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.

Cumberland County in Trouble:Our Political Candidates

Good morning. I have not been writing about our political conditions here in Cumberland County New Jersey. I am now going to play catch-up. Then again this is no game. This is about the continued economic viability of Cumberland County and to Millville as well.
First off some good news. Millville celebrates 10 years of 3rd Friday's. This started with volunteers such as Liz Nicklus, Carl Johnson, Leslie Ficcalia, Mike Cagno and others who started the RRCA from scratch as volunteers. Now we have 2 anchors. The RRCA on one end and the Village on High on the other end. Maryann Cannon deserves full praise for getting this project started at an old gas station on High Street.
Ok, Lets enjoy this Friday
 Back to our politics... I see that Rev Dunkins is not running for Freeholder

but a woman named Carol Masso will be running. She seems to be an insider with the party. I know little about her. I wished that Jane Jennerone had dropped out instead since she has been embarrassing. She has been the bad cop for big Lou. I did notice that Mr. Magazzu is STILL running the party as this statement leads me to believe.

“Cumberland County residents have received the short end of the stick from the Trenton Republicans,” said Cumberland County Democratic Chairman Lou Magazzu, in a statement announcing his party’s county slate in the upcoming November elections.

So I guess Lou is not "gone" like I was told by a Democratic insider last month. I really did believe him too! The face that Jane is still on the ballot seems to confirm my opinion on this matter. Lou comes out and says this statement that the Democratic candidates will defend Cumberland County against attacks from the Christie Admin.

“The team of Whelan, Jannarone and Musso will be a firewall to protect us from any further attacks.”

Well, Mr Magazzu, your current candidates have not "protected" us here in Cumberland County that well. As you said yourself.

“The (Chris) Christie administration has unfairly targeted Cumberland County by planning to close the Upper Deerfield (motor vehicle) inspection station and already closing the Bridgeton inspection station, Vineland Developmental Center and the urban enterprise zones of Bridgeton, Vineland and Millville.

Our Assemblymen are not much better in protecting our economic interests.Assemblyman John Burzichelli has no ideawhy the Vineland Development Center is targeted for closing.

A member of the budget committee, the Third District assemblyman stated he doesn’t understand why the center is to be closed when relatives and advocates for those staying there have praise for it — and while many patients cannot speak for themselves.


“Something just doesn’t sit right with this,” said Burzichelli, the Democratic deputy speaker in the Assembly. “I’ve asked for follow-up information on this. This is a real important issue to many people in this county.
“I think there is going to be a need for a facility here.”

Well, with all due respect, you might want to do your job and FIND OUT!!!
Meanwhile Jeff Van Drew is accused of tearing up petitions of a woman who DARED to run in the primary against him. Yo Jeff, why don't you and Mr Burzichelli go out and challenge the Christie Admin on why the Vineland Development Center is being closed, the UEZ is closing its local office, and why another DOT building is going to be shutdown.
Ok, Now that I have commented about the Democrats, its time for the Republicans. I see that Sam Fiocchi gets full endorsement from First District GOP nomination for STATE ASSEMBLY. Gee, did he not just get elected for Freeholder umm 4 months ago? I voted for Mr Fiocchi thinking that he would bring a balance and commonsense to the Lou-Dominated Freeholder Board. I was again mistaken. He just just used his Freeholder seat (barely warm) as a stepping stone. He did not impress my friend who was seeking leadership concerning the proposed closing of the County Library.
I do not know the Republican candidates for Freeholder except Joey Farabella who was a good Millville Cop. If anyone out there can educate me, I am willing to listen. Can anyone get rid of Lou and Jane? Can we get strong leadership so we are not the red-headed step child of the State of New Jersey?

An Exchange

I received this exchange between a friend who was concerned about the proposed closing of the County Libriary. I was very interested since like myself my friend voted for some of the Republicans thinking it may inprove the quality of the Freeholder Board.
Here is just a portion of my friend's letter to Sam Fiocchi

Closing a library, in my opinion, is a poor decision. Targeting 4H,
libraries, and sr. centers, etc., affect those who most need the services and are
least able to speak out - the children, the poor, and the elderly.
As newspapers such as the London Times and the NY Times (effective March
28th)> increasingly begin to charge for their subscriptions, it will become
Increasingly more difficult for people who are struggling to make ends
meet to have access to the world around them. Libraries will be increasingly more
utilized to access these types of subscriptions. Libraries are also
heavily used by job seekers who in the face of unemployment do not have the extra funds
available to afford an internet connection. Other areas in the county,
astoundingly, are still without a reliable internet connection, and people
from> those areas rely on those connections.

