As many readers know, the mayor and council are trying to bring a Stockton satellite campus to Hammonton. I have been searching for documents that reveal how the mayor will pay for this project, to no avail.
After all, the $250,000 that we may get from the Federal government is only one-sixteenth of the $4 million estimate the mayor gave to the newspapers.
At the most recent council meeting, the mayor and council seemed to dance around my direct questions regarding the project's total cost.
I've made two Open Public Records Act requests to obtain the grant applications, the project's budget and an understanding of the role of the downtown advocate. These requests have gone unanswered, despite the valiant efforts of the Town Clerk's office.
Such silence makes us wonder what is actually going on and if, perhaps, Hammontonians will be saddled with $3.75 million or more of new taxes, despite some promises to the contrary.
The next step was scouring the Internet for hidden information, and, not surprisingly, I found some interesting items. First, I found a letter signed by the mayor requesting funds in the amount of $650,000 on Congressman LoBiondo's Web site. The letter, dated Feb. 24, never mentioned Stockton. Instead, the letter discussed the project goals as the acquisition and renovation of blighted sites in the downtown. The letter goes on to state:
"This project will make the region a magnet for business development, higher education, arts and culture."
The letter also mentions an attached budget and appropriation request form. It indicates that an actual budget exists, yet, for some unknown reason, the mayor and council will not release it. I asked about how this letter evolved into a satellite campus, but the mayor would not answer.
So I continued my investigation. On the Stockton Web site, I found a joint press release issued by the mayor and the president of Stockton.
This press release states: "...according to the Federal Appropriations Request form submitted by the town to LoBiondo, Lautenberg and Menendez, 'Positive effects of rehabilitating these buildings and locating private business entities, along with a college campus (Stockton) and an arts museum in this area...'"
This has only led to a new host of questions. Where is this federal appropriation request and why won't the mayor and council release it? Why is this press release so different from the letter submitted to Congressman LoBiondo? Who are these private business entities mentioned and when did an arts museum become part of the project? Is the arts museum included in the $4 million estimate that the mayor gave? Are the mayor and council laying the foundation for a massive tax increase to pay for all of this?
I find it disturbing that the mayor and council hide behind a veil of secrecy. Even more disturbing is the deafening silence of my opponents. So, I reissue my challenge to three live, televised debates. Perhaps the public will finally hear their positions on Campus-gate and other financial issues like the removal of dirt from town projects for private development and the closing of Kessler Hospital.
This frivolous spending and backroom dealing must end. When elected, my running mates -- Mike Ammirato, Jim Scarpato and Carmen Villani -- and I will keep the public fully informed on project spending. We will encourage higher education by allowing colleges to use pre-existing classroom space. Most importantly, we will not expose the taxpayers to the financial risk posed by expensive vanity projects.
Oh they have a lot to hide more than you know. I know of a few things too. It will be interesting to see what comes out in the next few months. Good Luck Joe!
Can someone please explain to me why Steve D wanted to give away 1.5 million of tax dollars for Stockton? Then he campaigns that he is for the taxpayer, me thinks he is only in it for what he can take from you and give to the main street cronies. Don't vote for more of the same, tell you one thing and do another. When you see him ask him why he wanted to use taxpayer money to fund Stockton? Enough is Enough anybody but Steve D.
Can someone please explain to me why Steve D wanted to give away 1.5 million of tax dollars for Stockton? Then he campaigns that he is for the taxpayer, me thinks he is only in it for what he can take from you and give to the main street cronies. Don't vote for more of the same, tell you one thing and do another. When you see him ask him why he wanted to use taxpayer money to fund Stockton? Enough is Enough anybody but Steve D.
You are right. They say one thing and do another. I hear Steve is upset because all his secrets are being exposed. I'm sure there is more to be revealed in the near future. Hang on tight I think the taxpayers are in for a big ride and a big surprise.
This is absolutely a disgrace. ANY money that is found for education should be put into the local public schools, not Stockton college which is just an excuse to make Bellevue Avenue a "college town" where the students can go eat, hear bands and drink coffee. It is an effort to have local Stockton students stay in town and keep their money in town to fund those who own businesses. The mayor is on the record saying just that. If you don't know by now, our schools are severely underfunded and we were told by the State of New Jersey 5 years ago that the town would have to raise taxes (like every other town does) in order to fund the schools. Of course, we won't do that so we rely on the pittance we receive thru funding and claiming that we are a low income town, while also claiming we have the most millionaires per square inch! If the state does not fund it, the kids don't get it, simple enough. Of course, this doesn't stop the Board from continuing to hire subs and part time aides and hall monitors, etc. who are all relatives of each other. And check out the "special education" teachers. What a joke! They sit in the classroom and are basically aides, not the principal teacher, and they make alot of money. THAT is exactly where the money is going, into their pockets.
A little off the subject, but I have 1 question: pertaining to Rich Jacobus & his comments in the Hammonton News, with all of his allegations against the governing body of Hammonton, I want to see documented proof of his allegations !! If his allegations can be substantiated, then we have no other choice to bring criminal charges against the governing body! I personally feel that Jacobus is nothing more then a liar. A civil suit should be brought against him if his allegations are proven to be lies! The good people of Hammonton should be completely put-off by his comments and the Democratic Party. After all, they support him !!!!!
