let the fireworks begin.............

but not on July 4th.

Donovan's henchmen are settling a political score. Here is the history from politicsnj.com from 8/23/10.
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http://www.politickernj.com/donovan-ends-audit-staredown-dem-connected-firm

EXCERPT:
Bergen County officials met today with County Clerk Kathe Donovan concerning what was originally classified as three years of audit-dodging by the GOP clerk.

Wielkotz, who also is the auditor in Passaic County, said, "This is the only county department in two counties that I've encountered this (non-participation) problem."

And even though he is a prolific party donor, Wielkotz denies politics.

"Not a factor whatsoever," he said.
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So now the walking/talking conflict of interest dynamic duo are going to get even for their boss. Fair Lawn cannot put up with this!

It time for John Cosgrove to show his mettle (if he has any) and join Peluso and Swain in demanding the resignation of these fools!

But in all fairness though, maybe one of them has a cousin who is an auditor who needs a job. It's a tough economy afterall.

Breaking news? Slow news day?

This is exactly why I first posted here. Her is a reposting of my original comments on the gross conflict of interest we are being forced to bear:
________________________________________________________
Here’s what New Jersey Policy Perspective says about what Trawinski and Baratta are doing.
"Dual elected office holding turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg. Serious conflicts of interest and obligation, as well as threats to government performance and trustworthiness, arise not only when one person serves as both state legislator and mayor, or mayor and county freeholder. Those problems arise as well from a practice that—our research shows—is more pervasive but, except when a high-profile scandal breaks out, less visible.....the mischief possible when one official holds both an elected and non-elected position. The concerns raised by holding two or more elected and non- elected positions are at least as serious as those raised when one person holds two elective offices simultaneously.”

New Jersey Policy Perspective continued:
“The practice of elected officials holding a non-elected public position can:
- Reduce accountability, by providing insulation from political accountability in the elective office and protection from serious or honest performance evaluation in their day jobs.
- Frustrate the checks and balances built into the system by the doctrine of separation of powers.
- Block the political ladder for emerging aspirants by concentrating political power.
- Raise questions about how tax dollars are spent.
- Degrade the tone of public life by raising the stakes of politics. When an elected official’s principal employment is in a public job, his or her entire livelihood may be at stake, not just in every election but in every interaction with the party leaders whose approval is needed to hold both the job and the office. Placating the party organization whose backing is needed to continue in office becomes a priority.
Combining elected and non-elected positions makes possible mutual back-scratching that can benefit the participants at the public’s expense.”
You can read more here:
www.njpp.org/assets/reports/democracy-media/3-rpt_enough.pdf

We have so many other important issues.

BREAKING NEWS: Thomas Paine calls on Zak Koeske to resign! <jk>

Is this really a story?

Wonder, how long did it take for Swain to explain to Peluso what an auditor does in Fair Lawn?

And how many ID's does the BCDO have to devote to posting comments? Wonder if someone is still paying the students at Bergen to do it since Ryan is gone...

If the auditor is violating pay-to-play (and, a look at the ELECT database should tell the answer to that one) or is even questionable, they need to go. An auditor that anyone has integrity questions about is not capable of doing their job on the simplest level. Just ask Benie Madoff's former accountants about that one if you have questions...

Yes the PARISITES can claim any good things they have done so let's attack the mayor

Major PROPS to these 2 public officals for finally calling out, the Mayor/Bergen County Chief of Staff to Pensioner/County Exectuvie Donovan and the Deputy Mayor/BCIA Commissioner/Bergen County Adminstrator......... They should resign and must resign. The conflicts are bad for the Fair Lawn Taxpayers, from the plan to disband the Fair Lawn Police and bring in the Bergen County Police, to Trewinski having a say in the lawyers being selected at the County level, to their support for the American Dream $700MM bond scam which will drive Fair Lawn residents further into debt, to now even firing the Fair Lawn auditor AFTER double dipper Donovan filed her 900 lawsuit -this time against the auditor...Swain and Kurt are Fair Lawn Taxpayers heros,,,,, next step is a State Local Finance Board complaint and then look for the Mayor/Deputy Mayor to file expenscie lawsuits which Fair Lawn Taxpayers will pick up

Democrats hate it when the other side operates in any way that is even a pale shadow of their unswerving cronyistic ways.

It's disgusting to see the democrats slinging mud like they are in an election cycle. Don't they care about the well being of our borough. This is such a non-story that the minions have latched onto. They create the non-story and then the minions do their posting. Grow up and help be a part of the solution to Fair Lawn's real problems.

Anyone hear an echo in the room....?

...oh, sorry...that's only the partisan clone commenters talking amoungst themselves again, in the hope that Goebbels was right about repeating a lie enough times to the gulible to mistake the repetition for truth.

I think it's time for the Fair Lawn taxpayers to call for the resignations of the Swain and Peluso team for wasting our time and money. Stop playing politics and get about the people's business -- that is what you were elected to do.

In response to Delgado and truthhurts: Above, Councilman Peluso referred to Wielkotz as a "great auditor" and Councilwoman Swain saw "no justifiable reason to replace" him.

