The Eagle Has Landed....in Mercer County Park
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

The Eagle Has Landed....in Mercer County Park

 

 

 

 

 A DON'T MISS EVENT!!!

 

 

 

The beauty of the eagles in the park right now will take your breath away.  Residents are amazed and happy. We only hope the county will stop the deer management (allow to shoot) in the park until. To know these nests are present, one would think Mr. Hughes would stop the shoot the deer initatives in the park. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join Naturalist on Eagle Watch Tour

This breeding season, the Mercer County Park Commission is pleased to announce that two pairs of bald eagles have chosen County Parks for nest sites, continuing their expansion in New Jersey and the greater mid-Atlantic region. To celebrate the resident eagles, the Park Commission, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWF), PSE&G and the Wildlife Center Friends have launched a partnership to provide bald eagle-themed programs. 

 

The first free public event will be at Mercer County Park at the West Picnic Area on Friday, Feb. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants will meet with naturalist staff and walk to the viewing site, where interpretation on eagle nesting will be offered. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view eagle activity through a spotting scope and binoculars.

 

“We now have the perfect opportunity to educate school children, local families and the public about the recovery of bald eagles,” County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. “Mercer County’s preserved open space and parklands provide a rich habitat for nesting eagles and we hope the community can learn about our newest inhabitants.” This new weekly series will run through May.

 

Mercer County cares for more than 10,000 acres of natural land, providing critical habitat for the bald eagle and other threatened wildlife.

 

“It is important to increase awareness and appreciation for bald eagles, one of our most iconic endangered species,” said Aaron T. Watson, Park Commission Executive Director. “Learning more about the bald eagle and its nesting patterns is a unique opportunity, and we could not have done it without our partner organizations.”

 

 

 

 

PSE&G has issued a grant for public programming and educational outreach to area residents. Park Commission and Conserve Wildlife Foundation staff, and volunteers will be providing free school field trips, in-school programs, an adult lecture series and public nest viewing opportunities. “PSE&G has a long record of supporting the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Conserve Wildlife Foundation and local efforts to aid in the recovery of New Jersey’s bald eagle population,” said Rob Pollock, PSE&G’s Senior Director, Environmental Projects and Services. “The Mercer County Park Commission eagle programs provide an excellent opportunity to help raise public awareness of this remarkable success story.”

 

The Park Commission’s two eagle nests provide wildlife enthusiasts a rare opportunity to view eagles in nature, but for the safety of the eagles all viewing will be done from a distance. Bald eagles and many bird species are sensitive during their nesting season. Park patrons must remain on marked trails at all times; disturbance to wildlife will cause harm, where they may refuse to return in the future. Public programs will provide important tips to park users on “eagle etiquette,” including information on federal regulations prohibiting the disturbance of bald eagle nests.

 

“With new nests and regular sightings of bald eagles just a few miles from the state capital, Mercer County serves as a microcosm for the eagle's recovery across New Jersey as a whole,” said Conserve Wildlife Foundation Executive Director David Wheeler. “We are thrilled to partner with Mercer County Parks, Wildlife Center Friends and PSE&G to help connect Mercer County residents with this all-American symbol of the wild right in our own backyards.”

 

 

 

 

Local and regional wildlife photographers are encouraged to share their images of the breeding eagles through email or social media. Images can be emailed to parksinfo@mercercounty.org with the photographer’s name, or shared through social media by tagging or mentioning the Mercer County Park Commission on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If posting pictures of eagles in our parks, tag the Park Commission and use the hashtag #capitalcountyeagles. Credit will be given to the photographers if outside photos are shared. 

 

CWF is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of New Jersey’s endangered and threatened wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife Center Friends is a supportive partner of the Mercer County Wildlife Center, a facility of the Mercer County Park Commission.

 

 

Say No to Syynnergy Solar!
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

Planning Board must say NO

to Synnergy Solar!!

Don’t make flooding even worse!!

ATTEND PLANNING BOARD MEETING - JANUARY 24, 2019 – 7:00PM

 

Share this notice with friends and neighbors!!

 

 

 

Flooding in the Sweetbriar and Whitehouse communities has been devastating residents and properties for years. The Members of the Planning Board, Mayor Yeade and Council, everyone already know this.

 

The Planning Board must deny the Synnergy Solar project because it fails to meet the requirements for a waiver under the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone (SBCZ - Chap. 583)

 

The Synnergy Solar Project will:

ü  Clear 12 acres of forest, including 820 large trees and numerous smaller ones, plus all the shrubs and ground cover that make up a healthy streamside forest.

ü  Grade the high and low areas that capture rainwater and lets it soak into the ground.

ü  67% of this project is located in Hamilton Township’s SBCZ.  

 

This project fails to meet the Intent and Purpose of the SBCZ because:

583-1(A) - Projects in the SBCZ are supposed to meet “accepted conservation practices.” An entire forest will be cut down to build this project.

 

583-1(B) – SBCZ are supposed to prevent pollutants from running off the land into the creek. The forest will be clear-cut, the ground re-graded and the stormwater drained to yet more detention basins. Nothing prevents pollution runoff better than the forest that is there today.

 

583-1(C-F) – Without the trees, we lose the benefits of shading that protects the water quality, the wildlife habitat both in the forest and in the stream, the natural erosion protection of the streambanks, the floodplains and other natural features.

 

583-1(G) – The forest and other natural features there today “minimize hazards to life, property and stream features.”

 

This project fails to meet the requirements for a waiver because:

583-4 – States: There shall be no clearing or cutting of trees and brush, except for removal of dead vegetation and pruning for reasons of public safety or for the replacement of invasive species with indigenous species. There shall be no regrading or construction within the SBCZ.

583-4(A) States: Acceptable land uses in the SBCZ include open space uses that are primarily passive in character, provided near-stream vegetation is preserved, including:

1)     Wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, forest preserves, fishing areas, game farms, fish hatcheries and fishing reserves, operated for the protection and propagation of wildlife, but excluding structures,

2)     Passive areas of public and private parklands, including unpaved hiking, bicycle and bridle trails, provided that said trails have been stabilized with pervious materials. The Synnergy project is not even close to these “acceptable” uses.

 

This project will result in a substantial impact to the SBCZ and surrounding communities:

583-8 - A waiver may be granted “where the consequent impact upon the SBCZ is determined to be minimal.” Clear cutting 12 acres of woodlands is NOT MINIMAL.

583.3A(2)- The Planning Board can only grant “minor” waivers. This project will clear 12 acres of forest. About 67% of the solar panels are locate in the SBCZ. That is NOT MINOR.

 

583-8- A waiver may only be granted where “it has been affirmatively demonstrated that the proposed activity will not be materially detrimental or injurious to other property or improvements in the area and will not endanger public safety.”

+++++

There are many legal and legitimate reasons given above for the Planning Board to deny this application. But that doesn’t always mean they will vote that way. Having a “standing-room-only” crowd urging them to DENY Synnergy will be very powerful.

 

A vote to deny this project is not a vote against jobs. It is a vote in favor of not making flooding worse in your neighborhood. It’s a vote to better protect the public safety and health of the residents of Hamilton Township and those that live downstream. And to protect the River and all the critters that depend on a healthy waterway to survive.  

 

Other important points:

ü  What will this project do to real estate values? Certainly the homes in the Sweetbriar & Whitehead areas will lose valuable wooded open space for a large-scale, treeless solar farm.

ü  Did the Hamilton Township Environmental Commission review these plans? What was the Commission’s position on this project?

ü  Is the US Army Corps of Engineers already studying the persistent and devastating flooding of the Assumpink Creek? How can we justify cutting down 12 acres of woodlands located in a floodplain along the creek and still wonder why our creeks and neighborhood flood?

 

ü  Is the Natural Resources Conservation District planning how the rehabilitate the dam at Veterans Park? The Synnergy project may be a ways from the dam, but isn’t it a concern to the Township if a waiver is granted in the ecologically sensitive SBCZ?

hT  This project will  pose a significant public safety and health impact on the residents of Hamilton Township while the benefits go to a different community. That’s not right.

