Bah Humbug

Sixty degrees and 11 days to go.
No winter wonderland here.
This picture sums it all up without the traditional Christmas rant.
Bah Humbug!

How the Money Stacks Up

Have you ever wondered where candidates for political office get their money from? Well these days, it's easy to track and easier to see why certain candidates get re-elected time after time, year after year. The following was taken from www.Opensecrets.org:

Total Raised and Spent
2006 RACE: NEW JERSEY DISTRICT 3

Jim Saxton (R) * Incumbent

Raised: $1,031,240
Spent: $433,478
Cash on hand: $1,765,651
Last Report: 6/30/2006


PACs: $289,439 (28%)
Individuals: $678,574 (66%)
Candidate: $0 -
Other: $63,227 (6%)


Richard J. Sexton (D)

Raised: $64,501
Spent: $7,152
Cash on hand: $57,347
Last Report: 6/30/2006


PACs: $2,900 (4%)
Individuals: $35,250 (55%)
Candidate: $26,105 (40%)
Other: $246 (0%)


I would like to see Congressman Saxton put in a little chump change from his own pocket, though that's highly unlikely when it's so much easier spending other's money. Having never lost a bid for re-lection, why is it necessary to spend so much money and bloody the opposing candidate with costly negative literature.

Let's see how it shakes out from Evesham: (Taken from Political Money Line)


GILLESPIE, JOHN
MARLTON,NJ 08053
PARKER MCCAY & CRISCUOLO/LAWYER
9/14/2005
$300
Saxton, Jim

Friends of Macready,O'Rourke Laverghett
10/21/2005 $640.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
n/a/homemaker [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Lipinski, Robert A.
5/5/2005 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Dynamic Defense Materials/CEO [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Lipinski, Robert A.
5/5/2005 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Dynamic Defense Materials/CEO [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Lipinski, Robert A.
5/22/2006 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Dynamic Defense Materials/CEO [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

McCreesh, Francis J.
9/3/2005 $900.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
n/a/retired [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Miller, Richard P.
5/12/2006 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Virtua Health/CEO [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Ozga, Stanley
8/23/2005 $300.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Lockheed-Martin/engineer [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Ozga, Stanley
7/19/2005 $500.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Lockheed-Martin/engineer [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Ozga, Stanley
3/5/2006 $500.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Lockheed-Martin/engineer [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

QUINN, MARGARET
12/30/2005 $250.00
MARLTON, NJ 08053
STATE OF NJ/LAWYER [Contribution]
SEXTON FOR CONGRESS

QUINN, MICHAEL
12/30/2005 $250.00
MARLTON, NJ 08053
LAVIN O'NEIL/LAWYER [Contribution]
SEXTON FOR CONGRESS

Rassmann, Natalie
4/10/2006 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
NetIdeas/Principal [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON


Rassmann, Thomas W.
11/9/2005 $2,100.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Net Idea/Executive [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Siegman, Earl
7/7/2005 $500.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
South Jersey Gas Co./Sales Manager [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Siegman, Earl
9/14/2005 $500.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
South Jersey Gas Co./Sales Manager [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Singh II, Kris
5/15/2005 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
self/musician [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Sullivan, Joseph
4/28/2006 $600.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
self/dentist [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Upton-Dominguez, Linda
6/26/2006 $250.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
N/A/Housewife [Contribution]
SEXTON FOR CONGRESS

Walters, Neal
5/1/2006 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Ballard Spahr/Attorney [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Yarsinsky, John
5/12/2005 $1,000.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Lipinski Landscraper/controller [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

Yarsinsky, John
5/24/2006 $500.00
Marlton, NJ 08053
Lipinski Landscraper/controller [Contribution]
FRIENDS OF JIM SAXTON

JIM SAXTON
$17,740.00

RICH SEXTON
$750.00

Top Zip Codes
2006 RACE: NEW JERSEY DISTRICT 3


Jim Saxton (R)*
08057 (Moorestown, NJ) $32,350
08055 (Medford, NJ) $32,070
08088 (Vincentown, NJ) $21,370
08060 (Mount Holly, NJ) $21,240
08043 (Voorhees, NJ) $18,900
08054 (Mount Laurel, NJ) $18,870
08003 (Cherry Hill, NJ) $18,370
08053 (Marlton, NJ) $17,740
08008 (Beach Haven, NJ) $16,650
08006 (Barnegat Light, NJ) $10,150

Richard J. Sexton (D)
08057 (Moorestown, NJ) $9,450
08034 (Cherry Hill, NJ) $4,800
08055 (Medford, NJ) $1,350
08108 (Collingswood, NJ) $1,250
98077 (BELLEVUE, WA) $1,000
08033 (Haddonfield, NJ) $850
08053 (Marlton, NJ) $750
08003 (Cherry Hill, NJ) $550
08106 (Audubon, NJ) $500
19002 (Ambler, PA) $500

Top Contributors
2006 RACE: NEW JERSEY DISTRICT 3

Jim Saxton (R)*
Lockheed Martin $36,720
IDT Corp $18,600
Stevens Institute of Technology $16,700
BAE Systems $12,000
Holtec International $12,000
Renco Group $11,100
Price Systems $10,800
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $10,000
American Maritime Officers $9,000
Whitesell Construction $8,900
Albertine Enterprises $8,800
Net Ideas Inc $8,800
Loeb Partners Corp $8,000
Renaissance Technologies $8,000
Carpenters & Joiners Union $7,500
Operating Engineers Union $7,500
Seafarers International Union $7,000
L-3 Communications $6,600
American Hospital Assn $6,500
AFL-CIO $6,000
Northpoint Strategies $6,000
Winning Strategies Washington $6,000

Aren't those above in bold traditional "Democrat" supporters? It's not about "D" or "R" it's about defense contracts, lawyers keeping laws for the rich and money = influence. The Truth Hurts.

Richard J. Sexton (D)
Lavin, O'Neil Law Firm $4,250
SecureUS $1,000

9/11, Five Years Later...

