We reached out to Mayor Schwager and the Recreation Commission Chair and Vice-Chair clarify the Mayors reasons for the Ad Hoc Committee and whether the Commission felt there was a need for it:
Why do you feel there is a need for this ad hoc committee?
“To research issues regarding recreation program and facilities. I look at the ad hoc committee as a “think tank.” Volunteers who will research, review and discuss issues, such as field usage,online sign-ups, advertising on fields and uniforms and shared services that have long been discussed with no progress. The group may not come up with all the answers, which is fine, but at least we have made a concerted effort to come up with solutions.”
Mayor Linda Schwager
Do you feel there is a need for the rec ad hoc committee Mayor Schwager created this past Wednesday night?
“The specific agenda the Mayor laid out on Wednesday are all fair questions and concerns that many in Oakland share. An independent committee is a great way to look into these concerns. I look forward to the committees report in 6 months and hope they have fresh ideas to these questions.
I also would like to add that the agenda laid out does not question or criticize the work of the commission. This agenda will look at adjacent needs such as online sports registration and funding for new field lights.”
Mike Guadagnino, Chair of the Rec Commission
“My opinion on the rec ad hoc committee, is that all the rec .commissioners are involved for the kids and to make the complex enjoyable for all the residents of Oakland.
If the committee can come up with ideas, procedures, and projects that aids in that goal, I think it would be beneficial to everyone. I personally know some of the committee members through all the different venues I have been involved in(coaching, rec. commission, etc) and I have no doubt, that there will be things they will come up with to make Oakland recreation complex better for the citizens of Oakland.”
Bob Scalabrini, Vice-Chair of the Rec Commission
Original article below
The Oakland council meeting of April 25th was another lengthy one, with Oakland volunteers being both honored and insulted.
The honors included the swearing-in of two new volunteer firefighters, Philip Gordon Kuipers and Joshua P. Horn.
Volunteer firefighters dedicate significant time to training and education prior to joining the department, and then continue that commitment with innumerable hours devoted to serving Oakland and surrounding communities. Visit http://www.oaklandfd.org/, for information on both volunteering and reports on some recent emergencies.
In addition to the swearing in of the new volunteer firefighters, volunteers who had devoted significant time and skill over the years to Oakland’s Recreation program were recognized for their commitment. The list included former commissioners: Steve Wagoner, JoAnn Cribier, Mike Miner, Chris Maragulia, James Berrian; and former directors: Joe Alderesio, Lori Capo and Roy Mastrangelo.
The honoring of the past Rec volunteers provided a public platform to segue into the insulting of Oakland volunteers. The insult was hurled after Mayor Schwager finally announced her appointments to the ad hoc recreation committee.
Recreation, while always a political hot potato in Oakland, became a major point of contention after former Mayor John Szabo started exhibiting symptoms that have been attributed to partisan politics. The first clear instance was with the firing of Steve Wagoner as Recreation Commissioner due to Wagoner “threatening” the mayor with bad karma during a council meeting.
Schwager announced at her swearing-in, and repeatedly over the last few months, her intent to establish a Rec ad hoc committee. Near four months later, after reviewing various candidates, the mayor announced the appointments and mission of the ad hoc committee.
They are to research, review, and report back with potential options regarding a host of issues that have been discussed ad nauseum in Oakland over the last several years. The operation of the rec stand, the lighting issue, the suggestion of local businesses sponsoring teams, the potential for 501(c)3 operation, and evaluate other areas such as purchasing processes.
The Mayor did not not specify whether the ad hoc committee would be addressing the issue of how the town obscures revenue related to Recreation, as all revenue for the town’s largest operation outside of schools is lumped into a general account.
The ad hoc committee, Joann Cribier, Jacqueline Cronin, Elizabeth Gysbers, John Hickey, Stephen Hoover, Roy Mastrangelo, Caron McCormick, Michael Miner, Frank Monaco, and Steve Wagoner, was met with jeers by council member Karen Marcalus who snidely referred to the group as “all the angry people”.
Council member Timothy Jensen chimed in as he took offense at not being involved in determining the final list of appointees. While included in the process of compiling names, Jensen was outraged that the Mayor did not seek his input prior to Schwager making the mayoral appointments.
Tim Jensen demanded that the Mayor explain his exclusion from the decision making process. This led to a back and forth between Jensen and Schwager that rivals the historic performances of both Martin&Lewis and Abbott&Costello.
Schwager declined to specify her exact reasoning for not consulting council member Jensen on the mayoral appointments, but indicated she wanted a non-partisan committee of experienced volunteers – and that Jensen had played a role in compiling the initial list of volunteers.
