DeCROCE CRITICIZES RAHWAY VALLEY SEWERAGE AUTHORITY FOR PARTYING HEARTILY ON PUBLIC DIME

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN REVIEW OF RAHWAY VALLEY VOUCHERS SHOW THE AUTHORITY HAS SPENT THOUSANDS ON HOLIDAY AND RETIREMENT PARTIES

    Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said today the amount of public dollars being wasted on swank holiday and retirement dinners at the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority is outrageous at a time when New Jersey's unemployment rate is historically-high and its residents are being driven out-of-state because of the nation's highest tax burden.

    "If a sewerage authority has money to burn on holiday parties held at an exclusive country club featuring Rock Lobster Tails, Lamb Lollies and Filet Mignon, then its rates are too high," DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, said. "The spending at this agency is yet another outrageous insult to hard-working families who struggle with the nation's worst tax burden that is aggravated by public officials who do not respect the public's dollars whether they come from taxes or sewer rates."

    A detailed list showing questionable by the Authority and other public agencies such as the Atlantic City Visitors and Convention and New Jersey Sports and Exposition authorities, which has been uncovered by Assembly Republicans under DeCroce's direction is available at www.njassemblyrepublicans.com. Some of the findings include:

* $4,198 for the commissioners' 2008 holiday dinner at the exclusive Echo Lakes Country Club, the "Hidden Gem of New Jersey Golf." It included valet parking for all ($4 a person), a $450 disc jockey (who only accepts cash), Hors D'ouevres including Lamb Lollies, Tenderloin on Tuscan Toast and Shrimp on Sugar Cane Skewer, and entrees of Filet Mignon, Veal Marsala and Rock Lobster Tails washed down with $1,018 worth of beverages.

* $497 to celebrate one commissioner's retirement at Ferraro's with 13 people in March 2009. Bill included fresh fruit platters and nearly $150 worth of alcoholic drinks including Grey Goose, wine and a Bloody Mary with Ketel One.

* $1,812 for six employees to take the Acela Express business class to Washington DC in March 2005. There is no justification provided for why they did not choose a less expensive mode of transportation.

    DeCroce said the examples uncovered at the sewerage authority give more credence to an Assembly Republican initiative to combine the state's duplicative auditing agencies, whose exposure of waste in government has often been ignored, into one Office of Auditor General, an independent elected position that would have the ability to recoup taxpayer dollars improperly spent and punish those responsible.

    "Our existing auditing agencies are either beholden to those who appoint them or do not have the power to enact reform or justice for taxpayers when they unearth wasteful, fraudulent or abuse spending of public dollars," DeCroce said. "We must give the public a powerful ally with the will to stand up for them against misuse of public dollars."

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Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority

And a Happy New Year

Judging by the escalating prices and plush locale, the Rahway Valley Sewerage commissioners know how to celebrate the holidays in style. Unfortunately, the ratepayers who pay for this extravagance aren't invited.

* $4,198 for the commissioners' 2008 holiday dinner for 26 at the exclusive Echo Lakes Country Club, the "Hidden Gem of New Jersey Golf." That includes $4 valet parking for all, a $450 disc jockey (who only accepts cash), Hors D'ouevres including Lamb Lollies, Tenderloin on Tuscan Toast and Shrimp on Sugar Cane Skewer, and entrees of Filet Mignon, Veal Marsala and Rock Lobster Tails washed down with $1,018 worth of beverages.

* $3,767 for a similar holiday party in 2006, although more people (36) attended with a more modest ($739 beverage bill).

* $2,421 for a similar party in 2005, except there is no bar tab. According to the voucher, 33 people were expected.

* $1,230 for a deposit and DJ for the 2007 holiday party at Echo Lakes. No voucher could be found providing a total for this year's bash.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

The commissioners don't just celebrate holidays, they make sure a retiring member is properly feted.

* $2,007 for a retirement dinner at La Griglia, a seafood grill and wine bar (where choosing a bottle of wine is an event) with the commissioners in February 2006, and, a framed tribute resolution.

* $1,234 for a 15 people to attend a retirement dinner in 2007 at La Dolce Vita with obligatory frame for a tribute resolution.

* $497 to celebrate one commissioner's retirement at Ferraro's with 13 people in March 2009. Bill included fresh fruit platters and nearly $150 worth of  alcoholic drinks including Grey Goose, wine and a Bloody Mary with Ketel One.

