HAMMONTON BLOG

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Hammonton Chamber of Commerce to host forum on State Building Proposal

Date: 02:11 PM Dec 20, 2006

This is great leadership being shown by Christine Massarelli, the council representative to the Chamber. She is encouraging this open forum to decide if this is in the best interests of Hammonton. Christine is doing a great job for the people of Hammonton.

Date: 07:21 PM Dec 20, 2006

I thought JD has already made the decision for HF. At a council meeting with state officials. JD spoke up from the back of council and told them that they should move to Winslow Township. Now that's classy. The mayor just sat back and let JD say this as if HF was comfortable with this.

Date: 09:02 AM Dec 22, 2006

Yes,

Hammonton First already expressed their desire to sell that land to build condos, which is the last thing we need. All those kids attending our already underfunded schools. This will surly cause a raise in taxes.

The Democrats have expressed their support for a state office building in Hammonton. Santone even submitted a letter to the editor in the Hammonton News voicing his support.

Date: 12:48 PM Dec 23, 2006

Umm, possibly you people need to take your heads out of your rear ends so you can speak intelligently.

The property the State is asking about is the corner of Egg Harbor Road and 11th Street. This is currently where they Highway Department is. The State will pay the town $425,000 to move the department someplace else. They want to build a really big office building on it. It will be three stories and 75,000 feet in total. It will go all the way up to the VFW building. (the bldg stays intact).

The upside is that the State will provide more jobs. Some departments come from offices they already rent around town, but other departments come into Hammonton from elsewhere. There are already people in those positions, so it isn't like a ton of Hammontonians get hired immediately, but over time, who knows?

Also, the town is demanding no kitchen in the building so the people have to go out at lunch time and hopefully spend their money in stores around town.

The downside is the building is really big and some people in the area are against it. Also, the State will not pay property taxes. They are willing to pay $25,000 per year for 20 years in lieu of property taxes. No increases allowed on the $25K and at the end of the 20 years, they never have to pay again.

Overall, for my money it seems like a good deal. But people should go to the Chamber meeting and make up their own minds.

As a final note, this is NOT the same property the Republicans wanted to build the town hall on.

Date: 08:16 PM Dec 29, 2006

Looks likethe Dems need a better leader.

Date: 03:27 PM Dec 30, 2006

How could the Democrats not understand an issue about jobs? Who is in charge over there? They have to stand up for the working man!

Date: 08:51 AM Dec 31, 2006

We are standing up for the working man, which is why we are supporting the State building. The construction will keep union guys working, and the state will have to hire more people to staff that building. I understand that most jobs will be pre-existing, but some jobs will be new, and as the jobs turn over, it will be an opportunity for Hammontonians to work closer to home.

Also, to bring these jobs in from out of town, we will now have many more people in our downtown area to patronize our local shops and restaurants. I guess Hammonton First no longer supports Main Street.

This is a win win for everyone.

Date: 08:20 AM Jan 1, 2007

It looks like the rank and file Democrats support this along with HF. However, the Democrat Party leadership has come out very lukewarm about it as can be seen by the admin's first posting. This is the kind of thing people will see with the Democrat leaders constantly sabotaging their own candidates.

The rank and file need to go to Councilperson Massarelli's meeting if they are in favor of this building! Maybe this will force the Dem leaders to help their own people.

Date: 08:31 AM Jan 2, 2007

You are crazy. The Dems spoke out immediately in favor, but Hammonton First very quickly spoke out against this project.

Date: 08:10 PM Jan 2, 2007

Look at the admins top post. He started bashing HF for supporting the project. Of course, you could rightfully counter that MacLane doesn't know what he is talking about and I for one would agree with you.

Date: 11:09 PM Jan 2, 2007

Falcone was the only councilmen who spoke of the benefits of having the state building in Hammonton. HF were dead set against it. Even Jim Donio spoke up against it and told the state representative to take the state building to Winslow Township. Now HF has flip flopped on this and see that the people of Hammonton want the state building here.

