All right, thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you. We are in a 30-minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have speaker will have >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is there anything from the council? Yes, I there anything from the council? Yes, I I All right, let me I All right, let me Councilman Gonzales. Councilman Gonzales. Taking advantage that the BA is here, Taking advantage that the BA is here, somebody called me the other day, a somebody called me the other day, a that provides services to the city, a that provides services to the city, a small business. A The city owes them small business. A The city owes them like $8,000. It's the one that provides like $8,000. It's the one that provides a fumigating services, extermination a fumigating services, extermination services services to the city. So, again, let's say we I to the city. So, again, let's say we I believe that we if we want to believe that we if we want to small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have to pay them on time because otherwise, to pay them on time because otherwise, they cannot continue doing business. they cannot continue doing business. Some I received an email also from Some I received an email also from the SOA, I believe it is regarding a the SOA, I believe it is regarding a payment of the insurance payment of the insurance coverage to the people that lost their their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say police officers that die in the line of police officers that die in the line of duty. They are supposed to receive, I duty. They are supposed to receive, I believe, based on the email, $25,000. believe, based on the email, $25,000. There are three of them and they are There are three of them and they are claiming that they haven't received the claiming that they haven't received the the payment of the $25,000. the payment of the $25,000. I would ask if we can expedite that I…
Show full comment (2465 words)
All right, thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you. We are in a 30-minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have speaker will have >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is there anything from the council? Yes, I there anything from the council? Yes, I I All right, let me I All right, let me Councilman Gonzales. Councilman Gonzales. Taking advantage that the BA is here, Taking advantage that the BA is here, somebody called me the other day, a somebody called me the other day, a that provides services to the city, a that provides services to the city, a small business. A The city owes them small business. A The city owes them like $8,000. It's the one that provides like $8,000. It's the one that provides a fumigating services, extermination a fumigating services, extermination services services to the city. So, again, let's say we I to the city. So, again, let's say we I believe that we if we want to believe that we if we want to small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have to pay them on time because otherwise, to pay them on time because otherwise, they cannot continue doing business. they cannot continue doing business. Some I received an email also from Some I received an email also from the SOA, I believe it is regarding a the SOA, I believe it is regarding a payment of the insurance payment of the insurance coverage to the people that lost their their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say police officers that die in the line of police officers that die in the line of duty. They are supposed to receive, I duty. They are supposed to receive, I believe, based on the email, $25,000. believe, based on the email, $25,000. There are three of them and they are There are three of them and they are claiming that they haven't received the claiming that they haven't received the the payment of the $25,000. the payment of the $25,000. I would ask if we can expedite that I would ask if we can expedite that payment so that payment so that these people are made at least these people are made at least whole financially and because we're not whole financially and because we're not going to make them whole emotionally. Yes, sir. We are in the 30-minute public comment We are in the 30-minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this 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? Yes, good day, Newark. Deborah Salters. Um why are we voting for an almost $7 million contract for to assist um million contract for to assist um supplement supplement leasing vendors uh for snow removal and leasing vendors uh for snow removal and the councilman just said you all need to the councilman just said you all need to the councilman just said you all need to have a meeting about snow removal. have a meeting about snow removal. But you all voted yes on this before you But you all voted yes on this before you But you all voted yes on this before you even had the meeting on the snow even had the meeting on the snow removal. removal. So, how are we saying yes to almost $7 So, how are we saying yes to almost $7 million and you have million and you have And you have not had the necessary And you have not had the necessary meeting. That's a problem. And then you have on here um to purchase And then you have on here um to purchase And then you have on here um to purchase vehicles vehicles out of the '25 and '26 budget. We don't out of the '25 and '26 budget. We don't have a '26 budget. have a '26 budget. And what do we need more vehicles for, And what do we need more vehicles for, especially when we have people using the especially when we have people using the especially when we have people using the city of Newark water vehicles as their city of Newark water vehicles as their own personal vehicles? own personal vehicles? I have videos AND PICTURES. I have videos AND PICTURES. WHY DO WE NEED TO BUY MORE VEHICLES? WHO WHY DO WE NEED TO BUY MORE VEHICLES? WHO WHY DO WE NEED