Here is Freeholder Fiocchi's response in part. He seems to blame the Democrats for the entire problem of the County debt of 11 milliion

thank you for taking the time to write to me. The Freeholders do not want
to shut down the library but we are facing a budget deficit of $11 million
dollars. I am a newly elected Freeholder and the poor business and spending
practices of the previous Democrat controlled administrations have put us
on this course, we now are facing difficult choices and we are compelled
to straighten out

He goes on to say the following to back this up

The county levy has doubled in

the last 8 years, the budget has nearly doubled in the same period and our

taxes in NJ are the highest in the nation. Aditionally, ratables are

down, revenues are down and so is state and federal aid. Be assured that the budget committee is looking at every dollar

My friend responds to Mr Fiocchi's assertions

I must say that I am terribly disappointed that partisanship had to enter into your email - especially given that as an independent, I voted for you...
As you yourself point out, we are a struggling community. Removing library services serves will have negative externalities - it will continue to entrench our county with the belief that low educational values are alright. Education gives us the opportunity to do more for ourselves and more for our economy.
As far as partisanship--the country inherited a recession, sir, from a Republican President. Cumberland County has been poorly run by Democrats, which is why I voted Republican this past election.But the truth the economy is a national and global issue, and cannot be placed squarely on the shoulders of any one party.
I understand and appreciate the difficulties that the freeholders are facing, and indeed the entire community, but I am very disappointed in your partisan response.

Hurry!! Only 2 Days Left!!

Dec 29th at Larry's Bar

Here is a riddle that is real easy. What do y'all think of somebody who schedules 10 folks to come in for appointments when their Outlook calender shows they had scheduled doctor's apts for 2 of their children?? Me, I think that is not real cool. What kind of person is this?? Why would you do this??
Good thing my co-worker is quick on her feet. Well, not much was done with the carfare front, that's for sure.
After work, I did errands, went to WAWA for provisions, then met friends at Larry's Bar on Route 47 in Millville. It was pretty cool. Some folks are not cool with the Oar House at this time but I will not get into that.

Its almost the new year. I guess I could have done a 2010 retrospective but I was too tired for that. After today I will not have much time for blogging even though I am not working for the next 3 days. I do not want to plan anything, I just need to chill out and so do my friends and family.
On the rumor mill, I heard that one of the County Freeholders may resign to make room for Wayne Sojen. Crap, can't remember the spelling of the gentleman who ran for Freeholder yet lost. This is how the Dems got Nelson Thompson his political career.
The cowardly lion sleeps at night and is there a book called "The Plan". I checked out Google and so far there is not. Maybe I would be a better person if I went by this PLAN!!
Real men always have a plan to do what has got to be done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The Great Recession and County Government

5:09am This Morning

Its a cold Weds morning. I was just thinking...Where is Robert Owens and his blog? It was called E-Cache and after going on Google, I found out its been taken down for a respite. His site went way back to the late 1990's. He is what they call an early adapter. My blog goes only back to Oct 2005. Well, we all do miss your thoughtful political commentary. I did not always agree, but I did  learn a thing or 2. Hope you have a Happy New Year and we can look forward to reading your commentary in 2011
In today's Daily Journal, I read that there will be no more benefits for county officials.This seem to be a political ploy since this does not apply to the folks currently holding these positions. In this article Tom Sheppard makes a very good point

Sheppard also was critical that the board took six months to reach its decision. He said the county could save $100,000 from its budget if the benefits cut was implemented immediately.
"That's three positions we could save," Sheppard said of other county employees. The county laid off more than 30 employees this year and eliminated several unfilled positions in efforts to trim spending.

Gloria Noto has such a sense of entitlement. It makes us low-level govt employees look bad. Unlike Ms. Noto, I do appreciate the salary and benefits I have earned over the past 20 years. I am sure Ms. Gloria Noto is honest and earns her keep but damn she seems to always come off so privileged. Don't take my word on it, lets let Ms. Noto speak for herself.

She denied a remark from Magazzu that she threatened to sue the county if she lost her benefits.
Noto said she is a full-time employee and on a par with department heads.
"That is grossly unfair," Noto said. "I am a department head, and I can't believe they want to take away my benefit."

