flawed perception.
In the words of Strother Martin, "what we have here, is a failure to communicate".
I do applaud your loyalty though. I would be fortunate to have more friends like you in my corner.
Chefron
1:56 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
Welcome to the 21st century, where mediocrity is the new exceptionalism.
I heard all of this when he attended Summit's council meeting last week.
This is just to validate how your ever rising local taxes are being put to work, at a time when many municipalities are considering seceding from the Union (pun).
At least they are planning a fact finding mission to find out if there is anything that can be improved. As if they don't already know.
I'm sure they'll get back to us with all of that.
Thank God for the generosity of spirit displayed by volunteers and neighbors who weren't afraid to get their hands dirty.
(Sigh)... bureaucrats.