 

 

·       Stay informed about Synnergy and other River Issues

 

·       Go to: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/ongoing-issues/synnergy-solar-llc

Help amplify your voice – BECOME A DRN MEMBER: 

 

 

 

 

Where is the Accountability In Hamilton Township?
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

 

Where is the Accountability In Hamilton Township?

 

 

 

Residents in Hamilton Township are fed up.  The township employees feel they have the privilege to ignore residents and outright lie to them in writing.

 

 

 

At the end of December 2018; we contacted the Hamilton Township public library to rent one of the meeting rooms.  We called the library over the course of several days after Christmas and left messages for Sue Martinez.  She never returned our calls.  So we went to the township website; https://hamiltonnjpl.org/meeting-room-policy/) to see if there was another way to try and rent a meeting room. We wanted the meeting room for Jan 17^th at 7pm. 

 

 

 

Applications for meeting room reservations must be submitted to the Library Director or his/her designee at least three weeks in advance using forms available at the Library or downloadable from the Library web site. Applications will be considered in order of receipt and acceptance or rejection will be acknowledged. We were well within the 3 week lead time so we sent the form in. We still got zero response from Ms. Martinez.

 

 

 

On Jan 2 2019, we attended the Hamilton township council meeting and asked council for assistance.  The council members stated they would assist and asked for us to send them an email, and they would send her email address to us. We did that and obtained the email address on Jan 3, 2019 at 9:37am and sent her an email that day at 3:45pm. (see below)

 

 

 

From:

 

Sent: Thursday, January 3, 2019 3:45 PM
To: "smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org" <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>
Subject: Room rental

 

 

 

Sue

 

 

 

We have left a couple of messages as well as sending in the application to rent a room on the 17th of this month at the library. We haven't gotten any response. Could you be so kind to let us know what is happening with our application and respond to our messages. Thank you

 

 

 

 We did not get a response that day, Friday or Monday morning of the following week. We called the library and was told she was in and left yet another message. She never called back.  There was more than one person on our team reaching out to Ms. Martinez, they received the same lack of response.  We did however finally received an email at 12:19pm (see below) stating she was out on Thursday and Friday (which would be Jan 3 and 4^th 2019) attending to her sick kids.  Her email asked how many people we would have. This was annoying to us for we had mailed in the form with all the information and left messages for her as well with all this information numerous times. We responded with the details. (see email below) She stated she had no email from us. Which is completely false.

 

 

 

----- Forwarded Message -----

 

From: Sue Martinez <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>

 

To: tammy.duffy@yahoo.com <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>

 

Sent: ‎Monday‎, ‎January‎ ‎7‎, ‎2019‎ ‎10‎:‎12‎:‎19‎ ‎AM‎ ‎EST

 

Subject: re: Room rental

 

 

 

 

 

I apologize I was out Thursday and Friday with sick kids.  I have a small room available how many people?

 

 

 

 

 

 

From: "Tammy Duffy" <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, January 7, 2019 10:10 AM
To: "smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org" <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>, "Tammy Duffy" <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>
Subject: re: Room rental

 

 

 

Sue

 

 

 

We called twice and left messages I'm sent the emails. I also mailed in the form. We are looking for January 17th at 7 p.m.
 

 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

 

 

 

On Mon, Jan 7, 2019 at 9:25 AM, Sue Martinez

 

<smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org> wrote:

 

Tammy - I just checked and I don't have another email from you.  What time on the 17th, how many people?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Martinez then sent us a message asking if a room for 40 people would be ok? We responded quickly our response, Yes. (see email below)

 

 

 

----- Forwarded Message -----

 

From: Tammy Duffy <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>

 

To: smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>

 

Sent: ‎Monday‎, ‎January‎ ‎7‎, ‎2019‎ ‎03‎:‎24‎:‎24‎ ‎PM‎ ‎EST

 

Subject: re: Room rental

 

 

 

Yes

 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

 

 

 

On Mon, Jan 7, 2019 at 1:11 PM, Sue Martinez

 

<smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org> wrote:

 

I have a room that will fit 40 people max...will this be ok?

 

 

 

 

 

After our email at 3:24pm on the 7^th of January, we never heard back from Ms. Martinez. We reached out to her again at 7:30pm on January 8^th and copied the member of council.  On January 10^th at 947pm, we send another message for we received no response from anyone.

 

 

 

 

 

----- Forwarded Message -----

 

From: Tammy Duffy <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>

 

To: smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>; Tammy Duffy <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>; acarabelli@hamiltonnj.com <acarabelli@hamiltonnj.com>

 

Sent: ‎Tuesday‎, ‎January‎ ‎8‎, ‎2019‎ ‎07‎:‎20‎:‎25‎ ‎PM‎ ‎EST

 

Subject: Re: Room rental

 

 

 

Sue

 

 

 

We really need to sure up this room. Do you have an update?

 

 

 

We did not receive any response until January 14^th at 9:22am. She stated the room was reserved and she was out with the flu. (see email below)

 

 

 

Re: Room rental

 

Yahoo/Personal

 

 

 

Sue Martinez <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>

 

To:acarabelli@hamiltonnj.com,Tammy Duffy

 

‎Jan‎ ‎14 at ‎9‎:‎31‎ ‎AM

 

Tammy - I just returned to work I was out with the flu for four days.  The room was reserved for you.

 

 

We were very annoyed with this interaction with the township employee. Their lack of response for a simple task was baffling. We decided to OPRA Ms. Martinez’s time card. We sent up an OPRA request on Jan 7 to the township. We never received any response. So, we sent the OPRA request to Ms. Gore. Still no response that they got the OPRA request. Today. January 19^th we just received the response to the OPRA request from Jan 7 2019. This is beyond the acceptable 7 day turn around time that the township is required by law to respond to OPRA requests. We are going to let this go and not due the township for this lack of response. However, we do want to share what the OPRA response demonstrated.

 

 

 

 Let’s rewind for a moment to the email from Ms. Martinez from January 7. (see below)

 

 

 

----- Forwarded Message -----

 

From: Sue Martinez <smartinez@hamiltonnjpl.org>

 

To: tammy.duffy@yahoo.com <tammy.duffy@yahoo.com>

 

Sent: ‎Monday‎, ‎January‎ ‎7‎, ‎2019‎ ‎10‎:‎12‎:‎19‎ ‎AM‎ ‎EST

 

Subject: re: Room rental

 

 

 

 

 

I apologize I was out Thursday and Friday with sick kids.  I have a small room available how many people?

 

 

 

So she said she was unresponsive due to the fact she was out on Thursday and Friday.  (Jan 3 and 4, 2109). Yet, when we OPRA’d her time card, (we only asked for records from Dec 22 2018 to Jan 8 2019. The information sent from the township clerk demonstrates that she was out sick on January 3. It actually demonstrates she punched in at 8:53am and punched out at 2:36pm. It also states she took 1.5 hours of vacation that day.  January 4 she did take a sick day.

 

 

Why did Ms. Martinez tell us she was out sick on the 3^rd of January (in writing) and her time card shows she was working from 8:54am to 2:36pm and took 1.5 hours of vacation that day. When we called the library that day no one knew where she was.  

Why are township employees not accurately detailing their time entries? This seems to be a pattern wide spread in the township with considerable lack of oversight.

 

 

 

We would like someone to look up how Ms. Martinez has her time card entries for the following days,  Jan 8 – Jan 11 2019. Our guts are telling us we will possibly see additional discrepancies on her time card. Also, we would like to know why her manager would allow her detailed calculated time sheet was signed off on with incorrect information in it. 

 

This is not fair to township residents that township employees inaccurately detail their time, their managers approve it, essentially stealing from the residents.

 

What's Happening In Hamilton
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

  

 

 

What’s Happening In Hamilton?

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the state of New Jersey, the penalties for stealing money or property worth $75,000 or more include any or all of the following: restitution of the amount embezzled to the victim; a fine of up to $150,000, and between five and ten years in prison. For a theft of $500 or more, but less than $75,000. Penalties include: restitution; a fine of up to $15,000, and between three and five years in prison. Also, a theft of $200 or more, but not more than $500. Penalties include any or all of the following: restitution; a fine of up to $10,000; and up to 18 months in prison.  Less than $200. Penalties include restitution; a fine of up to $1,000; or both.

