HAMMONTON BLOG

Admin · Status: Offline

Town cancels trash pickup for Veterans Organizations

Date: 02:26 PM Dec 5, 2007

That is terrible. How much trash can there actually be anyway? Another stupid decision made by our Town Clerk/Business Administator. Im starting to believe not all bad decision are coming from the Mayor and Council but the two someones in the Town Clerks office have that have gotten to big for their britches. Ladies you two need a reality check

Date: 03:03 PM Dec 5, 2007

I bet many vets will be angry at Town Council at their next meeting. I will definitely bring this up at our next VFW meeting. It's ironic isn't it. The Republicans meet at the VFW and Hammonton First meets at the American Legion. I guess many angry vets are going to demand that Republicans and Firsters take their trash with them when they have their political party meetings.

Date: 04:35 PM Dec 5, 2007

Admin wrote:

As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

§ 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

Who voted for this 2005 ordinance to take trash removal away from the non-profits?

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

So let me get this straight:
-Vets are not getting service.
-According to the Hammonton News, Bellevue Ave real estate owners, aka, HF, are getting financial assistance ($10,000) to get their properties declared historical. This designation means tax credits of up to 20% on their income tax returns.

I guess we see that our Town Council is for the benefit of the a few.

Date: 06:09 AM Dec 6, 2007

Admin wrote:

As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

§ 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

Why did the 2005 council vote to take this away from the vets? That was a TERRIBLE group on council back then!

Date: 06:12 AM Dec 6, 2007

Town Council didn't care about preserving Veteran's Park strictly for tributes and monuments for veterans. There now is no room for growth for additional monuments. Hopefully there isn't a need for adding monuments for future wars.

Date: 06:16 AM Dec 6, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Admin wrote:

As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

§ 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

Why did the 2005 council vote to take this away from the vets? That was a TERRIBLE group on council back then!

Jimmy Bertino voted for this ordinance back in 2005. Anthony Marino is just following Bertino's orders. Bertino has been on council for over 10 years so he must have had a reason to do this to the vets.

Date: 06:56 AM Dec 6, 2007

I just read how the wizard Jerry Vitalo is going to sponsor an "amendment", what a joke.Bet he can't even spell that. Does the town pick up any other trash that we shouldn't be picking up? Do we pick up trash from the main street? Before the wizard looks for an amendement he better study the purpose behind the ordinance.Churches are non-profit as well as schools ,our hospital and other non-profits around town.The wizard will want to be everything to everybody with our tax dollars. The vets are good people, but ask your self where does it stop? On my look around town last night, I noticed that all of the churches have their own dumpesters, so why not pick up trash from the churches? And I bet the hospital and the school pay plenty for trash removal, so hey Jerry it's Christmas amend it for all of them to, so that you avoid the law-suit for selective trash removal,that's why the ordinance was written the way it was.My experience has taught me you can't do for one and not the other, so Jerry don't rush into any amendment.

Date: 07:25 AM Dec 6, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
I just read how the wizard Jerry Vitalo is going to sponsor an "amendment", what a joke.Bet he can't even spell that. Does the town pick up any other trash that we shouldn't be picking up? Do we pick up trash from the main street? Before the wizard looks for an amendement he better study the purpose behind the ordinance.Churches are non-profit as well as schools ,our hospital and other non-profits around town.The wizard will want to be everything to everybody with our tax dollars. The vets are good people, but ask your self where does it stop? On my look around town last night, I noticed that all of the churches have their own dumpesters, so why not pick up trash from the churches? And I bet the hospital and the school pay plenty for trash removal, so hey Jerry it's Christmas amend it for all of them to, so that you avoid the law-suit for selective trash removal,that's why the ordinance was written the way it was.My experience has taught me you can't do for one and not the other, so Jerry don't rush into any amendment.

This is just a feud between Vitalo and Bertino because Bertino doesn't want Vitalo on the Republican ticket this year.

Date: 10:16 AM Dec 6, 2007

if the vets rent their hall out they should have a dumpster.

Admin · Status: Offline

Anonymous wrote:

if the vets rent their hall out they should have a dumpster.

But should they have to pay for trash pickup after thaey have put their lives on the line in service to our country? The hall is mostly used by the Vets for their own use, so should they have to pay for trash pickup when renting the hall out is only a portion of what that building is thee for.?

Date: 12:02 PM Dec 6, 2007

all valid points.

1. the school pays their own

2. church pays their own

3. vets make money on hall rental

4. Why wants to have Vitalo on ticket... hes a loser. He only won because of chief.

5. Mayor April is behind this... the wicked witch who stole christmast

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

The Vets are non-profit. There rental goes towards providing services to Vets. By forcing them to spend extra money, you are effectively denying Vets services.

So whoever said they charge rent is full of it! Obviously, you are a rich HF'er who never served a day in uniform! By they way, if you are HF. I am still waiting for you to explain how you will not raise taxes. Or pehaps cutting services to Vets is how you plan to not raise taxes.

This is the beginning of the end of HF.

Date: 12:44 PM Dec 6, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

all valid points.

