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Health & Fitness

Ignore the Mayor Behind the Curtain...

[Disclosure: This blog is written from my perspective as both a candidate for a seat on Gloucester Township Council and as a concerned citizen of Gloucester Township with questions and concerns about reckless spending and business as usual in Gloucester Township.]

 

Back in November, 2012, Mayor David Mayer expressed concern over a “disc-golf” project proposed in a portion of the 128-acre Timber Creek Park. He walked the park and ‘wasn’t thrilled with what he saw there’ (Mayor Calls for ‘Balance’ in Timber Creek Park – GT Patch).

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“My concern was that it was really encroaching on a lot of the sensitive areas in that park. I think that we have to find a balance - a balance providing recreation here in Gloucester Township with protecting our environment” – David Mayer.

So, the mayor does, or appeared to, have a heart…for a time. Then what changed when it became possible for the moneyed interests that run Camden County and, by extension, Gloucester Township, to buy a 55-acre farm in GT for a song and a dance and then sell it for millions to North Jersey investors who would come in and pave it over for another shopping mall in the land of shopping malls? And what of the ridiculous menagerie of roads and circles installed and paid for by you, the Camden County taxpayers? Where’s your concern now, Mr. Dave? How about it Mr. Bianchini, Mr. Mercado, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Siler, Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Trotto, Ms. Winters? Nary a peep because somebody put out the word that the time for listening to the public on this one is over and now it’s time to “vote as you’ve been told.” You can see the show on any regular council, zoning board, planning board, or school board meeting night.

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Methinks Mr. Mayer is well trained in speaking out of both sides of his mouth. He must have learned that during the years when he sat under the tutelage of Congressman Rob Andrews who was, in turn, tutored by Jim Florio. We need a mayor and a council that are more concerned for the interests of the residents of Gloucester Township than the moneyed-interests that rule Camden County and Gloucester Township and have given us the eighth highest county taxes in the nation. Can anyone explain why Camden County should have the eighth highest county taxes in the U.S.? Of the top ten, the other nine are all in proximity to New York City and I get that; but what is it about Camden County that justifies #8 and such an exorbitant tax rate?

And those of you in Gloucester Township that are paying north of $7500, $8500, $10,000 in taxes a year, are you sold on Gloucester Township? Is the fact that 7 of our 11 public schools failed the state minimum requirements good enough for you? Is that why you came here? How about our three regional high schools where we hire sexual predators, hire administrators who then look the other way attempting to protect such degenerates, and have routine drug overdoses? Maybe the BOEs should sever their ties from the political machine that runs the township.

For my money, I’m voting for Bobbe, Gagliardi and Hengst for GT-Board Of Education. Go to their FaceBook Page here and see what they’re all about.

Additionally if you’re looking for a change in Gloucester Township politics and think that one-party rule and the influence that all the money changing hands buys is overrated, consider Brown, DiBartolo, Kline and Pauli on November 5th for mayor/council - VOTE Gloucester Township FIRST.

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