Dudley House Operator Sought
An agency that had been poised to take over operations Jan. 1 at Dudley House has withdrawn for financial reasons and city officials are considering at least three other options.
The residential program for men recovering from substance abuse shut down in May 2008, after failing to meet new state licensing rules. The 15-bed Putnam Avenue house has since been refurbished and made handicapped-accessible, but has not yet received licensure.
City Administrator Marc Dashield said Monday the administration is weighing proposals from three entities, one for a "sober house," one from Sunrise House and a third from a non-profit agency in East Orange. The news came in an update to the City Council, which has requested a turnover from city operation of the program.
Councilwoman Annie McWilliams questioned the change, asking about a contract the council had approved with the Plainfield-based Organization for Recovery. Dashield said the contract had not been executed. The council had expected a resolution by Jan. 1, but Dashield said it might take longer under the new circumstances.
Dashield called Sunrise House a "strong competitor" to take over, as it is licensed and the city has not yet obtained licensure from the state for Dudley House. In answer to Councilman Cory Storch, Dashield said Union County officials are helping the city decide which course to take.
As with several other recent issues, Dashield drew criticism for not letting the council know earlier what was going on. The council had asked for an update by October.
"It's very disrespectful that we have to ask this again," McWilliams said.
The governing body will hold an executive session before its regular meeting on Nov. 16 to discuss the matter. The meeting is 8 p.m. Nov. 16 in Municipal Court.
--Bernice Paglia
The residential program for men recovering from substance abuse shut down in May 2008, after failing to meet new state licensing rules. The 15-bed Putnam Avenue house has since been refurbished and made handicapped-accessible, but has not yet received licensure.
City Administrator Marc Dashield said Monday the administration is weighing proposals from three entities, one for a "sober house," one from Sunrise House and a third from a non-profit agency in East Orange. The news came in an update to the City Council, which has requested a turnover from city operation of the program.
Councilwoman Annie McWilliams questioned the change, asking about a contract the council had approved with the Plainfield-based Organization for Recovery. Dashield said the contract had not been executed. The council had expected a resolution by Jan. 1, but Dashield said it might take longer under the new circumstances.
Dashield called Sunrise House a "strong competitor" to take over, as it is licensed and the city has not yet obtained licensure from the state for Dudley House. In answer to Councilman Cory Storch, Dashield said Union County officials are helping the city decide which course to take.
As with several other recent issues, Dashield drew criticism for not letting the council know earlier what was going on. The council had asked for an update by October.
"It's very disrespectful that we have to ask this again," McWilliams said.
The governing body will hold an executive session before its regular meeting on Nov. 16 to discuss the matter. The meeting is 8 p.m. Nov. 16 in Municipal Court.
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 12:15 AM
4 Comments:
I know that I have said this before, but Dashield needs to be fired. Are we in for another 4 years of "no-confidence" in this mayor and her inability to choose competent individuals to serve in her cabinet? After Dashield goes, Williamson should be fired.
Rebecca
I think the TV station should be shut down. Plainfield has more important things to spend our money on. It's a waste of money. It's never been much more than a very expensive community bulletin board. Shut it down.
. . . and then Sharon!!! She needs to be impeached before she starts her new term.
The TV station is a $200,000 expense item - yet we are laying of 25 employees.
The Mayor and Council should do a better job at priorotizing. Shut down the TV station and save the money. Where else can this type of waste be going on?
Post a Comment
<< Home