1. the school pays their own

2. church pays their own

3. vets make money on hall rental

4. Why wants to have Vitalo on ticket... hes a loser. He only won because of chief.

5. Mayor April is behind this... the wicked witch who stole christmast

Your #5 hit the nail on the head but you need to include Oddo in that one too. Those two have been let loose and there lies your problem. They aren't as "on top" of things as our Town should hope. Out for themselves and screwing all along the way.

Date: 03:41 PM Dec 6, 2007

For a "loyal dem" you are quite the war hawk....

Do we draft here anymore? No... military service is voluntary. I didn't sign up these people... those guys hang out and drink beer all day. lets be honest.

Date: 03:50 PM Dec 6, 2007

What a crock. You must have them confused with the Sons of Italy or the Sons and Daughters of Italy.

Date: 04:38 PM Dec 6, 2007

I heard that Hammonton First pays the American Legion $100 each time they use the American Legion Hall. I wonder how much it costs to transport the trash from the HF monthly meetings?

Date: 04:43 PM Dec 6, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

For a "loyal dem" you are quite the war hawk....

Do we draft here anymore? No... military service is voluntary. I didn't sign up these people... those guys hang out and drink beer all day. lets be honest.

Hello MORON. Many of our vets were DRAFTED. The draft was ended in 1973. Most vets in these organizations served before 73. This just shows that you know nothing about our local vets. Let's not dishonor our veterans. They deserve our thanks.

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

Whether you were drafted or signed up, whether it was peace time or war time, you served. Period. This is about respect for that service. No, I am not a war hawk. We see alot of yellow ribbons and support the troops bumper stickers but when it comes down to it, we don't care.

Maybe if HF sent some of their fat rear-ends to Iraq, their attitudes would be different.

By the way, HF, is that how you will be keeping taxes low? Cutting services? I am still waiting for my answer.

Date: 11:27 PM Dec 6, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Admin wrote:

As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

§ 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

Why did the 2005 council vote to take this away from the vets? That was a TERRIBLE group on council back then!

Jimmy Bertino voted for this ordinance back in 2005. Anthony Marino is just following Bertino's orders. Bertino has been on council for over 10 years so he must have had a reason to do this to the vets.

When Bertino voted to take trash pickup away from the veterens back in 2005, did he first get public feedback on the decision?

Admin · Status: Offline

I just found out the the National Guard, who recently returned from serving in Iraq, received the same notice and will no longer receive trash service from the Town of Hammonton. What a nice thank you to our troops!

Date: 10:38 AM Dec 7, 2007

Giving notice and just yanking the trash cans away are two different things. From my understanding, the town just came in and hauled the trash cans away. You'd think they'd give the vets time to counter this at town council and have time to find a private company to remove the trash. Instead the vets were disrespected.

Date: 11:12 AM Dec 7, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Admin wrote:

As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

§ 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

Why did the 2005 council vote to take this away from the vets? That was a TERRIBLE group on council back then!

Jimmy Bertino voted for this ordinance back in 2005. Anthony Marino is just following Bertino's orders. Bertino has been on council for over 10 years so he must have had a reason to do this to the vets.

When Bertino voted to take trash pickup away from the veterens back in 2005, did he first get public feedback on the decision?

Did Jimmy Bertino let the vets have feedback in 2005 when he voted to take trash pickup away?

Date: 11:27 AM Dec 7, 2007

I'm so sick of all this "ohh the poor vets.."

There is an ordinance in place. You have to follow it. That's it. You're paying double... your fed taxes pay for the DOD and VA. Why pay again via your city taxes for a bunch of drunks ?

Admin · Status: Offline

Yes, it was introduced as an Ordinance #04-2005 and had two public readings. But I am not sure what the objective of the wording change was. I do not know how the ordinance was originaly worded. The ordinance may have been designed to fix some legal terms or some other purpose.
The point is, these organizations have been receiving this service from the town for many years. Someone on council or in the Clerk's office apparently made a decision on their own to suddenly enforce this ordinance without any notice to the organizations or without any discussion from any other council members or the public.

Date: 11:32 AM Dec 7, 2007

Yeah the H1st pitbull April....

Admin · Status: Offline

Anonymous wrote:

I'm so sick of all this "ohh the poor vets.."

There is an ordinance in place. You have to follow it. That's it. You're paying double... your fed taxes pay for the DOD and VA. Why pay again via your city taxes for a bunch of drunks ?

I haven't heard anyone say "poor vets". Most of the comments are that we owe a debt of gratitude to these fine men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. The least we can do is say "Thank You" and if one of the little ways we do that is by picking up their trash then so be it. If the majority of the public wants to discontinue this practice, it should be discussed in a public forum and then notice given to those affected. But to suddenly pull the trash bins without notice and without discussion is not right.

Date: 11:38 AM Dec 7, 2007

So who told them the trash service was going away ??

Was Lance too busy toling away on his "endless hours of unpaid overtime"

Or maybe his secratary they refuse to hire full time was supposed to tell them.

Good to see that jerry got involved. he has not done anything

Date: 11:38 AM Dec 7, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Yeah the H1st pitbull April....

Now peoples eyes are opening. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has thought this way.

Date: 02:18 PM Dec 7, 2007

Admin wrote:
As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

? 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

Jimmy Bertino should not have voted for this ordinance in 2005. It is an ordinance and Bertino should have known the town employees are obligated to follow it. He's been on council too long. It is time for him to go. We need new blood on council, not 10 year career politicians like Bertino.

