HAMMONTON BLOG

When I was a senior at West Point, I had the opportunity to work on a solar car as an engineering class project.  I wondered if there was any relevance to the work that I was doing.  Well, twelve years later, I can say that my concerns have been put to rest.  With fluctuating oil prices and a higher energy demand than ever, our nation is beginning to look for new, cleaner sources of energy as well as ways to conserve resources.  Clean energy and conservation will be a huge driver of economic growth for years to come.
For this reason, my running mates, Mike Ammirato, Jim Scarpato and Carmen Villani, and I have made alternative energy and conservation a major component of our platform.  The decline in real estate and the closing of Kessler Hospital and Patriot Windows have created an economic void.  Therefore, Hammonton needs to attract industries that will reduce costs and bring jobs and rateables to the Town as well as customers for our businesses.  First, I would like to commend some of the initiatives by the Green Committee and the Town Council that already have been implemented.   Our recycling program, the paperless communications in the Police Department, the rain garden and the distribution of CDL light bulbs provided a great beginning.  My running mates and I would like to build on these projects so that alternative energy and conservation is integrated into our decision-making.
Our proposal is based on four concepts: the use of alternative energy, the use of smart-grid and energy-saving technology, conservation and attracting ancillary services.   Alternative energy sources multiply every day.  Therefore, we hope to participate in federal and state programs in order to place solar cells on our municipal buildings.   Such a measure would reduce our energy bill and provide a source of revenue through the sale of clean energy credits.  We also would like to do as many communities throughout the nation have done and convert our former municipal landfill into a biomass or solar electrical generation facility.
We also must utilize smart grid technology (networking equipment that allows efficient energy use) and energy-saving products.  Such investments provide cost-savings to both the Town and its citizens.  So we will participate in public-private partnerships to install smart meters in Hammonton.  We also will align municipal procurement so that purchased equipment and appliances use energy-saving technology.
We also must conserve open space wisely.  The destruction of one form of open space to make room for another form of open space is not good policy.  For this reason, I respectfully disagree with the decision to cut down trees at the Hammonton Lake to make room for parking.   Instead, my running mates and I will work with the state, county and local residents to convert dilapidated areas into green fields.  At the same time, property rights will remain a top concern.  Since state and county cooperation is so critical, I am happy to be running with Rob Rue and Rich Visotcky for the Assembly and Sam Mento and Angelo DiMaio for Freeholder.
However, to realize the full economic potential of alternative energy and conservation, we must attract companies and organizations that support alternative energy such as manufacturers, information technology companies and utilities.  The previously outlines initiatives will make Hammonton attractive to these companies.  But such companies must also be provided with further incentive.   Therefore, we also must reform the local tax abatement program and participate in the Free Trade Zone and the NJ Manufacturing Extension Programs.
This proposal may not require property tax revenue to implement but it does require courage to see things from a new perspective.  As Robert Kennedy said, The future will be shaped in the arena of human activity, by those willing to commit their minds and their bodies to the task.  We, as community, must demonstrate this commitment as we move into this new era of great potential.
You can read our platform in its entirety at our website: www.hammontondems.com.  Feel free to contact us at info@hammontondems.com with any questions, comments or suggestions. 

Joseph Ingemi

Democratic Nominee for Mayor

Hammonton