>Village Assets Need to be Controlled
In today’s economic recession and escalating gas prices and budgets that have gratefully diminished, there are ways to save money by eliminating unnecessary expenditures. Gas prices are going up every day and may hit $5.00 by summer. Borough vehicles and their v8 engines get approx 14 mpg and utilize extraordinary amounts of fuel. There is one particular vehicle that that I believe can save the village some cash which can be utilized more resourcefully. Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch (NWBCD) has a director that drives a Ford Crown Victoria. This vehicle was given to the original director (Bob Greenlaw) that started NWBCD to be used only as an emergency services vehicle. This car is equipped with various lights, sirens and radios which basically looks like an unmarked police car.
A civilian at NWBCD drives this take home government vehicle and reportedly uses it for everyday events that taxpayers are providing the funding for. Sources have told me that it has a navigation system on the window and a child seat in the rear. These two points tell me he’s not going to and from work. Another issue that arose was this current director is on the Hawthorne Fire Department. When responding to calls he reportedly uses this vehicle and has been seen with the lights on while responding to his fire house (which happens to be illegal). The village is trying to save money and cut all unnecessary costs. They have laid off village employees and have spoken about police layoffs in the past. This is one way to cut back on the village’s budget. Another source told me that the police department vehicles are constantly getting fixed and have major problems. This vehicle can be better utilized within the police force where it will be used for the correct purposes.
All in all the village needs to see what they have out there and what unnecessary resources can be used for the better of Ridgewood. Just something to think about….