Date: 03:45 PM Dec 7, 2007

Admin wrote:

I just found out the the National Guard, who recently returned from serving in Iraq, received the same notice and will no longer receive trash service from the Town of Hammonton. What a nice thank you to our troops!

Great not only is Town Council disrespecting veterans, they are disrespecting reserve and active duty military.

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

To the next HF'er that has courage post, 3 new questions:

-Do you think Vets get too many benefits as per the comment on DOD and VA?

-Do you think all Vets are drunk?

-How many people wore a uniform in your organizations? I do not mean a football jersey or field hockey skirt either.

Don't change the topic. Don't blame Jimmy Bertino (although Rich Jacobus and Jim Maclane probably feel neglected).

Answer the 3 questions.

Date: 05:33 PM Dec 7, 2007

Loyal Dem wrote:

To the next HF'er that has courage post, 3 new questions:

-Do you think Vets get too many benefits as per the comment on DOD and VA?

-Do you think all Vets are drunk?

-How many people wore a uniform in your organizations? I do not mean a football jersey or field hockey skirt either.

Don't change the topic. Don't blame Jimmy Bertino (although Rich Jacobus and Jim Maclane probably feel neglected).

Answer the 3 questions.

1. I didnt say vets get too much. I said there are proper formats that we all pay for so they can get what is needed.

2. Not all vets are drunk. Some of them are drug addicts and wife beaters. Just like normal people. However, the booze flows pretty freely at these types of places I understand.

3. And don't take this news to heat you pinko liberal bastard... I'm actually a democrat. Im ashamed of you people here who call yourselves democrats.

Date: 09:19 PM Dec 7, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

1. I didnt say vets get too much. I said there are proper formats that we all pay for so they can get what is needed.

Many would say our vets don't get enough or truly get the respect they need.

2. Not all vets are drunk. Some of them are drug addicts and wife beaters. Just like normal people. However, the booze flows pretty freely at these types of places I understand.

Again, continuing to ridicule veterans. Normal people aren't drug addicts and wife beaters. These veteran organizations help youth activties and establish support and coordinates resources for severely injured service members returning home. When you've been to war, You Goddam have the right to enjoy a beer on American soil. Shame on you for trying to depict our grandparents, parents, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, and neighbors who wore the American uniform.

3. And don't take this news to heat you pinko liberal bastard... I'm actually a democrat. Im ashamed of you people here who call yourselves democrats.
Let me see since you're really a Democrat, there of course is no way you can be a Firster since there's nothing Democratic about Hammonton First. A Republican wouldn't call themselves a Democrat in Hammonton. Oh that must mean you're a lying troll from HF.

Date: 08:40 AM Dec 8, 2007

Admin wrote:
As first reported on myhammonton.com, the town has cancelled trash pickup for the VFW, American Legion, and Disabled Veterans. These organizations have been served by the Town for many years, but suddenly someone on Town Council must have found a new way to cut the services provided to our town. Below is the Town of Hammonton code that covers solid waste.

§ 241-19. Responsibility for collection and disposal.
A. Every residential user placing garbage, paper, ashes and rubbish, herein defined, for collection from, on or in connection with residential property or a residential unit, which property shall be within the boundaries of the Town of Hammonton, may have such collection and removal provided by the Town of Hammonton, subject to the rules and regulations set forth within this article.
C. The Town of Hammonton shall not be responsible for furnishing collection vehicles or personnel to remove and dispose of the solid waste of nonresidential users within the Town of Hammonton.
NONRESIDENTIAL USER Any type of commercial, industrial, apartment complex, hotel business establishment, whether for profit or not. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]
RESIDENTIAL USER Any dwelling unit, including a single-family home or multifamily home. [Amended 3-21-2005 by Ord. No. 4-2005]

It would appear that in 2005 this part of the code was clarified, but the town has continued to collect the trash from these organizations. Maybe we will get a clarification at the 12/17 council meeting as to why the sudden stop in this service. The members of these organizations have put their lives on the line for all of us, it would seem thay deserve a little more consideration than they are receiving here. At least a discussion by the full Mayor & Council at a public meeting before taking this action seems the least we could ask for.

An online petition has been set up to present to Mayor & Council. Please click here and sign.

UPDATE: We understand that the cans for pickup have been returned to the Veterans organizations, but we are not sure if this is permanent.

-- Edited by Admin at 15:37, 2007-12-05

I dont know why the Republicans are fighting amoungst themselves on this. Right now the Reps have a 4-3 advantage on council. If they wanted the vets to have trash pickup, they would have changed the ordinance. They didn't and now the year is over.

Fortunately, HF will now have the majority back on council and they can fix this. It is just another dumb thing the town was doing that HF will have to come in and fix. No problem.

Date: 10:29 AM Dec 8, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I dont know why the Republicans are fighting amoungst themselves on this. Right now the Reps have a 4-3 advantage on council. If they wanted the vets to have trash pickup, they would have changed the ordinance. They didn't and now the year is over.

