Yes. We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion of this special meeting where each of this special meeting where each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to address the Is there anyone wishing to address the council members? Good morning, George Tillman. Good morning. Junior. Um quickly last night there was an Affirmative last night there was an Affirmative Action Review Council meeting at 375 Action Review Council meeting at 375 McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark Works and there was uh excuse me uh there was only two members present uh there was only two members present again uh Chairperson Rashid and uh the other gentleman Donald Carter uh the other gentleman Donald Carter were the only two members. So, this is were the only two members. So, this is the second meeting in a row the second meeting in a row where we haven't had a board. So, um where we haven't had a board. So, um that's just the beginning of the the that's just the beginning of the the conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that meeting. However, um one of the things Ms. Rashid said going one of the things Ms. Rashid said going forth is that that us coming to that forth is that that us coming to that meeting to get information regarding meeting to get information regarding those construction developments, we had those construction developments, we had to submit a request. to submit a request. And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a compliance, she wouldn't allow him to compliance, she wouldn't allow him to give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's some new guidelines or that rules that some new guidelines or that rules that prohibit prohibits her from giving prohibit prohibits her from…
Show full comment (1944 words)
Yes. We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion of this special meeting where each of this special meeting where each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to address the Is there anyone wishing to address the council members? Good morning, George Tillman. Good morning. Junior. Um quickly last night there was an Affirmative last night there was an Affirmative Action Review Council meeting at 375 Action Review Council meeting at 375 McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark Works and there was uh excuse me uh there was only two members present uh there was only two members present again uh Chairperson Rashid and uh the other gentleman Donald Carter uh the other gentleman Donald Carter were the only two members. So, this is were the only two members. So, this is the second meeting in a row the second meeting in a row where we haven't had a board. So, um where we haven't had a board. So, um that's just the beginning of the the that's just the beginning of the the conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that meeting. However, um one of the things Ms. Rashid said going one of the things Ms. Rashid said going forth is that that us coming to that forth is that that us coming to that meeting to get information regarding meeting to get information regarding those construction developments, we had those construction developments, we had to submit a request. to submit a request. And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a compliance, she wouldn't allow him to compliance, she wouldn't allow him to give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's some new guidelines or that rules that some new guidelines or that rules that prohibit prohibits her from giving prohibit prohibits her from giving direct information. So, I don't know direct information. So, I don't know where that came from, but um where that came from, but um I submitted a OPRA request prior to October 21st, 2024 relating to the ordinance. relating to the ordinance. On 7 1 from from July 1st, 2015 to On 7 1 from from July 1st, 2015 to October 9th, 2024 as per ordinance 6 October 9th, 2024 as per ordinance 6 PSF-C061715, I'm requesting the following quarterly and semi-annual progress reports for and semi-annual progress reports for contractors, vendors awarded municipal contractors, vendors awarded municipal contracts in compliance the above contracts in compliance the above reference progress reports to the office reference progress reports to the office reference progress reports to the office of city clerk, the office of affirmative of city clerk, the office of affirmative of city clerk, the office of affirmative action as to the user agencies or action as to the user agencies or departments containing a accurate record departments containing a accurate record departments containing a accurate record of one, the number of Newark hired of one, the number of Newark hired Newark Newarkers hired as well as the Newark Newarkers hired as well as the number of Newark residents currently a number of Newark residents currently a port currently employed on projects or port currently employed on projects or in performance of the contract. Two, the in performance of the contract. Two, the in performance of the contract. Two, the number of training positions and the number of training positions and the amount of positions that will be filled amount of positions that will be filled by Newark residents. Three, the by Newark residents. Three, the necessary level of job skills required necessary level of job skills required of Newark's to Newarkers to plan and of Newark's to Newarkers to plan and implement the work to be done on the job implement the work to be done on the job implement the work to be done on the job or in performance of the contract. In or in performance of the contract. In the semi-annual reports and the the semi-annual reports and the contractors should document all good contractors should document all good faith efforts in their actions to hire faith efforts in their actions to hire Newark residents as a sign work hours. Newark residents as a sign work hours. This was according to the ordinance. And This was according to the ordinance. And This was according to the ordinance. And the response that I got from the clerk's the response that I got from the clerk's the response that I got from the clerk's office was that no records were found office was that no records were found for 10 years from that review council or for 10 years from that review council or for 10 years from that review council or Newark works. So, I only have 10 Newark works. So, I only have 10 seconds. So, I'm going to follow up at seconds. So, I'm going to follow up at our next meeting to get to give more our next meeting to get to give more information and detail. Thank you. information and detail. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Great day, Deborah Salters. Um, I guess number one I would ask, why was number one I would ask, why was Councilman Silva in the hallway during Councilman Silva in the hallway during the last meeting? The last council the last meeting? The last council meeting we just had? meeting we just had? He was in the hallway instead of in here He was in the hallway instead of in here He was in the hallway instead of in here in the chair. Do you all know what's up in the chair. Do you all know what's up with that? I don't understand that one. with that? I don't understand that one. In the hallway instead of in the seat In the hallway instead of in the seat where we needed him. where we needed him. Number two, Allison Ladd. Where is all Number two, Allison Ladd. Where is all of the money that we received to give of the money that we received to give people their first month rent and first people their first month rent and first uh for security and and rent. uh for security and and rent. You stood up here, I think it was back You stood up here, I think it was back in October. We had just gotten another in October. We had just gotten another four or six million from the federal four or six million from the federal government and before that we had gotten government and before that we had gotten government and before that we had gotten a few million for that very reason and a few million for that very reason and someone came to you right after the someone came to you right after the money was received and they were told money was received and they were told that there was no money. that there was no money. Where is all the money for the people Where is all the money for the people needing residence out here? needing residence out here? Needing places to live. The money is Needing places to live. The money is given and everybody's all up in arms. given and everybody's all up in arms. Oh, Donald Trump's cutting this and he's Oh, Donald Trump's cutting this and he's Oh, Donald Trump's cutting this and he's cutting that. Yeah, cuz y'all been cutting that. Yeah, cuz y'all been stealing. Y'all as in anybody in government and has not been anybody in government and has not been putting the money where it's supposed to putting the money where it's supposed to putting the money where it's supposed to be going. be going. I told you before you understood, you I told you before you understood, you singular, you plural, whichever you fits singular, you plural, whichever you fits singular, you plural, whichever you fits you, wear it. you, wear it. Okay? It's not personal, it's business. Okay? It's not personal, it's business. It's personal when my people cannot find It's personal when my people cannot find It's personal when my people cannot find a place to live that is truly a place to live that is truly affordable. affordable. I heard somebody over here say that's I heard somebody over here say that's not true. I don't know who it was not true. I don't know who it was talking, but what I said was talking, but what I said was he's uncovering a lot of fraud he's uncovering a lot of fraud and wasteful spending and wasteful spending and everybody's all up in arms. and everybody's all up in arms. And we know it here in the city of And we know it here in the city of Newark because we experience it on a Newark because we experience it on a daily level. daily level. Every department in this city needs to Every department in this city needs to be refurbished, rewashed, It's a darn shame that our people are suffering that our people are suffering and those who are in office are getting and those who are in office are getting fatter off of the the plight of the fatter off of the the plight of the people. It makes no sense. And then for this affirmative action And then for this affirmative action committee committee uh to now join the the club of uh uh to now join the the club of uh refusing to give us information that is refusing to give us information that is our information. our information. Again, where are the dollars being Again, where are the dollars being spent? Where you know, who is holding spent? Where you know, who is holding the developers accountable? the developers accountable? We were in a meeting the last tax We were in a meeting the last tax abatement meeting abatement meeting and as I'm speaking to the developer, and as I'm speaking to the developer, he's talking about oh, I did a good he's talking about oh, I did a good faith effort. I I HIRED CONSULTANTS. THE faith effort. I I HIRED CONSULTANTS. THE faith effort. I I HIRED CONSULTANTS. THE AFFIRMATIVE action committee are the AFFIRMATIVE action committee are the consultants. consultants. The council people ARE THE CONSULTANTS. The council people ARE THE CONSULTANTS. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HIRED A CONSULTANT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HIRED A CONSULTANT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HIRED A CONSULTANT? THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE RESIDENTS GETTING employment are the RESIDENTS GETTING employment are the consultants. consultants. But we can't get the affirmative action But we can't get the affirmative action committee to do their job, especially committee to do their job, especially when you only have two members who show when you only have two members who show up. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. No one else appearing, public speaking is closed.
