HAMMONTON - Building and moving into the new Town Hall preoccupied the Town Council for much of 2008. The increased Hammonton First majority will face new challenges in 2009 as its leader, Mayor John DiDonato, approaches the end of his first term.
DiDonato hasn't decided whether to seek re-election, he said this week: "When the time comes, I'll make that decision. I like to take my time, and we'll talk amongst the family."
Council and Hammonton First members Jerry Barberio, Tracy Petrongolo and Ed Wuillermiare up for re-election in 2009. Petrongolo hasn't decided whether to run. The other two could not be reached for comment.
The mayor saw the election of two new Hammonton First representatives as "a good vote of confidence from the community." Jeanne Lewis and Sam Rodio will replace Republican incumbents Anthony Marino and Jerry Vitalo.
The latter two are finishing their first terms. Marino could not be reached for comment. Vitalo said though he is grateful to have served, he fears for the town's economic future.
"No doubt we can hold zero tax (increase) through 2009, but 2010 worries me because we're depleting our surplus," said Vitalo, who, among a relatively low-key 2008 council, may have raised the most objections at public meetings.
Hammonton First pledged to keep the municipal tax rate steady in 2009 if all three candidates were elected. The Republicans and Democrats made similar declarations. Even having won just two of the three seats - Republican incumbent James Bertino led all vote-getters - it seems likely the council will be under pressure to follow through with the tax freeze.
Two other challenges are the planned Hammonton Lake senior center and the protracted debate over attracting a college campus to Hammonton.
Hammonton has budgeted $480,000 to build the senior center, but the first round of construction bids were all at least 50 percent more expensive. Paperwork problems forced a fresh round of bidding Nov. 19. Interest from new contractors has made DiDonato confident the price could come down.
For years, Hammonton and The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey have occasionally entertained the idea of a partnership. This year's latest proposal would have required the town's school district to invest, prompting objections from numerous taxpayers even as others hailed the idea of a college campus in the neighborhood.
School board President Loretta Rehmann confirmed the district won't be the one to make the next move. Its priority is a December bond referendum to renovate the elementary school.
It looks like the time has come for Hammonton First to pay the piper. I want to hear the excuse machine now.
Remember HF only GUARANTEED O Tax Increase if ALL 3 seats got elected since only 2 snuck in then they don't have to follow on their promises. Just like their promise of $5.9M for the new Town Hall, Demolition of the old town hall, moving of the historic town hall, and New Downtown community center. They fooled many then and will find someway to fool us again.
only two snuck in . LOL . landslide is a better term to use.
By snuck, I meant they fooled us. A landslide would be proper if ALL 3 won. Fortunately the people of Hammonton managed to keep one representative in office. We'll see what services Hammonton First will have to cut or reduce next. Nobody is laughing in Hammonton so you'll know. Enjoy your victory. May God have mercy on us all.
Jim MacLane should have won this year. He ran a good campaign. He almost made it out of 9th place.
Many fine Hammontonians who had the gonads to run to make Hammonton better for "All" and not just "Hammonton's First in line" have come in 4th through 9th. Very few are willing to answer the call. There's no difference between 4th through 9th. It's who comes in 1st through 3rd that is the goal in town politics. It's money that determines who comes in those positions lately not who's the best for Hammonton.
EVERYONE COME OUT AND SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS AND THE SCHOOL'S NEW BOND. THE SCHOOL NEEDS THIS IMPORTANT SPENDING. THIS IS $13.6 MILLION OF YOUR MONEY TO HELP OUR SCHOOL. REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR THIS IMPORTANT SPENDING PACKAGE!!!!!!!