Fortunately, HF will now have the majority back on council and they can fix this. It is just another dumb thing the town was doing that HF will have to come in and fix. No problem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You realize it was Mayor John DiDonato who ordered the trash toters removed from all veterans' organizationis?

You realize it was Mayor John DiDonato who ordered the trash toters removed from all service and charitable organizations?

You realize it was Mayor John DiDonato who put a dumpster off Vine Street so the businesses there could dump their trash and have the town take it awa?

Mayor John Didonato and Hammonton First: helping those who have the most.

Date: 10:42 AM Dec 8, 2007

The Republicans do have time to fix this. There is one more meeting before the end of the year and they can introduce a change to the ordinance then. Of course, it will take two readings to approve it and so it will not be finalized until next year. That means the final vote will come with HF in control and we know from all of there past actions that they will then take credit for the ordinance.

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

Pinko-no
Liberal-perhaps
Believe you can never be too generous to Vets-definitely.

Perhaps, you should read about the deplorable conditions at Walter Reed. Or the hang up in Veterans benefits. Then you will see the Vets are not being served by DOD or the VA. You see, my "Democratic" friend, let me explain something and please pass it along to your simple-minded, greedy HF friends.

For Hammontonians, this is not a matter of monetary benefits we provide. It is the message that we send our veterans. When we take away services as simple as they may be, we say we don't care.

That is why Hammontonians want the trash-pick up for Vets. We want to show them we care. This is far more important than yellow ribbons, etc.

I definitely see HF using this issue to attack Bertino. HF is a Great Society Program for Rich People.

Date: 02:17 PM Dec 8, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
The Republicans do have time to fix this. There is one more meeting before the end of the year and they can introduce a change to the ordinance then. Of course, it will take two readings to approve it and so it will not be finalized until next year. That means the final vote will come with HF in control and we know from all of there past actions that they will then take credit for the ordinance.

That's right. The Republicans have all their meetings at the VFW. They are an official political party, not a group of independents like HF. The political parties already have the taxpayers pay for their primaries. The taxpayers should expect to pay for their trash removal also. GO JERRY VITALO!

Date: 02:25 PM Dec 8, 2007

The Democrats use the VFW for their pasta dinners. This works well if Jerry Vitalo can get them taxpayer funded trash removal also.

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

This is the HF lie of 2008 and we are still in 2007. The idea that the GOP and the Dems want trash pick-up because they have their dinners there and want the taxpayers to pay for it.

Do you think everyone is as diabolical as you are? The Dems and the GOP are doing this because they support the Vets. Period. The Dems and GOP think the town should support the vets too.

Vitalo's step-son is a soldier. He carried a M-16 in Iraq while young HF'ers are carrying Donuts around Bellevue Ave to feed their fat faces.

But since we are on the subject. Let's talk about the $10K going to the "historical district". Hmmm...who owns property on Bellevue Ave??????????

So I ask you one question, HF. Don't change the subject or make stuff up about the Dems and GOP....

-Do you think Bellevue Ave real estate owners should get taxpayer dollars but the Vets should not get trash pick-up?

Remember not to blame Vitalo, Bertino, Jacobus, Ripa or MaClane. Anwer the question. Show some moral courage for once and don't hide behind you low IQs or big wallets.

Do you think Bellevue Ave real estate owners should get taxpayer dollars but the Vets should not get trash pick-up?

Date: 02:44 PM Dec 8, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
The Republicans do have time to fix this. There is one more meeting before the end of the year and they can introduce a change to the ordinance then. Of course, it will take two readings to approve it and so it will not be finalized until next year. That means the final vote will come with HF in control and we know from all of there past actions that they will then take credit for the ordinance.

That's right. The Republicans have all their meetings at the VFW. They are an official political party, not a group of independents like HF. The political parties already have the taxpayers pay for their primaries. The taxpayers should expect to pay for their trash removal also. GO JERRY VITALO!

I don't think taxpayers should have to pay for the Republicans and Democrats. Why don't they agree to donate the cost of trash removal to the VFW if they care so much? They are the ones making all the trash. The Republicans even rent an office in the VFW!

Admin · Status: Offline

You just can't answer a questioncan you? This is not an issue about the Reps or Dems. The Dems use the VFW 2 days out of 365. The Reps use it for meetings and for a pasta dinner, about 13 days. This issue is about the Mayor finding a loophole in the law to deny service that has been given for years. And the ones suffering the most are the ones who have given us the most. We slapped them in the face. Do you support treating our Vets in this manner? They were given no warning and no chance to discuss this.

Date: 04:50 PM Dec 8, 2007

Admin wrote:
You just can't answer a questioncan you? This is not an issue about the Reps or Dems. The Dems use the VFW 2 days out of 365. The Reps use it for meetings and for a pasta dinner, about 13 days. This issue is about the Mayor finding a loophole in the law to deny service that has been given for years. And the ones suffering the most are the ones who have given us the most. We slapped them in the face. Do you support treating our Vets in this manner? They were given no warning and no chance to discuss this.

Why should the taxpayers pay for political parties trash removal? Why can't the political parties pay the vets to have trash removal? Why do the political parties want to fleece the taxpayers. The law says that there is no trash removal. It was passed back in 2005. No one can decide to break the law to protect the taxpayers.

