HAMMONTON BLOG

Since moving to this town five years ago I thought the town i came from was screwed up, but this place takes the cake. NO tax increase for two years?, HF cuts 1.5 million dollars from the 2000 town budget and freezes all types of captial spending items.
In 2007 they give the town's departments a increase of about 50% of the money THAT WAS cut in 2006. WONDER WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO TAX INCREASE? HOW CAN YOU INCREASE TAXES WHEN THE BUDGETS WERE CUT? I pitey the poor new council members who get elected in this election. When the towns departments budgets are brought back to the levels which they should be based on increases which will all face, them poor council members will be drug thru the mud when there blamed for increase which they were dealt BY NO TAX INCREASE.
ALSO I'VE READ WHERE HF LOVE"S VOLUNTEERS, I"VE READ RESPONSES FORM JERRY B. THANKING VOLUNTEERS FOR THERE SERVICES, I GUESS HE MEANS PLANTING FLOWERS, (NOT THAT THEY DON'T DESERVE THANKS) BUT I SEEN THE RESPONSES FROM PEOPLE ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. WHY DON'T HE LOOK INTO WHAT IF WOULD COST THIS TOWN OR ANY OTHER TOWN FOR PAID SERVICES. I HAVE SEEN THEM AT SCHOOLS WITH THE CHILDREN FOR FIRE PREVENTION, IN FRONT OF WAL-MART, AND I BELEAVE THE RUN THE TOWN'S CHRISTMAS PARADE.____ FOR FREE___. IF THAT ISN'T VOLUNTEER I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. DO ME AND MY WIFE A FAVOR, DON'T EVEN WASTE YOU TIME AND REPLY TO THIS BECAUSE WHERE TIRED OF HEARING B_____T.

www.townofhammonton.org

JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE MAYOR GIVING TOWN WORK TO HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY

AND DO NOT BELEIVE THE LIES,

THE TRUTH IS THAT IT IS -

NOT QUALITY WORK,

NOT FOR FREE

NOT WHAT THE TOWN NEEDS

NOT EASY TO USE

THE TOWN WEB SITE STILL LISTS THE EVENT CALENDER LAST YEAR,
2006 - AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.

IF YOU SELECT "CALENDAR OR THIS WEEK IN HAMMONTON"

http://www.townofhammonton.org/calendar.html

http://www.townofhammonton.org/thisweekinhammonton.html

YOU GET A CALENDAR PAGE THAT HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE AUGUST OF LAST YEAR

http://www.townofhammonton.org/documents/2006calendar.pdf

THE WEB SITE CALENDAR DOES NOT EVEN LIST LAST YEARS HALLOWEEN PARADE EVENT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2006

None of the other tabs are updated either.   No real estate for sale updates no nothing.    Way to attract new people and new business.    Another up yours from the Hammonton First.

Where in the hell do you get your ideas??? Michael made a statement, it's not that hard to understand, except for you.
Mike stands by his statement. The other fields are available and Mike pointed that out. Of course we stand by the Boyer Avenue site. We have too much invested in it to change course now. But we do not necessarily support the Mayor's plan because there is no clear and defined funding source to get it done.

I guess Hammonton-Me-First is afraid to address certain issues.

Because they continue respond while avoiding questions raised on this issue and several other important topics.

They just try to change the subject and divert attention from themselves by bashing the Democrats.

We need to get back to the original postfailure to be able to update the towns web site in an efficient manner is irresponsible and negligent.a characteristic trait of Hammonton Me First politics.

 

Select any of the following items from the Town web site main menu along the left border:

Recreation / Town Recreation Programs

Recreation / Town Parks

Recreation / Hammonton Lake

Recreation / Pedestrian & Bike Trails

Recreation / School Facilities

Recreation / Hammonton Youth Sports / Hawks Football

Recreation / Hammonton Youth Sports / Little League Baseball

Recreation / Hammonton Youth Sports / Youth Soccer

And you get this:

http://www.townofhammonton.org/underconstruction.html
Please Check Back SoonWe are continuing to update the Web site with new information to better serve you.

Your patience is greatly appreciated.NOTHING - AND IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 14 TO 16 MONTHS

OVER A YEAR WASTED AND NOTHING WAS DONE ON THE TOWN'S WEB SITE

 

http://www.townofhammonton.org/underconstruction.htmlPlease Check Back SoonWe are continuing to update the Web site with new information to better serve you.

Your patience is greatly appreciated. NOTHING - AND IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 14 TO 16 MONTHS THAT IS MORE THAN A YEAR WASTED AND NOTHING BEING DONE WITH THE TOWN WEB SITE   The Town web site is just another empty shell of a promise by the mayor and the hammonton-me-first con artists.
Just like the empty shell town hall building - no furniture, few parking spaces, no money for other necessities, no money to complete site work
Just like the community center that was promised but we see only pretty pictures - no funding
Just like the recreation plans, pretty pictures - no funding
Just like the save the hospital - all talk and no funding
Just like acknowledging the year long & life long town volunteers - no support, no interest, reduced funding
Just like the Mayor's phony charges against the Police Chief that he now wants to blame on others - takes no responsibly for his own actions

Is there any truth to the rumors of investigations going on in Hammonton by the State?
I heard there were letters received by several town officials recently.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Is there any truth to the rumors of investigations going on in Hammonton by the State?
I heard there were letters received by several town officials recently.

r>

Me thiks so... but they won't tell the truth.I don't think they were having tea as a group in the meeting this afternoon.Also hear several newspapers are looking around. Fat Lady is about to sing loud and clear. 

Anonymous wrote:

---

<b>The town never had a website before Hammonton First. In fact, the televised meetings were impossible to watch. The sound quality was awful and the Democrats and Republicans sat with their backs to the camera so no one saw them.

Now, it's easy to see and hear. Also, the website is donated. Why would the Democrats want to pay their friends for a website rather than the town run the website and have it donated?

-- Edited by Admin at 22:36, 2007-10-26

---

 If the website was actually running and update, you'd have a more valid point.  The fact is the website is second rate.  The website can be updated by high school kids if you have a problem with having to pay someone.  High school kids can even maintain the tv channel and actually create powerpoint slides that aren't boring and dull like the ones we have now.

Don't get caught up in Hammonton First's lies anymore!

The town website was first archived by the internet archive on October 31, 2002.  Want the proof:

http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://townofhammonton.org

Want to know the best part?  According to the archive, the most changes ever made on the website came in 2005, the year BEFORE Hammonton First was elected.

Don't get fooled again people.  They'll lie, they'll cheat, they'll say anything to get elected.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

Is there any truth to the rumors of investigations going on in Hammonton by the State?
I heard there were letters received by several town officials recently.

---

What is this about?

---

I can only hope that if town officials or council candidates are involved in some sort of government corruption case, they would come forward before the election, and save our town further embarassment.  Maybe it is nothing, but if there is indeed something going down, let's hope those involved do the honorable thing and step down from their seats or their candidacy, whomever it may be.

How about this one on the MAYOR's  new and improved TOWN web site.

 

Selected from main menu list on the town web site

 HAPPENINGS / JULY 4th 

http://www.townofhammonton.org/july4th.html 

TO ALL TOWN RESIDENTS:

Thank you for joining us on July 4, 2006.

It was a record-breaking crowd at
Hammonton Lake Park.

See you on July 4, 2007!

Sincerely,

Shelley Weckerly, Event Chairperson
Mayor John DiDonato
Deputy Mayor Jeanne Sparacino Lewis
All July 4th Volunteers
The Hammonton Parks and Recreation Commission
The Town of Hammonton

He will be the Last-Firster how nice, but it will be a long time before anyone forgets their reign of fraud and abuse.  He was the mascot of the HF council bully tag team of prince john, almighty ed and what's her name, you know the other one that just sits there waiting for a chance to open her mouth and join the attack against anyone that dares to ask a real question. 

Anonymous wrote:

---

It seems that rather than ranting, you should answer actual real questions. Here are some easy yes or no questions. It really only takes one word, no reason to spin.

1. Do the Democrats support the Republican's idea to allow neighboring towns to hook into Hammonton's sewer system?

2. Do the Democrats support the mayor's plan to expand Boyer Avenue's soccer field, add facilities, add safe parking at the lake and keep the Hawks at the lake?

3. Do the Democrats rather support the Republican's "master plan" which would leave Boyer Ave "as is", have the extra soccer games on other fields around town, leave the lake park as is, and force the Hawks to move to another field?

4. Do the Democrats support the mayor's plan to build a senior / community center at the lake using grant money from the State?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

---

 How's that campaign finance report coming?  Any comments.  I would thank you in advance for your answer but I know you won't answer.   As far as the Democrats, they've been the most vocal and have many items detailed in their website.  Best of all, they're not afraid to answer questions in person. I asked a Hammonton First Town council candidate why is that they haven't revealed their report yet and they  just WALKED AWAY. What's the big secret???????

If the Dems or Reps are elected, the Hawks and soccer kids can kiss the new projects HF has setup goodbye. This town will go back to the way it was for years. All talk with nothing ever getting done. OH and yes, your taxes will go up too.