Today, we mark the five year anniversary of September 11, 2001. Five years later, the events of that fateful day still break my heart, bring tears to my eyes and a renewed sense of loving the greatest Country in the World, the USA. Of all of the emotions I experience when looking back, being an American, I can honestly say, fear was never one of them. Anger, yes, most definitely, fear never. Sounds strange to some, but in my heart of hearts, I know the men & women that protect this Country, from the first responders, to the best military in the world, are doing their jobs and will continue to do so. They all are to be commended, thanked and a prayer for their continued safety should be said.

Whatever side of the political fence you stand on, 9/11 is an American tragedy, from the ashes, many a hero has arisen. I guess that's why I find the GOP golf fundraiser being held today such a pathetic, skin crawling gesture. If this little outing where being held in honor of those that lost their lives or even in honor of those that fight today in Iraq & Afghanistan to protect their freedom to be so callous, maybe at least my skin wouldn't crawl. Mike Warner and the GOP must really be falling on hard times, tapping into their line of credit with Sterling Bank for campaigns and debts (ELEC report July 16/06) and using 9/11 as anything other than a day of remembrance, is just too much.

Col. Warner, as a respected and decorated military man, should donate today's proceeds to those from Burlington County that lost their lives on 9/11 and those that continue to fight for his and the GOP's right to hold a golf outing, on what I consider to be a sacred day in American history. The Burl. Co. GOP should give back to those that have lost their lives fighting for us all, that lived in Burlington County. Now that would be a true testament of what used to be, the Grand Old Party.

Things Americans & Others Needs to Hear from Our Government...

I truly wish I could here these words from G.W. himself and our Government.

THREE CHEERS FOR AUSTRALIA

I wish the leaders of our country, Canada, would take a stand like Australia.....

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown.

Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament.
"If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television.

"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said.

Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country.

Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off".

"Basically, people who don't want to be Australians, and they don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then they can basically clear off," he said. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

USA and Canada..... ARE YOU LISTENING?

Quote:

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It ! I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.

However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia.

However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of Australia being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle.

This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, then learn the language!

Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push but a fact because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, Because God is part of our culture.

We will accept your beliefs and will not question why, all we ask is that you accept ours and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.

If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.

We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means keep your culture but do not force it on others.

This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this, but once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian/Canadian/US/British et al freedom, "THE RIGHT TO LEAVE."

If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.

Pretty easy really, when you think about it. I figure if we all keep passing this to our friends (and enemies) it will also, sooner or later get back to the complainers, lets all try, please.

The Monster In The Closet

On Friday, June 30th, Evesham Twp. had their annual re-organization. This year, not being an election year, the newspapers assumed that nothing should go awry and chose not to attend the meeting. This is Evesham people, note the sham after Eve, that about sums it up. Cronyism is alive and well along with other nasty little monsters in the closet. Diversity is not first on the list of priorities here in Evesham; not on Council, on any of the boards, i.e. Planning, Zoning etc. or the Board of Education.


The Twp. advertises openings on boards that have members seats expiring or vacant in the "official Twp. papers" and residents are encouraged to put in a resume' by a certain deadline for the open seats. Applicants do submit resumes and may even be called by the Twp. to come in for an interview. Are you with me so far, fairly benign stuff. Now to the nitty gritty, I know of at least three people that where called for interviews, showed up and where never even considered due to cronyism. If the Mayor and Council already know whom they are choosing to re-appoint for the vacant seats, then why waste taxpayers & residents time with bogus interviews for a dog and pony show.

Now for the monster in the closet. Much worse than the above stated dog and pony show, the "Mayoral Appointments" takes the cake. An Evesham resident named Beverly Ingram did get a phone call from the Twp., went to her scheduled appointment and was seated in front of Mayor Tamburro and Deputy Mayor Sarcone. The appointment was scheduled for 5:00 pm and Ms. Ingram was finished by 5:25 pm. Twenty five minutes should be a decent amount of time to truly see if Ms. Ingram was qualified for the position she so desired; The Evesham Environmental Commission. Unfortunately for her, Ms. Ingram was told within minutes of being there that there were no openings on this board and if the Mayor didn't re-appoint one of his cronies, his wife would kill him. At re-organization, 3, three year terms where filled and one alternate for a two year term. That's four openings by my count and yes, the crony Mayor Tamburro spoke of was re-appointed. Why was Ms. Ingram never even considered, better yet, why was she lied to? Was it because she is a woman? Not likely. Maybe because she wasn't qualified; definitely not, her qualifications certainly lend to her being a very good choice, her background is working with MUA's and water treatment facilities. As a side note, Ms. Ingram has also in the past interviewed for the MUA. I guess we are to assume two Lenape Regional Board members are better qualified for the MUA. Let's see, what could possibly be the reason for Ms. Ingrams swift dismissal, could it be because she is a minority? No, I don't mean a Democrat, which she is, but a true minority, Ms. Ingram is a woman of color.

The following is the actual speech Beverly Ingram read aloud during the public comment portion of the re-organization meeting on June 30th. It has not been re-touched in any way and stands alone, leaving little or nothing to the imagination


GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.


MY NAME IS BEVERLY INGRAM AND I AM HERE THIS EVENING TO

EXPRESS PUBLICLY MY DISMAY AND CONCERN OVER THE RECENT

RE-ORGANIZATION PROCESS, WHICH I FEEL MAY BE INCONSISTENT WITH

THE GOVERNING ORDINANCES, A PRETEXT FOR DISCRIMINATION

AND A DISSERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.


MY CONCERNS ARE ROOTED IN MY OWN OBSERVATIONS AND

EXPERIENCE WITH THE PROCESS. HAVING RESPONDED TWICE FOR

PUBLISHED ANNOUNCMENTS AND HAVING BEEN INTERVIEWED TWICE

FOR OPPORTUNITIES WHICH I FELT QUALIFIED TO CONTRIBUTE, ONLY TO

BE BY-PASSED FOR A PRE-ORDAINED CANDIDATE, AND THEN TO BE TOLD

THAT THERE ARE NO VACANCIES


SEVERAL ISSUES CONCERN ME INCLUDING:


WHY THE TOWNSHIP WOULD BE SO DISENGENUOUS BY SOLICITING

RESUMES AND LETTERS OF INTEREST FROM RESIDENTS FOR

OPORTUNITIES WHICH EITHER DID NOT EXIST OR FOR

WHICH THEY HAVE A PRE-DETERMINED CANDIDATE?