Thanks Gloria!! This just proves that the County Democrats do not hold a monopoly on arrogance! It's always amazes me how when someone has been in power so long that they completely lose touch with the outside world!! I think I will complete the Cumberland County Survey. I just saw it today in the Daily Journal. I hope it asks about our public officials who need a little guidance! Here is the direct link to the survey. Let me know what you think. Well, here is what the outside world looks like. This was taken last night. Most of us have narrow paths in life, Ms Noto and others of her ilk.

Have a warm day. Now off to the Welfare Wakka to see folks and do carfare

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Politics as Usual:Doug Rainear in La La Land

 I think  that some politicians ARE smoking something like in the video above!!
Doug Rainear ran for office and promised to serve at a lower salary in 2008. There  are "Team Rainear" videos that have saying how high the Republicans salaries were. Check this Video out out and see for yourself Now he he wants his 32,000 in back pay for 2010. I think this man needs to resign with some of his dignity intact. I read in the Daily Journal that his excuse is that his situation has "changed". Well, duh, hasn't it for most middle-class folks. Hell, if Barak Obama is going to freeze Federal Govt employees. I have to work under Christie-clone Tom Corbett. I bet I aint gonna get a pay increase for several years at least. Mr. Rainear, you have alot a nerve. Most of use just can't get our Freeholder buddies to help get a big payday.
I have been stating for years that our current crop of Freeholders does not get it from development issues to the environment. At least they were debating issues then. Now they are going to charge us $500,000 for a chapel while laying off County employees and raising taxes. If I had the time and MONEY, I would run against them. I very well could lose but I would not be liar.
Hey how bout working on a real problem like Teen Pregnancy??? Maybe I will get a visit from the County Assessor for speaking out?
Again RESIGN NOW Mr. Rainear!! Come election time, boot out Jennerone and the other enablers of this rotten bunch!!
P.S  Stuff just happensdoesn't it??
P.P.S The heavy rain just started. Its gonna be wet and nasty tomorrow

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Election Day: Vote or Else!

Well, the day of reckoning is now upon us in the good ole USA. The pundits have been crowing how the Republicans will take

Our Political Future??

the House of Representatives and gain at least 45 to 55 seats if not more. That wing nut Sharon Angle is in a good position to beat Harry Reid, the current Senate Majority Leader and dig this, the experts think that the US Senate will go Republican in 2012 if not this year.
The right-wing media machine has been in full battle cry since November 2008 when Obama won the Presidency. I remember listening to Sean Hannity and he called the right wing the "Conservative Underground". Yup, that same very conservative underground that has spent MILLIONS in unlimited campaign spending. They only want power for power sake. As Senator Mich McConnell said and I will paraphrase, Our goal is to make Barack Obama a one-term President.
I will however have to vote for the Republicans for the Cumberland County Freeholder race. I can not in good conscience vote for folks who run a vicious vulgar campaign of personal destruction. I wanted to hear how Mr. Thompson and Mr. Pepitone  were going to address the problems out county faces. I am glad I did not hold my breath. Here is Jennifer Swift telling it like it is

It’s important for democrats to denounce this type of campaign. In this case, I believe silence can be construed as agreement, or at very least, acceptance. Well, it’s just not acceptable.


All this having been said, the final truth of the matter is that Sam Fiocchi and Carl Kirstein are just the better candidates. They come to the election without ulterior motives, and with a legacy of successful accomplishments in life.
Please vote for Sam Fiocchi and Carl Kirstein and send a message to King Lou and his minions.

As for Democrats. Stop being wussies and just go out and vote for the other Dems on your ballot. This could be a VERY depressing evening it might be like a car wreck, I will just have to STARE!!!!

The republicans will co-opt the Tea Party and dump them once their usefulness has been exhausted!

I am Mark and I approved this message

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A Low Blow!!

Today as I was taking out the garbage, I saw the ad that brings up the Republican leader's domistic issues. I will quote " Why are the Cumberland County Republican Freeholder candates okay with the violent criminal history of their Party Boss?"
Well, this bringing up someone's personal problems for the public to see and Mr. Greco is not running for ANYTHING!!
My question is WHY are Mr. Peppitone and Thompson being wimps by not saying that this has gone too far and show SOME leadership. This Democrat is just DISGUSTED!!

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June 1st.

Today is Tuesday June 1st. I of course read the Daily Journal and see that Dale Finch was namedDirector of the Office on the Aging and Disabled.