Anonymous wrote:

---

If the Dems or Reps are elected, the Hawks and soccer kids can kiss the new projects HF has setup goodbye. This town will go back to the way it was for years. All talk with nothing ever getting done. OH and yes, your taxes will go up too.

---

If you've paid any attention at all you would know that the Democrats are committed to improving the recreational facilities in our town. The Hawks and soccer kids can look forward to even more improvements if the Democrats are elected. However, we will not borrow all of the funds to get these projects done. All that will do is drive the debt even higher and that will cause our taxes to go up. We will not strap our kids and grankids with even more debt than you already have. The improvements will come but with a better plan than the "borrow and spend" plan we have now.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

If the Dems or Reps are elected, the Hawks and soccer kids can kiss the new projects HF has setup goodbye. This town will go back to the way it was for years. All talk with nothing ever getting done. Oh and yes, your taxes will go up too.

---

HF has a lot of nice projects lined up for next year along with carefully watching to keep taxes down.

---

It would be hard on the taxpayers to go bqck to the days before HF when taxes skyrocketed every year. Anthony Falcone was voting to give out one bod contracts for $50,000 more than other companies would do the same work. Jim MacLane was leasing all kinds of things at the school and running up the debt. Hopefully we'll never see that nonsense again.

How about this "underconstruction" blank page for Kessler Hospital on the MAYOR's new and improved TOWN Web site for the last 16 months.

Selected from main menu list on the town web site

Health & Safety / Kessler Memorial Hospital 

http://www.townofhammonton.org/underconstruction.html 

Please Check Back Soon

We are continuing to update the Web site with new information to better serve you.

Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Nothing There Another BIG ZERO, from the Mayor on the Town's Web

And Hammonton has different Democratic candidates who have a plan to stop the "borrow and spending" of the present administration. The debt must stop!

What you call spin, we call facts. The debt went to the highest levels in history and Anthony put the brakes on. The next year while Anthony was still on council heworked very hard to start decreasing the amount of debt. As soon as he left council the spending resumed and the debt went right back up.

The Mayor's NEW and IMPROVED Web Site has not been updated during the last year or more but the OLD information is INTERESTING.

DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT GROUND BREAKING OCCURRED IN THE FALL OF 2004  but we all know the some downtown property owners stalled the project by not signing the necessary paperwork so that the work could be done, why would those property owners want to stall this project in 2005?

Select :  DOWNTOWN / SIDEWALK & STREETSCAPE PROJECT

http://www.townofhammonton.org/sidewalkstreetscapeproject.html

Downtown Sidewalk & Streetscape Project

Under the direction of Main Street Hammonton Executive Director, Dr. John Woods, over $1,200,000 in Federal and State Grants have been received since 1997. These grants will go directly toward upgrading the physical appearance in downtown Hammonton. Sidewalks, curbing, benches, planters, trees and various other improvements will all be replaced and upgraded as part of this ambitious project. The project began by Dr. Woods drawing a plan of the entire downtown area. This included consolidated parking, new sidewalks, parks, and handicapped accessibility. This plan was then divided into phases. Working with the Grant-Writer, Planner and Engineer, these plans were formalized and grants were sought out to turn these plans into a reality.  Ground breaking occurred on Phase I of the project in the Fall of 2004.   Phase I and II will connect the existing NJ Transit Train Station on Line Street to the Downtown Area with a landscaped, park area and walking and biking trail. Phase III and IV will replace and upgrade all of the curbing, sidewalks, benches, planters, trees and landscaping along Bellevue Avenue and 12th Street. The project area is from Third Street to West End Avenue. The final Phase of the Project will be along Bellevue Avenue from Third Street to Tilton Street and along Central Avenue from Bellevue Avenue to Vine Street. Some of the side streets that intersect will Bellevue Avenue will also eventually be part of this project.

I drove by the new town hall yesterday and saw all that brick on the building. The Dems had been telling everyone the building didn't have brick. I guess they have been caught again making things up.

You don't have to go to the Hammonton First website to see the chat, click on the lin below to watch it. While you watch it, pay attention to the fact that they never say how they will fund this project. They will either have to raise taxes or borrow even more money to get it done. The Democrats are committed to getting this facility completed with the proper restroom facilities, but we have to do it within our means and without raising the debt.

Hammonton First webchat

-- Edited by Admin at 09:05, 2007-10-29

So instead of answering the question and telling us how Hammonton First is going to fund the projects they are proposing, you want us to give you the solution. Nice Try! We see the pretty pictures being held up for the cameras, now how will you fund these projects?

