Mayor-Elect, Kevin Glover, Thanks Residents and Intends to Work Towards Full Power Restoration

John Galt November 8, 2012 at 12:50 pm

Vvr is in for a Big Dissapointment. The only thing your going to get are speeding tickets, more Red light cameras in your town with more regulations,& higher taxes on you

Bob Friscia November 8, 2012 at 01:33 pm

I voted for you because I want someone that does the right thing for the people he/she is entrusted to lead.
Getting power back should be number one, Close behind should be re-hiring Paul Malool. I have only recently come into contact with Paul through a facebook page where he would give daily storm updates (before, during and after Sandy). Kept us all updated to the restoration of services and places where we could get warm, recharge and get a meal. He did what your predecessor was supposed to but didn't. We need people that care about others and not just themselves. My friends and family voted for you when you needed it most. Now we need Paul Malool back.

Mario Valenciano November 8, 2012 at 02:04 pm

Congratulations to you and Colleen for a great win!

Bo November 8, 2012 at 03:03 pm

That is correct. Police Chief Brian Mahoney is the OEM Coordinator. The post-event analysis will support this decision. In fact, it should been done before the storm hit and at the very least soon after. In my opinion, an inadequate plan, personal feelings and politics got in the way of him fulfilling his responsibilities effectively and in the best interest of the residents of Scotch Plains. When the OEM Coordinator holds meetings prior to the storm, and does not include the Mayor...and continues to work independently of the command structure... There is a big problem.
It was apparent early, that he was not professional enough to put personal feelings aside in the interest of the safety of our residents. However, the decision was made not to disrupt the structure in the middle if a crisis. This is my perspective...and I was in complete support of this decision. Bo

Bo November 8, 2012 at 03:14 pm

In addition, he had time to update his Facebook page and send in articles to the Patch about him and Glover taking food to the senior housing on Lake... But where was he in getting information to people without power and smart phones? Was that a consideration in his planning... Or even on the fly? He is the one responsible for the plan, coordination and execution. You can blame everyone else... But in the end he is, by law, the one in charge when a state of emergency has been declared. He failed miserably! Just wait for the facts if you care about them.

Bo November 8, 2012 at 03:25 pm

On a different note, I want to congratulate Kevin and Colleen on their victory. Also, let us all remember that there are still a lot of people without power, (including myself, the Mayor and probably Kevin). There will plenty of time for spiking the ball...right now let's work together to get the immediate issues resolved.

Barney Oldfield November 8, 2012 at 03:29 pm

Which is why you will be a one-term councilman, Bo. Can't wait for the opportunity to vote you out.

Chester A. Arthur November 8, 2012 at 03:32 pm

Does glover have a twitter account?

Barney Oldfield November 8, 2012 at 03:33 pm

BTW, as was posted elsewhere, Romney was running for president for years and yet was gracious in defeat. Mayor DePaola was not. Your "throwing down the gauntlet", in your own words, when you should be reaching a hand across the aisle and agreeing to work for the betterment of the community shows what we can expect from you. Petty political grandstanding as usual.

former republican November 8, 2012 at 03:38 pm

I and dumbfounded by Bo's comments. Although I shouldn't be. You are trying to pass the buck when the buck stops with the mayor. This retaliation is so transparent. Those FB updates were alot more information than the mayor gave us. You're mocking him for getting the senior citizens a hot meal? You're talking about personal feelings and politics getting in the way? Don't you have mirrors in your home? I agree with Barney, you're next.

Bo November 8, 2012 at 04:10 pm

When did I say "throwing down the gauntlet"? And I am not mocking him for getting seniors a hot meal...that was a very good thing. I am mocking him for the fact that he felt it necessary to write the Patch to tell everyone about it? A bit self serving and perhaps a waste of his time at that moment. But everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Nicole Bitette (Editor) November 8, 2012 at 04:19 pm

http://scotchplains.patch.com/articles/former-sp-office-of-emergency-management-official-paul-malool-is-let-go

former republican November 8, 2012 at 04:26 pm

Face it Bo, you are mocking him because his last name is Malool. As people pleaded with the mayor for information and she was silent, at least we were made aware of the seniors getting a hot meal. And you mock that. I would call self serving the article pointed out by holden where you called yourselves patriotic for reading the declaration of independence. That is the reason for my sign in name. You have all lost your way and it has become way too personal, with paybacks and unqualified appointments trying to groom the next generation of our "leaders".

