Comments on: COUNCIL RUNDOWN: BOATS, AWNINGS…

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:52:08 +0000

That site may overstate the individual income of some people. Municipal attorneys, for example, seem to be listed as receiving the total amount of their contracts as individuals, when in fact some of the work is done by others in their law firm (who then have to be paid out of the lawyer's fee). And they may sub out some of the work (I remember the Asbury Park Press criticizing John Bennett for subbing out some work at a rate lower than he was being paid by the town he was working for.)

That $301,000 is for a judge, so I don't imagine he can actually subcontract. I wouldn't be surprised if some of that money goes to people from his law firm to research case law for his decisions, but I don't really know how that works.

But let's assume that the $301,000 is all going into one person's pockets. If you work 40 hours/week, 50 weeks/year, that's 2,000 hours. So divide $301,000 by 2,000, and you've got $150/hour. Not out of line for a lawyer. Of course, we don't know if he works 2,000 hours per year, or 1,000 or 3,000. He says he's on call 24 hours/day, but I don't know how much effort that is, really.

It seems the judge is getting a pension contribution in addition to the $301,000, while most lawyers are just getting a straight hourly payment from their clients. But I don't know if the municipalities are covering Social Security, Workers Comp, health insurance and other fees. If not, the judge has to take those out of his $301k.

So it seems like it's not impossible for a judge to hold 8 jobs and really work hard and actually earn that $301,000. It sure looks like a sweet deal, but it may not be as outrageous as it looks at first glance.

As for multiple jobs, I think most municipalities can't keep a judge busy full-time, so it's not surprising that judges have multiple jobs. Eight seems like a lot, though.

By: taxedout

taxedout — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:29:34 +0000

Why the hell should the Borough administrator get over $150,000? The minutes that are a year behind are the clerks responsibility, she gets 71K and cant get it done on time…….Holy cow! four in public works doing the same job $300,000 Are we sure that Corzine isn't managing Red Bank also

By: Average Red Bank Resident

Average Red Bank Resident — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:12:46 +0000

Wow...thanks Dan.

A little more research yields information about how unbelievable our state is. How can someone hold eight jobs and pull in $301,000 of taxpayer money? That's more than the Vice President of the US!! (Note this person isn't from Red Bank).

Is there any control as to how many positions someone can hold?

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:45:01 +0000

Try
http://php.app.com/NJpublicemployees/results.php?lastn=&firstn=&location=RED+BANK+BOROUGH&fullname=%25&Submit=Search

If that link doesn't work, go to
http://php.app.com/NJpublicemployees/search.php
And pick "Red Bank Borough" from the "Agency" drop-down list.

In the past, some of the info I've gotten from that site has been over a year old, but it will give you an idea of the salaries, anyway.

By: Average Red Bank Resident

Average Red Bank Resident — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:21:32 +0000

Is there a place to find out how much of our tax dollars go to these people i.e. salaries?

God forbid we implement some sort of --swoon-- pay for performance!!

The water issue was just inexcusable. Also, this policy of "non-disclosure" (whether official or not) is downright criminal.

By: maril

maril — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:28:35 +0000

The Borough Clerks Ofc is a year behind in getting the minutes of Boro Council meetings together - what are these people getting paid for? What does this mean for someone wanting to see what the Boro Council has been up to over the past year?

By: Boris Kofman, Red Bank Environmental Commission

Boris Kofman, Red Bank Environmental Commission — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:18:44 +0000

Red Bank residents can trade in plastic bags for a reusable shopping bag at the Jazz & Blues Fest on Saturday between 4:00 and 9:30 PM. Look for the Red Bank Environmental Commission table near the shuffle board courts.

By: Jim Willis

Jim Willis — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:40:39 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks for the council rundown. For those of us who can't regularly attend the meetings, this kind of coverage is invaluable.

By: alexander a

alexander a — Thu, 29 May 2008 06:20:53 +0000

That's because Red Skank has a policy of non disclosure. Patricia Menna promised to improve the web site and to be more open when he was elected (by about 100 votes). Between Fitzgerald, Sickles and EnneMma nothing has changed. Thanks Grace you have my vote next time!

By: fhboy

fhboy — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:09:44 +0000

thats funny I dont even live in your town and I was made aware of the hydrant flushing on the FH mayors website.
I dont know why you guys had no idea it was going on, Us FH boys knew.