WHY WOULD THE TOWNSHIP SCHEDULE A CANDIDATE FOR AN

INTERVIEW FOR SUCH A POSITION, AND NOT CONDUCT AN

INTERVIEW, UNLESS SUCH A MEETING WAS MERELY TO SEE THE

INDIVIDUAL AND NOT TO DISCUSS, THE CREDENTIALS, ABILITIES

OR VALUE WHICH MAY BE ADDED TO A RESPECTIVE BOARD OR

COMMISSION?


HOW CAN THE TOWNSHIP BE PROGRESSIVE AND NEW IDEAS

BROUGHT FORTH IF MEMBERS OF THE EXISTING BOARDS ARE

CONSTANTLY RE-APPOINTED, AND THERE IS NO CONSEQUENCE FOR

BEING INEFFECTIVE, NON-RESPONSIVE IN FULLFILLING THEIR

CHARGE?


I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROCESS MAY BE PERCEIVED AS A

RUSE, TO REWARD POLITICAL FAVORITES, SPECIAL INTEREST,

FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THEREBY DEMINISHING THE CREDIBILITY OF

THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.


I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CURRENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

ARE NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY

SERVE.


HAVING SAID ALL OF THIS, LET ME CLOSE BY SAYING TO ALL OF

THE OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS HERE, BOTH ELECTED AND

APPOINTED, PUBLIC SERVICE IS A PRIVELEDGE NOT A RIGHT

PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND;


IF YOUR VISION IS BLINDED BY PARTISAN POLITICS YOU ARE DOING

YOUR CONSTITUENTS, AND THE VOTERS A DISSERVICE.


IF YOU ARE PROHIBITED BY INTIMIDATION FROM TAKING A STAND

ON WHAT IS JUST AND EQUITABLE, YOU ARE DOING YOUR

CONSTITUENTS,AND THE VOTERS A DISSERVICE.


IF YOUR JUDGEMENT IS CLOUDED BY CULTURE AND RACE YOU ARE

DOING YOURSELF A DISSERVICE.


IF YOU USE YOUR POSITION TO SATISFY PERSONAL VENDETTAS,

YOU ARE DOING A DISSERVICE.


IF YOU ONLY ANNOINT, APPOINT OR EMPLOY PEOPLE THAT LOOK

LIKE YOU, AND THINK LIKE YOU ARE DOING A DISSERVICE.


I WOULD SINCERELY HOPE THAT YOU CAN BE MORE

OBJECTIVE IN DISCHARGING YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS PUBLIC

SERVANTS IN YOUR REVIEW AND SELECTION OF FUTURE

CANDIDATES WHO ARE TRULY WILLING AND ABLE TO SERVE THE

COMMUNITY.

Puppets & Puppeteers

A puppet is commonly a wooden figure made to move by pulling on its strings. A puppeteer makes the puppet dance by manipulating the strings attached to the puppet via a wooden cross tee.
A truly good puppeteer makes the puppet move to do their bidding without jerky, spasmodic movements and of course without the puppets knowledge.
Puppets are led and can do wonderfully complicated tasks as long as the puppeteer is pulling the strings.
If puppets where left to their own devises, they would lay wherever left and never be seen or heard from again. Puppets are toys that are generally fun for a while and then boredom sets in or the puppeteer gets weary of the tangled strings and becomes angered by the simplicity of the puppet and the puppet is banished back to its box or worse, the garbage heap.
Moral of the story, it’s better to pull the strings and not be seen, than have the strings pulled for the use of someone else’s amusement.

The Dots Are Further Connected

Organizer defends PAC that pushed for Lenape school budget
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/28/06
BY LARRY HANOVER
GANNETT NEW JERSEY


Before the April school elections, an organizer of the political action committee that unsuccessfully worked for passage of the Lenape Regional School District budget described his group as broad-based and without apartisan tilt.

While bearing out organizer Stephen Madosky's description of the Coalition for Children's Education to an extent, the group's campaign contribution reports still have a flavor harkening back to the GOP-backed PAC that pushed for the 1997 Seneca High School referendum.

One large April contribution revealed the existence of a second Lenape PAC, dormant until recently but linked to its 1997 predecessor through acurrent school board member.

Its treasurer is the wife of board member John Jeffers, who has ties to J. Garfield DeMarco, the GOP power broker behind the successful PAC pushfor a $68.7 million referendum to build Seneca High in Tabernacle and expand Cherokee High in Evesham.

Also among the coalition's contributors are two key Burlington County GOP backers: the Haddonfield-based firm of Archer and Greiner, which has reaped massive fees as Lenape's attorneys, and Richard Alaimo Associates, a Mount Holly engineering firm.

Madosky, organizer of the Coalition for Children's Education, maintained last week that his PAC was exactly what he described, a broad-based group mainly from his hometown of Medford with the students' best interests in mind.

"They happen to be my friends," Madosky said of his contributors. "If I ask, they'd give it to me. You can try to make something out of it, but I assure you they're just friends.

"Through a spokesman, DeMarco said he has had no involvement with any Lenape PACs since the 1997 referendum. Madosky's PAC had 11 contributors as of its initial reports. They gave a total of $9,200 through April 15 and include some business owners livingin Medford, such as the owners of Cherry Hill's Coastline Restaurant and a Berlin construction company.

But then there's the $1,600 contribution from the here to fore unknown Committee for Lenape's Future, headed by Jill Jeffers, wife of the Lenape board member.

Although it's legal for a board member, let alone his wife, to push for passage of a bond referendum, the Republican couple from Mount Laurel did not publicly let on about their agenda.

John Jeffers is deputy executive director of the Burlington CountyBridge Commission, of which DeMarco is chairman.

John and Jill Jeffers did not return calls seeking comment.

The Burlington County GOP has denied any interest in the Lenape election.

Like DeMarco's 1997 PAC, the Jeffers' PAC was backed between 2000 and 2002 by firms that reaped contracts from the Seneca project, including Archer and Greiner.

The Committee for Lenape's Future, which contributed during that span to John Jeffers' board campaign and others, had been dormant for several years until recently giving money toward graduation parties for Lenape's four high schools.

