Lipa Klein is once again "making moves" with Lakewood Township officials.
Lipa founded Community Advocacy Resources and Education Services (CARES) a number of years ago as a nonprofit organization helping yiddish speaking business owners apply for grants and loans through the Lakewood Development Corporation, where Vaad spokesperson Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg serves as Secretary/ Treasurer.
As first reported here on FAA News, back in September 2022, Rabbi Weisberg got the LDC to create a "Shuttle Bus Liasion" position for Lipa along with a cozy $75,000 salary.
At the time, this contract award was funneled through CARES, Lipa's nonprofit organization.
Subsequently, concerned about the possibility of questioning eyes, Lipa created a new company called Neighborhood Navigators to use for his Township salary.
As previously reported here on FAA News, after just one year on the job - and after supporting Avi Schnall's election campaign - Rabbi Weisberg got the LDC to double Lipa's salary to $150,000.
Lipa is once again seeking money from the LDC.
Lipa's latest proposal seeks $307,375 to "fully train and prepare 20 students with the comprehensive and necessary skill sets and job readiness to obtain their Commercial Driver's License."
"According to the American Trucking Association, American trucking companies experienced a shortage of 80,000 Drivers in 2021.
"Neighborhood Navigators has received requests from people who are between jobs or people which are looking for a side job to cover their growing expenses. Many of these people are willing to train to become CDL certified drivers so they can tap into this job and assist local businesses with their CDL drivers need.
"This program will fund a comprehensive workforce development program to provide job training services for 20 students to obtain CDL's to help meet the demand for these from UEZ businesses. Once this project goes into effect, Neighborhood Navigators will use its relationships with many organizations who need CDL drivers to assist students who have successfully trained and obtained their CDL with job placements," the proposal states.
The CDL training includes the following:
1) Training and practice for the test, includes the Core, Passenger, Student, & air brakes.
2) Passing a DOT Physical checkup.
3) Setting up appointment by the MVC and buying the CDL test receipt, get the CLP.
4) Pass a theory knowledge exam to qualify for the ELDT theory requirements.
5) Get behind the wheel (range) supervised driving training, included some unique situations for school buses- Score the grades by the ELDT database.
6) Get supervised driving training on the open road, including but not limited to clearance, GVWR, student pickup\drop-off, railroad crossing, Score the grades by the ELDT data base.
7) Criminal Background check and fingerprinted
Curiously, in addition to providing all this free training, Neighborhood Navigators is also looking to give stipends of $5000 to students who successfully pass the test and obtain their Commercial Driving License.
Lipa's one year budget breakdown is as follows:
Project director $92,500
Intake Coordinator $33,000
Fringe benefits $12,500
Student driver class & road trainings $50,000
Stipends $100,000
NJ MVC and DOT Checkups, Licenses and permits $9,875
G&A, Marketing and advertising $9,500
At the LDC's recent public meeting, Lipa told the Board of Trustees that his CDL licensing project will "help more people get jobs and help companies get drivers."
Lipa added that in addition to using the license to operate trucks, it can also be used to operate school buses.
The LDC Board of Trustees indicated enthusiastic support for the project.
"It's very difficult to obtain guys with these licenses," Mayor Ray Coles noted.
The LDC is expected to formally approve the project next month.
To join the FAA News WhatsApp Status, click here.
1 comment:
And this is how $50,000 of classes ends up costing us taxpayers $375,000. Typical government.
Post a Comment