Dale L. Finch of Millville is the new director of the Office on Aging and Disabled.
Finch, a Millville city commissioner, is back on familiar ground -- he previously served as both assistant director and director of the Office on Aging and Disabled.
He started the new position Friday at an annual salary of $67,000.
Finch replaces Misono Miller, who retired Jan. 31 after running the office for more than two decades.
County government said it had 19 applications for the position. Finch was among five people the freeholder Personnel Committee interviewed.

It has been rumored for awhile that he was a top candidate for this position. It appears that Dale will remain on the the Millville City Commission.

The Memorial Day weekend was enjoyable. Went to Jon and Densie's where we ate and hung out. We discovered some kittens living under the neighbor's house. We put out food and water for the 3 kitties and their mother. Stopped over a friends house had had some Magic Hat. Yummy
Above video shows the 3 kitties
The Censorship walking around is winding down. I gave one book back to the Northern Field Command Center. Well, got to fly. Boy it was hot yesterday.

The Hidden Cost

As you have read on this blog, and others, about the spending and budget problems facing Cumberland County and Millville these days.
I am still waiting to see if cuts in the hiring of consultants and lawyers can be made. The spending seems to pop up everywhere in boring resolutions passed routinely at County and local meetings. Why??? Local govts do not want to hire permanent full-time employees that would force them to pay full benefits and pensions (Like what Mr. Kavenagh ALMOST got!) The regular staff have credentials and degrees that are general (municipal engineer does not have the expertise in structural engineering) and manpower. Here is an example in Millville NJ concerning a noise expert the city hired.
I was informed that the $1,800 spent was in the budget. The consultant is an expert in noise created by racetracks. With the pending lawsuit by TrackRacket, the city wanted to make sure that they had a third party evaluate their data. In other words this was "extra protection" from the TrackRacket lawsuit This lawsuit will cost more than the consultant I have not heard that the lawsuit by TrackRacket has been officially served. With a potential $2 million shortfall in the budget, Millville City Government will have to continue to find areas that lead to large reductions. The City Commission made a good start with changing health care providers that saved about 1.5 million from the budget.
The biggest cost is legal (aka Lawyers) . Millville, I believe has dozens of lawsuits that cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands dollars every year An example is the Porecca case. I has cost over $70K when it was all done and that does not include the hours of depositions that pulled city employees away from doing their job. It seems that there are police lawsuits every year that drag out. I guess why Republicans cry "Tort Reform"!! We evaluate each potential consultant before we hire them.
At least Millville has developers cover the cost of the consultants when it comes to plan review on projects. More of this creative governing needs to be done and done soon or basic services that most of us expect from our tax dollars (Police, Fire, etc) will suffer while the lawyers prosper. Most lawyers work for more then one local govt. Where in the County budget can a Joe average person find this spending?

Smoke and Mirrors in County Govt!!

The world outside myself is short on $$. Last nite the city of Millville stated that they may be over $2 Million in the hole and the County Freeholders are having hearing for the next several Monday nights to allow the public to comment on the Cumberland County budget. I was not able to make but a fellow blogger Robert Owens, did and made excellent comments that blasted past the smoke and mirrors of the County budget. Read it for yourself. I thank him for going out and asking hard questions. I bet the local press gave ole Lou a free pass as usual.

One last thing, why is the city of Millville paying $1,800 for a consultant to study noise studies?? Again its the lawyers and consultants making money while the rest of us face cuts!! Have they no shame??

A New Week

Well, after an exhausting weekend of snow and stuff. The Millville School District is having a public hearing tonite about the location of the new Millville High School. I am not sure it matters since the school district will blame the state(who has the final say) if the location causes controversy.
In another news flash, the Cumberland County Freeholders PUBLISHED ITS MEETING SCHEDULE!! Now in most counties across New Jersey and the USA, this would not be news but as you might have notice, the Freeholder meetings tend to be held at random times and locations. Since Magazzuwatch.com and later the regular local media have questioned this practice, well we now can actually try to attend these meetings. Also the Cumberland County Budget will be discussed at public meetings this month.

The photo is of our back door. See if you recognize anything.

How to Pick a College President in Cumberland County

I was talking to a friend who told me about the strange going on at Cumberland College. They had picked a new president due to a public outcry for him. This was after:

The board formed a committee and hired consultants in its half-year search for Ender's replacement, and a list of three potential candidates emerged.

So they spent all this time looking for a candidate um..

I read this in the press of AC this morning.

But Board Chairman Charles Thomas said the college received many letters asking that Isekenegbe be given a shot. Isekenegbe was offered an invitation to participate, and this time, he took it.

"We were looking for the best candidate possible," Thomas said. "After looking at the other three we thought, why not give him a chance? Consequently, we gave him an opportunity and he proved himself to be the best candidate."