Archer and Greiner anted up $1,000 for the Madosky PAC two months ago.

Archer and Greiner is Lenape's law firm and was paid at least $817,000 in fees related to the Seneca project from 1998 to 2001. It gave $8,875 to the Burlington County GOP in 2004.

Richard Alaimo Associates gave $500 to the Madosky PAC and is also a key Burlington GOP contributor, giving $25,000 in 2004.

John Maroccia, incoming Medford Democratic chairman, saw the firms'donations as confirmation of a GOP connection and efforts to bulk up their own bank accounts.

Officials from the two firms did not return calls seeking comment.

Understanding Low Income Housing

Low Income Housing does not necessarily mean "undesirables" are coming to Evesham. If the housing to be built is done via COAH (Council On Affordable Housing) & HUD guidelines the price line breaks down as such:

Income Guidelines 2006 (effective 3/8/2006)

LOW $25,500 MOD $40,400 one person

LOW $28,850 MOD $46,150 two people

LOW $32,450 MOD $51,950 three people

LOW $36,050 MOD $57,700 four people

MOD referring to moderate income

If we are talking about apartment rentals, the following is 2005's final for an efficiency to a 3 bedroom.

efficiency - $663.00 per month w/o utilities

1 bedroom - $761.00 per month w/o utilities

2 bedroom - $914.00 per month w/o utilities

3 bedroom - $1,095.00 per month w/o utilities

MISSION STATEMENT FROM COAH

To facilitate the production of sound, affordable housing for low and moderate income households by providing the most effective process to municipalities, housing providers, nonprofit and for profit developers to address a constitutional obligation within the framework of sound, comprehensive planning.

Interestingly enough, Mt. Laurel is in an uproar over Evesham putting low income on their border, yet it is because of Mt. Laurel these standards exist.

The Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) was created by the Fair Housing Act of 1985 as the State Legislature's response to a series of New Jersey Supreme Court cases known as the Mount Laurel decisions. The Supreme Court established a constitutional obligation for each of the 566 municipalities in the state to establish a realistic opportunity for the provision of fair share low and moderate income housing obligations, generally through land use and zoning powers. The legislature provided an administrative alternative to this constitutional obligation via the Fair Housing Act.

Evesham, as usual, never does the right thing, the Twp. Just came out of a judgment of Repose because they didn't do the lawful thing to begin with. Now we are stuck with building 233 units and purchasing land that supposedly will not exceed $2.5 million dollars. A very nice chunk of change to fulfill our obligation set by the court.

Make no mistake, the above figures are accurate, meaning that a working mother with a child could afford to live here, but if all units are not utilized, section 8 vouchers, by law must be accepted.

On a personal note, clustering low income housing is a very bad idea for all. The stigma attached to "projects" like what is proposed in Evesham will be very detrimental to the children living there and coming into our schools. Like it or not the reality of NIMBY (not in my back yard) is alive and well. While I abhor the government forcing this on us because of the impact to our schools in particular, the law is the law. We the tax payer will foot the bill for all of the children coming into our schools and because of the clustering and not spreading out the homes, the closest schools will feel the impact. Evesham has low income sites scattered throughout the Twp. Case in point, we have an elected official that lives in low income housing. The Mayor and Council need to do better and find more alternatives instead of pushing all the obligation on Mt. Laurel's border. The easy answer is not always the right answer.

I challenge the elected officials in this town to find alternatives rather than dumping their issues on Mt.Laurel's border, clogging our schools and generally pushing their problem where no one can see it. If the job is done right using scattered sites, which, by the way, is obviously more work at the drawing board (not an Evesham strong suit) the impact to all will be lessened and a neon sign will not be tattooed to the foreheads of the children who's parents are trying to provide a better life for them.

What Will They Do?

Tonight is the special council meeting for the defeated school budgets.

Will the Mayor and Council cut the school budget by more than $300,000? Will they cut at least a penny? Will they do the will of the voter or bow to the BOE?

Here's a bigger question, will the School Board threaten to cut school trips or activities if they don't get what they want. This wouldn't be the first time for these tactics.

Let's wait and see, just remember, it's for the children.

Responsibility

Noun
1: the social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force; "we must instill a sense of duty in our children"; "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"- John D.Rockefeller Jr [syn: duty, obligation]
2: the proper sphere or extent of your activities; "it was his province to take care of himself" [syn: province] 3: a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct; "he holds a position of great responsibility" [syn: responsibleness] [ant: irresponsibility]

It is the human condition to be a responsible person. All actions have reactions, either positive or negative.

Responsibilities of our elected officials from the President on down the line vary in magnitude, yet we all suffer the consequences or revel in the victories. It is our responsibility to hold those in power accountable for their actions or inactions. In order to indulge in this right, one must vote.

The recent school board elections in Evesham and all over the Tri-County area where held on April 18th. Incumbents where defeated, one retained the position and two new members will step up, I thank all that have served and are about to serve. For a non-paying position, the BOE is a very large budget and a heavy load to carry. All budgets where defeated in Evesham and now the budget cutting shall commence.

It is particularly annoying to me that defeated budgets, voted down by residents and taxpayers of this community still have the opportunity to stay whole and continue to choke the taxpayer. The defeated budget will now go to the Mayor & Council and if they are pandering to the schools they will give it a little trim and if they are pandering to a larger audience they will chop at least a penny. Next year is an election year in Evesham and it will be interesting to see the show. Who has the guts to step up and do the will of the people? It is the responsibility of the elected officials to abide by the will of those they serve. Too often elected officials forget they serve the taxpayer and residents of this town, not the other way around.