TO BUY MORE VEHICLES? WHO ARE THESE VEHICLES FOR AND WHAT ARE WHY ARE THESE VEHICLES FOR AND WHAT ARE WHY ARE THEY NECESSARY? ARE THEY NECESSARY? THEN you're talking about these I don't THEN you're talking about these I don't want to hear now and I said this before want to hear now and I said this before about these PARKING SPACES. WE ARE about these PARKING SPACES. WE ARE paying $249,000 paying $249,000 a year for five spaces per each a year for five spaces per each councilperson in that lot down there councilperson in that lot down there that we gave away for a dollar that we gave away for a dollar and you have aids that can drive your and you have aids that can drive your vehicles there vehicles there and park them. This is not personally to and park them. This is not personally to and park them. This is not personally to you, but I've been hearing about THESE you, but I've been hearing about THESE PARKING SPACES. PARKING SPACES. YOU HAVE SPACES that we're paying for YOU HAVE SPACES that we're paying for and they're not being used. and they're not being used. Now, let's get to these elevators that Now, let's get to these elevators that we've been talking about for the last we've been talking about for the last year or more year or more that I spoke with Wooten about, then I that I spoke with Wooten about, then I spoke with Tarik about because they spoke with Tarik about because they though it's not us, it's the the though it's not us, it's the the department of department of DPW and it's BACK AND FORTH. DPW and it's BACK AND FORTH. POINT BEING, THE ELEVATORS DON'T WORK. POINT BEING, THE ELEVATORS DON'T WORK. WE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY over and over WE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY over and over for things that don't work. for things that don't work. It's wasteful spending It's wasteful spending and misappropriation. The elevator on and misappropriation. The elevator on Franklin where people have to go TO THE Franklin where people have to go TO THE FOURTH FLOOR, TWO SETS OF STAIRS ABOUT FOURTH FLOOR, TWO SETS OF STAIRS ABOUT 12 TO 15 each to go handle business and 12 TO 15 each to go handle business and the elevators are not working. the elevators are not working. Our disabled people are at a Our disabled people are at a disadvantage disadvantage and no one seems to care. I've been and no one seems to care. I've been talking about this. There are email talking about this. There are email chains. Tarik is no LONGER HERE. chains. Tarik is no LONGER HERE. WHO IS HANDLING THIS elevator situation? WHO IS HANDLING THIS elevator situation? WHO IS HANDLING THIS elevator situation? Because the Disabilities Act people Because the Disabilities Act people going to be on y'all's butts in a going to be on y'all's butts in a minute. minute. Cuz I'm tired of having the same Cuz I'm tired of having the same conversations and nothing's getting done conversations and nothing's getting done conversations and nothing's getting done about it. about it. The morale in these departments are just The morale in these departments are just The morale in these departments are just trash because of what's going on in trash because of what's going on in these doors. these doors. There's low morale. The people not doing There's low morale. The people not doing There's low morale. The people not doing their jobs. THE ONE THAT'S DOING their their jobs. THE ONE THAT'S DOING their jobs are getting reported. Like jobs are getting reported. Like everything's upside down. everything's upside down. And the people do not benefit. And the people do not benefit. And you say yes, yes, yes to things that And you say yes, yes, yes to things that And you say yes, yes, yes to things that you have not even had a meeting about. you have not even had a meeting about. And you're okay with it. And you're okay with it. WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT OKAY WITH THIS. WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT OKAY WITH THIS. WE NEED RESOLVE WE NEED RESOLVE AND we need it now. You live well. AND we need it now. You live well. Thank you for your comments. Next Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Good morning. Louis Shockley. Yeah, I just want to Yeah, I just want to reiterate everything my sister said. reiterate everything my sister said. I I was here Friday to sign up I I was here Friday to sign up and I saw on Friday this was released and I saw on Friday this was released for this special today. Um and I hope you guys didn't warp speed and I hope you guys didn't warp speed this meeting. Spicer. Oh, okay. Okay, cool. Cuz I really want to hear Okay, cool. Cuz I really want to hear what these folks have to say cuz in my what these folks have to say cuz in my opinion, opinion, this special was really called for you this special was really called for you guys to get to this, guys to get to this, which is end of the year giveaways. which is end of the year giveaways. More cars. More cars. Again, it's just crazy. May James bought Again, it's just crazy. May James bought Again, it's just crazy. May James bought a fleet of cars before he left out of a fleet of cars before he left out of here before he got swept out of here. here before he got swept out of here. They're still down there somewhere in They're still down there somewhere in the port sitting in a lot. the port sitting in a lot. And then Mr. Booker came here, we went And then Mr. Booker came here, we went SUV after that. >> [clears throat] >> But, you know, all these car dealers >> But, you know, all these car dealers >> But, you know, all these car dealers getting paid. getting paid. And you know, some of you guys are And you know, some of you guys are benefiting from getting those campaign benefiting from getting those campaign contributions from you as well. contributions from you as well. Uh go over there on Elizabeth Avenue. Uh go over there on Elizabeth Avenue. How how how long we going to post a a car out there? And and look at your officers. And and look at your officers. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Those little lights >> Those little lights on the top, they cost big money and they abuse them. and they abuse them. They're on all the time. You guys got 24 They're on all the time. You guys got 24 They're on all the time. You guys got 24 hours in a day. You got three shifts. hours in a day. You got three shifts. That's a lot of people burning vehicles That's a lot of people burning vehicles and really not doing nothing with them. and really not doing nothing with them. I see jokers in the car on their phone, I see jokers in the car on their phone, sleeping, all kinds of stuff. sleeping, all kinds of stuff. Don't need them sitting in cars in front Don't need them sitting in cars in front Don't need them sitting in cars in front of buildings. Need to start enforcing of buildings. Need to start enforcing some stuff. Why are these young men out some stuff. Why are these young men out in front of these buildings? Cuz y'all in front of these buildings? Cuz y'all ain't giving them nothing to do. ain't giving them nothing to do. You rather give away $7 million instead You rather give away $7 million instead of taking this $7 million of taking this $7 million and putting it and investing it in the and putting it and investing it in the program. I was in that field. Most of the guys I used were Latino. My Most of the guys I used were Latino. My electrician was African-American. My electrician was African-American. My plumbers were African-American. My plumbers were African-American. My ductwork guys were African-American. ductwork guys were African-American. We need welders We need welders in this country. Welders. in this country. Welders. I think there's close to like a half a I think there's close to like a half a million welders that are needed. million welders that are needed. I used to do spot welding. I used to do spot welding. The other welding, I ain't going to lie, The other welding, I ain't going to lie, The other welding, I ain't going to lie, I didn't like it. Hurt my eyes with that I didn't like it. Hurt my eyes with that I didn't like it. Hurt my eyes with that shield down and smelling that stuff all shield down and smelling that stuff all day, but it it's good money. day, but it it's good money. But here we go with the tax tax give me But here we go with the tax tax give me This should all just be shoved until This should all just be shoved until next year. Like she said, you don't have next year. Like she said, you don't have next year. Like she said, you don't have a '26 budget. This can wait. All the stuff, the snow removal. Where where does five old trucks at? Where where does five old trucks at? Thank you for your comments. Next Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Seeing no one else, public speaking is closed. And anything from the council?
All right, thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you. We are in a 30-minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have speaker will have >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is there anything from the council? Yes, I there anything from the council? Yes, I I All right, let me I All right, let me Councilman Gonzales. Councilman Gonzales. Taking advantage that the BA is here, Taking advantage that the BA is here, somebody called me the other day, a somebody called me the other day, a that provides services to the city, a that provides services to the city, a small business. A The city owes them small business. A The city owes them like $8,000. It's the one that provides like $8,000. It's the one that provides a fumigating services, extermination a fumigating services, extermination services services to the city. So, again, let's say we I to the city. So, again, let's say we I believe that we if we want to believe that we if we want to small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have to pay them on time because otherwise, to pay them on time because otherwise, they cannot continue doing business. they cannot continue doing business. Some I received an email also from Some I received an email also from the SOA, I believe it is regarding a the SOA, I believe it is regarding a payment of the insurance payment of the insurance coverage to the people that lost their their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say police officers that die in the line of police officers that die in the line of duty. They are supposed to receive, I duty. They are supposed to receive, I believe, based on the email, $25,000. believe, based on the email, $25,000. There are three of them and they are There are three of them and they are claiming that they haven't received the claiming that they haven't received the the payment of the $25,000. the payment of the $25,000. I would ask if we can expedite that I…
Show full comment (2465 words)
All right, thank you, Councilwoman. >> Thank you. We are in a 30-minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this meeting where each speaker will have speaker will have >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is >> before we do that, then I'm sorry, is there anything from the council? Yes, I there anything from the council? Yes, I I All right, let me I All right, let me Councilman Gonzales. Councilman Gonzales. Taking advantage that the BA is here, Taking advantage that the BA is here, somebody called me the other day, a somebody called me the other day, a that provides services to the city, a that provides services to the city, a small business. A The city owes them small business. A The city owes them like $8,000. It's the one that provides like $8,000. It's the one that provides a fumigating services, extermination a fumigating services, extermination services services to the city. So, again, let's say we I to the city. So, again, let's say we I believe that we if we want to believe that we if we want to