Good question but it will never happen unless enough good people get involved by attending meetings to actually see what is going on and use their votes wisely.

Too many politicians get elected to just take care of their own selfish needs while crime, a mediocre school system, blight, illegal apartments, overcrowding, nepotism and business flight flourish.

I doubt anything can be done for a town with so many problems and few politicians to aggressively address them. At one time it wasn't so bad, but over time the elected officials took more than they were willing to put back. Now the taxpayers suffer and pay dearly.

Fixing parks with outside money are just cosmetic and don't improve the lives of it's people. Getting dedicated people to run for office and overwhelmingly electing them will be a start but it will take time to undo the damage that has been done. Maybe then Garfield can proudly call itself the "City of Champions" Otherwise, it might be better to put that sign into mothballs until that happens because it's constitutes false advertisement.

You cannot solve a problem with the same mindset that created it.~ Albert Einstein

You are right about alot of things you say. I have been living here a very long time, and have seen many changes over the years some good some bad. We need fresh blood and not all the same old samealls to take over. If you look at the names of who runs things it is the same people over and over again. It is such a shame that you have to know someone in this town and I am sure in just about all towns to get somewhere. Years ago Garfield was alot different, you knew who your friends were, now your lucky if you can understand them. But there still are some very nice people that love Garfield and want things to be better. Change is good and that is what is needed now.

I guess your both too young cause back in the 50's I can remember when zoning and planning board members were getting kickbacks from cary garbage etc. Garfield was is and will always be dirty.

I agree with both of you. And yes, two cents it goes back even further than the 50's. The last names are still a reminder of who gets the largest slice of the pie. If the politics were cleaned up as nice as the ball fields and parks, it would be a great city.

I think that all the residents of Garfield need to start in their own back yards. Think about it? How many residents have tried to beat the system themselves? I bet, if everyone is honest, the percentage would be rather high. There are illegal appartments, people who put their recyclables in with the regular trash, parking permits that just don't exist and yet they park on the streets...people allowing their address to be used for non residentials just so that their grandchildren, nieces, nephews and/or friends can take advantage of the free preschool..Then there are the deadbeats who offer to help with neighborhood community watches and then back out....those who say they are going to vote and just never make it to the poll booth for whatever reason. I don't think that Frank C. is doing a bad job at all. In fact with what and who he has to work with I think he is doing a fine job.
As far as getting people jobs because of who they know...this goes on all over the world, not just in Garfield. Look around people....things aren't better anywhere else. Not in citys anyway. Maybe cleaning up Garfield would require some residents to move to the country and see what it is like there. I don't think they would be so impressed. Nothing is different anywhere!

I think the person who uses the name my two cents is either related to or is FC. How could you say he's doing good with who he has to work with, he's the problem

No....he is not the problem.....the people of Garfield are the problem. They hold the key to what's right and wrong in Garfield. Think about it. This is not a communist country and the only way people are left uhappy with the way the government is run, is because of their own doing. Voters have the final say. The majority of voters in Garfield are voting on keeping the same old crap in the toilet....they can easily flush it! What is the problem....are they all deaf, blind and mentally challenged? I think so. I am not related to any of the politicians in Garfield, thank God. I just look at the picture and take it from there. Sorry to dissappoint you.

How can you give so much credit to one person. Is FC God? I think you are giving him to much credit. No one man can have this much power. Not without permission.
Agree?

what are politions???? I am assuming it was probably a politician from Garfield that wrote that! Come on Jim K, ask for help when doing your home work, all kids do.

That was funny my two cents. Although education is important, it has little to do with politics in general. Every so often we all misspell words here and there. As far as Garfield ever changing for the better, it's along time coming. People seem happy with what they have and most of the people with the ability to do what is right have long left the city in disgust. So keep recycling the old politicians and you get what you get. Limited advancement, rampant crime, gang activity, graffiti, illegal apartments, urban blight, nepotism, higher taxes, decreased property value and a pretty bleak quality of life. Other than that, it's a great place to raise a family.

Good job Old School! You made me smile.
You are exactly right about people being happy and recycling the old politicians......I rest my case.