Bo November 8, 2012 at 04:52 pm

Question...if you were aware of the senior meals through the Patch... How were you not also aware of the updates submitted to the Patch by the Mayor? Seems odd that you would see some but not all of the information posted.

former republican November 8, 2012 at 05:04 pm

Uh Bo, the "updates" from the mayor gave no information. I know you read the Patch and the comments. It is what people were screaming about all week and cost Mary 100's of votes. Go back and read the updates. What exactly did they say? I know, it's Malool's fault. Easy scapegoat. Read the comments on the firing of Malool article. The people see what was done and why. No spinning will change the actions that have and have not been done. Also, go back and reread the election numbers. We have spoken that we're fed up with the shenanigans. We only hope that Glover can undo whatever else you, Mary, Ed and Marty have planned for the next 6 weeks.

Sean Gaynor November 8, 2012 at 05:14 pm

I'm confused as to how Glover thinks he can get power back sooner than DePaola. What exactly is he going to do differently?

John Galt November 8, 2012 at 05:16 pm

Bo is welcome in my Gulch former Republican(s) are not welcome

ParkMom November 8, 2012 at 05:25 pm

I'm still without power.. and you can't blame anyone except the crazy weather we had. The power companies are doing the best they can. I love Scotch Plains.. I hope whoeve runs it.. it will always be a great town to live in. I can't complain.. when i look at the mess at the shore... our problems are soooo small. :) Power will get restored... just hoping we don't ever see a strom like that again. Good luck to all ~

Bo November 8, 2012 at 05:27 pm

What information were you looking for in the updates? That your power would be restored next? They took what PSEG would give them and posted it. Every mayor in the state was on them for more information and they were not giving anything other than what was posted. I am still not sure what your expectations were when the conditions in Scotch Plains were the same or worse all over the state. People even went out and posted information on trees and telephone poles to get the message out... But unlike our neighbors with one square mile to cover, we have twelve.

former republican November 8, 2012 at 05:41 pm

blah blah blah Bo. You keep defending. We will keep voting. Just keep reading the comments on the firing of Malool article to try to understand what your constituency is saying.

Bo November 8, 2012 at 05:54 pm

Not defending... Mistakes were made... But your comments seem to imply that something more was expected. I am simply asking, perhaps for next time, what were you expecting? Be specific so at least we can learn from this experience in order to serve you better next time. If it is simply a time for venting anger, I get that too. I still don't have power at my house....and it is very inconvenient with a 72 year old mother and two small kids.

neveragain November 8, 2012 at 06:02 pm

I thought I was one of the costumed colonial people in Colonial Williamsburg when I saw the "broadside" nailed to the telephone pole. Just like 1776! How quaint. The posting warned us not to dare put our branches in the street. You just can't admit that our town came up short in this crisis. It's pretty hard for us to judge everyone's performance now when we are all left out of the loop. The taxpayers of this town are owed a thorough, transparent investigation - not a typical SP behind-closed-doors meeting. Blame the hurricane for the Republicans loss if you want, but you are well aware of the many disgruntled taxpayers who let their feelings be known before the storm. Marty's polls may have shown you ahead, but nobody ever polled me. He thinks he's Karl Rove - well, how's that workin' out fer ya?

Tired Taxpayer November 8, 2012 at 07:02 pm

Aaaah Bo, where to start:
- perhaps emergency management communications should not be managed via Facebook (or the Patch for that matter). But if you compare communications via Patch issued from Fanwood (twice daily) vs Scotch Plains (twice or 3x in total??) we got our clocks cleaned! - Communications on Patch from Fanwood were comprehensive - jointly issued by the Mayor and Police Chief - email, phone, txt message, leaflet, smoke signal...should all be explored in an effort to get emergency contact information for all residents of our town via a variety of media. This would allow for more consistent / effective communication to be made. -driving around our County looking for gasoline in the aftermath of Sandy I was amazed by the lack of work crews addressing downed power lines and trees blocking our streets. I saw the County DPW at work - but not our trucks. I could go on ………..

SPFmom November 8, 2012 at 09:07 pm

Bo- you were looking for something more specific, here are two ideas, both of which are pretty inexpensive for the town: 1- invest in the Honeywell instant alert system. The schools use it as do many other towns. It is better than the Union County First Alert because people who don't have cell or email (like many seniors) can still receive phone calls. Then use it, even if the Mayor just uses to update people that PSEG is on the case. Mayor Mahr did that- she didn't have the answers but she let people know they were not forgotten; 2- every political party has 2 committee people per ward. Contact them ahead of a storm and ask them to check on their neighbors and call back their Chairs with any problems or concerns people have. This is free. This would keep the Council and the Mayor connected. Communication is key. Congrats to Glover, please get out ahead of the next storm so we don't have a repeat of this nonsense.

ParkMom November 8, 2012 at 09:21 pm

question: I just got an update on power from the police dept. Church St. isn't on it. Trucks came 4 days ago.. fixed 3/4 of Church St. stopped at 2024 Church.. and havn't been back. Can someone find out why they never came back.. you would think the smart thing to do is to fix the whole block be4 moving on???? wouuldn't that make sense. they left 2032 with wires on the front lawn.. and kids going to Park Middle going close to these wires.. this is scarey!!!

maureen Maguire November 8, 2012 at 09:41 pm

Communication is key. I got my updates from Fanwood... there was close to nothing coming from Scotch Plains... still nothing as I sit Day 11 with NO HEAT and NO POWER....

SPTaxpayer November 9, 2012 at 04:23 am

Bo-
It's over. All we were expecting was a sense that someone was in control. We knew the town could not solve all our problems. We just wanted regular, accurate information from people in elected positions. It didn't happen. Kevin is now getting a chance to show he can do better and the bar is very low now given the way the town "leadership" performed. We were unprepared and it showed. You obviously do not understand what your constituents expect from their elected leaders. If you and the mayor had the foresight, you would have demanded a briefing from the OEM head prior to the storm instead of blaming him for not inviting the mayor to a meeting. Give me a break. You want to be a political player but you don't understand basic concerns of the people who voted for you. Look in the mirror and change or we'll dump you too. Stop making excuses for the mayor. It makes you look pathetic. 1) review the plan the own has periodically 2) conduct periodic rehearsals 3) tweak the plan and make sure people in charge are competent 4) conduct key leader meeting if it looks like plan may need to be deployed 5) deploy plan and inform citizens 6) modify plan as needed 7) deploy resources at towns disposal 8) don't outsource crisis management to one person in the staff 9) have designated loading with utilities 10) have police visible to reassure citizens, direct traffic, mark downed trees, knock on doors, etc

John Galt November 9, 2012 at 08:16 pm

SP Taxpayer is way too dependent on govt. How do you earn a living & pay your mortgage with that attitude? You obviosly live in a nice town & are somewhat self sufficient, why not use what skills you have to accomplish all those goals yourself-for yourself? Or is it that YOU pay taxes, YOU are the boss & police are just hall monitors & janitors in your eyes. Just because you pay taxes doesnt mean every public employee is YOUR personal slave.

John Galt November 9, 2012 at 08:25 pm

Not to mention that thanks to the democrats & Obama your taxes are boiled down to the least common denomenator, spread thin across your town, so if the smallest house pays $2000 & you pay $5500 $3500 goes to the county to be redistributed to the poorer towns in your county like elizabeth. So really your paying more taxes in elizabeth then you are in SP. I'd be way more pissed about that-but hey, you voted, it was your choice & what you chose so LIVE WITH IT !!!!

You Are All Stupid January 13, 2013 at 10:34 pm

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