The Mack Administration has been trying for several weeks now to get legal services contracts for three out-of-town (Atlantic City, Mount Holly and Rochelle Park) law firms politically connected to the Mayor: the CEO of one of the firms, Cooper Levenson’s Lloyd Levenson was chair of Mr. Mack’s “Inaugural Ball” and a member of his transition team.
The first time the matter came before Council in August, no action was taken after several Council members expressed objections. When the vote finally came up a few weeks ago, resolutions for all three firms were defeated. That should have been that.
Earlier this week, Councilman Alex Bethea, who missed (again) the meeting where the contracts were defeated, asked for Council to re-consider the resolutions. The Trentonian characterized this as a “do-over,” and I would agree. Councilman, if you miss a vote, then you – and your constituents – live with the consequences of that missed vote. And that should have been that.
Well, Mr. Bethea is getting his do-over. On the Agenda for the upcoming Council meeting on October 19 are – wait for it – two resolutions awarding (with no dollar amounts listed!) legal services contracts to Cooper Levenson (surprise!) of Atlantic City, and Rochelle Park’s Florio Perrucci (yes, that Florio). The Mack Administration is asking for yet another bite of the apple. Why? That’s a good question. The last vote for Florio Perrucci was defeated in a 3-3 tie; the mayor must feel that Mr. Bethea’s vote would carry the day. The Cooper Levenson vote was 4-2 against; one of the “No” votes must be ready to flip.
In a word, this stinks. These resolutions were openly considered by Council, debated, and defeated. Why should they come back again for reconsideration, so soon after their defeat? Does this mayor not respect the decisions made by this Council?
A week ago, when Council voted on the contracts, Council members Muschal and Chester both spoke to the point that the members had declined to approve the requests back in August, and objected to seeing them before the Council yet again. Mr. Chester’s words last week still carry, and I hope we hear more of them on Tuesday:
“For the mayor to bring them [the contracts] back to us — what are you saying about the council?” Chester said. “We have 17 to 19 law firms already on retainer, and if we have litigation that’s pending, why not reach out to law firms that we already have?”
Exactly: what does this say about how the Mayor feels about Council?
To bring the matter of these contracts back before Council is an extremely arrogant move by this Administration, yet another one in a fast-lengthening line. Enough. These contracts should be – once again – defeated, burned; with the ashes buried during a full moon. No more vampire resolutions.
If we are going to agree that “do-overs” of decisions we’re not happy with are going to be standard procedure, can I ask – please – to do over our past elections?
We’ve been having conversations like this in my house often lately, as my toddler learns the fine art of negotiation:
“Mommy, can I have a cookie?”
“Not now, sweetie.”
“Mommy, can I have a cookie?”
“Later, honey.”
“COOKIE! PLEASE? PLEASE?!”
“No. Sorry. No cookie.”
“COOKIE! COOKIE NOW! NOW COOKIE!!”
If you substitute “Council” for “Mommy” and “Contract” for “Cookie,” it’s pretty similar to Mack’s approach to the legislative process. It’s arrogant, to be sure, but it also strikes me as immature, except Mack is a grown man and should know better.
Hi, Chrissy – Your toddler is likely to learn a more subtle (and effective) means of negotiation.
About five years ago, my daughters presented me with this request:
“Dad, can we get a pony?”
“No.”
“Dad, can we get a pony?”
“No.”
“Dad, can we get a pony?”
“No.”
“Dad, can we get a pony?”
“No.”
“Okay. Dad, can we get a puppy?”
“Well, that’s more reasonable. Sure, we can get a puppy.”
Our dog Ginger has been with us, oh, just about five years.
That’s when I realized that successful lawyers are those who have not emotionally matured beyond the age of 7. That’s what makes them good negotiators, I guess.
Mack wants his “COOKIE!!!” I guess. Can’t even negotiate at the 7-year-old level of subtlety and skill.