 

Most of the time, when people thinking about employees stealing from their jobs, they think of people raiding the supply closet and bringing home boxes of pens and piles of legal pads. However, there’s an even more costly form of fraud happening at businesses of all sizes across the country: payroll fraud.

 

Payroll fraud is surprisingly common, affecting about 30 percent of businesses annually. Businesses lose millions of dollars thanks to unscrupulous employees who take more money than they have earned. This isn’t even accounting for the costs associated with investigating potential fraud and taking action against the perpetrators. In some cases, employees are ordered to pay restitution, but often, employee fraud results in losses for the company.

 

Timesheet fraud involves paying employees incorrectly for the hours they work. In some cases, companies overpay employees based on falsified timesheet submissions; employees might even have a co-worker clock in and out for them when they aren’t even scheduled to work. In one common timesheet scheme, an employee will “forget” to clock in or out, thus requiring a manual entry, to which they then add extra hours. In other cases, a payroll clerk may be in on the scheme, and manually overriding employee timesheets to increase the number of hours worked, or even the rate of pay.

 

Timesheet fraud can usually be caught quickly via regular audits and review of employee schedules, and strict policies regarding timesheet submissions and changes. For example, a manager must approve any manual entries, and changes to pay rates, employee types, or a manager or human resources must document schedules in writing. Audits will reveal anomalies — such as the employee who is normally scheduled to work Monday through Friday suddenly clocking in on weekends — and stop fraud in its tracks.

 

A recent email that was released (see below) demonstrates a township employee requested to have 45 extra vacation days added to their paycheck.  At the last Hamilton township council meeting, John Barrett, CFO of Hamilton presented some very interesting data.  Evidently, there were also incidents where Mr Mulrine (who is the current Mayor’s brother-in-law) signed government documents stating he was the “acting CFO”.  Evidently, in these documents Mr. Mulrine allegedly approved expenses for games (lawn darts, etc) that were purchased with bond money.  It also appears in another document, he allegedly approved a year of travel expenses by his sister , who is the mayor in the town, for $4,600. The CFO stated at the council meeting as well that these behaviors were extremely concerning. That Mr. Mulrine had no authority to sign the documents in the manner he did. Also, allowing the disbursement of funds in this manner was extremely irregular. Mr. Barrett went on to say that he has a fiduciary responsibility to the town and reported these discretions to the appropriate authorities.

 

 

 

 

 

Vagrants Go High Tech in China
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

VAGRANTS GO HIGH TECH IN CHINA

 

 

Don't have any spare change? No problem – beggars in China now accept alms transferred via mobile payments by scanning QR codes with smartphones.

One case in point is Jinan, a city in Shandong province in eastern China, where beggars frequenting popular tourist areas like the Wangfu Pool have turned to mobile payments in order to increase their chances of receiving donations from the general public.

 

The beggars place a printout of a QR code in their begging bowls. The QR codes enable anyone with a mobile payment app like Alibaba Group's Alipay or Tencent's WeChat Wallet to scan the code and send a certain sum to the beggar's mobile payment account.

This would indicate that the beggars would need to be able to afford to have a mobile phone. According to Chinese state media, this is not as uncommon as you'd think.

In the case of the beggar seen in Jinan, state media reported that the man was apparently suffering from a mental illness, and that his family had made the QR code to help him.

However, Chinese digital marketing firm China Channel claims that the practice of QR code begging is not merely altruistic. The firm claims that many of the beggars they encountered in Beijing are actually being paid by local businesses and startups to promote QR codes and entice passersby to scan them.

 

The scans are used by the businesses to harvest user data on each person's WeChat IDs. When compiled, the lists of WeChat IDs can be sold for a fair amount of money to small businesses, who use them to send out unsolicited advertisements in the app – the same way in the past companies used email addresses and phone numbers.

Apparently, the idea works by getting passersby to take pity on the beggars and scan the QR code. The user is not charged any money, but the QR code refers the user to a specific WeChat profile. The passersby are encouraged to support the beggars because they don't need to pay any money – all they have to do is scan the QR code, and the beggar will be paid per scan they manage to achieve.

The beggars work a 45-hour work week and every QR code scan earns them between CN¥0.7 – CN¥1.5 ($0.10-$0.22, £0.08-£0.17). On average, the beggars are able to get one new scan every 2.5 minutes, which in a month works out to be CN¥4,536, which is not a huge amount of money, but a decent income comparable to minimum wage work in the country.

 

 

Tallest Building in the World by a Woman 

 

 

 

 

 https://www.dezeen.com/2015/09/22/jeanne-gang-movie-vista-residences-skyscraper-chicago-waterfront/

 

In a newly released video, American architect Jeanne Gang explains how natural crystal formations inspired the shape of Vista Residences, a new skyscraper proposed for Chicago that will be the world's tallest building designed by a woman (+ movie).

Along with the video, the developer has released new interior and exterior images of the 1,140-foot-tall (348 metre) tower by Studio Gang.

 

Vista Residences will be the third tallest building in Chicago behind the Willis Tower and Trump International Hotel and Tower. It is slated to be the tallest building in the world designed by a woman, according to the team behind the project.

The design features a trio of glass towers arranged in a row, with heights of 47, 71, and 93 storeys. Renderings show wavy facades that overlook the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

 

Gang said the massing was inspired by nature – specifically a type of crystal formation called "frustum," which resembles a pyramid without a pointy peak.

"With Vista, we stumbled upon this naturally forming geometry in nature. It's called a 'frustum.' It's found in crystal formations – fluorite and sapphire, actually," said Gang. 

"By stacking those and turning them over, we get this undulation in and out, which creates really interesting views either toward the city or skyward."

The towers are sheathed in varying colours of glass that take their cue from the water. "We're using a variety of lake blue colours, from the deeper to the lighter, to create a wave gradient across the overall height of the building," said Gang.

 

 The complex will contain more than 400 apartments and a hotel, with residential units averaging 2,500 square feet (232 square meters). The project also calls for a wine cellar, tasting room, and demonstration kitchen.

 Completion is scheduled for 2020. Assuming it receives all necessary approvals, the skyscraper will rise on the northern edge of the 11-hectare Lakeshore East development.

 

The project is backed by Chinese developer Wanda Group and Chicago-based Magellan Development Group. The initial design was first unveiled in late 2014.

"This will be a huge contributor to the Lakeshore East community, one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods to live in Chicago," said Magellan in a recent statement.

Master planned by SOM, the Lakeshore East development was built on the site of a former rail yard. It already includes apartment blocks, shops, a school, and a hotel, all of which are arranged around a central park.

 

Studio Gang designed another building there – the 261-metre-high (856-feet) Aqua tower, which was completed in 2011.

 

"Magellan from the beginning saw the potential for that whole piece of property," said Gang in the new video. "They've been able to pull off a very cohesive community. They really have the same vision as I do for creating community. They understand what it means to do good architecture."

 

Gang added that most of her firm's work is centred on the idea of community. "We really think about people, and how people use space, and how people relate to each other within space," she said.

 

Gang, one of the most world's most prominent female architects, started her Chicago-based practice in 1997.

"Chicago is a city all about architecture. It's the most American city. It's really where modernism started taking off," said Gang in the recent video. "It's also my home, so it was a natural place to begin my practice."

 

Other projects by Studio Gang include a 14-storey apartment building proposed for Miami, a social justice centre in Michigan, and a boathouse in Chicago.

The firm is also providing urban design services for a new George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art along Chicago's waterfront, with MAD leading the architectural design.

Chicago has been in the headlines lately, as the city gears up for its first Chicago Architectural Biennial. Opening 3 October, the international event will feature exhibitions, installations, and more than 300 programs.

 

The Path of Life Garden
Topic: ART NEWS

 

 The Path of Life Garden

 

 

 

Watch Link below

 

 

https://youtu.be/hrp8qBnElXk 

 

 

Corporate America was founded by men and is still dominated by men. As a result, it has many stereotypically masculine qualities. Some of these are great; others are not.