small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have small businesses to participate, we have to pay them on time because otherwise, to pay them on time because otherwise, they cannot continue doing business. they cannot continue doing business. Some I received an email also from Some I received an email also from the SOA, I believe it is regarding a the SOA, I believe it is regarding a payment of the insurance payment of the insurance coverage to the people that lost their their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say their loved ones in in action. Let's say police officers that die in the line of police officers that die in the line of duty. They are supposed to receive, I duty. They are supposed to receive, I believe, based on the email, $25,000. believe, based on the email, $25,000. There are three of them and they are There are three of them and they are claiming that they haven't received the claiming that they haven't received the the payment of the $25,000. the payment of the $25,000. I would ask if we can expedite that I would ask if we can expedite that payment so that payment so that these people are made at least these people are made at least whole financially and because we're not whole financially and because we're not going to make them whole emotionally. Yes, sir. We are in the 30-minute public comment We are in the 30-minute public comment portion of this meeting where each portion of this 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? Yes, good day, Newark. Deborah Salters. Um why are we voting for an almost $7 million contract for to assist um million contract for to assist um supplement supplement leasing vendors uh for snow removal and leasing vendors uh for snow removal and the councilman just said you all need to the councilman just said you all need to the councilman just said you all need to have a meeting about snow removal. have a meeting about snow removal. But you all voted yes on this before you But you all voted yes on this before you But you all voted yes on this before you even had the meeting on the snow even had the meeting on the snow removal. removal. So, how are we saying yes to almost $7 So, how are we saying yes to almost $7 million and you have million and you have And you have not had the necessary And you have not had the necessary meeting. That's a problem. And then you have on here um to purchase And then you have on here um to purchase And then you have on here um to purchase vehicles vehicles out of the '25 and '26 budget. We don't out of the '25 and '26 budget. We don't have a '26 budget. have a '26 budget. And what do we need more vehicles for, And what do we need more vehicles for, especially when we have people using the especially when we have people using the especially when we have people using the city of Newark water vehicles as their city of Newark water vehicles as their own personal vehicles? own personal vehicles? I have videos AND PICTURES. I have videos AND PICTURES. WHY DO WE NEED TO BUY MORE VEHICLES? WHO WHY DO WE NEED TO BUY MORE VEHICLES? WHO WHY DO WE NEED TO BUY MORE VEHICLES? WHO ARE THESE VEHICLES FOR AND WHAT ARE WHY ARE THESE VEHICLES FOR AND WHAT ARE WHY ARE THEY NECESSARY? ARE THEY NECESSARY? THEN you're talking about these I don't THEN you're talking about these I don't want to hear now and I said this before want to hear now and I said this before about these PARKING SPACES. WE ARE about these PARKING SPACES. WE ARE paying $249,000 paying $249,000 a year for five spaces per each a year for five spaces per each councilperson in that lot down there councilperson in that lot down there that we gave away for a dollar that we gave away for a dollar and you have aids that can drive your and you have aids that can drive your vehicles there vehicles there and park them. This is not personally to and park them. This is not personally to and park them. This is not personally to you, but I've been hearing about THESE you, but I've been hearing about THESE PARKING SPACES. PARKING SPACES. YOU HAVE SPACES that we're paying for YOU HAVE SPACES that we're paying for and they're not being used. and they're not being used. Now, let's get to these elevators that Now, let's get to these elevators that we've been talking about for the last we've been talking about for the last year or more year or more that I spoke with Wooten about, then I that I spoke with Wooten about, then I spoke with Tarik about because they spoke with Tarik about because they though it's not us, it's the the though it's not us, it's the the department of department of DPW and it's BACK AND FORTH. DPW and it's BACK AND FORTH. POINT BEING, THE ELEVATORS DON'T WORK. POINT BEING, THE ELEVATORS DON'T WORK. WE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY over and over WE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY over and over for things that don't work. for things that don't work. It's wasteful spending It's wasteful spending and misappropriation. The elevator on and misappropriation. The elevator on Franklin where people have to go TO THE Franklin where people have to go TO THE FOURTH FLOOR, TWO SETS OF STAIRS ABOUT FOURTH FLOOR, TWO SETS OF STAIRS ABOUT 12 TO 15 each to go handle business and 12 TO 15 each to go handle business and the elevators are not working. the elevators are not working. Our disabled people are at a Our disabled people are at a disadvantage disadvantage and no one seems to care. I've been and no one seems to care. I've been talking about this. There are email talking about this. There are email chains. Tarik is no LONGER HERE. chains. Tarik is no LONGER HERE. WHO IS HANDLING THIS elevator situation? WHO IS HANDLING THIS elevator situation? WHO IS HANDLING THIS elevator situation? Because the Disabilities Act people Because the Disabilities Act people going to be on y'all's butts in a going to be on y'all's butts in a minute. minute. Cuz I'm tired of having the same Cuz I'm tired of having the same conversations and nothing's getting