Connect the Dots

The “Coalition for Children’s Education” sent out a very expensive glossy mailer, produced by the Traz Group, (Ed Traz is the paid consultant for the Burl. Co. GOP) to the eight sending districts in the Lenape Regional High School district and the mail list also included all K-8 households. There are two separate signs paid for by this same “coalition” everywhere and there has not yet been one 48 hour report (a report that must be filed when large sums of money are expended within 48 hours of the expense) filed by the “Coalition” to Election Law Enforcement (ELEC). Between the mailers and the signs I can easily estimate that this organization has spent well over $35,000.00. Yes, this is structured as a PAC (political action committee). By law, reports are filed by quarter. The “coalition” was formed 1/27/06, meaning, by ELEC standards the next report (aside from the missing 48 hour reports) are to be filed April 15th. The significance of this is that the voting public will not know where all this money comes from (a housewife & an insurance salesman) until ELEC receives the reports and they are viewable to the public on or about April 17th or 18th. They are already in violation of ELEC law; maybe they won’t file at all. The Chairperson registered with ELEC is Theresa Madosky, listed occupation housewife. The treasurer registered is Jason DeMarco, listed occupation insurance consultant, both are Medford residents. Now that I’ve given you a little ELEC lesson, let’s connect the dots.

The following information was taken directly from the ELEC web site, no embellishments needed. The rest of the information is verifiable.

Medford

Theresa Madosky married to Steve Madosky.

Steve Madosky an “organizer” for the “coalition” is also a board member of the MYAA (Medford Youth Athletic Association) . Is it coincidence that the all Republican council gave the MYAA this year 700,000 dollars?

Jason DeMarco the treasurer for the “coalition” is also the treasurer for the MYAA.

DeMarco was paid by the GOP $40.00, check #8989 for the get out to vote effort

DeMarco also contributed to Rudder, Brown & Myers campaign on 10/24/05 $240.00 cash, it was returned back to DeMarco from the campaign on 10/26/05, ck. # 107.

DeMarco was also reimbursed 11/6/05 $41.50, ck #183, for the Dunkin Donuts he purchased for the GOTV effort.

Theresa Madosky on 6/1/05 gave the Burlington County GOP a contribution in the amount of $2500 and listed her occupation as retired.

Theresa was also paid by the Burl. Co. GOP a $40.00 ck. #9000 for the Nov. GOTV efforts.

Majaq Logo Productions received a check from the Burl. Co. GOP in the amount of $6,482.55 on 11/15/05. Steve Madosky owns the company.

10/13/05 Steve Madosky pretends to be a “concerned citizen” in a press release produced by Sean Kennedy for PoliticsNJ.com.

Steve Madosky 5/15/06 contributed $500.00 to Friends of Jim Saxton for the 2006 Primary.

Sean Kennedy is a recent Medford resident.

Sean Kennedy is the ex GOP Executive Director and was let go after the November elections. He is presently being sued for slander, the case is still pending.

Kennedy now works for Maser Consulting Engineers and is lobbying to get contracts from the school districts for their 5.8 million dollar “turf fields” and Medford's fields.

Maser is apparently helping to fund this effort.

Evesham

The average home with children has received 4 recorded phone calls from the Regional District and at least 1 from the local K-8 reminding the parents how important it is to vote to keep up the quality of education.

Joseph Fisacaro, Jr. the local BOE member up for election was given a job at a Regional HS.

His father Joseph Sr. is a Regional District board member.

Joseph Howarth, also a local BOE member, was given a job in the Regional District.

For the GOTV (get out to vote) effort by the Burl. Co. GOP in November of 2005, Howarth was paid $50.00, ck. # 9029.

Fisacaro, Jr. and Howarth also interviewed with the local Republicans for the open council seat in November.

Barry Fitzgerald also a local BOE member was paid at the same time a $50.00 ck #9023 and so was his daughter, ck #9024 for the Nov. Burl. Co. GOTV effort.

The local BOE tax increase this year is one of the largest ever, 10 cents.

Bonnie Olt, ex president of the local BOE changed her party affiliation to Republican weeks before the November election and ran under the GOP banner her campaign was paid for by the Burl. Co. Republicans.

Bonnie is now a Council member in Evesham and was so confident of her election victory she spent election week in Florida with her family. The Mt. Holly GOP and high paid consultants like Sean Kennedy and Ed Traz ran her campaign.

Families for Olt, is still paying campaign debt from the Nov. election and in December the Burlington County Young Republicans donated $4000.00 to help clear up her campaign debt.

Dan Hicks, the Superintendent of the Regional District actually showed up to Evesham’s council meeting 4/11/06 endorsing school tax deferrals.

The Traz Group does all political mailings for the Burl. Co. GOP and also did Olt’s.

Ed Traz, the County GOP paid consultant, produced the mail piece that went to all 8 sending districts and parents with school age children.

Traz’s office is directly across the street from the local administration building.

Mt. Laurel

John Jeffers, Regional Board member is also (former Burl. Co. Republican Chairman) J. Garfield DeMarco’s God child and works for the Bridge Commission with DeMarco. Mr. Jeffers was paid $50.00, ck. #9027 and $10.00, ck. #9059, for the Burl. Co. GOTV effort in Nov.

Republican’s fighting to raise taxes, filling coffers with PAC money, hooking up donors, getting contracts and using our children to further their political and financial agendas. This has nothing to do with “the children” and everything to do with partisan party politics. Draw your own conclusion, I just connect the dots.

This is a joke, right?

Please, they must be kidding! The Lenape Regional High School Board of Education adopts a $128.5 million dollar budget and included in this are three ballot questions.

In addition to the $86.8 million general fund tax levy, voters will be asked to decide questions on hiring additional teachers, creating a district-sponsored varsity ice hockey program and building synthetic turf fields in each of the district's four high school stadiums: Lenape, Shawnee, Cherokee & Seneca.

The first question on the ballot seeks funding for an additional 21 mathematics and English teachers at a cost of $1.2 million. Is that a real question? Why ask, the Lenape Regional District prides itself on the “excellent education” it gives our children, why would hiring more teachers, to lower the class rate, actually be a question? If the Regional district is approaching 30 students per class when the state average is 19, this is not a question, this is about better education. I’ll pay the extra $8 to $13 the district is saying this will cost.

On ballot question two, they are asking taxpayers to fund a district sponsored hockey program. Ice hockey is an extremely expensive and time consuming sport, any parent that has a child that plays knows this. I love the game, but how many children this really affects is my question to the BOE. 25 at most, per school, for the low price of $340,000, that’s 100 children. Not worth my tax dollars and no where did the regional district say this is a one time hit.