Anonymous wrote:

---

As explained, Hammonton First is going to work on Phase III of the Boyer Ave fields to add more fields, a 1.5 mile walking track, etc.  It was all laid out on the Hammonton First webchat which people can watch at their leisure.

HF is continuing to do all the projects listed with a combination of grants as well as carefully only taking on new projects as older projects are paid down.  This has enabled there to be no tax increase the past two years while the debt levels for the town dropped from the record levels that existed when HF took office.

Now if you feel the above is a bad idea, how do the Democrats plan to do the project or are you like the Republicans where you have decided not to do it at all?

---

How come the mayor never mentions the additional $11 million in debt incurred THIS YEAR (town hall bulding and boyer ave.)

That's $11 Million!  THAT'S BIG DEBT.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

As explained, Hammonton First is going to work on Phase III of the Boyer Ave fields to add more fields, a 1.5 mile walking track, etc.  It was all laid out on the Hammonton First webchat which people can watch at their leisure.

HF is continuing to do all the projects listed with a combination of grants as well as carefully only taking on new projects as older projects are paid down.  This has enabled there to be no tax increase the past two years while the debt levels for the town dropped from the record levels that existed when HF took office.

Now if you feel the above is a bad idea, how do the Democrats plan to do the project or are you like the Republicans where you have decided not to do it at all?

---

How come the mayor never mentions the additional $11 million in debt incurred THIS YEAR (town hall bulding and boyer ave.)

That's $11 Million!  THAT'S BIG DEBT.

---

The town hall was first voted on all the way back in 2003 for $9M.  Fortunately, the actual final bond will be $5.9M.

Admin wrote:

---

But the bond that was approved by council included, 144 parking places, a community center, demolition of existing town hall, relocation of historical society, site work, furnishings, landscaping. It has already been acknowledged that the only thing we will be getting for the $5.9 million is the building itself. Everything else is extra. We already had to take money from a federal grant to pay for the historical society move.

---

You are correct.  The town only has to borrow $5.9M for town hall.

That is a lot less than the original plan the Republicans had voted to borrow.  On Ordinance 22 of 2003 they had voted to borrow $9M.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Admin wrote:

---

But the bond that was approved by council included, 144 parking places, a community center, demolition of existing town hall, relocation of historical society, site work, furnishings, landscaping. It has already been acknowledged that the only thing we will be getting for the $5.9 million is the building itself. Everything else is extra. We already had to take money from a federal grant to pay for the historical society move.

---

You are correct.  The town only has to borrow $5.9M for town hall.

That is a lot less than the original plan the Republicans had voted to borrow.  On Ordinance 22 of 2003 they had voted to borrow $9M.

---

It is really weird.  It is almost like people are hoping things go badly.  Let's all look at the positive.  The town's debt is going down, taxes are staying the same, ratables are up (over $1 billion), projects are getting completed.

Things are going well.

Now before you attack each phrase... of course not every ratable in the $1B is because of HF.  A lot of people come into town simply because it looks great, things are moving forward, and it makes business sense.  That is the whole point.  Town council has to keep moving projects forward to help everyone.

Anonymous wrote:

---

As explained, Hammonton First is going to work on Phase III of the Boyer Ave fields to add more fields, a 1.5 mile walking track, etc.  It was all laid out on the Hammonton First webchat which people can watch at their leisure.

HF is continuing to do all the projects listed with a combination of grants as well as carefully only taking on new projects as older projects are paid down.  This has enabled there to be no tax increase the past two years while the debt levels for the town dropped from the record levels that existed when HF took office.

Now if you feel the above is a bad idea, how do the Democrats plan to do the project or are you like the Republicans where you have decided not to do it at all?

---

What is great is that HF also has repaved 10 roads in town... more than has been done in a long time.  In 2008, HF has slated five more roads to be done.  All this with no tax increases the past two years!

They don't have any roads "slated" yet, they have applied for money from the state but have no set plans for what they will do till they see how much they get. And that is the prudent approach. Wait and see what help we can get and then they can accurately plan what can be done.

So now you have gone from claiming that the Mayor already has five new roads on the books to now he is taking the prudent approach. You have contradicted yourself, but that's OK as long as you are serious about takng the prudent approach. That is what the Dems have been saying and we are glad that you are listening.

Admin wrote:

---

So now you have gone from claiming that the Mayor already has five new roads on the books to now he is taking the prudent approach. You have contradicted yourself, but that's OK as long as you are serious about takng the prudent approach. That is what the Dems have been saying and we are glad that you are listening.

---

Why do you just want to bash?  HF has continual shown it careful weighs projects so that it can get them done without raising debt and without raising taxes.  It's all good!