Not satisfied, Jensen continued to berate the mayor for not inviting him to join her in making her decision, pushing the Mayor to reference insulting and nasty emails she had been receiving concerning recreation. It only became apparent she was referring to council member Jensen only after he asked the mayor to describe the “dirty emails” he sent.
Since the mayor never mentioned the word “dirty”, she thought Jensen said “thirty” and was confused by the demand to discuss the thirty emails. Jensen repeated that he wanted to hear about the “dirty emails” and wanted to clear the air by having the Mayor describe the “dirty emails” for everyone.
Schwager, wanting to move the meeting forward, and apparently confused about what dirty emails Jensen was talking about, refused to respond further. Jensen, unwilling to let the subject go, continued to berate the mayor to describe the “dirty emails”.
The mayor refused, and Timothy Jensen then made a formal complaint with the borough attorney that the mayor was making allegations and then not backing them up.
Additional Reading:
Other emails from council member Jensen obtained via OPRA
This Day in History
While the Oakland council meeting was memorable, it was not historic……
1945 – The Nazi occupation army surrenders and leaves Northern Italy after a general partisan insurrection by the Italian resistance movement; the puppet fascist regime dissolves and Benito Mussolini tries to escape. This day is taken as symbolic of the Liberation of Italy.
2011 – At least 300 people killed in the deadliest tornado outbreak in the Southern United States since the 1974 Super Outbreak. Visit Project 195 to donate or help tornado victims.
This is very sad. I am one of the most angry people in Oakland, and I should have been appointed to the Rec ad hoc committee with the other angry people…which makes me more angry. Of course, since I did not submit my name for consideration, I guess I cannot be too angry….
If there are any plans to form a support group for Oakland residents who get slandered by this town council, please contact me.
I think this was a little more like Cheech and Chong, Up in Smoke.
I apologize to our mayor and those members of the new ad hoc committee she appointed. The actions of some members of my party have portrayed republicans as jealous people (the majority of us are respectable citizens).
Oakland deserves better than what went on at Wednesday’s council meeting.
I think my husband, Pete Steele, would be a candidate for the support group for those who get slandered by the town council. After seeing this it makes me sorry that we left after the “eye opening” results of the traffic study done on River Road. White I truly appreciate that the Mayor and council took the time to pacify us with a traffic study done the first week of February when the rec field has no activity, it was enlightening to find out that our road hosts between 1200 and 1800 cars per week!
WHich according to the traffic officer does not warrant any action because 85% of the cars are doing an average of 28 mph. They are not concerned about the 15% that are doing between 30-41 mph on a road that is only one tenth of a mile long and 26 feet wide which does not qualify for one side street parking? Little did we know we would be the comic relief for the night after the show that the Mayor and Jensen put on! And I thought the ducks were the least of their worries.
Your graphics are inspired. Your creativity and passion are the 21st century version of Nash. You also obviously spare no one’s image in making your point. I hope everyone would take a moment to appreciate the images you create, as the stories are often informing us of the same old feuds and rivalries that have forever plagued Oakland. I think Caron has taken graphic design to a whole new cutting edge level informing and invoking feeling with a single visual.
Let’s just stop pussy footing around and say it like it is! The politicians of Oakland take care of what is in their own backyard – literally. I served on the Flood Commission as secretary years ago and as a result found that a committee member pursued no parking at the end of Hemlock where the fishermen used to like to enter into Potash to fish that side of the bank and we know that the former Mayor took care of what was in his backyard – literally! So, if the current Mayor didn’t ask the Rec Liaison for names for the ad hoc committee then it is obvious that he hasn’t been able to address any of the issues in question.
Everyone needs to start saying what they mean and mean what they say! I think if I want to address the removal of the ducks from River Road and the traffic issue – I would have to be elected to office – watch out Mr. Pignatelli, I hear that your term is coming up!
I didn’t realize that the traffic study was a hot topic until I read the Suburban this week – the traffic study was a joke! I like how they brought up the fact that the average speed by 85% of the motorist was 28 mph – so the other 15% are going between 30 and 41 mph – so if 6000 cars pass down our street in one week that means 900 are going between 30 and 41 mph and that doesn’t warrant any action? Or I should say it may warrant rumble strips!
No one seems concerned with the fact that 6000 cars are passing thru a street that is only 26 feet wide with two dangerous curves and 3 ducks got nailed who waddle across the street?
Jensen is living in the past and he is going to cost the town dearly. Impeach the leach is what I say.
Mike R….