Mr. Wielkotz was the official auditor for the Bergen County Improvement Authority, saying in 2009 that "it is basically a sound agency." (see: http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ContentRecord_id=32b13804-0033-47b3-8773-c4ea823e1eee). Two years later, then Chairman of the BCIA, Ronald O'Malley was indicted for operating a mortgage fraud operation out of the BCIA (see: http://www.northjersey.com/news/083110_Former_BCIA_chariman_OMalley_indicted_in_mortgage_fraud_scheme.html). Additionally, other reported BCIA abuses include failure to monitor contaminated fill dumped at Overpeck Park (see: http://www.northjersey.com/news/112491794_Bond_agency_s_ex-chief_often_dined_on_taxpayers__dime_Had_meals_with_prominent_Democrats__consultants.html). All occurred during Wielkotz's tenure.

Mr. Wielkotz's firm has blatantly violated local pay-to-play ordinances in the past. Teaneck was forced to replace the firm as auditor in 2010. (See: http://www.northjersey.com/news/101410_Teaneck_replaces_auditor_to_meet_pay-to-play_law.html)

I'm disheartened that two councilmembers have chosen a time when we're facing a future $500K budget shortfall, low police morale, and increasing crime to launch baseless, partisan attacks. I think I speak for many people in town when I say that I'm tired of this.

Dan it was a pleasure to meet you this evening .

"If a professional has to give money in order to get a job, they're not a professional I want to have working for me. I want their loyalty to be to the town and to the job that they’re doing, not to one political party or to another political party."

Hey Baratta, I guess you better cut loose a bunch of folks from their county jobs.

What a circus!!! Ex mayor pouty and the newbie entitlest must be staying under water too long at the Y. Granted, Poppycock and Snooki should resign basically because they too, are guilty for all that is bad in Fair Lawn. With the exception of Cosgrove, maybe resignations across the board are warranted....but dont get too comfy John, playing both sides of the fence got a former flipflopper almost recalled. TP, the collapse of a system is newsworthy, the residents need to see this over and over, maybe one day they will wake up.

So, can someone here explain what a municipal auditor does?

Its weird how the news works. On the same page we talk about the selfless acts of volunteers at a house fire we have a story on the self rightous Politicians name calling each other in order to advance their agendas. Amazing!

Why doesn't Peluso and Swain find people to vote against letting the guy go instead of getting Baratta to resign? WAHH! What a bunch a babies.

Here it is , we are in May, budgets are broken and this is how our council behaves. We know what to expect from Barratta and Trawinski, nothing new there, however, Peluso is starting to come across like Swains puppet. Anybody look to see if Swains lips are moving when Peluso is speaking?

I suspect that they're both Barry's puppets. These orchestrated partisan attacks are extremely disappointing. Perhaps FL moving back to a non-partisan electoral system would improve the atmosphere and effectiveness of our local government. Local issues have very little to do with national platforms, and party "loyalty" just causes problems here. It's counterproductive.

been saying that all along Mike.

A "lowly" Art Teacher. Really? That's not quite the perspective of the arts that I would hope for in my council persons. She should be ashamed.

watching the meetings on tv many times in the past when their party was not in control the two council menbers working for the county passed on voteing on some issues because of their postion. now they seem not to have a problem voting. i am not for any party here just for the good of my town. this can not go on because the town is hurting with majors issues. just think of the major problems our country has faced and party lines WHERE put to rest to get the job done. this is the case now work together or a lot of people will vote to clean house and get people who care about FAIR LAWN.

This exactly what one should expect when we elect leaders based on promises of spending. Instead of justifying spending, they jockey to position themselves to direct the increases. We need to stop allowing them to bribe us with our own money!

Occupy Parmelee Ave!

This town has become such a place not to live in due these political situations. We don't need that political bull poo where you go into a place and the politician needs to shake your hand to say that they are the better person. If I am not mistaken wasn't it that one of our past mayor David Ganz was holding a position in town and was also a county free holder. Why don't we honestly take every one out of office and start from scratch because that is the only way to clean house.

Why is it fine with everbody that Barrata and Trawinski should represent the people of FL while holding down county jobs for which taxpayers must fork over some $350,000 year and they do not even make a pretense in showing which master they truly serve...at least Ganz didn't take a big chunk of our money when he was both FL mayor and Freeholder ...Have they not the slightest embarrassment ?

THE OFFICIAL THEME: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjedLeVGcfE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

A complaint must be filed with the Local Finance Board regarding these two dual government held position politicans. The conflicts are terrible, especially with a Republican Governor who is opposed to it and wants it banned and even called it "wrong". The complaint will vett out the true intentions of these two. They should resign, if not, with the high taxes, its time that a recall initiative start among them. Enough is enough, especially with the expected tax increase because of the American Dream Xanadu

Im a republican and it still puzzles why anyone would think it is for someone to work for the bergen county executive and be able to be the mayor of fair lawn. This is the definition of a conflict of interest.
im trying to think of an analogy to compare to this:
for anyone who watches the NFL do you think it would be ok/fair for the assistant to the commisioner to also be General Manager for a team?
i was appalled when ganz held dual posistions (as i believe many republicans were) and find it very hypocritical and embarassing that our republicans are now doing the same thing.

