September 18, 2024

How you doing, ladies and gentlemen of the council? First thing I want to talk about that I had on the agenda was revitalization, low That's one of the main things I kind of because I see all the empty buildings and And I was thinking about like probably trying to start a nonprofit to get even people So, of course, I'm thinking about the offenders. Actually, Deputy Mayor Rockbar, he got me here. He wanted me to talk about my Black Wall Street TV series, but I get to that later. I also met these guys that have their own security, armed security firm. And what they told me is that they could work with me if I start a nonprofit to get into guys that's coming out of prison who don't have like severe like murder charges or sex offenders where they're able to clean a jacket up and then they'll be able So when we talk about stopping the violence in Newark and you think about the gangs and stuff that's going on, you think about tutting new directions because that's my Think about giving ex-offenders firearms. Now, I know that sounds crazy, but think about this. If I had a firearm, I don't want to lose that. That's like getting your driver's license. You're not going to want to get in trouble lose that because now you've got a forty dollar hour security firm making money. You know, you're doing security for nonprofit for different agendas that we may have I'm also connected with Curtis 50 Cent Jackson. I've been talking to Ice Cube on my Instagram about my TV series, Black Wall It was based in Atlanta, but I had some problems with Mr. But so I moved it from Atlanta to my city because I didn't want to do it here at first because I was like, what did Newark ever do for me? And then I said, well, what did I ever do for Newark? I talked to the people from the NJEDA about this by program as far as funding. Of course, I'll need some other tax breaks or funding. I was kind of hope I could talk to Shaquille O'Neal, our fellow Newarker and maybe get him a part of Black Wall Street. But like I said, that's a whole nother thing. You guys probably remember my grandmother. She worked for Donald Tucker, you know, for a while for years. I just thought I actually got to get an EIN number for my new film company, Tech Films, so it makes me eligible for tax credits as long as I shoot the series in New Jersey, not just Newark, but it's based in Newark. So, but like I said, I want to get back to homelessness because I'm homeless now. He gave me a few connections with Marvin. So I've been talking to housing, trying to get some housing. Nobody's getting no help in these shelters. The staffing that treat you like nothing. They don't feed you on two, what's going on Mr. Kelly? I was in there from August last year to April and I never got a mail. I was actually the first one back in there when they reopened. And like I said, with a nonprofit, I think we could do a lot in the city. Mr. Dupree is real familiar because I stay in his inbox. You know, I've been doing things with the police force. Every time I see him, we were just on Elizabeth Avenue, singing together on video. So, you know, I want people not rough with the police, except the police. You know, because that's the problem with the community is like, it's a divide. What used to be what happened to the beat walkers? Beat walkers used to be in the community walking around even when, you know, there's something I wasn't supposed to do. You know, with that being said, I know my time is short. Like, I want to talk more definitely to the mayor. Oh, and I definitely want to run the, you know, he running for governor, right? I can get him these votes and I could do some things to get him in that, in that seat after Phil Murphy, because y'all know we need him there. So with that being said, I appreciate y'all time.

You want to restate your motion and full. My motion is that we disregard or absolve ourselves from voting for an individual to fill councilman former councilman Payne's vacated seat. And that we allow the voters of Newark to decide who should sit in Lisa Parker to the criminal cult that's running our government. That recording was Razjay Baraka in 2012 when he came down here as a councilman. Since his tenure as mayor, what a contradiction. You have banned people in the public forum. Razjay Baraka left us in a deficit and in debt. You aren't even following the council rules. You don't even give the courtesy to respond to the residents when they come to this podium while we're standing here. The council rules used to be the longest serving member serves as president. We didn't get a special election when Mildred Crump stepped down for her seat. You Larry Crump said you were taking it temporarily. You wouldn't be seeking reelection for the seat. You also received her seat as a commission on the Passade Valley. Parking authority, Brick City Peace Collective. Let me just talk about the despair and the denigration in the last 10 You have no respect for labor, nor do you put in force, um, project labor agreements for all the construction you doing around here, denying people a living wage and health benefits. They're working sanitation and then for seven weeks not pay them. And then you issue a check that bounces. It is a disgrace that you even hold those seats. And here's what's even more insidious that you cherry pick the people that you want to represent us and you don't represent the people because I haven't heard you one time put a piece of legislation forward that benefits the homeowners here, but you're gifting every developer that comes here. You gave us taxation without representation with a 3.9% tax increase. And you plan to give us a reevaluation next year. How are working people and retirees supposed to maintain and sustain You wouldn't even give the honor and the grace or the respect to The ones that none of y'all would be sitting here for if it were not for I don't need a script tonight because I hear the horror stories from the labor. I see how y'all have the halo bill is sitting over there with a developer. They don't have no money to complete their project after you gave them 25 It is disgusting that working hard working people here are demoralized in their jobs and the hostility that's created in the work environments. Y'all created the divisiveness in this city. What I'm saying to you tonight is y'all all need to get your shit together because the people are no longer tolerating it. And the people are going to come up and rise up and stand against y'all. Don't look for another vote for anybody until you do right by the people. So I'm going to first talk about the agenda. When you do affordable housing, we set up an inclusionary zoning. New Jersey stated that each city can govern how much set aside. Newark is the largest city, which you should have been in shining light for every other city because of the Mount Laurel Doctrine. That said they didn't want it in South Jersey, but to keep it up here. Mount Laurel Doctrine gave us, gave us vouchers that they didn't want. Our housing stock for the public housing, Newark housing authority is included in our affordable housing, but you still need to build more with the closure of Terrell Homes, with the closure of let's just say, At the end of the day, what are y'all putting for the people? You got 11 apartments with one, one 60% market rate units. If they did 11 apartments, even if they tried to honor the inclusionary zoning, don't you think we should have gotten two, but then we go down in there and then you got another one in there for 64 residential, but You jib us out all the time and you think we're supposed to be happy We speak for the people who can't speak for the, for the employees of this city that can't come up because they need a paycheck. Nobody can't go and pay rent on what they get here. But matter of fact, and I'm going to tell you right now, it sure as my name is Felicia, Kim, Austin, Singleton, Osegu, Richardson, whatever you want to call me, I just gave you my whole government. At the end of the day, you got garbage workers on Facebook saying that they don't have trucks, that the, that the tires are flat and they're, and they're working, but they didn't get paid. And then