I bet that public was friends with the Freeholder Director. There is some funny business going on... Ya think?????

Comments on the Freeholder Forum

It was a quiet 3rd Friday. Came home, walked the dogs and chilled out inside. It was a cold spitty rainy day. Today promises to be the same. Boy the 11 o'clock news was all in a lather over the 2nd N'or Easter approaching. The 2nd top story was about a man being seriously hurt at a strip club in SW. Philly. Nothing like strip-clubs for those ratings.
While I was thinking of what to write, I read a blog that covered the Freeholder candidates forum. On the most part he tries to be even-handed. The notable exceptions were his remarks about Lou Magazzu and Lauren Van Embden. Now I understand his comments about big Lou. He is toxic and should be voted out of office. I wholeheartedly agree with him. I really do not understand his attitude towards Ms. Van Embden. She is running a CLEAN campaign and resisting calls from her own party to play slash and burn. This shows to me she has good values and ethics and will not be a pawn to Lou and party boss Kavenaugh. The accusations of ageism are a red herring. In fact I believe she is being sensitive not to use age as a wedge issue.

I see that MagazzuWatch featured RD Owens and my blogs . Some of the comments were pretty mean towards Mr Owens. I am sorry I did not have time to write my take. It would have interesting to read what they thought of my comments. So I decided to make my views known.
Well here goes.
I thought Gloria Noto was pretty energetic. I did not think that her aggressive defense of her record was really necessary. She went on the attack while stating how frugal she is. She is pretty harmless though and had a large following at the Millville First sponsored event. Lauren Vending was very good. She stated that she would bring changes in the clerks office that would bring it up to speed in today's world. Ms. VanEmbden is running a clean campaign and yes I do plan to vote for her.
Mr Magazzu was his old arrogant self. I missed his grand entrance earlier in the forum. The Republicans seemed like nice fellows but did not come off as strong leaders. It would be OK if at least one of them got in. I would say Mr. Sheppard was the most qualified candidate of the Republicans in my mind.
The independent candidates were strong except Bruce Peterson. Mr. Peterson seemed like was not in good health (hope I am incorrect.) . Ms Christy and Ms. Swift had a strong grip on facts and poise. They at least have Freeholder experience. I heard one of the Lou Puppets, Jane Jennorne make comments behind me when Ms. Christy called Lou out on several issues.
Mr. Sanford was earnest but lets face it he is a second-tier candidate who needs some work. I do think that its good to have an average Joe make a stab at running for public office. It take guts to run and put yourself out there.
I asked a fellow blogger if he thought that Lou Magazzu would win. He wrote back that he was pretty sure Lou would win due to name recognition and that most voters do not think before voting. I must admit he does have good point. It must be noted that he is a strong Magazzu critic like myself. I am fearing that the Republicans and Independents will split the Anti-Magazzu vote and we will be stuck with Lou as a result. I sure hope I am wrong.
I must say that the Millvile First did a fine job running this forum. They seem to have improved in running these forums.

Freeholders Approve Open Space Plean

At last a decision we in Cumberland County can applaud! As the News of Cumberland County reports:

"The Cumberland County Freeholder Board voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with a countywide open space plan, which will take into account the entirety of the county's undeveloped space and recommend which areas are fit for development, which areas should be preserved for public use and which areas should be left alone.Just as important, the plan will allow Cumberland County access to state Green Acres funding.

This is an opportunity to perserve Cumberland County. Various environmental groups and activists from all over Cumberland County were there. I was 30 min late but I heard Jane Geletto urge the board to include buildout statistics when creating the open space plan and Matt Blake make impassioned statements supporting open space and questioning some stats on one of the County maps.
Here are some photos of this historic night that some have waited since 1994.

The devil of course is in the details. We do have a Freeholder election this November. Will this slow down the momentium of this moment as folks jocky for postion? Not sure but I do know that the pressure must keep up if we are to have an open space plan within the 2 years that County Plan Bob Brewer says it will take. From what I have heard we need to keep an eye on Mr. Brewer and have a diverse mix of folks serve on the committee that will be developing this plan. Mr Brewer in this meeting it would take about a year to 2 years. He said it would take 6 months to come up with a draft proposal Let us see what transpires.
Open Space is too important for foot dragging.

Feeholders: Lets Have an Open Space Plan!!