The third ballot question is to fund synthetic turf fields’ at all four high schools. 5.8 million dollars, a one time expense, supposedly providing a long time savings on maintenance. To take it further, “for the children” studies show fewer injuries are sustained on artificial turf. Really, then why did every football team in the NFL hate Vet’s Stadium? Could it have been the artificial turf? How many careers where ended and knees where blown out because of it? I’m sure there are also studies that say injuries are more likely to occur on artificial turf. I think the regional football teams can survive and excel without the taxpayer shoveling out another $38 to $65 per, depending on which township you live in. (Evesham and Mt. Laurel always pay the most.)

Evesham’s tax rate would rise, if all passes, from 97.3 cents to $1.054 cents per $100 of assesses value. An average increase of $81.00 per property taxpayer, Mt. Laurel brings up the rear with an average increase of $57.00 per property taxpayer.

Just so I make this perfectly clear, the general fund (86.8 million dollars) must be approved for any of the ballot questions to pass. I will say it again, why would hiring more teachers to lower class sizes, when we already pay through the nose for education be a question? Frankly, it feels a little more like blackmail than a ballot question. Nice.

How You Can Help

I found that the Marlton Business Association is reaching out to businesses to help the arson victims in Evesham through their web site: www.marltonbusiness.southjersey.com
If you click on the "How to Help" link it will give you the information you need to give money or gift certificates.
As a community, if we can help, please do.

Arson in Evesham

On Tuesday, March 21st. arson came to Evesham. The day started out benign enough, it was cold, slightly windy and clear, though not sunny. Around the time the school buses were rolling in from Cherokee around 3:00pm the sky become gray with smoke. Within seconds, thick, acrid, black smoke followed. Everyone knew something was terribly wrong. People came from every neighborhood to see what was going on, cars stopped on the road to watch the horrific scene. Helicopters flew above. Something was different, it didn't look real, surreal is a good word. It traveled too quickly and burned too hot. The home owner of the first home called the fire dept. himself from inside the home when it started in the back yard. I'm told he still had his cordless with him outside, he escaped unharmed with his two dogs. Really, how unharmed is he? He lost his wife last year and now every memory, every memento they shared is gone, the house which was their home is a total loss.

Police and fire personnel where on the scene for hours making sure the hot spots were out and no one went near the property. As darkness ascended upon Evesham, up the street an arsonist was watching and waiting. Shortly before 7:00pm the second home was set ablaze. Again, it started in the backyard and quickly traveled up the eaves. An obvious accelerant was used. Flames rushed too fast and too hot to be anything else. This home was extensively damaged and is for insurance purposes, also a total loss.

Let's get to the meat of the story. Two homes, one neighborhood, 3 hours apart. Both homes where number 4, both homes where white with black shutters. Coincidence, not likely. A job gone wrong the first time, with news coverage, corrected at nightfall? Who knows? Someone in the crowd of hundreds is an arsonist. Hopefully, they will be found so Evesham can rest a little easier and Greenlane can fear no more.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

On March 14th the local school board members approved the "tentative" $71 million dollar "spending package". Let's see that in numbers; 71,000.000.00. This "spending package" is an increase of 5.54% over last year. Even better, the 6% surplus from last year will go down to 2% this year. I love the way the Central Record reported in their Thursday the 16th edition, that the "biggest expenses are allotted for business, support services and instruction". One would think instruction would be at the top of the hit list.

The administration and some board members said their reluctance to tell the taxpayers (VOTERS) what this years tax hike would be is because the Gov., Jon Corzine, has not released his numbers.

Fact is, the state aid has been consistently flat for the past 5 years. Assuming it will be the same and why would we assume anything else, the tax impact could be calculated and given to the taxpayers (VOTERS).

This is a classic case of see no evil ( Gov. Corzine hasn't released the numbers so we can't do the math), hear no evil ( if we don't tell you how much your taxes are going up, maybe you won't remember to Vote on April 18th), speak no evil ( incumbent board members really don't want the voters to know how much we are getting slammed this year so they won't release the tax impact yet).

Food For Thought

I do believe that the following quotes are some of the best compiled regarding politics and bureaucracy. They are applicable from local government to the oval office.

Enjoy!


In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.

R. A. Butler

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.

Lester B. Pearson

The word 'politics' is derived from the word 'poly', meaning 'many', and the word 'ticks', meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.

Larry Hardiman

The problem with political jokes is they get elected.

Henry Cate VII

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.

Ernest Benn

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.

Charles De Gaulle

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern them.

Paul Valery

Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

Ronald Reagan

It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.

Voltaire

I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.

Will Rogers

The perfect bureaucrat everywhere is the man who manages to make no decisions and escape all responsibility.

Brooks Atkinson

Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status.

Laurence J. Peter

The Lone No Vote

On Saturday, the Evesham Council introduced a 29.5 million dollar budget. What does this mean for taxpayers aside from a 6.7 cent tax increase?

It means that the mayor and council, minus the lone no vote of Councilman Schmidt, once again did not do the job for the taxpayers they where elected to do. Instead of sitting at the drawing board and rolling up their sleeves to work for this Twp., as they where entrusted to do, the crayons must have broken. Last year the Municipal budget wasn’t passed until May, why the sudden rush now? It’s reminiscent of the watered down pay to play resolution that was pushed through last June.

Are we as taxpayers supposed to thank Tamburro, Sarcone, Olt & Cardillo for deferring another $1,819,000 bringing the deferred Regional HS taxes to a staggering $9,850,334.83. Sarcone’s entire platform was no "pay to play" and not deferring taxes. She has failed at both. Olt, was quoted in the BCT as saying it was not “good government to keep delaying things.” I ask, is it good government to keep deferring things? Here’s the definition of deferral:
deferral
noun
1: a state of abeyance or suspended business [syn: recess]
2: act of putting off to a future time [syn: postponement, deferment]


Sound similar?!
Also in the BCT Sarcone accused her ex-running mate of “partisan politics” definition:
par·ti·san
noun.
1: A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea.
2: A member of an organized body of fighters who attack or harass an enemy, especially within occupied territory; a guerrilla.
adj.
1: Of, relating to, or characteristic of a partisan or partisans.
2: Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause: partisan politics.