when they got paid, y'all sitting up here bouncing checks. If that man gets fired, I promise you not only will I put in an I will put one against you individually. It is ridiculous that you treat your workers of the city like this. At the end of the day, you have to go for the people who put you in the seat. Silver and Ramos, you don't even need the ticket. Y'all make it seem like it's a race thing. Y'all make it predominantly to show that there's division by race in this city. I want to be the first black mayor, the black governor. At the end of the day, we're going to vote and we're going to start teaching our people how to vote, not voting for popularity, not voting because we like you, we're going to vote for qualified people. And I'm sorry that he called you Trump because you're nothing like Trump. But at the end of the day, we're talking about Trump and Harris. Trump and Harris people, all politics start right here in our local government. All politics have to be controlled at our local government, at our county If they were controlled at those levels, we'd be able to fight the federal government. These are the people we hold responsible for what's going on in It's the people that sit here in front of the mic and try to grade the speakers and say, we come with misinformation. When you know we're telling nothing but facts, facts, and then you act like We shouldn't be sitting here all upset when people living in housing, that With 22 score, Georgia King Village, a 22 out of 100. Some people came here for over a year and y'all just sat them to the side. The Riviera came up here for over a year and nobody would help them. Tell the political advisor, I said, get out of 224 and get out of the When it comes to housing, I will fight you and I will fight you nail and And if you don't like it, then get up out the seat and let us put somebody there and then legally vote somebody in that will help the people But most of all that will serve the people. How are all the children of the city of Newark for us all to I come before city council to explain to you why I attend and speak at city council after I missed getting on the ballot to run for city Initially, I came before to raise the position that both Democrats and But since then, my two major issues have been first abatements and subsidies to corporations at the expense of the city's taxpayers, who, by the way, at least in the central ward are suffering According to the principles of capitalism, one should be able to pull themselves up by their respective bootstraps. Otherwise, it's socialism for the corporations who receive tax abatements and subsidies and capitalism for the city's taxpayers. I had initially noted that I had to experience a living in the third wealthiest community on the planet. It's important what I learned from that experience. I could not even imagine corporations approaching that city requesting any subsidies or abatements without at least a major community benefits plan in place before the city signed off on anything. Thereafter, last year, I noted that based on a financial report funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, prepared by the group activism, addressing the differences between corporations' benefit from the city taxpayers versus how wealthy communities The wealthy communities rarely make awards of tax subsidies and abatements. If they do, it's absolutely in no way near the rate that the city has done. My second reason has to do with emergency preparedness. What's the game plan and why is it that the city of Newark is not preparing to navigate and negotiate, preparing the citizens to navigate and negotiate before the authorities arrive if they can't get their reward or food and energy? A campaign that was served to prepare and aid the public when the local state, county and federal governments are unable to reach the residents for days, weeks or months in the event of a catastrophe, disaster or other social related challenges. No, I've been raising this issue for almost a year. However, this year, after the recent earthquake, I received a phone call stating that I made the director of OEM look bad and I was seeking However, I want to make it clear that I do not seek to make anyone look bad. And I've never asked for a contract from the city ever. My reasons for coming before city council meetings is because I love this city and the legacy people who live in it. I will jeopardize my life for this city. I will jeopardize my life for the city and the people that live in it. I was protesting Vietnam at 12 years old. I've been doing this for 58 years and engaged in supporting folks since that time. I seek only to request that this city council, consisting of black and Puerto Rican members of the North political class treat and consider the residents of the city, particularly the legacy residents and taxpayers with the same level of respect and consideration that residents of wealthy communities receive from their elected officials. Um, there was really the same dialogue that I've been communicating with this council for the last year regarding the ordinances, um, six S and F D and six S and F a the Newark resident employment policy and the Newark employment commission, the Newark job policy office and the first source So I hear as we're requested to come to this mic peacefully and in order and present, um, our concerns to this council in a peaceful and law abiding way. I've been doing that for almost a year, asking the same questions about However, we're not getting any response from that. Without this commission, just looking at how the government has been utilizing the tax abatements over this last year, we've been given our tax abatements on completed projects, completed projects have been coming to this, to this council for approval when they're supposed to be approved during pre-construction before the development is even constructed. But we've been doing that and several times over the course of year, 30%, We've also given tax abatements to developers who have been non-compliant We've also given out tax abatements to developers who not only been non-compliant, but owed the city over $1.5 million. So we continue, um, taking contributions for non-compliant. And these are all things that have come, um, the administration or deputy mayors or, or council people have spoken these things that these things are going on in the process of our government. So again, I'm asking almost a year coming to this mic peacefully. When is this Newark employment commission going to be enacted into our government as it was in the year 2002 to protect Newark residents? Newark residents aren't working, but we continue to give out these tax abatements. We keep giving reasons why Newark residents aren't working. We keep giving excuses why Newark residents aren't working, but Newark residents are the reason why the tax abatements are given out. So how is it that we continue and we got tax abatements on, on the agenda tonight. We didn't had almost 15 tax abatements over the last month. 