Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Sale of Cumberland Manor




 I have been made aware of the pending sale of the Cumberland Manor by the Cumberland County Freeholders. This issue has been reported with vigor by Magazzu Watch. There seems to me  a lack of reporting on the underlying issues. The local media has made selling the Cumberland Manor sound like a no-brainer since there will be 2 million windfall in time for the current County budget.
  Republicans seems eager to sell it too, as indicted from Saturday's article in the Daily Journal.
"I'm a little perturbed, to say the least, because 30 days ago when we had these conversations everything you've raised here was answered," Kirstein said. "You advised us, if we got started right away, we could make the deadline." "There was absolutely no support on this board for going to the CCIA that I ever heard," Sheppard then told Gibson. Sheppard added he was concerned about the impact of a delay on the county budget for 2012.
So it not ONLY be the Dems who want to make a quick killing on this sale. The Republicans might be just as eager since they stand a good chance of controlling the Freeholder Board come January. I know the part of the Republican way is to privatize as much as possible and give to their buddies.

I think the County politics is a good ole boy network and the Republicans want a piece of that pie that the Dems have had under Magazzu.
I am consistently amazed on how much the lawyers and consultants make in good time and the current bad times. There seems always $$ for the politically connected to make a quick buck. This is not Republican nor Democrat (I am a Dem) issue.
Selling the Manor is a one-shot deal that will not help in the future. Its a one-time infusion in the budget and a way for the insiders to get more money off the backs of the taxpayers. I am sure the Republicans are on it too since they may control the Freeholder Board next year.

I will ask the same question, When are you going to ask for a pound of flesh from the privileged in County Government?? Its time to stop messing with the libraries, seniors and others who can not afford lawyers and flashy consultants.

No comments: