Case not proven

Case not proven

Orange Transcript

The effects of Orange’s property revaluation, with many owners facing large increases in their tax bills, has spawned a group whose goal appears to be the replacement of Mims Hackett Jr. as the city’s mayor.

The group, Responsible Citizens for Orange, has started an effort to recall Hackett from office. On its Web site, the group’s members allege that “mismanagement, fiscal irresponsibility and cronyism” on the part of Hackett has led to “the continued deterioration of the city.”

The group presented paperwork to begin what it thought would be a recall campaign to the City Clerk’s Office last week. However, City Clerk Dwight Mitchell rejected the group’s effort, noting it had not filed the correct forms to begin the process.

While the group is not precluded from refiling, we believe its claims do not meet responsible standards for a recall.

On its Web site, the group claims that City Attorney Marvin Braker and Chief Financial Officer Jack Kelly also have public positions in other municipalities. While we object to multiple positions, it is legal.

Then the group goes after Hackett’s chief of staff, Altamount Muhammad, claiming that he earns $50,000 as a “chauffeur” and another $20,000 as the city’s affirmative-action officer. While the numbers are correct, terming Muhammad a “chauffeur” is an insult to him and his position as chief of staff. Also, the city, by law, must have an affirmative-action officer, so the money would go to him or someone else.

The group also claims that members of the City Council average at least $1,000 per meeting in salary and travel expenses. The math is simple: members make $15,000 a year for roughly 25 regular meetings. This does not count committee and special meetings scheduled during the year. Also, members would need expenses in excess of their salaries to match the claimed figure. Council members do not receive this much for expenses.

These and other “faults” of the Hackett administration put forth by the group are not causes for his removal. Our saying this should not be construed as an endorsement of the Hackett administration. We simply believe the argument put forth by the group does not reach a level that warrants Hackett’s removal. To remove a sitting mayor, who was swept back into office in 2006, requires that a stronger case be made. If the recall supporters have more complaints, let’s hear them.

Letter of Response sent to Orange Transcript

To the Editors of the Orange Transcript

Your article “Case not proven” should have been more accurately titled “Wishful thinking by the Mayor.” The recall process of Mayor Mims Hackett has just begun. It will be the voters of Orange that will decide in November “Case not proven” – or the other way around.

The Orange Transcript is not alone in confusing the difference between what is “legal” and what is “ethical” conduct by public officials. Our website, taxes2high.org, is a tool to educate voters on this distinction.

Much of what we are objecting to in the Mayor’s actions are not illegal, but they are unethical. In many ways, the conduct of Mayor Hackett Jr. that we are challenging is no different than that of other mayors and politicians in New Jersey. That fact does not make his actions any more acceptable.

Cronyism is defined as “Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, (as in political appointments to office)”. The more formal term is “Exploitation of Official Position”. The Plain Language Guide to New Jersey’s Executive Branch Ethical Standards uses this term to warn: “You may not use your position to secure a job, contract, … or special benefit for yourself, a friend or family member.”

The positions of “Civilian Fire Director”, “Coordinator of Volunteer Firefighters”, and “Purchasing Agent” are some of the jobs that we believe are of questionable need at Orange taxpayers’ expense, and smack of cronyism.

For the record: There is no position in the City of Orange called “Chief of Staff.” Altamount Muhammad’s official job description is “Confidential Aid to the Mayor.”

This same position was described in a May 1998 State of New Jersey Investigation of Orange municipal government as the Mayor’s “chauffeur.” The report cited the then Mayor, Robert L. Brown, with “Abuse of Office” (Exploitation of Official Position) for dispensing this job, and others, as favors “of questionable need at taxpayer’s expense”. That “Confidential Aid” at that time was only paid $15,000/yr to start, which was later increased to $34,000/yr.

$50,000/yr for a full time “Chief of Staff” position for a $25,000/yr part time Mayor should raise questions even if there were such a job. Hackett’s $49,000/yr job as State Assemblyman takes precedence over his job as Mayor- by statute. Are the taxpayers of Orange paying for support staff for his State job as well? Were we insulting the chief of staff position? I think not. It is the taxpayers of Orange that are being insulted by the existence of a full time “Chief of Staff” or what ever the Mayor wishes to call the position.

Far from being “swept back into office,” in 2004, Hackett won his third term by virtue of having divided opposition, low voter turn out and the help of State and County Democratic machine politics. He survived scandal and a previous recall effort in 2001 with the help of State Senator Richard Codey, a benefit of dual office holding.

Mayor Mims Hackett Jr., of the City of Orange is being recalled because, by the scope, pervasiveness, and duration of unethical behavior in his administration, he has made it clear that he has little respect for the citizens he was elected to serve.

Responsible Citizens for Orange