Yes. We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion of this special meeting where each of this special meeting where each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to address the Is there anyone wishing to address the council members? Good morning, George Tillman. Good morning. Junior. Um quickly last night there was an Affirmative last night there was an Affirmative Action Review Council meeting at 375 Action Review Council meeting at 375 McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark Works and there was uh excuse me uh there was only two members present uh there was only two members present again uh Chairperson Rashid and uh the other gentleman Donald Carter uh the other gentleman Donald Carter were the only two members. So, this is were the only two members. So, this is the second meeting in a row the second meeting in a row where we haven't had a board. So, um where we haven't had a board. So, um that's just the beginning of the the that's just the beginning of the the conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that meeting. However, um one of the things Ms. Rashid said going one of the things Ms. Rashid said going forth is that that us coming to that forth is that that us coming to that meeting to get information regarding meeting to get information regarding those construction developments, we had those construction developments, we had to submit a request. to submit a request. And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a compliance, she wouldn't allow him to compliance, she wouldn't allow him to give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's some new guidelines or that rules that some new guidelines or that rules that prohibit prohibits her from giving prohibit prohibits her from…
Show full comment (1944 words)
Yes. We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion We are now in the public comment portion of this special meeting where each of this special meeting where each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. Please state your name for the record. Please state your name for the record. Is there anyone wishing to address the Is there anyone wishing to address the council members? Good morning, George Tillman. Good morning. Junior. Um quickly last night there was an Affirmative last night there was an Affirmative Action Review Council meeting at 375 Action Review Council meeting at 375 McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark McCarter Way McCarter Highway at Newark Works and there was uh excuse me uh there was only two members present uh there was only two members present again uh Chairperson Rashid and uh the other gentleman Donald Carter uh the other gentleman Donald Carter were the only two members. So, this is were the only two members. So, this is the second meeting in a row the second meeting in a row where we haven't had a board. So, um where we haven't had a board. So, um that's just the beginning of the the that's just the beginning of the the conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that conversation about what happened in that meeting. However, um one of the things Ms. Rashid said going one of the things Ms. Rashid said going forth is that that us coming to that forth is that that us coming to that meeting to get information regarding meeting to get information regarding those construction developments, we had those construction developments, we had to submit a request. to submit a request. And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste And not only that, when Mr. Baptiste came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a came with the reports that to give for a compliance, she wouldn't allow him to compliance, she wouldn't allow him to give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's give the reports saying that now there's some new guidelines or that rules that some new guidelines or that rules that prohibit prohibits her from giving prohibit prohibits her from giving direct information. So, I don't know direct information. So, I don't know where that came from, but um where that came from, but um I submitted a OPRA request prior to October 21st, 2024 relating to the ordinance. relating to the ordinance. On 7 1 from from July 1st, 2015 to On 7 1 from from July 1st, 2015 to October 9th, 2024 as per ordinance 6 October 9th, 2024 as per ordinance 6 PSF-C061715, I'm requesting the following quarterly and semi-annual progress reports for and semi-annual progress reports for contractors, vendors awarded municipal contractors, vendors awarded municipal contracts in compliance the above contracts in compliance the above reference progress reports to the office reference progress reports to the office reference progress reports to the office of city clerk, the office of affirmative of city clerk, the office of affirmative of city clerk, the office of affirmative action as to the user agencies or action as to the user agencies or departments containing a accurate record departments containing a accurate record departments containing a accurate record of one, the number of Newark hired of one, the number of Newark hired Newark Newarkers hired as well as the Newark Newarkers hired as well as the number of Newark residents currently a number of Newark residents currently a port currently employed on projects or port currently employed on projects or in performance of the contract. Two, the in performance of the contract. Two, the in performance of the contract. Two, the number of training positions and the number of training positions and the amount of positions that will be filled amount of positions that will be filled by Newark residents. Three, the by Newark residents. Three, the necessary level of job skills required necessary level of job skills required of Newark's to Newarkers to plan and of Newark's to Newarkers to plan and implement the work to be done on the job implement the work to be done on the job implement the work to be done on the job or in performance of the contract. In or in performance of the contract. In the semi-annual reports and the the semi-annual reports and the contractors should document all good contractors should document all good faith efforts in their actions to hire faith efforts in their actions to hire Newark residents as a sign work hours. Newark residents as a sign work hours. This was according to the ordinance. And This was according to the ordinance. And This was according to the ordinance. And the response that I got from the clerk's the response that I got from the clerk's the response that I got from the clerk's office was that no records were found office was that no records were found for 10 years from that review council or for 10 years from that review council or for 10 years from that review council or Newark works. So, I only have 10 Newark works. So, I only have 10 seconds. So, I'm going to follow up at seconds. So, I'm going to follow up at our next meeting to get to give more our next meeting to get to give more information and detail. Thank you. information and detail. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Great day, Deborah Salters. Um, I guess number one I would ask, why was number one I would ask, why was Councilman Silva in the hallway during Councilman Silva in the hallway during the last meeting? The last council the last meeting? The last council meeting we just had? meeting we just had? He was in the hallway instead of in here He was in the hallway instead of in here He was in the hallway instead of in here in the chair. Do you all know what's up in the chair. Do you all know what's up with that? I don't understand that one. with that? I don't understand that one. In the hallway instead of in the seat In the hallway instead of in the seat where we needed him. where we needed him. Number two, Allison Ladd. Where is all Number two, Allison Ladd. Where is all of the money that we received to give of the money that we received to give people their first month rent and first people their first month rent and first uh for security and and rent. uh for security and and rent. You stood up here, I think it was back You stood up here, I think it was back in October. We had just gotten another in October. We had just gotten another four or six million from the federal four or six million from the federal government and before that we had gotten government and before that we had gotten government and before that we had gotten a few million for that very reason and a few million for that very reason and someone came to you right after the someone came to you right after the money was received and they were told money was received and they were told that there was no money. that there was no money. Where is all the money for the people Where is all the money for the people needing residence out here? needing residence out here? Needing places to live. The money is Needing places to live. The money is given and everybody's all up in arms. given and everybody's all up in arms. Oh, Donald Trump's cutting this and he's Oh, Donald Trump's cutting this and he's Oh, Donald Trump's cutting this and he's cutting that. Yeah, cuz y'all been cutting that. Yeah, cuz y'all been stealing. Y'all as in anybody in government and has not been anybody in government and has not been putting the money where it's supposed to putting the money where it's supposed to putting the money where it's supposed to be going. be going. I told you before you understood, you I told you before you understood, you singular, you plural, whichever you fits singular, you plural, whichever you fits singular, you plural, whichever you fits you, wear it. you, wear it. Okay? It's not personal, it's business. Okay? It's not personal, it's business. It's personal when my people cannot find It's personal when my people cannot find It's personal when my people cannot find a place to live that is truly a place to live that is truly affordable. affordable. I heard somebody over here say that's I heard somebody over here say that's not true. I don't know who it was not true. I don't know who it was talking, but what I said was talking, but what I said was he's uncovering a lot of fraud he's uncovering a lot of fraud and wasteful spending and wasteful spending and everybody's all up in arms. and everybody's all up in arms. And we know it here in the city of And we know it here in the city of Newark because we experience it on a Newark because we experience it on a daily level. daily level. Every department in this city needs to Every department in this city needs to be refurbished, rewashed, It's a darn shame that our people are suffering that our people are suffering and those who are in office are getting and those who are in office are getting fatter off of the the plight of the fatter off of the the plight of the people. It makes no sense. And then for this affirmative action And then for this affirmative action committee committee uh to now join the the club of uh uh to now join the the club of uh refusing to give us information that is refusing to give us information that is our information. our information. Again, where are the dollars being Again, where are the dollars being spent? Where you know, who is holding spent? Where you know, who is holding the developers accountable? the developers accountable? We were in a meeting the last tax We were in a meeting the last tax abatement meeting abatement meeting and as I'm speaking to the developer, and as I'm speaking to the developer, he's talking about oh, I did a good he's talking about oh, I did a good faith effort. I I HIRED CONSULTANTS. THE faith effort. I I HIRED CONSULTANTS. THE faith effort. I I HIRED CONSULTANTS. THE AFFIRMATIVE action committee are the AFFIRMATIVE action committee are the consultants. consultants. The council people ARE THE CONSULTANTS. The council people ARE THE CONSULTANTS. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HIRED A CONSULTANT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HIRED A CONSULTANT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HIRED A CONSULTANT? THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE RESIDENTS GETTING employment are the RESIDENTS GETTING employment are the consultants. consultants. But we can't get the affirmative action But we can't get the affirmative action committee to do their job, especially committee to do their job, especially when you only have two members who show when you only have two members who show up. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. No one else appearing, public speaking is closed.