I read in all 3 local papers that the County Freeholders are considering an Open Space study at their July 1st Freeholder meeting
Now didn't the County Taxpayers approve the tax already? Get real!! Do they REALLY need a study. Its just more delay until after the election. The public has consistantly supported open space so why the delays? County taxpayers already pay for an open space tax for farmland preservation. The County's urban areas do not benefit from farmland preservation like the rural municipalities. An open space PLAN is necessary for open space tax money to be spent on non-farmland preservation. An open space plan will set aside money for unprotected open space for recreational use such as public parks. 15 years ago, Cumberland County Residents approved funding for open space.
Why, 15 years later does Lou Magazzu feel the need for a STUDY and not a PLAN for open space? Well, I believe this is because Mr. Magazzu is running for re-election and conducting a study creates the appearence of doing SOMTHING about open space without REALLY geting it done. Just last September, the Feeholders stated that open space was not a priority!!
I hope readers of this newspaper will come to the July 1st Freeholders meeting and let Lou and his co-horts at the Freeholder board know that the time for an open space plan is NOW, not after the election .In closing, an open space PLAN will improve the quality of life in Cumberland County and make the county more attractive for residents and tourists alike.

Various Goings-On April 2nd

On a rainy April 2nd, there were some goings on in my world. Last night only one resident came out for the special meeting of the Millville School Board to send the budget resolution to the ballot for voter approval on April 21. No one from the public spoke.

Receiving no increase in aid from the state, the new budget includes no growth in school programs and several large cuts in programs There is a proposed 2-cent tax increase. This means a tax rate of $0.705 per $100 of assessed property value. The increase is expected to bring in $293,875 in revenue to the district. Dig this, the state considers Millville to be "under taxing for its public schools by $10,384,784."
Lauren VanEmbden is going to run against Gloria Noto in the Fall election. I wish her luck she is a good candidate who has a mind of her own. This will be youth vs experience. Just in time for the election the Freeholders are going to reduce taxes. Of course rateables are down so WATCH OUT FOR NEXT YEAR!!
The Zoning Board approved cell antennas to be added to the senior citizen apts at Main and High Street. Metro PCS and and another company are going to start businesses in Millville. The board denied a variance to a man who wanted to connect all the buildings in his property so that the 15 members of his family would not get wet.

Word from a Democratic insider has it that a "coalition" will be formed for the City Commission election. The candidates that will "help" each other are Jim Quinn, Rev. Dave Ennis, Charles Flickinger Dale Finch and Joe Derella.

Freeholder Whelen meets the Public

I went to Millville First’s Tuesday night (Feb 10th 2009) meeting featuring Freeholder Whelan. He filled in for Lou Magazzu. Whelan gets high marks for being a nice guy and someone who is taking his job as a freeholder very seriously. His problem is that there is a lot he doesn’t know.
There were questions about the salary of the Cumberland College not just the president, whose salary was reported at $250K, but other top administrators as well.
I found myself agreeing with Mr. Porecca one of the heads of Millville First. There is also County Watchdog group headed by Cindy Zirkle. She seems to have her eye on the ball. Stay tuned

Snow Job

I see that Mr. Magazzu is now the Taxpayer Friend. Umm could this be cause he is running for election
He wrote this in the BEN Column on Feb 3rd 2008
“The Cumberland County Board of Freeholders has been fiscally responsible over the last 12 years, in particular, and the proof of that will be how the county fares compared with others in this historical economic crisis.
If this is so then...

***In 2008 the total municipal rate paid by the Millville tax payer decreased from 2007

***In 2008 the total non municipal rate paid by the Millville tax payer increased from 2007

Thanks to Magazzu Watch for the above stats

Freeholder Reorganization Meeting

I decided to go to Cumberland County College to see what the plans are for the new Freeholder Board. I did not know that Gov. Jon Corzine, Sen. Bob Menendez and other top level politicians would be there. It was an eventful meeting if you like pomp with your politics. The main speaker was not the Governor but our Freeholder Director Lou Magazzu Here are some photo and video highlights of this meeting. Of course the Media on the most part just took quotes and created a nice narritive. Don't believe me then read the January 5th News Of Cumberland County


In the first video below, Freeholder Director Magazzu states there will be a tax cut. Maintains Cumberland County has the lowest property taxes and has only 56 more employees then in 1998.Praises certain County employees.Says that New creativity is needed and he praises the County Bus Program
The Second Video Lou says this:
"Debate, dialogue and difference of opinion will be welcomed and encouraged. We will be seeking those who have a passion to bring positive change to the people who, until now, have not been properly served."