15 and these last between the regular meetings and the specials we've had over 15 tax abatements and not one time have the administration or the BA or corporate council come up here and say, well, we're going to do an amendment because there's been no amendment to this legislation. There's been no new, new, new legislation written. So I'm really as a, as a citizen, really trying to understand how long do I have to come to this mic before I get an answer to when the government is going I just want that, that, that to be answered to the citizens so that we are working, Newark residents are benefiting from these economic incentives. So this is, this is what I've dealt with for the whole year, mostly silence. And I don't expect that going forward because I have a legal mind in front of me. Now I've worked with, uh, uh, your, your mom, councilwoman Crump, and she We were able to do a lot of things in affirmative action. We were able to get a lot of things done that were halted through the government. So I'm asking that you, you, as the council president, give us the same opportunity as a community to get our concerns voiced and not only just Appreciate the opportunity speaking to you this evening. Introducing floating solar, the city of Newark. You have so many bodies of water in West Milford, the millions of dollars you're just letting lay around is incredible. I broke it down in, in a charts that I've provided each and every one of you. I have given them forward and you'll see if not, I'm sure some real, I had 15 of them, but I'm with Lake Trizity. We're a sister company of a sale at Tariff. We want to, we're bodies of water and the habit, we don't harm the It gives your residents, small business and, uh, your government businesses, the opportunity to live off clean energy without having You know, and, um, implementing floating solar in the city would, uh, you have a tremendous, your sustainability plan act is tremendous. And I think you'll put a nice dent and what your sustainability plan is by putting solar in it and as zero capital, we pay for everything. We're paying you, um, to, to put solar on your, your reservoirs. Doesn't have, doesn't affect the hat, the community, the fish, the And it's just, uh, it could benefit the city. So I was talking, I was speaking with, uh, Nicole, you at Cabral, She had to come to these meetings and try to explain what we could do for the city. And like I said, no capital from the city at all. When I get contracts in place, or I do anything, I'll give you money to say, it's, this ain't no, this ain't no residential solar lease. My contact information is here on the, my phone numbers are on the paperwork. And, uh, if you have any further questions, please feel free to call me. I think what we'll do is provide this to the administration. Haven't been here a few months, you know, night speakers weren't But the people still coming up here with the same concerns. All this construction going on in the city, but nobody tell the residents where the construction is going on. Maybe if you let me know in advance, I don't know how to do a detour, but let's go to the department who's in charge because when they do the construction, they don't even do proper detours, we're just making you turn at the U turn at the U turn at the U turn gas costs too much for me to keep you turning and you turning, but just let me know if you're going to take the busiest street, burger street and shut it down. You know, a speech was made before this meeting started that let's Whether we agree to disagree, but some people just cause you got elected, I mean, there's some people up there. I was elected before they were being appointed and elected. It's not the same thing, but your ego is so big. Whether you like me or not respect the fact that I'm here for the residents, when I come up here every month to talk about something, it's my own situation, but I'm speaking for the community as well. Respect that I'm the aid without the pay, but the problem is we How many different people came up here already? Even if you can't resolve it, why don't you just follow back up and say, listen, I tried this, couldn't help you. Maybe take this route, but we're not even following up. You know, most of us watch Sesame Street, right? A lot of us know letter A of the day, accountability. You tell us your doors are open, but where is your door? They only know the people that come speak up here. Don't tell me that you're accessible when I try. Cause I got a council person so busy trying to keep me off his democratic party, all the problems I had. Now one person from your office reached out. So imagine if you ignore me, how many other residents you ignore? But at the same time, maybe going forward, figure out something. Do you got to be part of this party, that party, this party, that party, this party, what are you really getting accomplished? There's other levels to this, but we should all be in communication to get some results and let me tell you residents. So now that you're not happy now, they didn't go your way. Now you want to come up here and yell at them for what? I'm just really tired of coming here and then getting no results. You're not even listening to the people. I actually have a meeting in the community with the entire community. What happened to some town hall meetings? But I got an event for everything, though. If I had a meeting for every picture you took, maybe you could find out the concerns of the people, because the only way to represent us is to listen to us. We just had a family, the anguis that were in Paris, But what we always recognize in abatement is I can't afford to live here. People with vouchers can't afford to live here. You forgot about the people that can't qualify for affordable, Sit down with me. I'll break it down for you. But I can't afford market rate rent either. I can't tell you a hundred things that's going on in this city in five minutes. But if you don't even want to take out the time to talk to me and listen to me so busy trying to make sure I'm swept to the side. because the more you put me in the corner, the more people request to see me. I'm going to help no matter what my situation is. But at the same time, you took off a responsibility. My grandmother always told me, if you ain't got nothing nice to say, I want to thank you for your time tonight.

I want to thank the Lord for waking us up this morning. Blessing our family, our friends, the homeless, the needy, our enemies, This thing with Democrat and Republican. Before I go into what I want to say, I want to give a moment of silence for Betty Owens, the young lady that spoke for my building June the 5th. Told y'all she's around for her birthday in September. You came out and you came back to make sure it was done. We're coming out or making calls and I don't follow up. I got the dates mixed up, so I had to hear, you know, when you when you worked up, you get dates mixed up. This thing started November the 30th, 2021. When I started, it was 12 bodies as well over 100. July the second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth health department code and forced to came back out for the same information that was deleted, posted, went to people apartment because the overwhelming amount of mold that was found, They gave them 30 days, which now is September the 18th. Nobody came back out to check or nothing. September the 10th, we had a luncheon from a guy. But they were smart enough not to do it inside the community room. It's usually more than 100 people a 10 when you give it food. But it was about 15 with a people I took pictures that saying something people were disturbed, scared to death. So Carmen Buco, who's running tonight against MacGyver, one B. Other people, other attorneys, people getting on it. They can't believe the papers that I gave you. You all look the other way without the exception of roundtree You allowed the city clerk to delete information that people were dying left to right, not one of you are not one of you. But this group, this man, Carmen Buco came out to reach out. I don't understand. I was raised as a Democrat. Y'all looked behind. Y'all look at the other way. Why? Y'all seen this song under the republic, which we stand for who? There's no justice for all. Y'all that all these seniors die. I'm going to go before Congress is some tough ladies. Y'all congratulate and how you congratulate when you didn't regulate You knew the lifeline is and y'all congratulate. I don't care who come up, who they bring, who say they did a good job. Who did a good job to stand up for the seniors at 516 Bergen Street? It was privately owned. It was being taken care of. February of 2015, it was converted over to North Public Housing. It doesn't expire until October the 24th of 2024. You all come in with rad. That's a breach of contract. You say no longer write your lease, your rent to rad. Every apartment that was done brand new wasn't done brand new. You got molded brand new floors on molded floors. Then it go by the time this story gets out So any families at 516 Bergen Street, your parents die. I don't know the name of the movie, though, with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington. Betty Owens, Betty Owens, she back yard. Everybody said it's going to take care of and they didn't. Y'all that are dying like y'all now others.

