HAMMONTON BLOG

To the editor:

Everywhere I go, people are complaining about the horrible condition of Hammonton's streets after the snow.

Almost a week later, some streets are still impassible and it doesn't appear as if any sand or salt was used at all.

From my observations, all the school's properties were quickly cleared by a private contractor, but the streets were so bad, school buses would have gotten stuck so classes had to be cancelled.

What a sad state of affairs when schools could have opened but the politicians chose to do nothing to maintain the streets.

To those who are complaining, I say, what did you expect when you elected the same people back into office?

What did you think when they promised no new taxes? That town-funded services would stay the same?

These politicians keep borrowing and spending on "their" projects only. When they need even more money, it seems like they just keep cutting services.

The only time you matter is in the fall when you vote, and a bag of veggies and a few promises seem to buy your support every time.

If you still think these politicians care about you, just look at your police department. Crime is way up, according to all local and state statistics, yet police and court office staff has been cut, and our already-undersized department lost three officers in 2009 and none of them have been replaced.

And don't think the crooks can't see that Hammonton is turning into a wide-open town either.

Look at all the recent drug arrests. Will you be safe working out in your garden next summer or will you be mugged right in your own back yard? Will you be safe in those back-street parking lots downtown after dark?

But hey, it's more important to keep pouring money into our five-star money pits, the airport, Eagle Theatre, the destruction of Lake Park, the sinking Canoe Club and their precious downtown. These expensive vanity projects are much more important than plowing the roads or your own personal safety, right?

Just be sure to keep your doors locked at all times. This isn't the safe town it used to be, and the statistics prove it.

Our overworked police can't be everywhere at the same time, so when thugs start kicking in your door at night, maybe it will finally dawn on you that these politicians care about no one but themselves.

Rich Jacobus

Hammonton

Printed with permission of writer