Admin · Status: Offline

No one is talking about the political parties!!!! We would be more than happy to take care of our own trash. But what about the Veterans all fo the rest of the time????
That's the issue, address the real issue and stop trying to cover up the Mayor's mistake by changingthe subject.
Answer the question that was asked!!! And not by asking another off topic question!!!

Date: 10:46 AM Dec 9, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Admin wrote:
You just can't answer a questioncan you? This is not an issue about the Reps or Dems. The Dems use the VFW 2 days out of 365. The Reps use it for meetings and for a pasta dinner, about 13 days. This issue is about the Mayor finding a loophole in the law to deny service that has been given for years. And the ones suffering the most are the ones who have given us the most. We slapped them in the face. Do you support treating our Vets in this manner? They were given no warning and no chance to discuss this.

As a vet, I am extremely offended by Town Council's actions. This is no way to treat a vet. This has now become a political issue. It's Hammonton First fault that this has blown up to this proportion. We are town of who care about our vets. What kind of message are sending our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan now? When this appears in the papers and they read this when they get their care packages. They'll think Hammonton itself was overtaken by Al-Qaeda. This is a direct attack at vets. I an my fellow vets will be at Town Council at their next meeting and demand direct answers.

Why should the taxpayers pay for political parties trash removal? Why can't the political parties pay the vets to have trash removal? Why do the political parties want to fleece the taxpayers. The law says that there is no trash removal. It was passed back in 2005. No one can decide to break the law to protect the taxpayers.

Date: 10:47 AM Dec 9, 2007

As a vet, I am extremely offended by Town Council's actions. This is no way to treat a vet. This has now become a political issue. It's Hammonton First fault that this has blown up to this proportion. We are town of who care about our vets. What kind of message are sending our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan now? When this appears in the papers and they read this when they get their care packages. They'll think Hammonton itself was overtaken by Al-Qaeda. This is a direct attack at vets. I an my fellow vets will be at Town Council at their next meeting and demand direct answers.

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

I am impressed with HF. They are able to type and stuff their fat faces at the same time.

Anyway, I guess Jim MaClane feels neglected. They are not bashing him, they are now bashing the 2 political parties who apparently are involved in this grand conspiracy. They must have scratched their heads a while to think of this.

Well, here as surprise, here is my question:

-Do you think Bellevue Ave real estate owners should get taxpayer dollars but the Vets should not get trash pick-up?

Go back to scratching your heads.

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

Here is my theory. HF wants to drive the Vet organizations out so they can buy the building. The American Legion is part of the Little Italy Project Territory and it is right next to the old factory that the Gazette has hailed a future renovation project. The American Legion could be torn down for parking.

Since this is all about the Vets, I guess it is fitting to say the Occupation has begun!

By the way,

-Do you think Bellevue Ave real estate owners should get taxpayer dollars but the Vets should not get trash pick-up?

Date: 07:32 PM Dec 9, 2007

Why did Anthony Falcone vote to take trash removal away from the vets back in 2005? I am sure glad he lost this past election!

Date: 10:22 PM Dec 9, 2007

speaking of trash removal, can someone please remove the democrat campaign signs from yorktown blvd? There are still several signs out there.

Date: 08:34 AM Dec 10, 2007

The political parties are supposed to pickup their own trash, they don't get free trash removal.

More importantly, why are the Democrats bashing the town administrator and mayor? Anthony Falcone voted on this ordinance in 2005. The admin posted that it clearly states no trash removal for non-profits like the vets. If is was a bad idea, why did he vote on it?

If this is a bad law, the blame for this law clearly falls on the people who made it a law.

The town administrator and mayor do not have a choice as to which laws they enforce. Susanne Oddo just found out the law was not being followed and instructed the highway dept to follow it. That is her job.

If people want the law changed, they just need to go to town council and ask. No big fight is needed. That is the big advantage of open government. True vets... not grandstanding political hacks... go to the meeting, make a request, and the process of changing the law is begun if it has merit.

Until then, nobody has a right to break the law Anthony Falcone and Jimmy Bertino voted on in 2005.

Admin · Status: Offline

So apparently Mayor & Council believe that we should not offer these small service to our Veterans or they would have started the process of changing the law themselves instead of sending out a letter:

Please be advised the Town Clerk/Business Administrator has brought to my attention the fact that I cannot continue trash pickup at your organization per Town of Hammonton Code Chapter 241 Solid Waste.

Maybe when this was discovered, there should have been a discussion in the public forum and a decision made by the council as a whole after input from the public they serve.
I do not believe the intent of the amendment in 2005 was to deny trash removal to our Veterans. But I can not be sure because I do not know how the ordinance read before the change. If this had been discussed before action being taken, maybe Mr. Bertino would have had an opportunity to shed more light on this ordinance.

No matter how it happened, we need to be more thoughtful of our Veterans!

Loyal Dem · Status: Offline

If you fight to keep the town hall, on vine, you are the leader of a new generation. If you are offended by mistreatment of Vets, you are a political hack. I know HF is rich but I did not know you had Karl Rove on retainer. I guess we are being "negative".

By the way, have you got an answer to my question yet?

-Do you think Bellevue Ave real estate owners should get taxpayer dollars but the Vets should not get trash pick-up?