Old School wrote:

Good question but it will never happen unless enough good people get involved by attending meetings to actually see what is going on and use their votes wisely.
Too many politicians get elected to just take care of their own selfish needs while crime, a mediocre school system, blight, illegal apartments, overcrowding, nepotism and business flight flourish.
I doubt anything can be done for a town with so many problems and few politicians to aggressively address them. At one time it wasn't so bad, but over time the elected officials took more than they were willing to put back. Now the taxpayers suffer and pay dearly.
Fixing parks with outside money are just cosmetic and don't improve the lives of it's people. Getting dedicated people to run for office and overwhelmingly electing them will be a start but it will take time to undo the damage that has been done. Maybe then Garfield can proudly call itself the "City of Champions" Otherwise, it might be better to put that sign into mothballs until that happens because it's constitutes false advertisement.
You cannot solve a problem with the same mindset that created it.~ Albert Einstein

Perhaps my home town of Garfield can take a lesson from Allendale? The town is clean and the amount of crime & violence has been cut down, greatly! Here's an idea: perhaps Garfield should "fire" the currant corrupted mayor, and "HIRE" the mayor of Allendale, Vince Barra? He has been in charge of this town for a while now and is doing a VERY nice job! Perhaps the residents of Garfield should spend a few days in Allendale and see just how lovely this town is! maybe they would "get a hint"????

Sounds like an invitation Shirley.......will you be hosting us? I will bring some pastries from Garfield to go along with your fresh brewed coffee.
OK?

Hi Shirley, thanks for the invitation to Allendale.........where exactly is that?

Shirley Walkowicz wrote:

<quoted text>
Perhaps my home town of Garfield can take a lesson from Allendale? The town is clean and the amount of crime & violence has been cut down, greatly! Here's an idea: perhaps Garfield should "fire" the currant corrupted mayor, and "HIRE" the mayor of Allendale, Vince Barra? He has been in charge of this town for a while now and is doing a VERY nice job! Perhaps the residents of Garfield should spend a few days in Allendale and see just how lovely this town is! maybe they would "get a hint"????

First of all you don't fire a mayor, you can recall him if you can collect enough signatures from the people who voted for him in the last election. And if your mayor is corrupt, you must prove it. You don't hire a mayor, you elect one. You hire a city manager like Garfield does and he basically runs the show. Maybe your pointing the finger at the wrong council member. Although your observation and solution was funny, I understand your frustration. Some things just don't get fixed as easy as others. Good Luck next election. To be fair Allendale is a town of wealth and it's residence are well above average in education. It prides itself and wouldn't allow the riff raff to destroy all it's goodness.
That is a lesson every town could learn from.

Let's see.........isn't the City Manager of Garfield an ex mayor? Hmmmmm, could be a lot of truth to what "Old School" is saying. Kind of like the old cliche......the apples doesn't fall far from the tree........or "what goes around, comes around..........
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
God Bless America ( and be especially kind to all the "uneducated" people of Garfield)

However, Old School, how can Garfield residents "Learn" when they are just poor and un-educated! Jeez, make up your mind! Are you really old and maybe suffering from a little dimentia?

I didn't say poor and uneducated although intelligence never hurts. Age is a condition of the mind, so no dementia here. Try reading my post with an open mind.
I think your name stoopidrezident may fit what you are, but not everyone in Garfield is stupid, maybe uninformed. I never said everyone was. 2 cents, yes there is a cliche.
Even the City Manager was wise enough to move to a nicer town. You can't blame him. He knew the direction Garfield was going when he left years ago. BTW, I voted for him twice when he ran for mayor. A lot has changed since then.

Shirley , does allendale have any spanish or polish (these are the gangs) also why the school does bad on testing students . Why is it that only spanish get the extra help in school. When my grandparents came here from Europe they didnt get extra help, you either learned the American language or tough bananas.On the voting alot of people work two jobs or over 40 hours in towns like garfield and really dont look at who is running for office.

RE: Old School.

(To be fair Allendale is a town of wealth and it's residence are well above average in education.)

I stand corrected....not POOR, just not wealthy. Well, for most of the residents I guess because there are a few who are stinking rich!
And not stupid, just under educated. Your words, not mine!
I may be stupid, you could have something there. But, I don't let that stop me. Lol