 

There are many aspects embedded in corporate American culture that are not the best thing for the people in it or for business itself. Your challenge is to first figure out what you need to assimilate to in order to gain credibility, and then change what needs changing. There’s a new phrase in literature on women in leadership—it’s “walking the narrow band”—in other words, women have to work within a narrow range of acceptable behaviors in order to succeed.

 

If you’re too “nice”, you don’t get what you want. If you’re too “nasty”, you’re seen as a bitch. Many women leave the workforce because they don’t feel like they can be authentic to themselves. And there are many behaviors that could have a positive impact on Corporate America that are not being displayed because of this narrow band. Bad leadership kills companies.  When employees follow these bad leaders it instill bad behaviors that are not fixable. Most of us have either experienced or currently work with bosses who are incompetent, tyrannical or vindictive. You may have asked yourself how someone so incompetent ended up in a position of power. Or you may wonder why everyone seems to put up with the tyranny of a volatile and domineering person at the helm.  Bad leaders are discriminatory, aggressive and arrogant. They build a world around a self-centered idea of personal greatness that gives them personal license to break, bend and alter moral standards others while holding others to them. By placing themselves on a pedestal above the law, above authority and even above God, bad leaders construct an insular bubble where they must always be right and anyone who suggests otherwise is mercilessly struck down. I needed an art cleanse. I found one.

 

 

I arrived to the PAth of Life Garden and no one was there. However, I quickly learned you could still access the garden by paying a $6.00 fee in the common mailbox. The mailbox also had a small pamphlet in it describing the garden. You first go through the “Tunnel of Oblivion” to enter the garden.  There is an oddly placed fake bat in the tunnel. So, at this point, you do not know what to expect in the garden. The Tunnel of Oblivion, the darkness representing the beginning of life. 

 

 

 

After you walk through the tunnel, there is a small sign pointing and saying, “this way”, so I followed the path. From here one proceeds to the right and finds a small stone emerging from a shallow swale signifying BIRTH.  Next, the first steps of childhood lead to a hemlock maze, reflecting a period of ADVENTURE.  One has a choice to make here according to the sign, to take the adventurous route.  I took more of course. The evergreen maze made me decide which way to go. Left, right, forward, up a hill, etc. There is a life lesson in this maze. The walker finds that lesson and then reaches an amazing bell they can ring the signified their success.   Upon successfully mastering the maze, one turns right and finds the HILL OF LEARNING ,where one crosses a series of buried granite stone steps, signifying the milestones reached in school. At the top of the hill one discovers the TREE OF WISDOM , a white oak whose nuts contain the seeds of knowledge. Whose leaves are the lessons dropped from the fall season. I took there for several minutes just relaxing in the circular stones border, it made me feel safe.  Before you enter the Tree of Wisdom the poem by Chard di Niord, Tree of Wisdom is posted.  READ IT!

 

Upon descending the hill one finds a circle of Prayer Wheels that can be spun in the spirit of HOPE and wellbeing.  This remined me of my time in Tibet, climbing Mount Everest. These types of prayer wheels where located on the way to Mt Everest from Lukla.  It brought back such amazing memories of our climb up Everest. The handmade wheels had words of inspiration that made we want to create this wonder at my own home. Beyond the prayer wheels one enters an amphitheater of sculpture that symbolizes a time of CREATIVITY.  One was given the opportunity to hear the imaginary music created by these recycled giants. 

 

I then climbed up the hill behind the giant musicians to the gong. This was an additional instrument for the giants, for humans to play. There was a mallet on top of the wood structure that allowed one to create therapeutic sounds of happiness. From here the path travels to the river and you will encounter the experience of UNION, suggested by two granite posts flanking a round millstone. The hole in the millstone represents the mysterious connection that exists between two beings while the mass of the stone creates a sense of separateness. Adjacent to union is the garden of FAMILY, depicted by five large flat stones arranged in a circle. Visitors are welcome to sit in the circle with friends and family to reflect on the loved ones in their lives. I recommend you walk around the trees and internally and externally around the seats. It’s a very therapeutic experience that helps you feel as though you are binding your family together.

 

 

 

 After creating a family, you then become a part of a larger COMMUNITY, represented by a multitude of stones arranged in a large circle. When you first look at the structures in the circle, they appear to be just large pieces of burnt wood. Then because of the clarity of behind you have created with this walk in the park, you see the amazing wood carvings that are impeded in each structure. Take time to look at each one. Do not miss the couple kissing near the tree off to the side, they are quite the pair. The individual characteristics of each stone stand for the unique qualities in each of us. Some people find they are spending too much time in community and enter a period of SOLITUDE, expressed in the park as a single stone surrounded by lilac trees and a shade structure. At other times in midlife, one might find themselves experiencing a period of AMBITION, portrayed by a large earthen mound in the middle of the field. Perfect, as I hit my midlife, I decided to begin climbing the 7 summits in the world. Four down three to go. Having climbed to the top of the mound, one can look back and reflect on the first half of their journey. I reflected on all my climbs, training to the large summit climbs, each one just as important.

 

Continuing upriver, mid-life also brings the first taste of SORROW. In this garden, the frame of a Native American teepee embodies our collective sense of loss. After a time of sorrow, some are lucky enough to find a time for FORGIVENESS, depicted in the park by a stand of bamboo poles reaching for the sky.

 

The gift of forgiveness is often followed by a period of JOY, symbolized in the park by a garden of blueberries and raspberries for all to share in the summer time. I felt compelled that Joy was not possible unless I walked the path of forgiveness. So, I walked every step of the path created by the blueberry and raspberry trees. This therapeutic path created a strong heart. It was not until then, that I allowed myself to enter the bamboo structure of Joy.  I stayed in the structure for some time, thinking of all the joyful moment of my life.

 

After leaving the garden of berries, the path turns to the left and climbs a gentle hill As one reaches these later stages of life, many people look forward to a period of rest or RESPITE.A hammock and picnic table located in a cool forest overlooking a series of gentle waterfalls provides our traveler with a well-deserved break. I sat on the hammock and meditated for a few moments. I then noticed an amazing field of now covered pumpkins. So I climbed to the down the hill to the field of pumpkins to take some photos. 

 

Turning around, and going up a hill, the garden allows for a period of CONTEMPLATION , and a Buddha is discovered overlooking a stone labyrinth. As old age settles in the path to the center of the labyrinth becomes smooth and level. After pausing at the center of the labyrinth to wish for enlightenment. I took more time to meditate and take notice of the articles left by others on the Grand Buddha, simply amazing. I thought about things going on at work where it seems like everybody in leadership is just looking upward and has a price. I wonder how they sleep at night. Where they come first and could care less about those below them. The truth comes second, everyone below them always having to look to the left and right to safely cross their day like a street. I stop, for a minute and Smile and think, they are not my circus, they are not my monkeys. I only control how I react to their abysmal behaviors.  I meditate some more. 

 

 

The next area of the garden one comes to a stand of large dead maple trees, the garden of DEATH. I stood there outside the area, not entering. For entering the death garden, I thought that would be a bad omen. But as I scanned the periphery, I saw that there were more amazing art sculptures, one resembling a Giacometti. I dropped my fears and bee-lined for the sculpture. I then also noticed like in the Community area of the garden, the sculptures had amazing life to them.

 

I put my fears of death to rest, surrounded by weeping trees, taking my renewed soul to the garden of REBIRTH, where life begins anew. One gets to sit amongst trees of life that bring a new energy to your being.

 

As a final gesture, the pilgrim re-enters the tunnel from which life began in the opposite direction. When traveling towards the West, the tunnel represents the Gateway to Eternity. The way you feel when you exit the garden is not the way you felt when you entered. It’s brilliant and I highly suggest you go there; go alone or with a group. You can also camp there. The Connecticut River is adjacent to the garden so in the summer they have boats and activities to fill your day with love and life lessons.

 

 

 

You can visit the garden now, I suggest you go a day where you can make your own footprints in the snow. That adds a whole new level of experience to the garden.  When I left the garden, I thought, who made this? It is brilliant. 

