The Radical’s Blog: Registering a Compliment

This blog might shock some people. Maybe even offend some. I am past the point in my life where other people’s opinions dictate my actions and writings. When it comes to writing about political life in Gloucester Township, I have been one of the most vocal ones to point out problems with our government. I still have a list three pages long of issues we have found or have been sent to us by concerned citizens. When residents are complaining in a public meeting about the rudeness of Public Works employees and the Public Works director is not paying attention, playing on his cell phone, there are fundamental problems with our government’s culture.

Today, however, I am here to register some compliments with our town. This comes from a conversation I had at the hotel this morning while traveling for work. The personnel there, from the maid service to the restaurant staff and ladies at the check-in desk were exceptionally nice and friendly. They went out of their way to help myself and the other travelers here. While checking out, I registered a compliment to the supervisor. She looked at me, not knowing how to respond. I told her she is probably used to people complaining. I wanted to point out the good things her staff did during my night there.

As I sat down to finish the presentation I flew out here to give, the fallout emails and Facebook messages from last night’s Council meeting came in. My travel schedule had me missing many of the recent meetings so I rely on these for the nuggets of information, not on the live stream broadcast. It dawned on me the only time there is positive feedback is when a party homer stands up. I thought I would take some time to explicitly list three good things I see happening. No the Earth did not just stop rotating on its axis and I have not been bought out with the promise of an Assembly seat. To be intellectually honest, if I am going to point out the wrong I should also point out the right. Even a broken clock can be right twice a day.

The Gloucester Township branding

Starting during the Rau-Hatton years, GT began branding our town including the “entrances” so people knew they were entering Gloucester Township. Mayor Mayer has continued this effort with some stunning results. The recent hardscaping added to the Cherrywood Plaza and basketball courts look beautiful. The entrance signs to developments along Erial Road add a touch of class. The recognition at Sun Bank along the Pike when we are entering GT is a good advertisement for the town.

For Gloucester Township to become a “name” we need to reinforce that name, as opposed to Erial, Blackwood, Clementon, or Hilltop. There was a study years ago referring to how broken glass affects a town. When people see broken windows in old factories they assume the town is going down and aid in the demise. When they see well-maintained properties, they are more inclined to maintain their own and maintain public spaces. It leads to people wanting to live, work, and play here.

It is my sincere hope that part of our Public Works master plan includes more of this branding, replacing all of the signs to residential developments to the bright new ones with our town name on them. The work so far is an impressive start.

Zero percent tax increase

I do think we spend too much and I do think we do overpay for services. That said a zero increase is an accomplishment. I am concerned they were able to do this because of the $2 million budgeted from red light cameras and concerned how they will replace this after 2013 if the state does not re-up the pilot program for the lights. I am also concerned they bond everything not nailed down to not have to pay for it today. But in the meantime, this is a nice accomplishment. I will give Mayor Mayer the credit due, because the massive tax increases had in previous years were done with the same Council leadership, solicitor, and business administrator we have in place today. Even though in Faulkner towns like ours, the budget is the Council's once the Mayor proposes it, it apparently took Dave Mayer for them to hold the line.

Energy efficient upgrades

I have been very vocal in my support of Councilwoman Gentek’s work making our town “greener.” Usually green is a code word for an expensive overpriced boondoogle meant to help out campaign contributors. Think most green initiatives at the federal level and some of the local contracts given out to friends of the administration. In this case, though, she worked to make the buildings more energy efficient. We replaced aging windows and inefficient HVAC components. I do not remember the numbers, but she mentioned our energy costs before and after. I remember them dropping dramatically. These types of green initiatives should be a part of our government and all public buildings moving forward. Nice work, Councilwoman.