Verona’s municipal government has entered into a contract with the owner of the Claridge Sunoco gas station at the corner of Cambridge Road and Pompton Avenue that closes the station to general consumers for up to 72 hours.
According to Town Manager Joe Martin, the town has entered into a contract to purchase 5,000 gallons of fuel at prevailing market rates, minus tax. The emergency order signed by Gov. Christie exempts municipalities from normal contract bidding procedures.
Under the contract, the station can be used only by public safety vehicles from Verona, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, and North Caldwell, including police, fire and rescue squads.
Verona purchased the fuel even though it already has municipal pumps on Ozone Avenue near the Public Works garage. The town maintains both regular and diesel fuel there, for both vehicles and the wastewater treatment plant.
Fuel has been in short supply in Verona since Hurricane Sandy hit. The storm halted crude oil deliveries to the Linden and Elizabeth tank farms and refineries; power outages have made it impossible for many stations in our area that have gas to pump it.
Both parties to the contract should be ashamed. There are people in need who are now precluded from accessing the supply. This is the example of capitalism that socialist and communist leaders hold up as an example to their followers.
Actually Chris, you have it backwards . . . when the State takes over a private business for the benefit of the State – that’s an example of government tyranny that free market capitalists and lovers of freedom and liberty hold up as an example to their followers.
Actually you both have it wrong.
A take over would be if the town commandeered the gas station. Taking the gas without compensation. That’s not what is happening here. They signed a contract, that makes it a business deal – the same as if Donald Trump came into a private contract with a gas station.
The town has to provide services to all town residents, they need to make sure that the police, fire and EMTs can respond to calls. If your loved one had a heart attack and the rescue squad could not get them to the hospital because they had no gas, I think you would feel differently. I would hope that this would exclude positions like the mayor, town counsel, etc. That would be wrong.
The gas was purchased by the town to ensure that there would be enough fuel to operate police vehicles, fire trucks, rescue squad vehicles and public works and board of Ed vehicles. It will also be used to make sure that our dedicated volunteer fire and rescue squad members are capable of carrying out their responsibilities . I have been assured by the town manager that controls have been put in place to make sure this will not be abused. I understand that many residents are tired,cold and frustrated but to imply that this action was taken to deprive the public of much needed gas is misguided and wrong.