This was the only one of the three retirement dinners that included an itemized receipt.

Working Lunch

The commissioners don't just party. They perform important work for the people of Springfield, Kenilworth, Roselle Park, Cranford, Westfield, Garwood, Clark, Rahway, and Woodbridge. Sometimes, that entails learning more about protecting public health and the environment. Hard work builds up an appetite.

* $1,701 to cater a mayor's forum in 2006 for 50 people at The Westwood in Garwood, which is "known for fabulous food and impeccable service, (with) unparalleled amenities in an inviting and elegant atmosphere. (Guests) enter through hand-carved cherry doors into a striking foyer with polished granite floors, artfully crafted woodwork and crystal chandeliers."

* $995 for meals and expenses at the 2006 Association of Environmental Authorities of New Jersey's spring and fall conferences in Atlantic City. There are no itemized receipts for a $464 lunch at the Ram's Head Inn, which includes a separate $80 charge, nor a $116 breakfast at the Taj Mahal's Bombay Caf‚.

This meal, held at the upscale inn that "offers guests a chance to enjoy a unique dining experience in an elegant and inviting atmosphere" that "provides a respite for the senses," seems to be an annual tradition when commissioners attend this convention.

* $877 for expenses at the 2005 Environmental Authorities conference, including $121 for breakfast at the Taj Mahal's Bombay Caf‚ and $715 for the commissioner's lunch at the Ram's Head Inn.

* $578 for a commissioners' lunch and expenses, which included cab fares, to the Ram's Head Inn in November 2007 during the Environmental Authorities conference. That includes seven cabs from Atlantic City and a separate $57 bill at the Inn's "L-Bar."

* $556 for a room and food for 12 during a mayor's retreat held at The Westwood in May 2009.

* $524 for the annual Ram's Head Inn luncheon during the Association of Environmental Authorities 2005 luncheon. There is no itemization of the "food and beverage" bill that totaled $441 before tip.

* $458 for a commissioner luncheon at the Ram's Head Inn during the 2008 Environmental Authorities convention.

Travel

Compared with other independent authorities in New Jersey, travel at the authority is not excessive, but when they do leave New Jersey, they travel in business class comfort and stay at some posh hotels.

* $2,752 for two employees to attend the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference in Washington DC in 2005 One stayed four nights (at the conference rate of $220 per night) at the Marriott at Metro Center. He rode Amtrak's business class ($235 round trip) instead of a more economical seat. The other employee stayed three nights (conference rate $222 per night) at the Marriott's Renaissance Mayflower Inn, "The Progressive Grand Dame of the Nation's Capitol." This four-star, four-diamond luxury hotel opened in 1925 "and was quickly labeled Washington, DC's 'Second Best Address' by President Harry Truman."

* $1,983 for an authority member to attend the National Association of Clean Water Agencies winter conference in 2006 in California. No airfare voucher was included, but taxpayers paid for $26 in unspecified tips, $265 for meals including one at Morton's steakhouse and five nights lodging at the $225-per-night Marriott's Desert Springs resort where "the majestic Santa Rosa mountains and spectacular desert landscape may beckon you outside, (but) our elegantly appointed guestrooms with luxurious amenities may persuade you to stay put and enjoy the great indoors."

* $1,812 for six employees to take the Acela Express business class to Washington DC in March 2005. There is no justification provided for why they did not choose a less expensive mode of transportation.

* $1,408 for four employees' train fares to Washington DC in June 2008. Instead of taking a more reasonable option, the quartet rode business class on the Acela Express.

Professional Services

Any governmental agency in New Jersey needs two things: a good lawyer and a good lobbyist.

* The Weiner Lesniak law firm has represented the authority. Four randomly-selected vouchers show monthly bills ranging from $2,259 to $27,696.

* The authority retained Murray, Montgomery & O'Donnell, a Washington DC lobbying firm for $10,000 per month until it terminated the firm's contract effective August 2008. An August 2008 memo from the firm indicated it failed to get an authority project funded by the Senate's Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee but offered to continue working at a "significantly reduced rate."

Vouchers include memos updating various legislation and meetings, usually with the offices of Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez.

According to OpenSecrets.org, the authority has paid Murray, Montgomery & O'Donnell, $260,000 from 2006 to 2008, but a random sampling of vouchers pulled from the authority suggest more - at least $375,000 dating back to January 2005.