Jan 6 2012 Patch: "Christie said he would urge lawmakers to ban anyone with a full-time government job from also holding a salaried elected position." While Fair Lawn councilmembers are paid a $2,500 salary, both Baratta and Trawinski have publicly stated that they do not accept the money

The position is salaried. Period. They are trying to force the others to not accept a salary to bolster their position. It is clearly a reach around of the Governor's wishes just as they are doing with the addition of fees to skirt the tax cap issue.

If not for the Democrats being insistent at looking at other ways to balance the budget we would see increases all over.

The unprofessional words of the Mayor amazes me. She tells one Councilperson she doesn't respect his opinion and calls the other a spoiled child having a tantrum. Is that how we get people to work together now?

Other than being someone Baratta and Trawinksi's boss doesn't like I haven't seen any reasons listed of what Weilkotz did to Fair Lawn. Dunay's articles are nice fodder of things other people are accused of, but is he guilty by association?

strictly as a taxpayer, I have no problem changing auditors on a regular basis. In fact,that should be an ordinance. They are auditing, and if they get complacent, things could go awry. No vendor should be selected in perpetuity.

BB: and what would the governor say about PART-TIME POLITICIANS accepting FULL TIME MEDICAL BENEFITS from a town. Should not be happening. Tell them to give up those expensive medical benefits and then they can complain about other council people.

BB: Your answer sounds great...if you are one of those taking those benefits. The bottom line is that no one should take the job to get health benefits when it is a volunteer, and at best a part-time position. That is not a SMALL perk if it costs $17-20,000 a year. I say give them a little more stipend and save the taxpayers some money. Mr. Peluso is trumpeting saving money by taking away some of the employees' jobs while he is taking a rather generous benefit for himself. Very hypocritical if you ask me.

BB: First of all I am not in anyone's camp, just Fair Lawn. The figure that I provided came from the articles and discussion I have seen over the last 2 years in council meetings on FL TV. It is too much when you are asking everyone else to sacrifice and saying how you are going to help the taxpayer. And finally Mr. Peluso wanted to cut over 1 million dollars, which meant the loss of more than one position. Did you watch the discussion or read the articles? It's time to start cutting unnecessary part time benefits.

BB I think our elected officials should be volunteers. Councilwoman swain stated in a public meeting that it cost her money to sit on the council, but should the people of fair lawn be forced to compensate her to be a council person. The simple answer to that is no. That is part of the sacrifice of public service.. The idea of part time elected officials collecting benefits is all the more absurd when those same officials are looking cut services to the citizens of fair lawn. How much more hypocritical can you be then wanting to fire borough employees while keeping ones own benefits. That is just wrong and I think even you know that.

BB: How about we worry about Fair Lawn first!

It doesn't matter whether or not you feel that the stipend and/or health benefits should be in place, or whether or not a sitting councilmember should or should not take them. BP and the other council hopefuls posting here can run for office on the platform that they will be volunteers by choice, and they want to change the system, but they sound very immature trying to force their opinions on everyone else right now (obviously the campaign has begun).

Cosgrove has every right to take them, as do the rest of them. Why? Because they were elected by a majority of voters to that office, and that stipend and those benefits have been part of the job for a long time. It's not as if they just voted in these benefits and a salary for themselves. No one voted for these people assuming that they would waive the stipend or benefits.

On the contrary, Trawinski and Baratta ran with the slogan Fair Lawn First. This is of course comical at this point. No one voted for them because they wanted them to take a political patronage job that would make them beholden to others, creating huge conflicts of interest and putting Fair Lawn conspicuously second behind their political obligations. If they had these positions before the election they would have been slaughtered at the polls. This is of course why they are not running for reelection. They are willing to give up the small FL stipend and benefits (like they're some kind of hero for doing so) for their 6 figure salaries, cadilac health benefits and huge pensions paid in full by Bergen County taxpayers...taxpayers who never voted for them to have those crony positions, bloated salaries, or obscene pensions and benefits.

So on their way out the door to leave Fair Lawn Last and Forgotten, these double dippers will settle all of their boss's political scores, no matter how many lawsuits it brings or how it effects Fair Lawn in the end. They will likely move out of town as they ride off into retirement on the backs of Bergen County taxpayers, who would vote to strip them of those benefits in a heartbeat if they ever had the oportunity.

This is why they should be forced to step down now. Recall sounds like a great idea!

TH, to use your own handle...the truth hurts; Can you explain how the mayor is settling a political score for the CE by not reappointing the auditor when the mayor has never voted for this auditor, even going back to before she was employed by the county.

The sad thing is, while the Dems are calling for J & E to resign, they haven't done anything as promised in their campaigns. Everyone get to work and do what you promised. THAT is the supposed reason you were elected. STFU and fix this town.

I think the Dems are now demanding Lev Stanik of LaFurniture Corp. be hired to act as borough auditor.