Good evening. I said I'm like Aleef Mohammed, Court Towers, Aleef Mohammed, president of Aleef Mohammed near school. I usually talking about certain things, but I want to talk about a couple of things that just happened, and I want to just talk. I don't see any corruption from you guys. Now, at the end of the last meeting, Larry has said something about the parking situation. I'm going to tell you a story of what happened with me in the park. About two, three years ago, Mitty caught me and said, Aleef, I got two people that need to get their high school diploma because I'm sitting in the park and they get a job. I said, I'll work it out while you're in the program and we'll see. So we made an agreement how we was going to do it for them to get their diplomas. So about six months go by and I see that they're graduating. I'm like, damn, I didn't issue a diploma. Like, damn, you know, they don't have a high school diploma. So about a month later, one of the persons come back to me. She said, I didn't have a driver's license and I have this part of requirement. So what I'm saying to you, Larry, is that they got into your, they got into parking without a high school diploma and without a driver's license. They ended up getting fired because they found out. Larry, I know Larry, came in when he was in high school. One of my middle daughters, I think he was in 11th grade and she was He's the kind of man that my generation dreamed about. We, the only thing I had a problem with Larry was when he got the position, I went on Facebook and I said, bro, please run so it don't be no mess. And the funny thing I always think about Abubado Big Steve. He said, in Italian, there's no word, it's nepotism. You're supposed to look out for your family. And I remember sitting next to Eddie Osborne. I said, Larry going to finish up his mom. He said, I don't think so, I think it'll go all the way. So bros, how you set a foundation on something? So you know what the amazing thing about this thing with the president? When Lamonica was elected president, they nominated you for vice president. Little bro, it would have been no issue. So what I'm saying is you can't punch a guy in the face, lad. Then come back and say, let's be friends. Now maybe on Hansberry Avenue, when you grew up, that's good. But when he grew up on Columbus, the 7th Avenue, I go, So it's a bad start and your start always will be foundation. Now Lamonica, I asked her to resign last month. She didn't, but she resigned now when it became political loyalty to make a move. Now this affirmative action, I told Rachman he needed to come apologize. This man come up and talk about affirmative action. At the budget meeting, the head of the department said that they only have five So they're understaffed and then they collect only a million and a half dollars. I don't care if that's up to the developers. They got to find these people to be demanding. I got to do every week and get my sandwiches from them and stuff like that. But he needed to apologize and guess the word they use. Well, like my song, Larry, may Allah bless you. Well, anyway, being that I got a chance to, uh, Munira El-Bumani. Um, to rebut after being spoken to after the council meeting yesterday. I just want to say that there's a criminal charge and the civil charge. For those who know lawyers, don't y'all know that. Like I said yesterday waged against president, uh, outgoing president, Complaint number E S X L dash 13 dash 58 dash 24. That is a civil charge against LaMonica McIver. Another thing as a central ward resident, former, I want you to list one thing, central waters, one accomplishment that that council person made that helped This list one, because in my book she done nothing. And in my book, McIver shouldn't even be able to hold public office for violating the oath of her office and a federal law because under U S C 18 If you all enforce the law, but we know y'all don't do that here, So once again, good riddance, criminal cult that's running Baraka slave plantation, AKA enterprise. Some of y'all should be following Diddy for the sex for hire, racketeering and crimes against humanity. That's going on right here in city hall. That's being videotaped all across the city. That job acting like y'all on here and see whatever, whatever the worst administration that I ever known in the history of Newark. You got people hoodway that you're doing such a great job. Once again, message to the tax evasion committee, the equitable equitable growth commission, office of affirmative action, union leaders, housing commission, civil and human rights group. The ruckus client report recommended that you build 16,000 low income Why do you continue to build luxury high rise apartment, high rents for Oh, properties and turn them into high rents. Oh, I'm going to put a moratorium on housing three family until they New Jersey Institute tells a two city report recommended that you address And before I tell me, there was a whole lot of us talking about the first source hiring, the affirmative action and all the other things Why haven't you done what you've done with those laws that's on the book? We got a BA who haven't submitted a budget in a timely manner since He shouldn't be called to resign, but you ain't going to do it. Cause he's a part of your black elite club. Um, first I want to say good evening and congratulations councilman Crump. Um, I want to first say, um, kudos to the department of recreation for They provided a lot of wonderful activities and kept our kids I want to acknowledge all of those organizations that work child's play as well with summer camps who prepared our kids to go back to school with backpacks and, um, book bags. Uh, we did a great job, but we still need recreational I get very disturbed when I see so many students downtown Newark at the school, which used to be a thriving place where we shopped and ate at some of the best restaurants in town. Now parking and traffic and loitering with our teens is just horrendous. So I know you've been given a lot of, um, um, charter schools, um, the opportunity to build downtown Newark build schools, but that used to be a place where we shopped and now we have students down there. It's just not conducive to have some of the young people downtown. So I hope that you guys will limit any more expansion of Um, quality of life is a major issue in Newark, the sanitation, the rats, you know, the trees that need trimming, the cart theft, it's just out of control. You know, I don't know where all the COVID relief funding went, but we Uh, vacant lots, you know, when I drive into Newark, I come off at 21 or 22 or 280, I used to come in and I used to say, wow, I'm back in But now I come in and I see the weeds going by a Pat's blue ribbon, the former site, I see graffiti, I see trees growing and lens and We need to beautify Newark and get us back to our former glory because we have a lot of people who want to come here, visit vacation here, but the quality of life here needs to improve. Um, the development that's going on in the city is one of my I have new development across the street from me. And when they came to start building, um, next door, they tore my fence down and separated our properties while I was away out of town for a funeral, I came back, my gate was gone, um, with no explanation. Half the developers who are coming in our city don't live here. And, and when I went down to, um, city hall to find out what exactly, um, what was done and who purchased the property, you know, I was told by the engineering department that when the property was purchased, there