Don't blame Bertino or Falcone. Answer the question.

Date: 10:45 AM Dec 10, 2007

Democrats are attacking Susanne Oddo for nothing more than political gain. Jimmy Bertino and Anthony Falcone voted to not allow trash pickup for the vets. Susanne was doing her job. When she found out the law was being violated, she set it right. That is the proper thing to do.

Mayor DiDonato is asking the public to come out and discuss Bertino and Falcone's law to take trash pickup away from the vets. He feels it is wrong.

With an Open Government meeting, the townspeople can hear Jimmy Bertino explain why he voted to take trash removal away and then comment on it. If the townspeople feel that Bertino is wrong, then the Mayor can start the process of changing the ordinance.

I think most Hammontonians agree that Bertino and Falcone should have disussed this openly BEFORE VOTING ON IT. You can't violate a law after it is passed, that is not legal. Also, the town council, which currently has a 4-3 Republican majority, does not have the right to overturn a law without proper voting.

Right now with the 4-3 Republican majority, it will be harder to overturn Bertino's vote. However, after Jan 1 when the majority returns to HF, this can be quickly fixed if the people want.

Date: 11:00 AM Dec 10, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Democrats are attacking Susanne Oddo for nothing more than political gain. Jimmy Bertino and Anthony Falcone voted to not allow trash pickup for the vets. Susanne was doing her job. When she found out the law was being violated, she set it right. That is the proper thing to do.

Mayor DiDonato is asking the public to come out and discuss Bertino and Falcone's law to take trash pickup away from the vets. He feels it is wrong.

With an Open Government meeting, the townspeople can hear Jimmy Bertino explain why he voted to take trash removal away and then comment on it. If the townspeople feel that Bertino is wrong, then the Mayor can start the process of changing the ordinance.

I think most Hammontonians agree that Bertino and Falcone should have disussed this openly BEFORE VOTING ON IT. You can't violate a law after it is passed, that is not legal. Also, the town council, which currently has a 4-3 Republican majority, does not have the right to overturn a law without proper voting.

Right now with the 4-3 Republican majority, it will be harder to overturn Bertino's vote. However, after Jan 1 when the majority returns to HF, this can be quickly fixed if the people want.

WE SHOULD ALL DEMAND THAT JIMMY BERTINO EXPLAIN HIMSELF IN THE NEXT COUNCIL SESSION. WHAT IS HE AGAINST OUR VETS?

Admin · Status: Offline

Why are you making this a political issue? All 3 parties were represented on council and all voted to enact the changes to the ordinance.

Ord 4-2005 Solid Waste

Ordinance #4-2005 "AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 241, SOLID WASTE, SECTION 241-

18 OF THE GENERAL CODE OF THE TOWN OF HAMMONTON," was read by title

only.

Motion by Councilperson Bertino, seconded by Councilperson Morano, the

ordinance be taken up for second reading. Motion carried.

HEARING

Mayor Ingemi announced a hearing on this ordinance will now be held and

anyone desiring may now have the opportunity to be heard.

No one desired to be heard.

Motion by Councilperson Clark, seconded by Councilperson S. Lewis, the

ordinance pass second reading and be adopted.

ROLL CALL Yeas: Bertino, Clark, Falcone, Morano, Olivo,

S. Lewis and Mayor Ingemi.

Nays: None.

Mayor Ingemi declared the motion carried.

Motion by Councilperson S. Lewis, seconded by Councilperson Clark, the

ordinance be given legal publication. Motion carried.

Whatever the reason for this amendment we need to discuss whether or not we want to stop trash pickup for our Veterans. You Firsters are trying to make this political and take advantage of this to bash certain individuals. Lets drop the politics and just correct the situation. Lets pull together as a united town and discuss this rationally in a public meeting and come up with a solution that the people of Hammonton can support. The Democrats , Republicans, and Hammonton First should work together to represent the people.

Date: 12:50 PM Dec 10, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Yeah the H1st pitbull April....

Now peoples eyes are opening. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has thought this way.

It is not fair that this blog is bashing Susanne Oddo, April Miamone, and now apparently the Mayor for doing their jobs. No one can decide to break a law.

Admin wrote that Jimmy Bertino motioned for the ordinance to take trash away from the vets in 2005. For now the town is stuck with it until the Mayor and Council can fix the problem.

Rather than the blogs bashing, why not do like the mayor? He is having people come to a meeting to discuss this. Then the town council can decide if they agree with Bertino or if it is appropriate to amend the ordinance, have a first reading vote and a second reading vote.

That is the way the law works. You cannot retroactively change things. You cannot break the law. You just calmly let Bertino defend himself and then make a decision if he was right or wrong.

Admin · Status: Offline

If that is what the Mayor is planning to do then we commend him because that is the right way to approach it. It is our understanding that the trash receptacles have been put back at the Veterans organizations until this is discussed and we commend Mayor & Council for this too because that is what should have been done all along. No one from the Dems is bashing Susan or April, they only did what they were told to do.
We are glad that it looks like this issue is being resolved in the proper manner. Now let's all get out to the meeting and express our opinions so that Mayor & Council can do the will of the people they represent. If you can't make it to the meeting then send an email to the Mayor at johndidonato@townofhammonton.org or send us an email at
resumethevetstrashpickup@hammontondems.org
we will make sure your opinion is heard.

