Report: Jail population down sharply By Cheryl Hehl oversight around, VanNostrand was the facilatator of projected that the average daily population would go down Staff Writer reducing inmate population. to 853 inmates. If the Union County Freeholder Board was looking for a The project manager reflected back to 2010, showing Getting there, though, would take work by eveiyone reason not to outsource operations at the jail, they may there were over 1,000 inmates in the jail on any given day. associated with the judicial system, not an easy task, but one have found one last week. In 2011, despite continued efforts, this average daily num- VanNostrand said was achievable. So Luminosity moved The board heard an up to date accounting of how the jail ber still remained over 1,000. But after an assessment was forward, followed by willing county participants who were is doing from Marie VanNostrand, a project manager with done by Luminosity staff, it became apparent, VanNos- looking for a way to solve the overcrowding problem. Luminosity, the consulting firm hired by the county for trand said, that the judicial system was playing a role in VanNostrand told the board they began by building an $158,000. According to her report, the company managed keeping the average daily inmate level high. infrastructure for improvements, using a computer soft- to find ways to reduce inmate population by 19 percent, "Based on how long inmates stay, the greatest opportu- ware system that was available for the court system. which was lauded by the board at their meeting last week. nity to improve overcrowding is through the judicial sys- "This allowed anyone, anytime to very easily access [the Although last week LocalSource went into how Jail tem," the consultant pointed out. system] to see how many inmates were in the jail, what they Director Brian Riordan hit the ground running applying his Specifically, she added, if the average length of stay for were there for and how long they had been there," she said. "back to basics" approach to turning jail breaks and lack of an inmate was reduced to 46 days from 55, VanNostrand See LUMINOSITY, Page 8 It's a 'Cryan shame' Assemblyman's emails raise questions about workplaceBy Chery policiesl Hehl on personal correspondence Staff Writer In the leadup to the impending Democra- tic primary, Union County voters will have a new element to consider when heading to the polls: Assemblyman Joe Ciyan's person- al life. But while the content of the nearly 10- year-old emails, sent to a woman later con- victed of stalking him, revealed in a New York Post expose earlier in the week may be shocking to most, the date and time stamps might be of greater concern to county tax- payers. Especially because it appears Cryan, 51, wrote the sexually explicit emails while working for his full-time job at the Office of the Union County Sheriff, where he is paid $110,000 a year as undersheriff, and as a 20th District Assemblyman, an elected posi- tion for which he is paid $49,000 annually, Assemblyman Joe Cryan A SENSITIVE SIDE - From left: Tyler Mayes and Mason Guida of Summit both of which are supported by taxpayer dol- participated in a sensitivity training program at SAGE Eldercare on March lars. In fact, at times the emails even mix state Democratic chairman, puts the Union 20. Both boys are fifth grade students at Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary business with pleasure. resident in a compromising position, in School. This is the fourth year that the organization and school have part- The emails, sent by the Democratic more ways than one. Cryan has spent the last nered together for the intergenerational program. Assemblyman from District 20, and a former See ASSEMBLYMAN'S, Page 8 ffjgjflMj A doggy treat Union County Freeholder Chair- man Linda Carter (2nd L) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and members of the Sheriffs K- 9 Search and Rescue Unit in honor of K9 Veterans Day, which recognizes all working dogs in the military and law enforce- ment. The Sheriffs officers are (from center to right) Sgt. Brian Howarth, Officer Ryan Wilson, Officer Timothy O'Grady and Sgt. John Gillespie. They are joined by retired Sheriffs K9 Bingo. It's Going to be an UNION $569,900 Excellent Summer 4 New Construction w/Open at Newark Academy ^ Fl Plan, BR Suite w/Jacuzzi June 24 - August 2, 2013 r *' ^ Tub, Gourmet Kitchen w/ Mott-Leeney Baseball Camp begins June 17 Center Island, 4BRs, 2FBs & Finished Basement. MLS# 3004474 I Strive for Excellence! 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The public significant reserves it has accumulated in safety layoffs would slash the police depart- order to offset major tax increases in prior ment by 19 percent and fire department by year's budgets, yet continued all the services 29 percent. we have had. However, this year the rev- Unless, of course, the police and fire enues have drastically decreased," he said, unions agree to make concessions on the reading from a prepared statement. Still, he close to 3.95 percent raise they were sup- did feel this emergency could have been posed to get this year. But even then it will avoided. not be enough to make up the $5.2 million The 3rd Ward councilman explained in the city has to slash in order to get below the an interview late last week that the city nego- 2 percent state-mandated cap. tiated generous contracts when the city was As of late Monday, city officials who did dipping into its reserves and draining the not want their names used, said the FMBA fund year after year to offset the impact on 234 union had come to the negotiating table taxpayers. But, he also admitted that a series to try and mitigate the proposed layoffs. of things all came together at once, a perfect There also were indications that firefight- File Photo storm of financial events that culminated ers were considering paying a percentage of In Linden, severe budget woes are putting a strain on municipal finances as this year. their health benefits cost to avoid the layoffs. council members move to lay off as many as 22 police officers and 32 fire- Brown explained that the steady decline Until now this financial burden was being men, many of whom turned out to a recent meeting to voice their strong in revenue, coupled with a declining tax carried by the city. However, sources said opposition to the move. base, added to the financial firestorm. The nothing was written in stone and it was dilemma, the councilman said, can be traced unknown if the police union was willing to departments. The restructuring allows for slash $1 million from the $5.2 million need- back to 2007 when the city had $40 million do the same. demotions to fill in positions that are left ed to bring the budget under the cap. in surplus or savings and began to make The mayor said last week that medical open as a result of layoffs. The cap, which is a safeguard measure some unwise financial decisions. After dip- benefits for employees with families cost the The entire city employee base will feel the that prevents municipalities from raising ping into surplus the last six years, there was city $27,441 annually, per family. effect of the financial crunch, even if police taxes too high, was instituted by Gov. Chris nothing left to fall back on this year. The city council introduced ordinances and fire unions agree not to take the raise Christie three years ago. "We had no business using surplus every last week restructuring the police and fire they were expecting because that would only According to Personnel and Finance See LINDEN, Page 13 New administrator, police dept. 4-year-old fine after promotion on Cranford agenda By Cheryl Hehl nearly a week of living Staff Writer CRANFORD — After an outside search for a new administrator, the township was expected to announce Tuesday that interim administrator Joseph Hartnett will take the position permanently. But the governing body was also expected to make another appoint- with deceased mom ment, one that may have surprised everyone. By Patrick Bober Officers arrived at the apartment to find In addition to bringing Hartnett aboard, Mayor Tom Hannen, Jr.