Got leaves? While Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky touts he is doing "More with Less," here is just another example of him doing "Less with More."
In the Town's annual newsletter to residents, the process of town-wide leaf collection is described. While some residents believe the Department of Public Works schedules 3 leaf pickups for each street, the fact of the matter is that in the past, there have been two pickups.......at least that's what residents have been lead to believe when reading the Town's annual Leaf Collection directions in a mailer sent to every residence.
Copy and paste the following Town of Westfield Leaf Collection link to read the most current leaf collection procedures.
http://www.westfieldnj.gov/index.asp?SEC=58167EE1-0E2B-4C48-874B-E9F87A9AF159&Type=B_BASIC
What used to be multiple pickups around Westfield, now appears to be one for some neighborhoods because some pickups are scheduled so early in the leaf season that not enough leaves have fallen to justify a pickup.......but the Town DPW drives around looking for leaves......call it a "ghost pickup" at the direction of the Mayor.
The Town of Westfield website no longer states the number of pickups for each leaf zone.
As of today, November 22, 2014, it appears that some streets have yet to be cleared at all. Looking at the trees, one could estimate that approximately 80-90% of a tree's leaves have fallen.
The Town has mandated that residents are not to place leaves in the street after December 5th. Presumably, December 5th is the last day the Department of Public Works will be collecting curbside leaves. If this is the case, why does the Mayor direct the Department of Public Works to start leaf pickup so early in the season when hardly any leaves have fallen? Probably, so Mayor Skibitsky can ram his "Doing More With Less" slogan down the throats of the Westfield taxpayer. Yet another false promise. While the Town is collecting MORE taxes, residents are being provided LESS services as compared to past administrations. This is nothing more than a Skibitsky "shell game."
So what is a resident to do? Rake leaves and place them in the street weeks before the Town has any intention of picking them up, hoping they might be removed? That would be a violation of state law that stipulates leaves are not to remain in the street for more than 7 days.
Or, wave to the DPW workers as they ride through your neighborhood in the middle of October looking for leaves to pick up that have not fallen. Don't forget that this "ghost" pickup is considered part of Mayor Skibitsky's "Doing More With Less" campaign. Just another waste of Westfield tax dollars as referenced in a Letter to the Editor in the Westfield Leader newspaper.
If as stated, leaf collection was started 10/27 why are there still leaves in my area 11/22 (Summit, Grove, Beechwood Place, Everson).
ReplyDeleteWow...you really got the Mayor on this one. A huge find, can't wait to hear about it at the next council meeting.
ReplyDeleteNot really, no surprises here. it's been going on for years.
DeleteAnd yet he's on his third term, and your choking on sour grapes. Please refresh our memories, what were your election results for councilman?
ReplyDeleteEasy for a party line candidate to win an election with an affiliation to the GOP. I chose to run as an Independent.
ReplyDeleteMayor Skibitsky turned his back on a decades old tradition that saw two term mayors step aside to allow others to lead. That says a lot about his character and more importantly, his ego. If not, it's says something about his fellow Republicans that weren't allowed to test the waters against a formidable candidate in David Haas out of fear of a change in leadership.
LOL...more lame excuses. Don't side step the question. What were the results of your election? While the Mayor won by over a 1,000 votes...you were home getting your video camera in working order for the soon to be announced crossing guard caper. Again...what were your election results?
ReplyDeleteYou're interested in an election that took place over three years ago? I've got to move forward with the next "caper."
ReplyDeleteLOL...that's funny. You are he one who is bringing up past "decades old" traditions. Here's a little reminder below. The second place finisher more than doubled your results. Clearly...you are the one out of touch, not the may. Peace.
ReplyDeleteCouncil, 3rd Ward
Matthew SONTZ – 617 - 40%
Mark LoGRIPPO – 716 - 45%
Gregory W. KASKO – 260 - 15%
I enjoyed the experience running for town council. Unfortunately, as an Independent, I was unable to garner enough votes to win a council seat. The 260 votes I got are votes from both sides of the political aisle and not from voters voting the "party line." While I may not be seated on the Mayor's side of the dais at council meetings, my work can be done from the microphone during open public comment. People like yourself, and Mayor Skibitsky, would rather me just go away but that won't happen as long as I am a resident and taxpayer concerned about where my tax dollars go.
DeleteThank you for your comments and taking the time to log onto The Fact of The Matter.
Hopefully, someday you may decide to run for office and try to contribute to your town. Maybe you have.
Good luck.
Always an out of touch angle to rationalize your minority opinions. You're entitled...of course. But to portray yourself as working for the people of this town is genuinely not even close to the truth. Your constant rambling on this site and in the council meeting only demonstrate your personal bitterness towards the town administrators for past deeds done, and certainly don't represent the people. In the spirit of irony, I will continue to log on to this site and post my comments.
ReplyDeleteSnow on Wednesday and streets full of leaves. Great job mayor!
ReplyDeleteNice anonymous post Kasko. LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is questioning an anonymous comment. Entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThere are many of us who greatly appreciate the work you do Mr. Kasko. Thanks for all you do!!! (I'm sure "anonymous" will claim that I'm Kasko pretending to be "anonymous" but I'm not. I just prefer, like anonymous, to remain anonymous).
ReplyDeleteWestfield is in the toilet! Just look at the god awful BOE!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete11/29 Leaves still in street, but now they are spread all around street due to snow plows. I am still waiting for first pass through my area, Summit and Grove.
ReplyDeleteWe have leaves everywhere here on Harrison Ave. What's your excuse mayor?
ReplyDeleteAnother case of bitter Kasko'ing: "Presumably, December 5th is the last day the Department of Public Works will be collecting curbside leaves."
ReplyDeleteAs the note below states...more Kasko lies. Just stay out of things Kasko...you're a gadfly, nothing more. Nothing illegal here Kasko. Nothing illegal about the light Kasko. Nothing illegal about Hoboken Kasko. I know, I know...dang that mayor...he made it snow!!! Cry me another lie Kasko.
Dear Neighbor,
Just sharing a quick update regarding the Town of Westfield leaf collection.
The Town is more than half way done with the 2nd pass in our Ward and the 2nd pass should be completed by next Friday, December 12th.
There will be a 3rd pass as well followed by the street sweeper.
Thanks again and have a nice weekend.
Mark
Mark LoGrippo
David Oliveira
3rd Ward Councilmen
A third pass? How about a second pass as promised. Haven't even gotten that. When is the third pass, January?
ReplyDeletehahaha. More Kasko posting. only Kasko would note the above post...3 article old. Town fool!
ReplyDeletePerhaps Anonymous follows the blog as closely as you do, Anonymous.
DeleteThank you for the comment.
I follow it as well. This is still a relevant topic despite its "age" and will remain so until this town delivers on its responsibility to its citizens. For safety sake alone, clean the streets. We've only had a single pickup so far in my area on the North side and so early in the season it was hardly worth the diesel fuel consumed by the endless processional of equipment this town requires to pick up leaves. Has anyone in this state ever seen what a vacuum/shredder rig attached to the back of truck is capable of picking up? It's fast, cost-effective, and leaves the street clean when done. Instead of a command center, how about purchasing a few of these rigs and giving them a try. Anything would be better than what we have to endure now.
ReplyDelete