Open, accountable government is a long-standing issue. Our Founding Fathers were aware of the potential power that special interests could yield.So the Founders integrated checks and balances into our Constitution so that faction could check faction.The issue of open government even has reached us here in Hammonton.
For this reason, the Democrats desire that the following reforms be implemented:
The three parties make a gentlemans agreement to limit their fundraising for the election to eliminate the perception that donors trump citizens in decision-making;
Control of the municipal website be returned to the already hired technology professional so that updates can be made immediately and in an unbiased fashion;
The town solicitor be made a full-time position to remove the appearance of political considerations in dispensing legal advice;
Opposition parties be given response time to the Chat with the Mayor;
All special budgets such as the Town Hall project, project plans and grant applications must be published on the Town website.
All appointments to include Ad Hoc Committees, Deputy Mayor and Committee Chairman must be approved by Council;
Relatives of elected officials cannot be appointed to serve on committees;
MUAC be reinstated to provide citizen oversight to our water and sewer infrastructure.
How dare the Democrats call for transparency and accountability in government! That's not how we do things in Hammonton. You guys need to stop worrying about what appointments the Mayor's brother gets, which friend of a HF member runs the town website, and what our taxes are spent on!