done conversations and nothing's getting done conversations and nothing's getting done about it. about it. The morale in these departments are just The morale in these departments are just The morale in these departments are just trash because of what's going on in trash because of what's going on in these doors. these doors. There's low morale. The people not doing There's low morale. The people not doing There's low morale. The people not doing their jobs. THE ONE THAT'S DOING their their jobs. THE ONE THAT'S DOING their jobs are getting reported. Like jobs are getting reported. Like everything's upside down. everything's upside down. And the people do not benefit. And the people do not benefit. And you say yes, yes, yes to things that And you say yes, yes, yes to things that And you say yes, yes, yes to things that you have not even had a meeting about. you have not even had a meeting about. And you're okay with it. And you're okay with it. WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT OKAY WITH THIS. WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT OKAY WITH THIS. WE NEED RESOLVE WE NEED RESOLVE AND we need it now. You live well. AND we need it now. You live well. Thank you for your comments. Next Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Good morning. Louis Shockley. Yeah, I just want to Yeah, I just want to reiterate everything my sister said. reiterate everything my sister said. I I was here Friday to sign up I I was here Friday to sign up and I saw on Friday this was released and I saw on Friday this was released for this special today. Um and I hope you guys didn't warp speed and I hope you guys didn't warp speed this meeting. Spicer. Oh, okay. Okay, cool. Cuz I really want to hear Okay, cool. Cuz I really want to hear what these folks have to say cuz in my what these folks have to say cuz in my opinion, opinion, this special was really called for you this special was really called for you guys to get to this, guys to get to this, which is end of the year giveaways. which is end of the year giveaways. More cars. More cars. Again, it's just crazy. May James bought Again, it's just crazy. May James bought Again, it's just crazy. May James bought a fleet of cars before he left out of a fleet of cars before he left out of here before he got swept out of here. here before he got swept out of here. They're still down there somewhere in They're still down there somewhere in the port sitting in a lot. the port sitting in a lot. And then Mr. Booker came here, we went And then Mr. Booker came here, we went SUV after that. >> [clears throat] >> But, you know, all these car dealers >> But, you know, all these car dealers >> But, you know, all these car dealers getting paid. getting paid. And you know, some of you guys are And you know, some of you guys are benefiting from getting those campaign benefiting from getting those campaign contributions from you as well. contributions from you as well. Uh go over there on Elizabeth Avenue. Uh go over there on Elizabeth Avenue. How how how long we going to post a a car out there? And and look at your officers. And and look at your officers. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Those little lights >> Those little lights on the top, they cost big money and they abuse them. and they abuse them. They're on all the time. You guys got 24 They're on all the time. You guys got 24 They're on all the time. You guys got 24 hours in a day. You got three shifts. hours in a day. You got three shifts. That's a lot of people burning vehicles That's a lot of people burning vehicles and really not doing nothing with them. and really not doing nothing with them. I see jokers in the car on their phone, I see jokers in the car on their phone, sleeping, all kinds of stuff. sleeping, all kinds of stuff. Don't need them sitting in cars in front Don't need them sitting in cars in front Don't need them sitting in cars in front of buildings. Need to start enforcing of buildings. Need to start enforcing some stuff. Why are these young men out some stuff. Why are these young men out in front of these buildings? Cuz y'all in front of these buildings? Cuz y'all ain't giving them nothing to do. ain't giving them nothing to do. You rather give away $7 million instead You rather give away $7 million instead of taking this $7 million of taking this $7 million and putting it and investing it in the and putting it and investing it in the program. I was in that field. Most of the guys I used were Latino. My Most of the guys I used were Latino. My electrician was African-American. My electrician was African-American. My plumbers were African-American. My plumbers were African-American. My ductwork guys were African-American. ductwork guys were African-American. We need welders We need welders in this country. Welders. in this country. Welders. I think there's close to like a half a I think there's close to like a half a million welders that are needed. million welders that are needed. I used to do spot welding. I used to do spot welding. The other welding, I ain't going to lie, The other welding, I ain't going to lie, The other welding, I ain't going to lie, I didn't like it. Hurt my eyes with that I didn't like it. Hurt my eyes with that I didn't like it. Hurt my eyes with that shield down and smelling that stuff all shield down and smelling that stuff all day, but it it's good money. day, but it it's good money. But here we go with the tax tax give me But here we go with the tax tax give me This should all just be shoved until This should all just be shoved until next year. Like she said, you don't have next year. Like she said, you don't have next year. Like she said, you don't have a '26 budget. This can wait. All the stuff, the snow removal. Where where does five old trucks at? Where where does five old trucks at? Thank you for your comments. Next Thank you for your comments. Next speaker. Seeing no one else, public speaking is closed. And anything from the council?