was to be a 10 feet, um, separation between our properties. There was to be a three feet setback, um, from the property And they started building all the construction on a property line. So I can barely get my car in my driveway. I can't even think about getting a larger car because I And so I think before development starts, the, um, inspector should come out and make sure that the property line is not being hindered. And I've called Bruno and the inspector's office, he's yet to come out. Before those residents move in and they get a certificate of occupancy. I want, I want to have someone come out for the city to make sure that my property line is not being infringed upon. Um, I want to talk about crossing guards. We have a shortage of crossing guards in our city. Now, when I sent people out to get the application, they came back and he said, you know, they're asking me for my voter history. They asked me, you know, if I've ever had any domestic violence I mean, just a 12 or 15 page application that they don't ask for in, uh, East Orange and other municipalities, you know, the person has had a charge Those, these, these are hindering people from getting a job. The crossing guard position is only a part-time position. You're only just like a bus attendant in the morning and then in the afternoon. So why are we asking our residents for all of this information, their credit And I want you guys to look at that application and then I want you to come back and tell me we're going to revise that. Um, I know you guys are, you know, overwhelmed with what's going on in the city, but you know, the holidays are coming. We need to, you know, start doing more of our residents. We need more recreational opportunities for our kids in a community. I look and see some of the kids at the school with nowhere to go. Yes, we have a few recreation centers, but we need more recreational opportunities for our schools and we need to sit in and do it to step up. I reside at Vanderpool street in Newark, New Jersey. I'm here to speak to the, um, the law that is cited. Uh, Dodd-Frank Wall Street, uh, reform and consumer protection act. And I would like to, uh, just mention title six, which is, uh, improvements to regulation of bank and savings association, holding companies and Well, there is section, section six, so two, and it's the moratorium. And the study of treatment of credit card banks, um, industrial loan companies and, uh, certain other companies under the bank holding company act of 1956. There is a study that is being conducted. It is the government, uh, accountability, uh, office study of exceptions under the And it states that the study requires the comp, the comptroller general of the United States should carry out a study to determine whether it is necessary, it is necessary, uh, in order to strengthen the safety and the soundness of institutions or the stability of financial system, uh, to eliminate, excuse me, to eliminate, uh, expectation, exceptions. There would be, um, a, which is section two, a five E of the bank holding, uh, company, and there are a through F and each would be considered a, it would I would like to also mention in our title, title nine, there is the sub title E accountability and executive compensation, and there was the Well, I've already spoke once or twice about the, um, shareholders approval of executive compensation, the recovery of erroneously They're going to need some assistance with the microphone. They could give them out for them to look at if you would like. So I'm just going to do a couple of the things. You might have to, John, can you hold the mic closer to thank you? So, um, the first thing I want to talk about is hello to all you guys. So anyway, item number one, I'm going to do something I don't usually talk Um, I have a tax, um, map back there and I've emailed it to everyone, but I This is an old issue that's been going on for ever since Mildred, uh, was She actually took these documents and had them stamped my plans to build at four 50 to four 52 Springfield Avenue. And, uh, that's been about, I say about nine years ago and, uh, my paperwork has just been in getting, getting looped through the system. And since she's gone, uh, they gave the property to invest Newark. I have been taking care of that property for over 30 years and leasing it in 2023, they asked me to pay and update my building plans again. And I put out a couple of thousand dollars, which I do not have, uh, I am a licensed contractor here in the city of Newark and, uh, somewhere in there, they gave the property to invest Newark, even though the property was supposed to be allocated to me. Um, and I've given you guys copies of the minutes where this goes back And it's been going through generations. Hammermill was the last one that asked me in 2023 to update the plan so that we could go on with getting the papers signed over to Um, so I would like for that to take place. Um, the land has been given to invest Newark. And the last I talked to Greg Good, he offered me a suggestion that they build a building there, a 50 story building and a two lot and a two lot And I asked him, I got gray hair, but I'm not crazy. So I want those properties to finally be signed over to me so that I can go on with the plans that I've submitted to the city. Um, and it was before Newark became popular again. The other thing is my house on Springfield Avenue, which is next door to these lots and I've been there for over 35 years doing community service work and everything else in the community. I work with all the colleges, uh, youth bill and all the other organizations. And as when I was in this wheelchair 2008, a lot of you know who I am. You came to the events that we had there when we did free work for over, over a thousand customers in Newark for seniors, veterans, and disabled people, uh, doing home repairs free of charge through So I've been committed to this community and when I had money to leave, I stayed. And so now that I always hear how we want to do something, uh, legacy people, I don't usually ask for things for myself, but I want this property next door so I can continue the plans that I started long before all these people that are trying to take my property, my home now. And so that's not going to happen quietly guys. I'm not a loud voice, just person, but I'm not also not afraid You can just consider me to be David with five smooth stones. The other thing I wanted to know, is there any assistance for me for the fourth times my house got hit since March? The last one was March of 2022 when the cars came through the front of my building and I'm trying to get you guys to negotiate with Essex County to put those big block barriers in front of my building. So the next time it doesn't kill us, I've gotten no response and Look forward for an email from Cynthia at IHS tech.us and I'm asking you to read the documents and to please respond to me. I've written to the County about the blocks in the front because I was told it's a County street, but the city council was working in conjunction with And so I would like for you to do that, to get the tax map set to make my property back 25 by a hundred instead of 25 by 75, there was a check that was issued to rebuilding together Essex County, which I was the executive director, that's the organization that did all the free work for the veterans home down neck, for the one over on Irvington Avenue Um, we were awarded an $80,000 grant that we never got the check for. I still have the award letter with the gold seal. And, uh, I'm just asking you guys, I'm going to send you an email again.

