It seems that the 2009 political season is beginning to take shape here in Hammonton.Every year, voters must navigate twin perils, cynicism towards the process on the one hand and on the other, becoming so caught up in the slogans and freebies that we forget why the election truly matters.And elections matter because they have consequences.We will feel those consequences not just over the next year but over the next twenty years. So I would like to take this opportunity not to tell you how to think but rather to think about whom we are as town and where we would like to go.When you make that choice in November, the situation demands that you select the team that is best equipped to make Hammonton competitive in a global, technology-driven economy while maintaining the values that have made us who we are. For this reason, I am honored to lead a ticket composed of three, fine Hammontonians: Mike Ammirato, Jim Scarpato, and Carmen Villani.They understand as both you and I do that we must look forward with optimism.Out of this sense of optimism for the future, we have developed our goals for Hammonton. We may have enjoyed low taxes since 2003 because of the national real estate boom.But if we desire economic growth and low taxes, we need to start looking into areas beyond real estate.We need to focus on the new areas of prosperity in the 21st century.That is why my running mates and I will work to make Hammonton, a hub for healthcare delivery by bringing VA services and more private healthcare providers to the town and providing every citizen with a digital medical record.We will invest in alternative energy and smart grid technology to both save the earth and boost our economy.We will raise the bar set so high by our forefathers in agriculture by exporting not just our products globally but also our best practices.These initiatives will not just bring rateables but also the technology and manufacturing companies that create jobs.And these jobs are quality, high-paying positions that include all areas of endeavor from computer programming to building and trades. We also realize that municipal government must dedicate itself to ensuring high-quality services and a high quality of life for our citizens.Therefore, we will resist the temptation of micro-management and provide our municipal workforce the tools for success.And we will ensure those things that are best about living in Hammonton are shared by all of our citizens.Specifically, we will reach out to the elderly, veterans, military and their families and individuals with developmental disabilities and their care-givers. My life has given me opportunity to live in many places.And I learned an important lesson.The world around us has much to teach and new perspectives enable us to progress.But the grass is not always greener on the other side.Ultimately that which is most important, family, friends and a caring community, stands right before us.That is why Hammonton always has been and always will be my home. And in this spirit, Mike, Jim, Carmen and I will promote our agenda.We will approach every issue in a way that combines new ideas with well-proven practices.We will welcome original thought along with honor-bound tradition.We will look about for models of success while remembering our own uniqueness as a Town. I am confident that this years election will be historic.We will not simply decide the next Town government but we will decide what defines us as a community.So let us give future generations cause to say of us that in 2009, we did not just go to the polls and vote, we looked beyond our present and we chose to reach for the stars. Joseph Ingemi Democratic Nominee for Mayor Hammonton
-- Edited by Admin on Thursday 11th of June 2009 02:35:03 PM
Joe : just a little update. The election that shaped the future was 4 years ago . When HF and johnny D. took hammonton back to its true roots. HF brought fiscal responsiblity back to Hammonton. They shut down the tax and spend reps and dems. Where did all the money go over the last 20 years with all those fruitless 7 , 10, 4 cent tax hikes. I know you don't know all this because you where not in hammonton. HF has already done what you say you want to do. Oh buy the way it's called a economic downturn. What ratables (r you Kinding me) We should all go out and kiss NJM and ace's butts for comming into Hammonton. If the dems can get all these ratables and the Va. WOW NOW THATS A PROMISE. All HF promised was no new taxes. Oh that's right they delivered on there promise. Lead on Johnny D
and did you complain over the years with all the tax increases? Probably not. Kept electing the same people over and over. You are happy about ACE? What happened to Lowes, Home Depot, the movies, Lamberti's, the 3 restaurants on the pike that were all over the front pages but then disappeared 3 years ago? Your present government will not let anyone in to operate unless they are from here. Look at all the things that have opened recently. They are all duplicates. How many coffee shops, baked good shops, day spas, hair salons, verizon stores do we really need? Do you see a pattern? It is great if you are local and start a business, but wrong to keep other business people out. It doesn't matter as long as they are local, he brings them in to his properties, right? As if non-locals and/or chain stores would not pay taxes on the businesses they would open in town???? They have pushed a lot of people away who might bring something different to town because we don't play well with outsiders and we are resistent to change. I don't know how you all expect to go forward when the mentality is so rooted in the past, you know the old "outsider" rule that we hold onto like a treasure. I am so tired of hearing people say they don't go to this store or that store because "they're not from Hammonton". They still pay taxes here.
Hammonton is financially in excellent shape that's why they had to lay off 5 employees. Why aren't Mayor and Council giving up their salaries since they are volunteers? Our town that we were once proud of is failing us. No new taxes = disaster! Sound like another Kessler deal. Hide the books and the problem will go away for ever.
I always patronize a local Hammonton owned business if possible. These Hammonton owned businesses are also the same people that tend to give to our local schools, charities, little league, etc. Please do not try and say supporting Hammonton owned businesses is a bad thing.
These same small business owners are not standing in-line for government bailouts. They pay all the taxes and work hard everyday. Federal, state, local and school taxes depend on small business owners in Hammonton. If the local government decides to support the local business owners.....I agree with them.
Too many businesses are now intimidated by the political climate especially the last 4 years. Our town is suffering because of this. It saddens me to see more and more businesses close. We should support our businesses and keep politics out of our schools, churches, youth sports, police and fire depts.