 

Terry McDonnell, a child and family therapist from Norwich, Vermont has been working on The Path of Life Garden for the past 16 years. On any given weekend in the Spring, Summer and Fall you will find him working there. Lacking formal training in landscape design or sculpture, his inspiration comes from photographs, books, other artists, gardens and walks in the woods. Without the help of a landscaping crew, he does most of the work by himself or with the help of local contractors, friends and family.

 

Terry’s desire to build a garden that told the story of life came after visiting one of Europe’s most famous Japanese gardens, The Life of Man. Built in Kildare, Ireland between 1906-1910, The Life of Man symbolizes the journey of a human soul from birth to death. After happening upon The Life of Man, Terry knew he had the perfect use for the 14-acre riverside field he owned in Windsor.

 

He began the garden in 1997 by planting 30 red oak trees in an arc that mirrored the gentle bend in the adjoining Connecticut River. Later in the first year, the amphitheater of Creativity was sculpted to feature the work of local artist’s and for hosting music festivals. In 1998, he rented a u-haul trailer, picked up 800 bare-root hemlock trees in Pennsylvania and went to work with his nephew creating the maze of Adventure. In 1999, he traveled to Northern California and found the large granite Buddha for Contemplation and the 5-piece, 25 foot tall, driftwood band (Creativity) made from Russian River driftwood. Each year since, new features have been added. There was the Tunnel of Oblivion in 2000, and the mound of Hope with its Tori gates and prayer wheels in 2001. In 2002 he was busy planting the Tree of Wisdom, erecting the 50-foot high bamboo circle representing Forgiveness and adding a ring of tall sugar stones to Birth. In 2003 he devoted to planting blueberries and raspberries in Joy and establishing a shade structure over Solitude. In 2004 he worked with Ria Blaas and Herb Ferris to complete new installations in Community and Creativity.

 

Today, everyone in the family chips in to help with mowing, weedwacking, planting and coming up with new ideas. Several times a year you will find us camping in Creativity, having a bonfire in front of the band, and going for an early morning swim in the Connecticut River. Every other summer we invite a bunch of friends and have a drumming party in front of the band. The Path of Life is a work in progress. As such, it will never really be completed -- which is just fine with us! We love it, hope you do too, and look forward to seeing you along the path.  

 

The Path of Life Garden is a crafted landscape open to the public in Windsor, Vermont. Visitors experience the story of the great circle of life while traveling through sculptures of varying sizes and materials. Inspired by a famous garden in Europe, these eighteen works of art symbolize the journey from birth to death and beyond. Since its conception in 1997, the garden has grown on its own path, providing space for recreation, relaxation, contemplation and realization; making it a great destination for families looking for fun things to do around Quechee, Woodstock, and Hanover. The path is also home to some of a 5+ mile trail network, groomed in the winter for dogsledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

 

The garden is located in a 14-acre of field of trails, wildflowers and open spaces on the banks of the Connecticut River. There are 18 works of art in the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

SELLER'S BEWARE
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

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Seller’s Beware

 

 

By T. Duffy 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The American way is online. The big box stores are closing left and right, Sears, Bamberger’s, Gimbels, Wanamaker’s, ToyrUS, just to name a few. The American public has migrated to making their purchases online, but it is not without trepidation.  This trepidation is warranted. There are different levels of selling that go occur on line; from the Amazons, to Etsy, Alibaba, Craiglist, Shopify and many more.

 

 

 

I want to share something that happened this past week with a simple sale I tried to do on Craiglist. There is a new way that hackers are hacking. I found this to be very annoying and was angry that my time was wasted by this low life individual. I question everything, so I would not ever be caught in this kind of trap. I pushed the person in a direction to see how far they would take their shenanigan. They took it pretty far. They have now retreated to their potential cave somewhere in Middletown, PA.

 

 

 

So Seller’s…..Beware. Here is my story.

 

I decided to sell my 4-year-old Snowblower on line for $200 at the advise of some of my friends. I work no less than 100 a week at my job due to the fact they have me covering two jobs for over the past year. I work insane hours.  So, my ability to deal with shenanigans outside of work are zero. My friend have sold and purchased things on Craigslist without incident. I had trepidation, (always go with your gut is my motto), but I placed the ad up on Craiglist. I registered for the site, which was very simple. Within a few days I received an email from someone on my snowblower.

 

 

 

craigslist <bf2e68aa9d493965a1514b9811ce6550@reply.craigslist.org>

 

To:my Craigslist account

 

‎Oct‎ ‎28 at ‎2‎:‎15‎ ‎PM

 

It's looking perfect for me.so I am interested  to get it. I don't Check cl reply mail. So text me to b.larry3168@gmail.com, if it is available.

 

 

 

 

 

I thought this was odd that they wanted me to send a text to another email….so right there my gut said….something is not right. I did not send the text. I answered on my yahoo email, which you have to load on Craiglist. I did not get another email from b.larry3168. However, I did get an email to my yahoo account asking again a week later if the snowblower was still available. I said yes. Initially I thought this was a new person. But how who knows could have been, drilling back through all the emails and text could be b.larry3168. The email from “Keith Bills” email address; waldosandiego36@gmail.com, aka Keith Bills is below. Let the shenanigans begin.

 

 

 

EMAIL he sent

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Re: Snowblower is still available

 

People

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Remember I work insane hours, so my personal email gets read at a rate of at best……skimming. So, this email I received with the “movers funds” comment also raised another red flag for me. I knew this fool was up to no good. I played along to see what would happen.  The horrible grammar and typos were also a red flag for me. Hackers like this tend to do have this ridiculous way of communicating.

 

 

 

Later that same morning I received a text message from “Keith Bills:. The message said….

 

Hello, how are you doing today I just got a message from FEDEX that the check has been delivered to you, I need your attention here ASAP thanks

 

The check is for 1820 plus the move agent fee

 

 

Can anyone say SHENANIGAN!!! No doubt this moron thinks I just got off the latest model of turnip trucks that FORD is making. He has no idea who he has just pissed off. If you want to get under my skin do something that wastes my time.  All I was trying to do was sell a snowblower and now I am dealing with an ingrate who evidently stalks the web to create shenanigans to try and rip people off. He pissed the wrong person off. This is the world we live in however and everyone must always be on their toes.

 

 

 

I respond to the text with…..I am nowhere my home to accept any delivery (which in hindsight this was the absolute dumbest thing I could have said to this idiot) so I will have to see when I get home. Why did you write the check for $1820? The snowblower only costs $200. I’m not sure what you are talking about as it pertains to the mover agent fee. I made it clear that this was for pick up only. I am not arranging any moving of the snowblower. My understanding was you would be picking it up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

But all the while I am thinking…how did this moron get my cell phone number. Well, it was in my email signature.

 

 

 

FIRST THING YOU SHOULD ALL DO……REMOVE YOUR SIGNATURE IF YOU HAVE ONE IN YAHOO. I had my cell phone number in my signature that is how this idiot got my phone number. I did not list my cell as public on Craiglist.  I was scratching my head how this person got my phone and began texting me. My signature has been on my Yahoo account for DECADES! I no longer have my cell there I removed it. It just creates another pathway for hackers. The less info available online the better.

 

 

 

The make believe purchasers response was…..

 

 

 

Yes, the additional money was for the movere agent coming for the pick up

 

HELLO

 

 

 

So at this point I am very annoyed that this  make believe thief continues to compile on their lies. So my response back was…..

 

So, what is your expectation? That I’m paying this mover agent. I don’t even know who this person is and what he is charging to move. I do not want some surprise that some guy shows up to move something and it costs more than whatever it is that your are giving me. Please send me the invoice of what he is charging you to move the snowblower and their contact information. I want to ensure there is no issue. This was never communicated to me. I have shipped cars from Florida to NJ that didn’t cost this much. It’s just a snowblower, this does not make sense.

 

 

 

Mr/Mrs Make believe then responded with….

 

It does make sense and I would get back to you with the mover agent info when you have the funds available. Please send me a copy of the deposit ticket once you have deposited it. He is also picking up other stuffs for me and only asked to be paid at the point of pick up that is why I’m trusting you with the payment.

