So first Roberta and Paul use public funds illegally to influence their stupid parking garage vote. Then we find out that Roberta, under the reign of Paul, has signed a contract that is in direct conflict with the resolution, costing us (according to the CFO last week) upwards of $200,000. Wow, Roberta, you were aces. Thank you so much for the breath of fresh air that you left on our fair town.
Active “vote yes” promotion of the parking garage by elected office holders and village employees was always wrong, wrong, wrong, and NOBODY should be criticized for complaining. Whether they live in Ridgewood or not. This was a thumb in the eye of village residents and a flagrant abuse of the reins of government. The fact that we have neighbors willing go on record with complaints against such behavior is a blessing we don’t always deserve.
Ridgewood NJ, Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.
Officers of Parkmobile convinced elected officials to adopt a formal resolution that approved the signing of a contract with their company. The adopted resolution stated in plain English that the Village would not be charged in any way, shape, or form. All costs were to be paid for by users on a per transaction basis. Then, Parkmobile somehow convinced former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld to sign a contract granting Parkmobile a percentage of the parking revenue from every transaction involving their app.
Bait and switch, plain and simple. One bill of goods was sold to the Council, another was sold to Roberta Sonenfeld.
FRAUD I say. I maintain the contract is invalid because it is in direct conflict with what our elected officials were told, and what they approved via resolution.
I’m about to call up that attorney who is handling the case against the Board of Education (Rosemarie Aronold of Fort Lee) and ask her to file a class action suit against Parkmobile for triple damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.
Ridgewood NJ, As previously reported by the staff of The Ridgewood Blog ; Earlier this year, the Village’s CFO, Robert G. Rooney, became aware that a portion of the Village’s Parking Utility revenues associated with use of the Parkmobile smart phone application at Village owned and operated parking facilities (said to be 21 cents of every 1 dollar), were being withheld from the Village by Parkmobile USA, Inc.
Upon further investigation, Mr. Rooney determined that a 2-year contract, with an option for a 2 year renewal, signed by former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld entitled Parkmobile USA, Inc. to retain this revenue. The total amount of Parking Utility revenue withheld from the Village by Parkmobile USA, Inc. since the contract’s inception is reported to be over $200K.
Following discussions with Mr. Rooney and Village Manager Heather Mailander, Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen requested a review of all Village Council meeting minutes and Village Council approved Resolutions associated with discussions and approval of the Village’s relationship with Parkmobile USA, Inc.
During the aforementioned review process, it was determined that at no time had a public discussion taken place concerning any monetary obligations on the Village’s part in connection with integration of Parkmobile USA, Inc.’s smart phone application into the Village’s Parking Utility system.
Furthermore, Resolution #15-52, approved unanimously by Village Council members on February 11, 2015 specifically states: “. . . there is no additional service or contract fee for the Village of Ridgewood; and WHEREAS, Parkmobile USA , Inc. will provide this service at no cost to the Village of Ridgewood, and shall not charge the Village of Ridgewood any costs for the integration of its system(s) or for the management of the project and services;.”
At a public meeting of the Village Council held on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, Village Council members directed Village Manager Heather Mailander to formally notify Parkmobile USA, Inc. that the Village would not be renewing its contract with them.
The staff of The Ridgewood Blog will keep you informed of any further developments in this matter as related information is made public.
Ridgewood NJ, an amazing headline today from the Ridgewood News , especially when you take into account the one sided journalistic arse kissing and one sided reporting that often take place on their pages . The Ridgewood News like most of New Jersey’s media have been open cheerleaders , excuse makers and supporters for corruption and dishonestly in this ethically challenged state . It’s about time and we say welcome to the real world .
file photo of Roberta interfering with petitioners
The same Roberta Sonnefeld who:
>Created a revenue scheme to fine taxpayers during leaf collection season and bragged about the tens of thousands of dollars the village collected?
>Refused to detail how much parking fees would increase under the monster garage plan?
>Took a giant check on behalf of the village from the baseball association to help convert Schedler to a “field” despite residents saying they didn’t want it?
>Ignored residents pleas before and after the “bike lane to nowhere” was painted as congestion overtook the overpass as they predicted then told them everything was fine and they were wrong?
>Actively worked with developer John Saraceno on behalf of the monster garage?
>Sat idly by as the historic commission violated conflict of interest rules when voting on the garage and sought to limit an elected member’s right to speak?
>Resigned saying she didn’t support the council’s agenda?
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