-- Edited by Admin at 13:16, 2007-12-10

Date: 09:10 PM Dec 10, 2007

It is certainly nice to know that that the Mayor will make the right decision. His father served during the Korean War as a US Marine and is a member of the VFW. He will give consideration to the needs of the veterans along with those of the taxpayers.

Date: 09:25 PM Dec 10, 2007

Makes you wonder why he pulled the trash cans in the first place.

Date: 09:45 PM Dec 10, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Yeah the H1st pitbull April....

Now peoples eyes are opening. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has thought this way.

Bertino should be ashamed of himself for trying to pass the blame on the town employees trying to enforce his bad ordinance. No wonder Jerry Vitalo gets disgusted with him!

Date: 03:06 PM Dec 11, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

It is certainly nice to know that that the Mayor will make the right decision. His father served during the Korean War as a US Marine and is a member of the VFW. He will give consideration to the needs of the veterans along with those of the taxpayers.

What is the right decision? An apology to the vets and restoration of trash pickup for our vets.

Admin · Status: Offline

The Atlantic City Press had a story today about this situation.

Stopping trash pickup for nonprofits gets Hammonton in trouble with vets

By STEVEN LEMONGELLO Staff Writer, 609-272-7275
(Published: December 12, 2007)

If there is one lesson to learn from political history, it's that you shouldn't mess around with veterans. Or, in Hammonton's case, not even give the vaguest appearance of messing around with veterans.

The sudden enforcement of a 2-year-old ordinance caused a brief stir in Hammonton last week, as letters were sent out by the Highway Department notifying several nonprofit organizations - including the VFW and the American Legion - that the town would no longer pick up their garbage.

"Basically," Councilman Jerry Vitalo said, "(I was) at a dinner at the VFW and several members approached me to say that their toters were taken away. They said they got a letter from Town Hall (telling them) to get rid of their own trash."

That didn't go over too well. No sooner would the cans and Dumpsters be temporarily returned before town officials began denying ultimate responsibility.

"Who sent (the letter) out and who approved?" asked Vitalo. "I have no clue. My main concern is fixing something that's not right."

Mayor John DiDonato said that it was Superintendent of Highways Lance Schiernbeck who sent out the letters to the nonprofit organizations - simply because he was following the law. A 2005 ordinance says that the town is to pick up trash only from residents and not "nonresidential" groups such as nonprofit organizations.

"I believe he was doing his job," Mayor John DiDonato said, "in reference to an ordinance that was unanimously passed in 2005 by a prior council. The current council cannot advise a department head not to follow an ordinance already in place. ... It needs to be followed by people."

Schiernbeck could not be reached for comment, while Town Clerk and Business Administrator Susanne Oddo said it was all a matter for the mayor and council to decide at the next meeting.

In fact, both DiDonato and Vitalo - who also made sure to note that the 2005 ordinance "was before my time" - said that the council would look at revising the ordinance at their Dec. 17 meeting, in the hope of making the returned cans and Dumpsters a permanent fixture outside the organization buildings.

"There's a (difference) between what's legal and what's morally correct," Vitalo said. "Hopefully, the council is wise enough to restore the law to what it was (before the 2005 changes), to address the ordinance, legally adjust it and meet the needs of the town."

Date: 10:16 AM Dec 12, 2007

OK but where does this end. does the swim club get free trash the sons, 7-11, wawa bagies, infees, silver coin , rockets, brothers , trinas, hammonton news, star bucks, njm, krammer, fire house, how about he churchs and other civic groups, how many places of busniess get free town trash pick up . there our a lot . so where does it end.

Admin · Status: Offline

Anonymous wrote:

OK but where does this end. does the swim club get free trash the sons, 7-11, wawa bagies, infees, silver coin , rockets, brothers , trinas, hammonton news, star bucks, njm, krammer, fire house, how about he churchs and other civic groups, how many places of busniess get free town trash pick up . there our a lot . so where does it end.

Most of the places you mention are for-profit businesses, so of course they should pay for their trash pickup. You say there are a lot of businesses getting free trash pickup, I'm sure the townspeople would like to see that list.

As for non-profits, we have to decide if there is a distinction between the majority of these organizations and the Veterans organizations. I would say, for the sake of arguement, that the Veterans organizations separate themselves from the other groups because this is made up of individuals who fought for our country and put their lives on the line for our freedom. Our entire community and nation is better off because of the service by these individuals. Trash service is only a small thank you to these groups for their sacrifice.

Date: 03:16 PM Dec 12, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

OK but where does this end. does the swim club get free trash the sons, 7-11, wawa bagies, infees, silver coin , rockets, brothers , trinas, hammonton news, star bucks, njm, krammer, fire house, how about he churchs and other civic groups, how many places of busniess get free town trash pick up . there our a lot . so where does it end.

I think all things should be fair. The fair thing to do is to not charge the vets for trash pickup. America wouldn't be America without our vets. That's something many Americans and even politicians forget. Heck many politicians never served anyway so they just don't understand the sacrifices and dangers military personnel put themselves daily in protecting America.