The noun is Ms. Sarcone and her GOP talking points; the adj. is how it was used to describe Councilman Schmidt. Amusing considering the entire GOP platform against Sarcone & Schmidt surrounded 2.3 million dollars of deferrals. The typical do it and blame the other guy and hope no one notices it. Brilliant! NOT!

Thank you Councilman Schmidt for having a backbone and a plan. Doing the right thing; highly unusual for Evesham. Maybe, just maybe, Evesham will be blessed with Gus and gang getting on the band wagon next year and calling Councilman Schmidt’s ideas’ their own; it’s the only way it will happen. Then we can balance a budget.

I guess the moral of the story is, I'll take a "partisan" conservative Democrat over a tax and spend Republican any day. Isn't that an oxymoron?

Public Service Announcement

The following are excerpts taken from a web site regarding Narcissistic Personality Disorders. "How to Recognize a Narcissist," by Joanna M. Ashmun. Used by permission. With a link to http://www.halcyon.com/jmashmun/npd/.

I have observed very closely some narcissists and their inability to pay attention when someone else is talking is so striking that it has often seemed to me that they have neurological problems that affect their cognitive functioning.

They borrow their opinions and preferences and tastes from whoever strikes them as authoritative at the moment.

Given distance, or only transient and intermittent contact, you can get along with narcissists by treating them as infants: you give them whatever they want or need whenever they ask and do not expect any reciprocation at all, do not expect them to show the slightest interest in you or your life (or even in why you're bothering with them at all), do not expect them to be able to do anything that you need or want, do not expect them to apologize or make amends or show any consideration for your feelings, do not expect them to take ordinary responsibility in any way.

It is also essential that you keep emotional distance from narcissists. They're pretty good at maintaining a conventional persona in superficial associations with people who mean absolutely nothing to them, and they'll flatter the hell out of you if you have something they can use or if, for some reason, they perceive you as an authority figure. That is, as long as they think you don't count or they're afraid of you, they'll treat you well enough that you may mistake it for love. But, as soon as you try to get close to them, they'll say that you are too demanding.

I've seen this happen often, where narcissists will go out of their way to stir up other people's expectations and then go out of their way to disappoint those expectations. It seems like a lot of pointless work to me.
Narcissists work for a goal, too, but it's a different goal: they want power, authority and adulation. Lacking empathy, and lacking also context and affect, narcissists don't understand how people achieve glory and high standing; they think it's all arbitrary, it's all appearances and it’s all who you know. So they try to attach themselves to people who already have what they want, meanwhile making a great show of working hard. Narcissists can put in a shocking amount of time to very little effect.

Narcissists are totally and inflexibly authoritarian. In other words, they are suck-ups. They want to be authority figures and, short of that, they want to be associated with authority figures. In their hearts, they know they can't think well, have no judgment about what matters, are not connected with the world they inhabit, so they cling fanatically to the opinions of people they regard as authority figures.

Narcissists are naive and vulnerable, pathetic really, no matter how arrogant and forceful their words or demeanor. They have pretty good reasons for their paranoia and cynicism, their sneakiness, evasiveness, prevarications. This is the one I get suckered on. They are so out of touch with other people and what goes on around them that they are very susceptible to exploitation. On the other hand, they're so inattentive, and so disconnected from what other people are up to, that they don't recognize when someone is taking advantage of them. ^

Lacking empathy is a profound disturbance to the narcissist's thinking (cognition) and feeling (affectivity). Even when very intelligent, narcissists can't reason well. One I've worked with closely does something I characterize as "analysis by eggbeater." They don't understand the meaning of what people say and they don't grasp the meaning of the written word either -- because so much of the meaning of anything we say depends on context and affect, narcissists (lacking empathy and thus lacking both context and affect) hear only the words. (Discussions with narcissists can be really weird and disconcerting; they seem to think that using some of the same words means that they are following a line of conversation or reasoning. Thus, they will go off on tangents and irrelevancies, apparently in the blithe delusion that they understand what others are talking about.) And, frankly, they don't hear all the words, either. They can pay attention only to stuff that has them in it. This is not merely a bad habit -- it's a cognitive deficiency. Narcissists pay attention only to themselves and stuff that affects them personally. However, since they don't know what other people are doing, narcissists can't judge what will affect them personally and seem never to learn that when they cause trouble they will get trouble back. They won't take other people's feelings into consideration and so they overlook the fact that other people will react with feeling when abused or exploited and that most people get really pissed off by being lied to or lied about. ^

The most telling thing that narcissists do is contradict themselves. They will do this virtually in the same sentence, without even stopping to take a breath.

Narcissists are threatened and enraged by trivial disagreements, mistakes and misunderstandings, plus they have evil mouths and will say ANYTHING, so if you continue to live or work with narcissists, expect to have to clean up after them, expect to lose friends over them, expect big trouble sooner or later.

A Clarification

The preceding post was written by Headline News and not Scott Welsh. When it was posted on the Evesham Forum,since this is a group blog, sometimes posts are listed as being by one author instead of the other.

Just For Kicks and Giggles

A mercantile license fee will make things more expensive for the consumer.

Ok, let’s do the math. Numbers don’t lie, people do.

Just for kicks and giggles let’s use round numbers for those that hate math like me.

Residents pay 82% of the municipal budget; businesses shoulder 16% of the budget. That’s not only disproportionate, it’s just not fair!

Large anchor stores: Target/Wal-Mart/Sears $2,000 per year

Large corporations: Hill International/Davis Enterprises/Parker McCay $2,000 per year

Now, let’s divide $2000 by 365 days in the year. The survey says $5.47 a day.

Target/Wal-Mart/Sears will pass on this giant $5.47 a day increase to the consumer? Let’s do the math, even if, each store added 1 cent to 547 products, which, in any of these stores, one register can ring in a day. That’s an absurd thought, not going to happen.

Let’s talk about Hill International/Davis Enterprises/Parker McCay, same numbers apply. It would be virtually impossible for these corporations to even justify passing on $5.47 to consumers. Quantify it this way, if Parker McCay has a monthly retainer in Evesham of $7,500, which translates into $250.00 per day (without billing for extras) and Davis Enterprises owns the Promenade, Allison Apts., Sagemore, the Weston Club, etc. I am sure the $5.47 doesn’t pay for Starbucks for two of the owners. Justify passing it on to the consumer, not possible. Same applies for Hill and all other large corporations doing business in Evesham.