 

 

 

So I respond to this moron with…..

 

Ok, now that makes sense.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If I were on LSD maybe it would, make sense. Again, this moron must have thought I upgraded my turnip truck and got a Chevy turnip Durango.

 

 

 

 

One must thing, why all the pressure to deposit the check. We all know at this point it will bounce as high as the empire state building. The check will never be cashed and this asshole is getting reported to the police, Craigslist, FEDEX for this is mail fraud at the least.

 

 

 

So I respond to the moron…..

 

I am very busy and at best cannot deposit until a few days. Did you send a certified check?

 

 

 

The moron responds with

 

Yes, it’s a certified check. You cam use y our bank mobile app or any nearest ATM close to you to make it deposited.

 

I respond with…..

 

Where are you physically located as you have a 609 area code, who is the carrier you are using?

 

 

 

Morons responds with…..

 

I’m currently for some business near Camp Lejeune and I would surely get back to you with the mover agent information when you have the funds available…you do not have to worry

 

 

 

Continued SHENANIGAN ALERT…… “some business”…Camp Lejeune and he needs a snowblower? What an idiot. I guess he never looked up where Camp Lejeune is.

 

 

 

My response

 

What is the business and I do worry because there are so many people who do scams on people constantly. I am always very diligent. So, I need answers to these questions for if I do not get proper answers, I’m going to sell this to someone else. I’m not comfortable with this whole thing with this moving agent. I feel like I am being set up to be scammed.

 

 

 

Six hours later I get home from work. I see the FED EX package on my porch. It was laughable how it was shipped. I was concerned that this moron came to my home though due to the laughable nature of the FEDEX package. I checked the tracking # on the package and it said it came from Middletown, PA. however, on the label that was printed on a piece of scrap paper, and scotch taped to the manila envelope demonstrated a different address of origin, Portland Oregon. Shenanigans.

 

 

 

 I tried calling FEDEX at that moment to see if I could get information on the package, but no one responded due to the lateness in the day.  At this point I had received no response to my last text to the scammer. Then it hit me, his moron has been texting me from a 609 number. I set my phone to private call display and called the cell the moron was texting me from. What happened next was interesting. When I dialed the number 609 469 4621 a recording came on saying, this number does not accept incoming phone calls. Shenanigans!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s talk about the “certified check” that was inside the package, again a laughable nature. The name on the check…no surprise was not Keith Bills…and the company on the check was not in NC but in Nebraska! Again, this moron must have thought I had at this point got off a fleet of turnip trucks.  Also, the name of the company, again not in NC but in Nebraska. The International Railway Journal, a publishing house, Simmons-Boardman Publishing. I bet if I were to call this company, which I have zero time to do, they would no doubt say….SAY WHAT?!

 

 

 

So, at this point I was beyond annoyed and somewhat concerned that this moron delivered this package to my house personally for the tracking info said it was delivered to another town, not to my home town. So, I called the police and went through this entire annoying story.  This person committed mail fraud and needed to be documented. The police and my bank confirmed the check was fake. They instructed me to not cash it. They said so many people get hit with these things. GEEZ, really? Evidently the new gig is these morons are trolling Craiglists and other entities and doing this exact thing.  They will get someone who is gullible enough to cash the check…then they are hosed. Their accounts are emptied instantly by these morons. I was traveling the next day for work and wanted to ensure my home was secure. So, the police did drive byes the next day as did my neighbors and family members.

 

 

 

I got a hold of FEDEX the next day. I asked them the following questions.

 

1.      Verify for me the address that this package tracking number was shipped to. The crazy news is….this package was shipped via FEDEX in its horrific manner. It appears possible not from FEDEX directly but a “fedex mailing spot, ie. Staples or another such entity. This actually gave me some peace of mind.

 

2.      Verify for me what address in Middletown, PA this package was shipped from.

 

FEDEX refused to share the information for #2. They said it’s a privacy matter and they cannot. That information would have to be subpoenaed. This is nonsense for why the information in my first question would be viewed as private? They shared that readily. They had no idea who I was on the other end of the phone.   I said to the supervisor, “Well, you realize this person used your service to commit a crime, FEDEX has no issue with that?”  The response will make your head swirl.  Her response was, “ We cannot stop anyone from using our service for criminal activity.”  

 

 

 

SAY WHAT?!!! So, is FEDEX’s mantra..CARTELS, DRUG Traffickers, MAIL FRAUDERS, Money launders, people who want to rip off the American public….we welcome you? I do believe the USPS would have an issue with this if it went via their hands. I somewhat understand FEDEX’s position for this moron mailed a check. Yet, when things like this are reported to them, I would think they would be interested to course correct and not take the position they did. Evidently, they are not interested in course correcting this. Maybe they just do not have the time because it happens so much every day.  

 

 

 

So……heads up people. All I wanted to do was sell a snowblower. I have now given the snowblower to a friend.  Be careful out there…….always go with your gut. I did and have a great story to share with you to keep you safe. This moron went to the lengths to pay for a FEDEX with first morning delivery; to try to make this happen. Be SAFE!

 

 

Todd Bencivengo Questioned About Hamilton Shelter
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

 

 

Todd Bencivengo Questioned About Hamilton Shelter

 

Nov 9 2018

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

 

We will get to the summit for the animals in Hamilton.  

 

 

 

Yesterday, the special committee that has been assigned to investigate the issues at the Hamilton Township Animal shelter performed interviews. They asked numerous questions of Marty Flynn, Jeff Plunkett and Todd Bencivengo as it pertains to the Hamilton Animal Shelter. We will share with you the one on one commentary from today’s questioning. We will warn you that this is heartbreaking. There were moments that the testimony brought tears to my eyes. As you know I adopted a turtle from this shelter and I am flabbergasted after today’s testimony that my Elbra (the turtle I rescued from the Hamilton shelter) survived 5 years at the shelter.  

 

 

 

As you are aware, two of the Hamilton council members; Ileana Schirmer and Richard Tighe were appointed as the special committee to investigate the issues at the Mercer County, Hamilton Animal Shelter. There was a recent subpoena sent to the township on the animal shelter and the refused to respond to it. It was not until today, Nov. 9, 2018 did the special committee receive some of the information that was subpoenaed. This will extend the investigation indefinitely due to the lack of response from the township administration.

 

 

 

Investigation Commentary Key

 

IS: Ileana Schirmer

 

RT: Richard Tighe

 

JP: Jeff Plunkett

 

MF: Marty Flynn

 

TB: Todd Bencivengo

 

 

 

Yesterday’s investigation started with the questioning of Todd Bencivengo

 

IS: Since the July 16^th inspection what changes have taken place at the shelter?

 

TB: New chemicals are being used, the clerical aspects are better and the staff is being schooled.

 

Let’s OPRA the schooling of the staff. We cannot believe that this is actually happening. What are they being schooled in?

 

RT: There was a problem with the floor with chemicals has that been addressed?

 

TB: Yes, The main hall was never cleaned with chemicals since 2014, the opening of the shelter. They were told they could not use disinfectant on it. They have since been trained on what to use on the floor.

 

RT: Let’s discuss the use of drugs at the shelter with the animals and euthanasia. Right now when animals are found injured what happens?

 

TB: Any sick or injured animal goes straight to the vet.

 

OPRA TIME……let’s ask for the transportation records of all the sick and injured animals. There was an injured animal in front of my house, a deer. The police came and shot it twice in the head right in front of my house. They then dragged the carcass to the side of the road where animal control came two days later to remove the deer.

 

TB: We  have a locked metal box for the drugs.

 

RT: How many staff members do you have?

 

TB: I believe 12 or 13. ACO’s, Assistant ACO,  and animal Assistants. I work mainly inside. ACO Mumford does the meds and works inside as well. I started at the shelter in 1982 as an assistant ACO. Before that I was an animal attendant. Back then there was no training all OJT. However, I have gotten my certification to be an ACO and go for continuing education every year.