Admin · Status: Offline

See, that is what people like you don't understand. You think that just because I invited people to give both sides of the story, I am against the building. I experienced people like you when I was on the Board too. People who were schooled on what their opinion was and made up their mind before the exchange of ideas even started. Nothing that was said would change their mind. I am inviting all people to give the pros and cons to the project so we can make sure we are taking everything into consideration. You are afraid for people to hear all sides (the truth), you think there is only one possible opinion, YOURS.

Date: 10:25 AM Jan 6, 2007

Jim MacLane, Jose Diaz and Terri Cafiso should be the Democratic ticket for 2007. That would be the strongest ticket. We need newcomers. The old timers do not win. Bring in fresh blood.

Date: 01:49 PM Jan 6, 2007

MacLane, Diaz and Cafiso 2007. New Democrats for a new future!

Date: 10:53 PM Jan 7, 2007

I've heard many people during the last election say Diaz Who? He's a great neighbor. I think he would be great on council. What does a guy have to do in Hammonton to get recognized as an asset. He was born and raised in Hammonton, has numerous college degrees, served as a Commissioned U.S. Naval Officer, has served in many town organizations and was voted last year's Volunteer of the Year. He even had a hit song on t.v. Yes, I like Diaz. He's a great neighbor. We talk poltics sometimes. I wish more people would hear him. If they did he would win easily. I'd vote for him again if he ran.

Date: 09:15 PM Jan 12, 2007

This is an excuse for Jim MacLane's buddies to bring in another Plymouth Place.

Admin · Status: Offline

Keep spreading your lies and hate. Neither Jim Mac Lane nor his buddies wants another Plymouth Place.

Date: 04:07 PM Jan 13, 2007

I didn't hear anything negative about said about the State Building. From what I saw Democrats, Republicans and Firsters should support for the State Building. This was an open public forum. Everyone had an opportuinty to say something. The only comment was about consideration of traffic. Other then that, I think it's a unaminous yes by all of Town Council when they decide on this.

Date: 04:09 PM Jan 13, 2007

Looks the Democrats really had the pulse of what the people of Hammonton wanted. No one wants low income housing. Neither do the Democrats. Good job Jim on relaying the information. We'll see what the press says about this.

Date: 05:22 PM Jan 14, 2007

Are the Democrats in favor of granting the State the right of eminent domain to bulldoze some houses on Walmer Street and force those people out of their homes?

THE STATE IS ASKING FOR THIS. CHECK THE FACTS.

Admin · Status: Offline

Please let me know were I can see that the State is asking for eminent domain. The first place I ever saw a mention of it was on the blogs. I did not hear of it being brought up at the meeting Thursday night either. Please let us know so we all can be aware. That is certainly another subject that would have to be eliminated from the project in the negotiations. We are in the driver's seat here and we need to take advatage of that.

Date: 10:18 PM Jan 15, 2007

Well then ask that at the next town council meeting. If it's true then I too would say that is bad and we shouldn't allow that. If you're one of those people that like to say "Someone told me" and "I overheard" then you're most likely misinformed or spreading false rumors.

Date: 06:06 PM Jan 18, 2007

Anthony Marino and Jerry Vitalo have already come out against this.

Date: 10:59 PM Jan 23, 2007

Anonymous wrote:
Anthony Marino and Jerry Vitalo have already come out against this.

Seems like they are now for it. The Democrats knew we shouldn't rush to say no and that we should hear things out. The Democrats were the only ones who on council and in public have shown support for reviewing the idea. HF didn't want it at all and the Republicans were just waiting to see how the wind blew.

Admin · Status: Offline

At the 1/22 meeting, Town Council unanimously approved moving ahead with the Stae Building project. Council will now begin the process of meeting with State officials.

Date: 10:33 PM Jan 24, 2007

Jerry Vitalo has already come away with $18K in value from the town. Do the Republicans have no shame?