Uh, next speaker, Donna Jackson should probably email. That's unfortunate problem with our elders in this city. You don't even understand these people don't respect you anymore. And they haven't respected you for years. You don't even get a decent chicken dinner anymore. They have digressed you guys in 20 years, elders, 20 years, you get a quarter And you still sitting at the Robert tree. I'm telling you right now, I'm getting to them golden ages and I'm not letting none of these folks pull the wool over my eyes, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren, elders of this city, elders of this county Now I have a problem with you having loyalty because I love every one of you up there. But when it comes to business, they all get an F. Nobody's doing what they're supposed to be doing. You know how you guys would have really looked good. And I ain't talking about me because I'm not looking for no check But you got some people out here that got some ideas that could catapult y'all to some respect in this community that you don't have. They talked all that mess up there at Kevin Taylor's funeral. Well, shut up East Orange too, because Kevin Taylor was not a part of the party. Donna Jackson ain't a part of the party. Y'all talk about Donald Trump and you're worse than he is. At least Donald Trump gonna say to my face, Donna, shut the hell up. And stabbing me in the back, killing my grandkids. All this violence going on in this community. Let me give a shout out to Central High School security staff. We had melee in that building for two years, but not one person from the outside into that building, even though they broke the glass, even though they broke the glass. And this principal up there, you want to razpicks? You do not call an administrative meeting at dismissal in no school, How the heck is the staff sitting in a meeting while hell breaking loose outside the building? That's your friends who you ain't gonna do nothing. How many sexual harassment cases we done paid in these agendas? We pay $600,000 for one person, $650,000 for another person, and $750,000 in this chambers. What about all the undisclosed sexual harassment cases y'all done paid? We know Razz, why Razz ain't go to court with Willie Parker? He would have talked about all them sexual harassment, and y'all know about it. This one get $400,000, this one get $300,000. You're the deputy warden director, you're the diswarden director, All these unqualified people, and y'all costing us money. When the last time OEM did a presentation here. We never had six feet of water on Smith Street. Guess what? As a community person, y'all talk about me, Because y'all on your knees for this Negro in the corner. You damn sure ain't doing nothing for the children. And take it, eat it, and go home and cry. Because it's on your backs that this happens.

My name is Miriam Bay, and I'm an investor in Newark. I live in Newark, and I work for Newark. And I want to give a shout-out to the brothers in sanitation that this has happened in the city of Newark. What is the city doing for Newark homeowners and have never received a tax abatement. So why aren't you doing the same thing for us that comes in here and destroy our communities? The Hotel Riviera is under new management, And now I'm told that families are living in there. Why are we letting children come in that building? And what they said to me, I believe them, The doctor does not want her to have her surgery So we're trying to find housing for her. I was told that there was a line of over 60 people For 22 years, I have helped the brothers and sisters since I worked here with Councilman Bessie Walker. Then I started working inside the prison systems. These brothers and sisters who are going into these filthy shelters, if they say something, if they complain about the conditions, They are being threatened to be sent back to prison that they're going to tell their parole officers because they're complaining about the conditions that they're living in. Because I have a lot of brothers that I'm working with, mainly, but a lot of the clients that I'm working with And they're being threatened by the staff in these shelters. The other thing is that what these shelters should be doing, they need to be helping these brothers and sisters They're supposed to be training them, but here's the thing, a lot of the staff is not trained, they're competent. They're not looking at the fact that they just came home or that they need housing or that they need employment. monitoring all these shelters that the city is paying for? you'll see that I just got pictures from brothers who's living in a shelter, bed bugs and mice. If I come up here and I say something, I can prove it. I'm not going to just say something to say. and we also mentioned Miller Street as well. We got to do something about it because here's the thing. When they come down to see me at 375 McCarter Highway, And as their counsellor, I'm going to help them. not just brothers and sisters who are coming home from prison, but all of the residents of the City of North. But we need to have people who are qualified to do it. You got six... No, you got seven minutes. with the exception of one person, because I do like him, It's winter time. You might not even have the hats. I want you to get everything that belongs to you, I want you to go down there with the rest of that caulk. I know they call themselves the caulkers, the black caulkers, but they're the black caulk. Because that's exactly what they're doing down there. to go down there to the event earlier this month. I guess you all sat around and looked at each other. And I bet when y'all went back to your hotel room, She's going down there, and I only want you out of here. I want you to win, because I want you out of here. Now, it's not going to impact us in no way. Because I know that vote is counted out. Now, somebody did tell me you had a high count in other towns. You're going to do what you have to do for us. And to the other candidates that were running against her, The pains, the barackas, the James, done. Over. I thought I would come here, just be quiet, It's us. But you know what the problem is? And the young man saw me earlier today, he said, please, could you just please don't say it? Did you just hear what people came up here said? In 2012, and Lisa Parker played the tape, your mother sat right there where you're sitting. and I told her to hold it from that side. You should do... You know what you should do, Larry? You should thank them for the opportunity, and get back over there where you sit at but you know damn well you should not be sitting there, Larry. you shouldn't even be sitting over there. In fact, you shouldn't be sitting in none of them seats, It's the same way if they had it did it for her,

First, let me throw some shine on a few people. I want to thank the director of the health department for jumping on a case that was going on. And I know I get up here and I beat up Louis Solerio. he stepped up and was able to help some young ladies out even though they send you to West Bumble First of all, I'm going to have to defer myself The fact that Larry Crump is in that seat, And I'm going to say this disrespectfully, Number one, again, you should not be in any seat up there Or she said you were filling in, blah, blah, blah. And I understand that you probably didn't want it because even how it was done wasn't done correctly. And so you all are just going to give us and we're supposed to be happy about it. you can say God is this and God is that, and not the bidding of the people, right? So you don't benefit with the people at any stance. Kelly had the chance to rescind their tax abatement. The council was willing to go with them. No, no, no, I can't do it, blah, blah, blah. and act like you're doing something for the people. No, when you had the opportunity to do it for the people, and I don't have any personal feelings with you, The most you've ever done was sit there and whisper, we got to say, we can't hear you, can you speak up? When I told you that I was being stalked and harassed that he wasn't supposed to be giving out, you did nothing because your hands were tied, And then you go to a meeting and you commend them. Then two days later, after they fixed the election for her, didn't have enough people, which was the 500 plus one delegates. They have people come in, sign the paper, then they kick them out just to get enough And you want to talk about the Republican Party. Those are the ones that the bastard used You cannot have white supremacy without black involvement. You cannot have slavery without black involvement. You helped the slave catchers catch the slave because you know why? You're inside the house. like that clip I played with Chick and George and Kuntukente. I'm not about to let you mess up the good thing I got going on But meanwhile, the people are dying and suffering and cannot afford to live where their ancestors Alison last stood up here and gave a developer oh, I'm going to give him a $1.8 million abatement But meanwhile, we the people can't live. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker.

