Last Call To Save Our Newspapers

This week the North Jersey Media Group (NJMG), which publishes The Herald News, The Record and The Passaic Valley Today, announced a second round of restructuring aka staff lay-offs. 

 

The first restructuring occurred in September 2016 when the NJMG announced the elimination of about half of its 426 employees, and this second round will result in the lay-off of an additional 141 staff positions.

 

In the midst of these lay-offs NJMG president, Nancy A. Meyer, stated that "Our top priority is serving our readers, advertisers and communities across North Jersey ...." and ".... to continue to deliver award-winning journalism and highly effective sales and marketing solutions to the region.”

 

While this mission statement is laudable, the reality is that the NJMG  newspapers no longer meet the needs of Little Falls nor the needs of the entire Passaic Valley community.

 

It is time for the NJMG to reconnect to its readership. 

 

In the past the NJMG held periodic "Eggs and Edit" sessions during which NJMG readers had the opportunity to met with the newspaper's editorial page editor Alfred P. Doblin, to discuss concerns and ideas about the newspapers direction.

 

What NJMG should do is initiate focus groups for readers so they can express their ideas and enable the NJMG to balance its digital news media objective with the needs of its print readership.

 

Township Committee Assignments and Financial Disclosure Statements

 A previous blog, "A Code of Conduct for council committees and mayoral advisory groups" (12/13/16), highlighted the need for a "Code of Conduct" for all township committee and advisory group members to ensure that they are acting in a manner that is appropriate with regard to their committee or advisory group duties and responsibilities. 

 

One of the "Code of Conduct" recommendations is that all members of township committees and advisory groups submit a Financial Disclosure Statement (FDS).  

 

This recommendation has caused some concern since it is perceived as an invasion of privacy.  It is important to note that the FDS form does not require disclosure of personal financial information i.e. income earned. 

 

The FDS form merely asks for the names and addresses of all business organizations in which an interest is held; the names and addresses of each source of income, earned and unearned; and the addresses and a brief description of all real property in the State of New Jersey in which an interest is held.

 

The filing of a FDS is intended to ensure the public that all committee and advisory group members perform their duties and responsibilities in an ethical manner avoiding any possible conflicts of interest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Day for Little Falls

On Monday, January 2nd the Little Falls Town Council held its 2017 Reoganization meeting.  The meeting was significant because it marked the first time in 44 years that the Township had a Democratic mayor.

In addition, the new Council enacted several measures demonstrating its commitment to transparency, open government and citizen involvement.

The Council 1) reinstitued the procedure for two public comment sessions during all Council meetings; 2)  instituted a new procedure for responding to public comments whereby all comments/questions will be answered immediately, not at the conclusion of each public comment session; and 3) will no longer convene combined Workshop & Regular Council Meetings.  There will be separate Workshop and Regular Council meetings held each month.  The schedule of meeting dates will be posted on the town's web site calendar. 

Little Falls' residents are urged to attend Council meetings and to contact their elected officials directly with comments and concerns.

Together we can make a difference for a better Little Falls.

        

MAYOR'S OFFICE 225 Main Street 2nd Floor Phone: 973-256-0170 Fax: 973-890-4501
James Damiano Mayor	E-mail: jdamiano@lfnj.com

TOWNSHIP COUNCIL Phone: 973-256-0170 Fax: 973-890-4501
Joseph Maceri Council Member	E-mail: jmaceri@lfnj.com
William Liess Council Member	E-mail: wliess@lfnj.com
Anthony Sgobba Council Member	E-mail: asgobba@lfnj.com
Maria Cordonnier Council Member	E-mail: mcordonnier@lfnj.com