Let’s face it, they benefit from the location, Evesham is the center of the “money” towns.

It’s about time, we as taxpayers get a break, without breaking our backs.

Hypocrisy Is Alive and Well in Evesham

The following is a press release sent out by Republican Club President/Evesham Republican County Committee VP, Dennis Dugan, whom also sits on the Zoning Board, is a Commissioner of the taxing body the MUA (thanks for the 30% raise in my water bill) and sits on the Board of the Burlington County Board of Social Services (Is that a paying job?)

hypocrite:
1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

The red is my commentary.

EVESHAM REPUBLICAN CLUB
P.O. Box 82
Marlton, NJ 08053


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dennis Dugan
March 2, 2006 (856) 596-5131

EVESHAM REPUBLICAN CLUB OPPOSES STEALTH SALES TAX INITIATIVE

Republican Club Strongly Opposes the Creation of a New Tax Since when?

Marlton - Evesham Republican Club President Dennis Dugan today expressed dismay Why is Dennis dismayed? Maybe because the Republican brain trusts in charge didn't come up with this or that actual thought was put into the budget process to try and save taxpayers money at a recent proposal by Councilman Mike Schmidt to create a business privilege fee, which is equivalent to a stealth sales tax.
Really now, it surely would be better to tax the residents as usual.

A tax by any other name is still a tax, Yes Dennis, that is true, deferring 8 million dollars is not a savings to the tax payer, but you are deferring the inevitable and the taxpayers pay the freight as our municipal taxes go higher and higher. Does 32 cents to 48 cents in the last 5 years ring a bell? said Dugan.Does Councilman Schmidt believe that by taxing businesses, they will not pass this additional burden onto consumers? Other towns not only do this, but it works quite well and no, the burden is still not shifted to the taxpayer or deferred until next year. This proposal is a sneaky way to implement a new tax Who is sneaking, this is right out there for the people. Sneaky is deferring school taxes to have a 0 budget increase and then telling the taxpayer's this is a good thing. which is not only anti-consumer; it would also have a detrimental effect on economic development in the township. Economic development? God I hope so, isn't Evesham large enough?! This proposal is nothing more than the creation of a stealth sales tax.

I wonder if Councilman Schmidt has considered how many Evesham residents also patronize local businesses and would be affected by this brand new tax, concluded Dugan. The Evesham Republican Club strongly opposes the creation of a stealth sales tax, disguised as a business privilege fee Let's face it Dennis, not only did you not write this, but the only thing you people are really worried about is not thinking of it first and God forbid your pay to play fundraisers paid for by the vendors may be a little lighter next year. Give it a rest.

Wean yourself from deferrals?

Oh please, I sincerely hope this is a joke, 8 million dollars is sufficient enough dept via school deferrals. Why defer, because it's the easy answer. I challenge the mayor and council to do better for the taxpayer. This story appeared in the BCT today
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/112-03012006-619832.html

Special Saturday Council Meeting

The Mayor & Council will hold a special council meeting this Saturday, March the 4th at 9:00 am. Early and a Saturday, gee, think they really want anyone there. I sincerely doubt it. Hopefully Gus and friends have had enough time to figure out a special, extra, double secret plan to hoodwink the tax payer into believing that another deferment of school taxes is the way to go, or better yet, maybe we could continue to rape the MUA like the golf course. Look how well that turned out.

I can't wait to see if anyone other than Mike Schmidt has a plan. Maybe, Gus and gang can use his plans for next year and call them their own.

It's time for our tax dollars to be spent on people that actually can think without the help of those dipping into our pockets. It's shut up or put up time.

Bleak, but Not Hopeless

I attended last night’s council meeting and was surprised in more ways than one. We taxpayers have paid for the sins of past councils for years, this is nothing new, robbing Peter to pay Paul has been the magic tool to create 0 budget increases, especially in an election year, without a care as to where the money comes from or what impact it will have later. This is voodoo economics and surely not the way to run a multi-million dollar corporation. The following are high and low points of last nights meeting.

HIGH

Councilman Schmidt and Councilwoman Sarcone actually brought ideas to the table.

LOW

No other council members had anything to add but negativity regarding the new Council members’ ideas.

HIGH

Councilman Schmidt offered a 5 point plan which included as his number one item to stop the practice of deferring school board taxes. He offered for a first, for Evesham to get out of the real estate business by selling off Twp. owned property that has no “strategic” value to Evesham. He also offered up combining the Planning & Zoning Boards to create a land-use board as other Townships have done at build out. He proposed to put limits on when the Township can use a professional and set spending caps for priority use, project management or other less critical requests. Councilman Schmidt also proposed a business privilege fee for commercial businesses with a codicil that this would be a dedicated fee for use only for defraying the costs of police, fire and Evesham road repair and/or maintenance. I believe Radnor Twp. did something similar here is their plan. www.Radnor.com/government/finance/bpt.html


Councilwoman Sarcone offered to cut 2 cents from the dedicated 3 cents for open space for this year only as a way to generate income. She also wanted to have the MUA give the Township a lump sum of money or “gift” for budget bail out.

LOW

The Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and our newest Councilwoman Olt added nothing of value. The actual dept for deferred school taxes in a whooping $8,000,000.
Everyone that contributed nothing, did nothing, other than rip apart Schmidt and Sarcone’s ideas.

In order to balance a budget, we must do something other than rely on the past to predict the future. We can no longer put a band-aid on a gaping wound.

School Board Vacancy Filled

So the School Board filled their vacancy. Lisa Mansfield is a nice person and I wish her well. Unfortunately, 14 people showed interest in the open position, in typical BOE fashion 5 were given interviews. One of those 5 was a courtesy.

What does that mean, 9 people where overlooked for whatever reason and 4 where seriously considered. That is not only pathetic, but a slap in the face of those nine Township residents, that I am sure, where not only competent, but qualified.

It just goes to show, nothing really changes, but change is inevitable.