HAMMONTON BLOG

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Professional Firm says Town Hall will be over Budget

Date: 08:14 AM Sep 1, 2006

H 1st obviously will say and do anything to get what they want. To qoute a famous song "WE WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN!!!"

Date: 06:21 PM Sep 1, 2006

People kept on saying that $5.9 was too low for the Town Hall. Now the Democrats discover that even some of the bidders agree. These are bidders who are familar with projects like town hall. Remington & Vernick have 105 years of experience versus McCloud Group which only has 4 years experience. Who would know best. A company with over 100 years of experience or a johnny come lately. This project is important and we should listen to what all bidders have to say. The mayor said he wanted more bids. You get more bids not just for the price tag only but there recommendations and concerns.

Date: 11:18 PM Sep 1, 2006

Good to have proof positive that we need to make sure town hall is made in the cheap leading to further problems down the road. We need to make sure this town hall gets built right. I don't want to have another one built in my lifetime. Good job to the Democrats on researching this. We need people in Town Council who aren't afraid to ask the hard questions while at the same time ensuring the will of the people. The Democrats seem to the leader in bringing up the issues and backing what they say. Santone and Diaz on public safety just before they were announced as candidates. Then Santone excellently addressed council on this same issue. Now the Democrats show that they're staying on top of the town hall project and want to ensure it's done right and that all opinions, recomendations and concerns people might have are LISTENED to. If this is what the Democrats mean by Next Generation of Democrats - then I would say it's about time. This is the change Hammonton really was looking for.

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In the 9/8 Press of Atlantic City, Ed Wuillermin is qouted as saying,"The McCloud Group was chosen for a number of reasons, including “their excellent track record in Atlantic County".

In all of our research we have only found McCloud to have done ONE (1) project in Atlantic County, the Folsom Elementary/Middle School Addition. Does one project establish any kind of a track record, let alone an excellent track record?

Another qoute, "They're entitled to their opinion,” Wuillermin said. “And I'm entitled to mine.” Our "opinion" is backed by a professional organization with over 100 years of experience. I believe that constitutes an "impressive track record".

Date: 08:14 PM Sep 9, 2006

Who are you going to listen to a company with over 100 years of experience with a project as big as this. Remington and Vernick is a company who that survived the Great Depression, 2 World Wars, the Recession during the 70's and the affects on the economy at 9/11. McCloud which only has been around 4 years. They probably barely have 12 major projects to their portfolio. The Folsom project cost $7M. How come they said they could do Town Hall at $4.8M? Why because all they want is the business to add to their limited portfolio. I'm very impressed by this New Democratic Party. Keep on taking names and kicking ass.

Date: 07:17 PM Sep 12, 2006

I don't understand why Wuillerman said he's entitled to his own opinion and everyone else to theirs. While the Democrats who are addressing their concerns just like the Republicans who have their concerns are just being ignored. Common sense tells you that $4.8 just doesn't cut it. I want us to save as much money as possible but be for real. Who are we hiring to do construction- farm laborers? Most jobs of this magnitude the starting price alone is probably $7 at least. Does that price tag include demolition of the old town hall? I don't know. Now I hear there's asbestos at the old historical building and town hall employees were potentially exposed to it. Mrs. Cody made it seem like the asbestos was no big deal. My kids go to St. Joe's across the street. Is there any risk? Why isn't anyone saying anything about that. My husband died of cancer. I don't take cancer lightly. I've heard and seen a lot. I'm very unsatisfied.

Date: 07:46 PM Sep 14, 2006

I just moved to town and I am appalled at the damage the Republians have done. As a lifelong Democrat, I want to see new blood running the town. We need to lower taxes and run the government more efficently. Having this new town hall is an expensive waste of money. Keep up the good fight guys! You are going kick those Republicans' rear ends!

Date: 08:36 PM Sep 15, 2006

I'm new to Hammonton too. It seems to me from reading all the blogs and visiting the different campaign sites that the current town council doesn't follow professional advice. I wasn't here long enough to know the entire history of where to put the town hall. I know about 11th street and I even heard that they would consider to put it on the pike. That would have been great. At least for the police department. But I know that the town hall will be at its present location. I think we need to check our spending and pay attention to the experts. I want to build an addition to my house and will be getting quotes. I won't just solely be looking for who gives me the cheapest quote. I'll be looking for input, advice and concerns from these contractors. I will listen to them and see the work that they have done. I wouldn't just visit one job though. To me it seems HF was sold on McCloud because of the Folsom school. That project cost $7. I heard. I'm glad that there will be councilperson who will be dotting the i's and crossing the t's and doing the math to ensure our town government doesn't overspend. That's why I know I"m voting Democrat.

Date: 06:58 PM Sep 19, 2006

Anthony Falcone did a fantastic job in detailing that the McCloud Group was being sued by almost everybody. The article in the Hammonton News with his interview was an eye opener. Those guys are bad news.

Date: 06:06 AM Sep 20, 2006

You are right. Without Anthony Falcone's research, the McCloud Group's many lawsuits would never have come to light in the News. Anthony was right on the ball there.

Date: 12:01 AM Sep 23, 2006

I saw the moving of the old town hall and just saw my taxes going to waste. No taxpayer money should have been used on this project. I know darn well that if there was a vote on this issue. At least 85% of Hammonton would have voted No on moving the old town hall with taxpayer money. Just wait and see how people are going to hang around on Veteran's park now and desecrate it. Veteran's Park shouldn't be a playground. I drove by Veteran's Park tonight. The building looks awful there.