Anonymous wrote:

---

Why do you just want to bash?  HF has continual shown it careful weighs projects so that it can get them done without raising debt and without raising taxes.  It's all good!

---

Good point.  Hammonton First decided it wasn't important to run sewer to Boyer Ave so the thousands of kids playing soccer could go to the bathroom in a real lavatory.  It was more important to them to build a fancy town hall to hold their town council meetins in.

What's more important to the voter?  Bathrooms for their children playing soccer in the woods, or a new town hall for the Mayor?

GREAT JOB HAMMONTON FIRST!  I CAN'T WAIT TO PAY MY TAXES AND BE IN AWE OF YOUR WONDERFUL BUILDING.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Jim, it;s gone down.  Even if you use your numbers it shows the debt is lower at the end of the year than when HF took office. 

---

How come the Mayor hasn't sold the notes for the town hall bond yet?  When he does, we'll be another $6.5 million in debt.

Is he waiting for the Republicans and Democrats to come back into office?

Someone has to pay the contractor for Town Hall.  Your party certainly hasn't done it yet.  I feel sorry for the taxpayers

So you are confirming that this figure has to be added to this year's debt since the project didn't start till this year.

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

Anonymous wrote:

---

---

The $5.9 is already factored into the town's debt.  As soon as the project began, the $5.9M had to be included in the town's debt.  However, it still hasn't been spent yet.  You certainly would not want to pay interest on money you did not need yet?  That would not be prudent.

---

Caught in a lie again.  The Mayor in quoting the 2006 audit, not an audit for this year.  The project started in 2007.  So if you ask the auditor, we now have an additional $6 million in debt plus $5 million in debt for Boyer ave.

$11 million dollars of debt for 2007.  The mayor should start being factual when quoting numbers, not lying to the public for personal gain.

---

No, let's try this again.  Even though there wasn't much going on, the town had the new town hall in it's debt numbers since the project started.  That was when the council voted for a $9M bond back in 2003.  They actually did also spend money for professionals to research the many sites whch included the brewery, the White Horse Plke, Central and Vine, 11th Street, and heavens knows where else that building was supposed to go.

As for Boyer Ave, no it hasn't cost anywhere near $5M thus far (thank heavens).  For completion of Phase III, the Mayor has already explained that the town will sell land at the industrial park to pay for it.  That will also give the town a continuing tax base from commercial ratables built there.

Anonymous wrote:

---

No, let's try this again.  Even though there wasn't much going on, the town had the new town hall in it's debt numbers since the project started.  That was when the council voted for a $9M bond back in 2003.  They actually did also spend money for professionals to research the many sites whch included the brewery, the White Horse Plke, Central and Vine, 11th Street, and heavens knows where else that building was supposed to go.

As for Boyer Ave, no it hasn't cost anywhere near $5M thus far (thank heavens).  For completion of Phase III, the Mayor has already explained that the town will sell land at the industrial park to pay for it.  That will also give the town a continuing tax base from commercial ratables built there.

---

I think the bashers aren't going to deal with logic.  Read the above again.

Oh, and just for sh-ts and giggles, you keep saying there was a $9 million bond authorized by Reps and Dems. The bond was actually $5.1 million dollars.  LESS THAN WHAT HAMMONTON FIRST BONDED.  That bond was cancelled in 2006 and replaced by the more expensive bond of $5.9 million.


THE GAME IS OVER.  YOU'VE ALL BEEN CAUGHT IN LIES AND ABUSE OF POWER.

Anonymous wrote:

---

I don't think you are understanding the document.  The town has to include those ordinances in it's overall debt report even though the money had not been spent yet.  That's the law.  The ordinance was passed and the money appropriated so the town has to account for it.

That is why the certified audtior (and Jim MacLane also) correctly did not "double count" it.  No the debt does not go up by the amount you are discussing.  Even the front web page of the Dems shows that.

---

This has nothing to do with money being spent. The bonds weren't issued.  They weren't included in the debt reporting.  They aren't debt until they are issued.

Nice try.  Go call you auditor so he can explain it for you.

Hammonton has awoken.  You can't hide the truth.  We aren't the cornpoke rednecks you think we are.

The truth hurts:

Exhibit SC-8
Schedule of Deferred Charges for Future Taxation
Construction of a new Town Hall - $5,519,000.00

The Mayor tells you he lowered the debt.  He did that by quoting 2006 figures that deferred taxation to pay for Town Hall to a later date.

We are now at least $6 million more in debt for 2007.  The bonds still haven't been issued, but they have to do it before the end of the year.  Open you checkbooks Hammonton, you'll be paying for the Mayor's new building for 30 years.