In my appeal, I ask that a portion of Clinton Avenue in a sense to where his contribution to society being that the council members just sitting here today would have those positions if it wasn't for him, between Elizabeth Avenue and Fabian Place be named in his honor for the work that he did. Even though he's a rock father, he's a leader and he pumped the spirit and changed throughout our community. you individuals up there was qualified to get positions. I understand a lot of stuff is going on, but that's why I'm here today to address that issue. I had submitted the proposal to the committee, So how do you feel about it, the committee? All right. Let's listen to the speaker, please. Good evening. State your name for the record, please. and the members of his staff for their assistance the residents of the upper Valesburg area, experience catastrophic flooding problems in their homes whenever there is heavy, sustained rainfall. is the result of the excessive, unregulated construction on the campus of Seton Hall University in South Orange. Mayor Baraka, our community respectfully requests that you review the agreement, if one exists, between the City of Newark and Seton Hall regarding the flow of rainwater from the university's campus. Additionally, we ask that you officially request the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and sewage drainage systems in our neighborhood, which continuously flows and flood the homes in our community. District 36 District Leader, with my phone number attached. I have 10 copies to present, one for each of you. between the City of Newark, the County of Excess, Seton Hall University, and the Village of South Orange, never envisioned the amount of construction that has taken place on the university's campus What was then an area of grass, hedges, trees, now containing multi-story construction, I'm sorry, multi-story recreational facility, numerous town homes, I believe are for the priests and the new practice facility for the basketball team. addressed the needs for additional water These storm floods has cost my neighbors Every time heavy rainstorm happens in our area, and the damages are not covered by our homeowners' insurance, because we are not located in a floodplain area, and some of the items cannot be replaced monetarily. The residents in my district are mobilized, and we want action. from my district and District 36, please stand. And anyone that supports us, please stand. the late Chief of Staffs for John Sharp James, the amount of rainwater that came down, not once, but twice. I left my godmother's home, which was the former assemblywoman, to make it home before the second downpour happened, My car could have gotten stuck, but I went live on Facebook to show you the amount of rain that happened in minutes. I thank you all for coming out and supporting our district, because every time I call him, he does respond. May I present some documents to the council? and thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

My name is Quadir Porter, and I'm the executive director and founder of Brothers Building a Better Nation, Since our inception, BBABN has been committed specifically in the Lower Broadway neighborhood Through mentorship, mental health support, and community engagement, we have seen firsthand how vital these resources are to the future and services such as educational programs, mental health support, and leadership training. for the community, a place where we can come together, heal, and grow stronger as a unified front. BBABN's journey started with a simple mission, that's to uplift the brothers in Newark. Over the past year, we've made significant strides which will enable us to cover our core operational expenses, This contract represents a strong financial foundation for the center's success and demonstrates our commitment and a lease for the 7th Avenue Community Center that's right off of 7th Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. We've negotiated a rate of $2,800 a month, and I'm pleased to share that we have secured six months of free rent in the first year, to focus on the renovations and programs development and this service has come with a known fee of $15,750. However, despite the progress we've made, there are still financial challenges ahead, particularly around the repair and renovation costs Based on our research after looking at the after-repair value comparable to commercial properties in the area, The square footage of the space is 1,750 square feet, and we're committed to keeping the project To ensure we spend the funds wisely and efficiently, we put a strong financial controls in place. We've elicited the support of Valley National Bank and we've opened a separate account at Chase. So we have a Valley National Bank account where this funds would be exclusively for this project, and we also have a dual signer, Sharon Saldivar, a well-known community leader who assists small nonprofits to serve as a secondary signature on this account. With these measures, we will ensure that every dollar is used appropriately to build the community center. Looking to the future, the center will not only serve as a beacon for hope for Newark young men, but also a catalyst for greater community development. We ask for your guidance and support in securing the final funding necessary to make this vision a reality. in securing $165,000 to cover the renovation repair costs. This is a modest investment considering the long-term impact the center will have on the Norse youth and wider community. we are currently submitting partnership requests to local foundations such as Victoria Foundation, Dodge Foundation, PSE&G, and Prudential Foundation. With your help and support, these respective institutions, and create lasting legacy for our community. Tonight, I am also presenting you with a comprehensive packet the summary of the grants that we have already won, like the Harvard Undergraduate Consulting Group, and a detailed budget for the Seventh Avenue and we are ready to take the next step with your support. Together, we created a space that will positively impact And also let it be known, I was one of the homeless youth And one of the things that I committed to myself was to make sure this stops one way or another. And I was one of the brothers that was able to go to school. I didn't do very well in school when I was in high school, I want to bring other brothers along the way as well. Thank you for your comments, Mr. Porter. and I'm actually not necessarily coming with a problem today, but I think often times we talk about problems, but when things happen good, we don't come and report about that. that I've been doing with the Office of Violence Prevention. Several months back, we came before you guys For me, I take this work very seriously. I'm someone who was formerly incarcerated. I was actually sentenced right here in Newark to serve 12 and a half years in federal prison for bank fraud. I made God a promise that if he allowed me to see another day that I would come home and do the right thing One of the things that I've been able to do with the help of this city is a program called Boss Up. that we've been able to do with the funding that we got through the Office of Violence Prevention. This past year, we have serviced over 200 students. each of them who developed their own businesses. Students had to go through a rigorous process and then we gave them money to do pop-up shops, which they've done now all throughout the city. We did a summer program at Weekway High School and it was kids from Eagle Academy and also university and we started working with those students. They were also given stipends and they were actually paid by the summer youth office of employment. Then we did something a little bit different. We saw that there was a need for our bilingual students, many of which didn't qualify to receive jobs through summer youth. With the funding that we got, we was able to give them stipends Actually, that was in partnership with the Board of Education. and when students heard that they would be able to get stipends, Then outside of City Hall, we was able to do a huge pop-up shop. Councilman Dufree also, Kelly Dufree was there. Our students, their lives have been transformed from this because not only is this a program where they get money now, they now have businesses that they are able to utilize what they've gained to continuously make money. Our students have been featured on PIX 11 News, two of