A Message from Jose' Diaz- Candidate for Town Council 2006
Today, I saw further proof that Town Council really isn't about Open Government. They refused to really concern themselves with the Will of the People. I addressed council and stated that out of the 5 councilpersons who voted (Rocky abstained, Massarelli absent) 3 had unanswered questions about the ordinance and its wording. Many from the public came to speak against the ordinance. Some offered to give ideas in a committee. They wanted to be part of the solution but they were dismissed. There was even an HF supporter who got up and said he supported the ordinance. He supported it until Councilman Bertino asked the gentleman if he had read the ordinance. The man said no and Bertino read part of it to him. The man then quickly changed his mind and said that he didn't like it and wasn't in favor of it. So to me it doesn't matter if your Republican, Democrat or even an HF supporter. Certain councilpersons will do as they please. All they do is give the impression that they are entitled to their opinions and the public to their's. When I spoke in Town Council I wasn't just up there as a candidate for Town Council to get some air time. I hope I looked good though. I was speaking from the heart and as a concerned citizen with the direction our town and government is going. I was actually shaken and upset. I wrote a lot of notes throughout the council meeting. I had much more to say but it was late at night so I made it short. I just strongly believe that this ordinance was not treating landlords and even the tenants fairly and equally. Many in the audience questioned the legality and constitutionality of this. I heard them but I guess some in Council didn't care about it or didn't want to hear it. Their mind was already made up before the council meeting.
This wasn't really about public safety. This was simply about creating revenue at the expense of landlords. In reality it will passed onto the tenants. We all know that. There are many taxes that other communities charge that Hammonton doesn't. That's what I was referring to when I talked about will HF bring in more taxes to town. I was hoping to get them to say "Read My Lips- No New Taxes" but I pretty much figured I got my point across and reality there isn't much I can do until I'm elected to Council. It's too bad there were only 2 councilpersons who listened to the people and did the right thing. In reality I think this ordinance would have still passed since HF has the majority but I would hope Town Council can work together. This really wasn't something that urgently needed to be passed. The wording could have been worked at and maybe there could have been a compromise and some sort of agreement with the people who would be affected by and be paying for this ordinance -many good honest landlords paying the price for a few rotten apples. I thought everyone plead their case well but unfortunately the decision was made before 7pm. It would appear based on the comments by the Mayor and Councilman Wuillerman that this was decided before they were elected. Is that really open governement or doing what ever you want no matter what the public thinks? I felt that this should have been tabled. There was just too many unanswered questions.
What more can possibly happen before the people of this town WAKE UP? I cannot believe HF has gotten away with as much as they have. I can’t even imagine what the next few years will be like if the Dems don’t get elected. God help us all.
They had no response when Jose said that what happened was not open government. That’s the opinion we all had when we watched it on t.v. last night. HF claims that they’re about open government and about the people. They weren’t truly open about the asebestos in the old town hall until the Democrats shed light to it. HF is a closed government -only their core supporters have a say in how Hammonton should be run.
You go Jose'. It was good to see you speak this year at the school board and at town council. We are all so proud of you on our street. Your're a great neighbor, a great community volunteer, and I know you'll be a great councilman. You've got my vote. You can count on me voting for your running mates as well. I want councilman who are not afraid to speak up for the people of Hammonton.