 

We forgot to share with you, during Mr Plunkett’s testimony he was asked if he ever reviewed the staff’s credentials. Guess what…he did not. He asked them what their background was, but no background check was ever done to validate their claims. If you get a job at McDonald’s they do background checks for Christ sake. Yet, to run the animal shelter, any helter skelter can say they have such and such credentials and the township does not check to see if they have the credentials. This is not how the tax payers dollars should be spent.  

 

OPRA time….let's ask for all of Todd and the other ACOS’s certifications and continuing education credits for the past 20 years and see what they share back? The residents cannot take Todd’s word that he actually has a certification and does all the required continuing education.

 

 

 

IS: What is your responsibility?

 

TB: The staff and animals

 

IS: Paperwork and policies?

 

TB: I school the employees on what they should be doing. I can only continue to emphasize over and over the proper way. Policies are posted.

 

IS: How are new people trained?

 

TB: John Coakie trains them and the chemical companies come in to train on the use of their chemicals

 

OPRA TIME: Ask for John Coakies training records over the years

 

IS: How can you say you trained on policies when Mr Plunkett testified that prior to the July 2018 inspection, there were no SOP’s at the shelter.

 

TB: Since July things are not posted

 

IS: So how are the employees reviewed?

 

TB: We do not do reviews of the employees. He would just to course correct the employees. It is an ongoing issue.

 

WHAT!!! How is this possible? We have all this going on and no one has ever bothered to do a review? Do they do zero reviews in the entire township. OPRA TIME: ask for all the internal reviews of employees in the township. Let’s start with Richard Williams, Marty Flynn, Jeff Plunkett. How is it that the township employees get merit increases, what are those based on? This is the ultimate shenanigan.

 

IS: Do the maintenance of the meds fall under him”

 

TB: No, it falls under the ACO assigned to the meds.

 

AGAIN, push the accountability off. Todd is the supervising ACO. This gives him the role of supervising the entire shelter. He cannot have the liberty to push off any responsibility of things not done by his employees.

 

RT: Do ACO’s all do the same tasks?

 

TB: Some do meds, some do road assignments. They staff 7 days a week.

 

RT: In a typical week how many animals do they handle?

 

TB: 3 to 5 animals a day. Right now, we have about 25 dogs in the shelter and more than that in cats

 

IS: I went into the back room where the euthanasia is performed, and the meds were locked but there was so much stuff on the exam table you could only see a small portion of the table. Who is responsible for logging in the meds?

 

TB: No one is responsible for that. The vet orders the medicines. They are sent to the shelter. The receipt goes to the health department. There is no log book for when the meds arrive.

 

WHAT? How is this possible? They have and have had hard narcotics at the shelter and no one was keeping a log? The state requires this. How does the ACO who has worked at the shelter since 1982 not know this? How does he feel that this is not his responsibility to ensure the meds are accounted for?

 

IS: You are the supervisor, how is it that you have no responsibility?

 

TB: I make sure the other ACO’s that are assigned to that task do their jobs. I can only guide them I cannot force them to do their jobs

 

IS: Where you aware of the 7 day period?

 

TB: We would just euthanize the animals per the direction of my director who is Jeff Plunkett. We would take the documentation that the owners would bring in and but that in the files with the euthanasia’s.

 

OPRA TIME: Let’s ask for all the euthanasia records that clearly demonstrate the owners past medical history of all animals euthanized during Todd’s tenure. Mr Plunkett testified differently. He stated that they would just euthanize the animals, no questions asked.

 

IS: Prior to the July inspection there was no scale at the shelter to weigh the animals to properly administer the drugs for euthanasia. How did you know the weight of the animals?

 

TB: The owners always brought their paperwork from their vets so we would use that as a reference or we would just estimate their weight.

 

IS: Who made the decision to euthanize the animals?

 

TB: My director and the vet. I never make that decision. I have not euthanized an animal in years.

 

IS: Where are the missing meds that were discovered in the inspection?

 

TB: I was never aware anything was missing. It is the responsibility of the ACO assigned to the meds to log in the drugs.

 

RT: Where all ACO’s trained?

 

TB: Yes

 

OPRA TIME: Ask for all training on ACO’s during Todd’s tenure.

 

IS: How is it acceptable that you have missing or expired drugs?

 

TB: I was not aware of either. As the supervisor I am in house. But we never had a policy for the meds. I have to correct bad behaviors from time to time. I am hopeful the new process will be fool proof.

 

RT: Let’s talk about the hoarding issues in the township. How many incidents would you say happen?

 

TB: 3 to 5 a year

 

RT: On May 22, 2017 a hoarding situation was discovered there were 46 cats. Why were they all euthanized that day?

 

TB: They all had ring worm and upper respiratory issues. Both myself and Jeff Plunkett made the decision to euthanize all the animals.

 

HOLD THE PHONE TODD….Just a few minutes ago you said you never make the decision and have not euthanized an animal in years. Why the contradiction?

 

RT: Would it  not be odd that all 46 cats had the exact same diagnosis?

 

TB: No it was a small condo.

 

RT: Did you reach out to any rescues or other shelters for help on this

 

TB: No. We did call Columbus Animal and Mercerville Animal Hospital.  Another time we has 102 cats with a hoarding situation and my director and I made the decision to euthanize all of those cats due to cost and lack of space at the shelter.

 

 

 

YET Hamilton touts they are a NO KILL shelter. I guess killing has numerous definitions.

 

RT: What method did they use to euthanize the 46 cats?

 

TB: They were tranquilized and then euthanized by using cardiac method.

 

MORE contradictions happened over the course of the next few moments. Todd went on to say that he knew how the 46 cats were killed. Then after further questioning he said, I was not in the room for the euthanasia, so I cannot say how they were killed.”

 

IS: Why is there no stethoscope in the euthanasia room?  How do you tell if the animals are expired?

 

Todd had no response to this question. He stammered to say there was one in the shelter but never answered why it was never in the room where they killed the animals.  There were continued questions on the shelter’s relationship with volunteers and nonprofits that clearly is in need of optimization.  IS showed a VPH20 form to Todd. N.J.A.C. 8:23A 1.9(a) requires that this form be updated yearly and posted at the facility in an area clearly visible to the public. LICENSED ANIMAL FACILITY INFORMATION Name of Licensed Animal Facility. License Number. IS demonstrated the forms from two years that had the same exact cross outs and the signature for the vet looked exactly like the signature that Todd signed when he adopted a dog from the shelter. So, this begs the question, where was Dr Carter in all of this? Has the council questioned Dr Carter under oath? Maybe that is in order. Something is not smelling good here.  Aug 7^th was the last euthanasia that was performed at the shelter. The shelter would like to have people foster the animals to try to find homes for them.  Todd stated they are adopting out 5 to 10 animals a week. OPRA that gang, for we find that hard to believe as well.

 

 

 

In companies where leadership does not care and only worry about themselves, these are companies set for large failure. Hamilton Township is failing, the leadership is failing the residents and the animals at the shelter. This towns culture is broken and costing tax payers millions of dollars. The unresponsiveness, bottlenecks decisions, waste of time and money that is an epidemic has to come to an end. There has to be accountability and it starts at the top with the Mayor, Mr Plunkett, Mr Flynn and Todd Bencivengo.

 

 

 

Allowing members of your team to be unresponsive allows them to become less connected to their responsibilities. The Hamilton employees and leadership has allowed this to happen. Any manager or leader that allows this should not be in their position. There has to change in Hamilton before more animals are killed needlessly and millions of tax payer dollars are continued to be wasted.  To allow all of this to continue is just criminal.

 

We do not want to inundate the clerk’s office with numerous OPRA requests, yet this information is needed by council to make informed decisions. We can only hope they read these articles and take them into action.

 

The Mayor of Hamilton, who claims to be an animal lover has been completely silent through all of this. What does this mean for the well being of the animals? Does she not care? Anyone who is a true animals lover is heartbroken over what is going on in Hamilton. Is there more to this story and she is terrified it will come out in the investigation? Time will tell.  

