"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-- Margaret Mead

The unfortunate facts are these:

Fiscal Irresponsibility, is continuing under Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. Mismanagement and cronyism have been embraced by the new Mayor instead of denounced. Instead of change, there is more of the same. His administration  is already costing Orange taxpayers money, and for some, soon their home!  

Eldridge Hawkins, Jr., in spite of voting to abolish the position of Civilian Fire Director when he was a member of the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee the preceding year,  assigned himself  an additional salary of  $76,000 upon being sworn in for the $25,000/yr Mayor's job.   Under the Faulkner Act (NJSA 40:69a to 40:69a-21) only the City Council can set the mayor's salary: "Salaries of department directors, mayor, and council shall be set by council resolution (does not require the mayor's approval)."

The Mayor is automatically the acting Civilian Fire Director. No previous mayor has ever recieved additional pay for this "position".

Some Orange "Civilian Fire Director"  history:

October 05, 2007

Allen Barnhardt  has resigned  from his $81,000-a-year (plus benefits and car) post after "numerous injuries from a car accident" rendered him incapable of fully carrying out his public safety job. "My job was too important to me to not give it my 100 percent," said Barnhardt, a former East Orange firefighter out on medical disability, who also served eight years as an Orange councilman at large.

The Fire Director position was a political appointment by Mayor Mims Hackett Jr. and a classic case of cronyism (as was  the appointment of  Doug Burris to the no-show job of  Coordinator of Volunteer Firefighters).
As Fire Director, Barnhardt ran his own business  (special reflective paint to other municipal fire departments), gave out questionable contracts to his own cronies, and went fishing - all on city time.

As Councilman, Barnhardt was notable for having contributed  $500 to Mayor Hackett’s campaign fund in March of 2005 just prior to his being appointed to the job of Fire Director, and for having charged a trip to South Africa to attend a  "conference"  at Orange taxpayers expense.

Fire Director Barnhardt's family live in Charlton, South Carolina. Before the Responsible Citizens watchdog group put his activities in the spotlight, he  would spend only a few days a week in New Jersey.  Barnhardt was a familiar customer according to Continental Airlines employee overseeing the Charleston flights. On duty firefighters were often tasked with transporting him to and from the airport.

When he was in New Jersey, .Barnhardt  spent a considerable amount of taxpayer money driving back and forth to the New Jersey shore to go fishing on City time.  Orange Fire Department vehicle records and EZ pass bills show that  in May of 2007 alone, he made a minimum of eight trips to the New Jersey shore. He also managed to get a parking ticket in Sea Side Heights on one occasion. He paid the ticket under protest but the taxpayers continued to pay for his gas, maintenance and car washing.

In truth, Deputy Chief  M. DeMarzo has always run the day to day operations of the Orange Fire Department. The Dec 2006 “Feasibility Study of Possible Sharing of Firefighting Services ” states that  the  ultimate, yet unofficial, responsibility (of Fire Chief) fall  to Deputy Chief Martin DeMarzo..” 

The Orange Transcript  article of Jan 17, 2007  notes: “ DeMarzo successfully sued the city for its failure to recognize him as chief with the title, pay and benefits that go with the position.… Despite his successful lawsuit, the city has not acquiesced and has decided to appeal the decision.”

The City of Orange is spending tax payer money to appeal a lawsuit recognizing Deputy Chief DeMarzo for the responsibilities of the job he is actually doing, while paying an ex-city councilman, Alan Barnhardt (on firefighter disability pension from East Orange) over $100,000/yr (including benefits) for a job he can’t explain under sworn testimony to the City Council or to the writers of the Shared Firefighting Feasibility Study!
 
Fire Department Administrative Clerk is another Hackett crony appointment  Evon's late husband was a loyal supporter of Mayor Hackett  which may be why she felt comfortable enough in her job to use  a City Fire Dept. vehicle (and taxpayer gas)   to pick up her son from an out of state college.

 

Democracy is not easy, it is not a spectator sport. Please join us in this effort for ourselves, our neighbors and the future of our city. We are all responsible for insuring that our “public servants” (whether elected, appointed, or hired)  act ethically, exercise fiscal responsibility, operate in a politically transparent manner, and work in the best interest of all citizens.