them. One of them actually opened up his own brick and mortar restaurant. Another student who goes to Newark Fashion and Design, she actually has her own fashion business. but now they are able to take their skills and actually create businesses that are doing really well. I wanted to come back tonight because I'd be remiss to not talk about what has happened in the folks on the ground. I was able to actually go with the Office of Violence Prevention. They just did a big retreat with community partners where they're helping us to capacity building and training and just a bunch of community work that we need. I'm with here now my project manager, Kari Nardlinger, We're going to go back into the schools and continue to do the work. I just wanted to report out on what was being done I appreciate what you're doing for our kids and the community. My apologies. Before we get there, any comments or... First, I want to request to review the application, When we were looking for crossing guards before school started, so, Madam Clerk, I would like a copy of that application if the police department can give me the updated. I can look online again. I just tried to find it. But some of those things that I've been told or that was mentioned tonight that were requested by Mr. Brown, I was told several months ago that those things were not required. So, he said there was some extensive information, and I just want that. That's number one. in reference to the legislation regarding affirmative action, I have met with the VA and Corporation Council. to make sure that we address that legislation And I think I've spoken to you regarding that. I can't do it alone, but I know that we can do it together. So, between myself, Councilman Silva, Councilman Kelly, the VA and Corporation Council, Madam Clerk, and address the legislation that he's talking about I don't know if Mr. Youssef is still here, some time ago there was a request put in for a street dedication that has already been done. but Madam Clerk, that is also on the record. and we were just waiting for a date from the family I think that we give a man a whole lot of power. which is what you all spoke to in recording that you played for the seat for the Central Ward. influences my thinking, let me be very, very clear. Let me be very, very, very, very clear about that. that you're giving a man a whole lot of power over my life and the lives of others to make decisions. So the statement that went on record today, that our choices were influenced by an individual, that my choice was influenced by my own thoughts, and those who are tuned in, please, please, please. And I pray that my colleagues feel the same way, that they're not influenced by the thoughts. Now, there are some decisions that we all collectively make and we don't all agree inside or outside of the chambers, I lay back, I'm spiritual and all of that, but my mother brought me into this world and I didn't come in here with not one of these. and I didn't come in with the mayor of the city either, I came in this world by myself and when I leave, I doubt unless we're in some type of catastrophe, So the mayor runs the city, we do the legislation. Whatever you think of me, you can think it But I'm going on record letting you know my choice was my choice God bless you. Thank you very much, Council President. Councilor Ramos, did you have something? Yeah, I just wanted to... I see Cordia is still here, but to see if the BA can provide this gentleman A few of us at the council have had an opportunity over the last few years to work with him. We see the outstanding work that he's doing in the community, changing the lives of at-risk young men. And he would be definitely one of the groups for the opportunity to be part of our network. Thank you, Councilman. Councilman Kelly? I just want to just say great work to Dr. Jamila Davis. and creating entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, and making them become thriving business owners, So I just want to say, you know, salute to Dr. Davis, even through all of the struggles that she went through and she came back to this city and helped the youth in this city And also just to all of the West Warders that came out to talk about the flooding, The flooding has been different than if you grew up in this city, you know what streets used to flood or did not flood. with our director, Dean, even Councilwoman Rowntree But we have been in constant communication, even calling the state and reaching out to FEMA. And if it's cool, I just want to ask director just to come and speak to that comment that was made about the flooding that was happening in the West Ward, Kareem Adim, City of North Ward Director. Yes, we still have the project that the city and the state has done in the Upper West Ward We're the feasibility study, we removed the flow meters, We did secure some funding from the state, the DCA. So the Exxon County in Newark is coordinating the design phase to put a system in place that will probably mitigate the flooding, The flooding, we can't beat Mother Nature, we can try to mitigate it as much as we can. Right now we're at the table doing the design of the data that we collected over the last year. Any other comments or questions from council? Councilwoman MacGyver asked the Health Department I don't think we've got anything back from them directing the clerk to follow up with that to see if there's been any report from an inspection Anything from the administration at this point? Thank you, good evening, council president, council members. that alluded to a potential civil lawsuit that anybody can file a civil lawsuit against anybody without any information or any facts or whatever, as long as they can make out some allegation, however wild it is, they can put a lawsuit out there. that we don't have any evidence of any civil lawsuit and the administration is not a party to that whatsoever. when somebody says a particular DACA number Seeing nothing else, let's move on with the agenda.

of city officers, boards and commissions. 6PSFA is an ordinance amending the facade improvement program by amending eligible facade improvements and forgiveness or repayment of the facade improvement loan, Is there anyone present wishing to address this ordinance? Before someone comes up, the deputy mayor, can you come? sorry, council president, council members. Alison Ladd, director of economic and housing development. The two ordinances before you, amendments, the federal agency that provides the home funds that allow the two programs under Live Newark to operate. for each of the grants that we need to extend the time That's the change that's being made for both programs. Yeah, I know that the amounts that are allowable for both programs are in the resolution or the ordinance, but what's the total amount that the city has available Like how much money are we talking about for facade improvement and how much money do we have for the other program? annually we budget approximately a million dollars and that's due to the utilization of the program. we do have additional funding still available by HUD that we could increase the budget allocation, but we use it in that way based upon the applications. So you have a million dollars in each category combined? Yes, sir. We have a million dollars in each category. I mean, I understand what you just asked. So that's two million dollars for both of those, So this is the amount of money, and this is a question. Like how much is given to each, I guess, homeowner? And how is it determined who gets the money Because this doesn't really tell us what... This is a business? This is for businesses? So the fact that I'm not sure, it's not clear. I thought director Latte was going to expound more, but I'm not understanding what this is exactly saying. So can you explain it to me like I'm a fourth grader, please, that the residents don't understand these ordinances. It's written that it's 7.3A5, is that NJAC? Like what goes before that for me to look it up? So just so I can verify and know what I'm looking at, please give me the letters that should be before those numbers. So the thing is we keep bringing things to the residents Even if you put the 7.3A5 without the NJAC, And where are these programs advertised in the city And who has actually received funding from these programs? And why are the changes moved from five years to 10 years? So don't come up here with this limited information and expect us to understand what's going on here.