 

The council has their work cut out for them. It was discovered that the $1.1 million of tax payer dollars that was spent on the shelter was only for the shell of the renovation. They now have to go into the capital budgets to weed through what the renovation actually cost. Hold onto your hats residents, we have a feeling that number is going to blow the lids off your pots. The Division of Health testified that they just cut checks to the invoices they were given. They never looked to see if the work was actually done. This is how the town of Hamilton is being run.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Plunkett Questioned About Hamilton Shelter
Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST

 

 

 

 

Jeff Plunkett Questioned About Hamilton Shelter

 

Nov 9 2018

 

By Tammy Duffy

 

 

Photo by Dave Henderson

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, the special committee that has been assigned to investigate the issues at the Hamilton Township Animal shelter performed interviews. They asked numerous questions of Marty Flynn, Jeff Plunkett and Todd Bencivengo as it pertains to the Hamilton Animal Shelter. We will share with you the one on one commentary from today’s questioning. We will warn you that this is heartbreaking. There were moments that the testimony brought tears to my eyes. As you know I adopted a turtle from this shelter and I am flabbergasted after today’s testimony that my Elbra (the turtle I rescued from the Hamilton shelter) survived 5 years at the shelter.  

 

 

 

As you are aware, two of the Hamilton council members; Ileana Schirmer and Richard Tighe were appointed as the special committee to investigate the issues at the Mercer County, Hamilton Animal Shelter. There was a recent subpoena sent to the township on the animal shelter and the refused to respond to it. It was not until today, Nov. 9, 2018 did the special committee receive some of the information that was subpoenaed. This will extend the investigation indefinitely due to the lack of response from the township administration.

 

 

 

Investigation Commentary Key

 

IS: Ileana Schirmer

 

RT: Richard Tighe

 

JP: Jeff Plunkett

 

MF: Marty Flynn

 

TB: Todd Bencivengo

 

 

 

Yesterday’s investigation started with the questioning of Jeff Plunkett

 

 

IS: How are things going with the computer system?

 

JP: We have new forms on line now. The forms go to a folder for archive.

 

RT: Can the forms be edited? Are there signatures required?

 

JP: Yes and No signatures are required

 

RT: So in effect anyone can alter the form at any time

 

IS: We need to make this fraud proof and be able to have an audit trail. Let’s make an appointment to revisit this during our next visit to the shelter

 

IS: What was your involvement in the renovation of the shelter?

 

JP: Very little, I sat in meetings. The Division of Health paid the invoices as the construction progressed.

 

Let it be known that there was zero due diligence on the payment of invoices. The invoices showed up to JP’s office and they just paid them. JP stated under oath that as long as there was a signature from Richard Williams on the invoice it was paid. Mr. Plunkett made zero effort to walk the length of the shelter to ensure the invoices they were paying, that the work was actually done.  This is not the first time the township leadership has demonstrated their complete inability to spend tax payer dollars effectively. Below are two links to two other examples of extreme government waste. There has to be accountability for this level of incompetence by the Mayor and her entire staff.

 

https://www.tammyduffy.com/ARTFASHION/index.blog?start=1443875228

 

https://www.tammyduffy.com/ARTFASHION/index.blog/2355184/irresponsible-growth-and-quality-of-life/

 

RT: Why did they expand the shelter versus build new?

 

JP: I was not the director, I was Health officer at the time. I gave zero input. I was asked to look at satellite sites on Sylvan, E State street and Broad Street however.

 

IS: But as the Health officer was it not your job to ensure the new shelter met code?

 

JP: No, that was the job of planning

 

IS: What is your role?

 

JP: I was not part of the process. I reviewed the plans and the plans met the needs of the shelter.

 

IS: So how is it that all these violations happened? How is it that the air quality, the HVAC, the sanitary aspects, grooming area, quarantine area, etc were omitted?

 

JP: We relied on the architect and construction team, lead by Wayne Neville to ensure all aspects were met. I provided no input.

 

Here we go again. JP and the entire Yaede administration take zero accountability. Mr Flynn did the same in his testimony. He stated it was not his job to make sure people did their jobs. He assumed they were doing it. The word Mr Flynn used consistently in his testimony was, collaborative. That everything is done in a collaborative manner. He used this word as much as Trump uses the words, no collusion.

 

RT: So, let’s say NorthStar vets wants to make a new place in Hamilton what is the process they would have to go through to do so?

 

JP: They would have to hire an architect and contractor. The architect would create designs that would be presented to our zoning and planning boards for approval. The entire process would be monitored up until the ribbon cutting. I would be involved with setting the standards for the new animal dwelling and make recommendations on optimization

 

RT and IS: So, you would do this for an “outsider”, make recommendations for an animal dwelling yet you state you had nothing to do with the new animal shelter that you were employed to supervise with tax payer dollars. How is this possible? That makes zero sense.

 

JP: The township never came to me for input

 

STOP…..the insanity. If you are hired to do a job you must do it or you get fired. How is it that Mr. Plunkett supposedly was never asked about the shelter that he was in charge of?  How could it be that he never asked or demanded to know what was going on? Who silenced him and why? A quick google search of the Yaede family and the Neville’s demonstrates very interesting photos. This must be a coincidence.  What is Mr Plunkett doing every day for the residents of Hamilton?

 

IS: What is happening with the SOP’s?

 

JP: They are in Dr Boden’s possession now for approval and sign off.  There are minimal edits.

 

RT: Who will be doing training of the ACO’s and the staff?

 

JP: Dr Boden will do that. She is a full-time vet at Columbus Animal Hospital. She will be the only one who will do the euthanasia.

 

IS: You have stated that you were not involved with the shelter reconstruction. Yet, in a 2013 interview you stated,” We are currently meeting on the plans for the shelter.”  Where there discussions on the quarantine rooms, grooming areas, etc? Where there permits done?  There were changes made in the process of the shelter build, but no one is telling us what went on.

 

LOOKS like another OPRA request is in order for the permits on the shelter. How much was done under permit and what was “overlooked”? I would advise the council to also question Mr Neville and the contractors. They should be brought in to review the drawings they supplied to the township and under oath be asked the tough questions. Who told you to do what? Who do you know on the administration personally?  Council should review all the RFP responses to understand why Mr. Neville got the award to build the shelter. They should also look at the other shelters that Mr. Neville supposedly built as per Mr Plunkett’s comments in his testimony of Nov 9.  A call to those facilities may be eye opening.

 

IS: How did you feel about the findings after the July inspection of the animal shelter?

 

JP: --------------------- 

 

He did not answer this question but went on to say how the shelter is doing everything in accordance to the letter of the law. Well, he evidently missed the memo of the Oct 18^th inspection by DOH. Clearly, the shelter is not doing all it can to be compliant. How much more incompetence and lack of accountability do the residents of Hamilton township have to endure. We can only hope the township council and the outside attorney take a firm and strong stance to the behaviors of the administration.

 

RT: What about the medication process can you talk to me about that?

 

JP: Medications are logged in by Dr Campbell . The vet assumes full responsibility for all the medications and logs. We hired a licensed vet to manage this. It is not my responsibility to ensure they did their job

 

WHAT! Mr. Plunkett runs the shelter. How is this not his responsibility? Well, another OPRA request is needed for Mr. Plunkett’s job description entail.

 

IS: From July to Oct what changed at the shelter with the evening medications?

 

JP: The evening ACO’s  were responsible for giving medications to the animals. This was not happening and or not being logged in. Dr Boden is changing the process so no evening meds are given. We will spend more money giving different meds less frequently but will ensure the animals are medicated properly. The ACO’s will oversee the new process.

 

Wait…..further on Todd talks about the current process. You are going to explode when you hear his testimony.

 

IS: On Oct 18^th, there was an issue with the scale during the inspection. Was there a new scale delivered?

 

JP: During the inspection we shared with the inspector that we already had ordered an new scale and it was on the way.

 

HOLD THE PHONE JEFF…..you lied to the inspector. We have a copy of the OPRA request for the requests for the scale. The second scale was not ordered until Oct 25^th, which is well after the inspection of Oct 18^th. The first scale that was ordered (we have that receipt as well) was a 12 x 12 Rubbermaid scale that cost $150. Clearly not appropriate for large animals. We wonder why it was ordered in the first place and why Jeff flat out lied to the inspector?