Date: 05:55 PM Dec 12, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Makes you wonder why he pulled the trash cans in the first place.

Perhaps it's because a certain town employee requested the use of some toters for a function at his church and the request was denied. This church and this employee weren't requesting trash pick-up. They just wanted to use the toters to store the trash for the day and then dispose the trash on their own, as they normally do. Consider, that not all churches have to pay for their own trash pick-up. St. Joseph's has benefited, for several years, from free highway department services. Taxpayer dollars, not just in regualr hours, but also in very costly overtime wages, are spent to collect trash the week of the Mt. Carmel feast. The convent receives free trash pick-up and has toters. When the house, across from the elementary school, on the corner of Pleasant and Third Sts. was demolished, the town sent highway department workers to dispose of the demolition materials. (You know there's an ordinance about private residences and organizations being responsible for the disposal of their own demolition materials. But that another debate.) So, why was this employee and this church denied their request. Could it be because the employee is someone that the mayor, his friends and certain council members are doing everything they can think of to find grounds for firing this employee or forcing him to retire? Could it be that this church is not one which can count many town officials and certain town employees, who have daily decision making powers, as members of their faith? Can you say "discrimination" boys and girls?? For those who say you have to draw the line somewhere, I agree. As a taxpayer and a Catholic, I think that religious and non-profit organizations should have to afford services on their own, if they are going to declare themselves tax-exempt. Hey, the Vatical can sell a couple of art collections. Bishop Galante can sell his luxury box at "The Link" and a certain local priest (you know who you are) could sell one or two of his luxury automobiles, that should get a few years of waste disposal services alone. As for the veterans, they have already paid, many with their lives, for our freedom. I think we can afford free trash pick-up for those organizations, for the minimal amount of trash they must generate.Although, when HF uses the American Legion Hall for their next meet and greet they need to remember that they can no longer follow past practices of using the town toters to have the town pick-up their trash, like they did a few days after denying this town employee and his church.

Date: 06:03 PM Dec 12, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Makes you wonder why he pulled the trash cans in the first place.

Perhaps it's because a certain town employee requested the use of some toters for a function at his church and the request was denied. This church and this employee weren't requesting trash pick-up. They just wanted to use the toters to store the trash for the day and then dispose the trash on their own, as they normally do. Consider, that not all churches have to pay for their own trash pick-up. St. Joseph's has benefited, for several years, from free highway department services. Taxpayer dollars, not just in regualr hours, but also in very costly overtime wages, are spent to collect trash the week of the Mt. Carmel feast. The convent receives free trash pick-up and has toters. When the house, across from the elementary school, on the corner of Pleasant and Third Sts. was demolished, the town sent highway department workers to dispose of the demolition materials. (You know there's an ordinance about private residences and organizations being responsible for the disposal of their own demolition materials. But that another debate.) So, why was this employee and this church denied their request. Could it be because the employee is someone that the mayor, his friends and certain council members are doing everything they can think of to find grounds for firing this employee or forcing him to retire? Could it be that this church is not one which can count many town officials and certain town employees, who have daily decision making powers, as members of their faith? Can you say "discrimination" boys and girls?? For those who say you have to draw the line somewhere, I agree. As a taxpayer and a Catholic, I think that religious and non-profit organizations should have to afford services on their own, if they are going to declare themselves tax-exempt. Hey, the Vatical can sell a couple of art collections. Bishop Galante can sell his luxury box at "The Link" and a certain local priest (you know who you are) could sell one or two of his luxury automobiles, that should get a few years of waste disposal services alone. As for the veterans, they have already paid, many with their lives, for our freedom. I think we can afford free trash pick-up for those organizations, for the minimal amount of trash they must generate.Although, when HF uses the American Legion Hall for their next meet and greet they need to remember that they can no longer follow past practices of using the town toters to have the town pick-up their trash, like they did a few days after denying this town employee and his church.

So basically, the mayor, S. Oddo, certain council members and Brian Howell, used this ordinance, as the basis to deny the employee's request and to cover their collective asses.

Date: 07:34 PM Dec 12, 2007

Wow, now Bertino is going to accuse Lance of picking up the trash at his church? He's already trying to blame April and Sussane. Now he wants to attack Lance like Anthony Marino has been doing. This guy will slit anybody's throat to save himself.

Date: 12:29 AM Dec 13, 2007

Anonymous wrote:

Wow, now Bertino is going to accuse Lance of picking up the trash at his church? He's already trying to blame April and Sussane. Now he wants to attack Lance like Anthony Marino has been doing. This guy will slit anybody's throat to save himself.

You're assuming that Mr. Bertino is the author of the previous post. You know what assume does, don't you? Besides, no one is accusing Lance of doing anything wrong. But then again, you in HF and your pathological lying mayor are good at coming up with alternative stories and displacing blame onto others to avoid responsibility for the messes that you create. As the author of the previous post, I can assure you that I am merely a regular taxpaying citizen of this town, who's not even sure what my political affiliation should be. I can assure you, however it's not with HF, never has been and never will be.

Date: 07:47 AM Dec 13, 2007

It is not Jimmy Bertino's fault that he voted for this ordinance

Date: 09:00 AM Dec 13, 2007

RE: Town cancels trash pickup for Veterans Organizations