Evesham Forum

Is This Thing On?

2006-10-27T18:36:00.000-04:00

Well, things are starting to heat up. We have a mid-term election that will determine the balance of the legislative branch for the next two years and county races coming up.

I guess it's never too early to start discussing the township elections in May either.

This blog is back.

Cherokee Baseball

2006-05-01T18:32:00.000-04:00

Why don't more people come out and watch Cherokee baseball? Where else can you see high quality baseball for free?

Here's a schedule with Shawnee (your humble correspondent's alma mater) coming up on Friday and Eastern and Paul VI in between.

Catcher Chris Henderson and pitcher Alex Pracher and the rest of the squad are well worth your time.

Marlton Forced to Add 193 Low Income Units

2006-04-24T15:06:00.000-04:00

Most of you know that I'm a Republican. I'm also a Constitutionalist and hate the idea of a strong federal and state government, so you can imagine how it bothers me to have a Superior Court judge order the town I live in to build a specific number of low income units. The entire idea of the low income units is to ensure that all people have the right to good schools.

A snippet:

Evesham must provide 193 new units of affordable housing within the next eight years, while Medford must create an additional 85 units, a judge ruled.

Superior Court Judge John Sweeney gave each municipality 90 days to submit a compliance plan showing how they will satisfy their obligations, which must be met by Jan. 1, 2014.

Read that again--we have been ordered by a judge to comply with an inane, feel-good law.

More:

The number of required units -- far less than what has been built since 1987 -- is retroactive to 2004. The figures are based on slower projected housing and commercial growth.

For every eight market-rate housing units built, municipalities have to plan for one affordable unit. New job creation locally increases the obligation.

Maybe I'm reading that wrong, but it appears that if you create new jobs--thus bettering the economy--you have increased your obligation to build low income units. A major disincentive if you ask me.

A municipality may transfer part of its affordable-housing requirements to another municipality if it pays the other community for assuming the obligation.

Medford is paying Glassboro more than $2 million to take 117 of affordable units from its pre-2004 obligation. However, the municipality has more than 300 other affordable units that private developers have built since 1987.

Evesham has agreements with towns in Burlington and Gloucester counties to take some of its housing under prior obligations set by the state Council on Affordable Housing.

Legal blackmail, plain and simple. You either build the units or pay someone else to do it.

Here's the mission statement for the Council on Affordable Housing:

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.

Man, bureaucratic doublespeak at its finest.

The intent of the bill is un-American from the outset as it sets one group of people above another for the purposes of legislatively increasing living conditions. This has never worked and only forces the haves to support the have nots as a law.

This is poor policy.

2006-04-18T14:58:00.000-04:00

VOTE HERE!

School Budget Vote

2006-04-12T12:24:00.000-04:00

Since fields have been an issue I've been passionate about, I will focus on that question with regard to the budget vote.

While the $5.8-million is a one time fee, the fields will need maintenance from time to time. There will be some extra costs not presented, but these will be less costly and time-consuming than the cutting and field preparation that now must occur.

The main issue I have is a guarantee that the MRC will have reasnable access to these fields. They are selling it in that manner and we should at least get some type of promise that access will be granted.

Will MRC football be able to play their home games there? Will soccer, lacrosse and other sports have the access they need? These are questions that must be answered.

So this is the plan...

2006-04-10T16:16:00.000-04:00

if the budget with the three questions on the Lenape Regional High School District passes....all the fields in the district will have artificial turf. This will allow all sports to be played on the stadiums. It will also, the district promises, allows other teams within the towns to use the fields. How do you all see this proposition?

Good job Evesham Police!

2006-04-07T12:41:00.000-04:00

The Evesham police made an arrest for a robbery at the Promenade last year. Excellent work Evesham PD!

Remember to Vote!

2006-04-05T08:56:00.000-04:00

This year the school boards elections are in the middle of spring break...I would like to strangle all state people who approved that...really stupid move...however, a new law allows you to cast an absentee ballot even if you are in town..in other words, there are no excuses for not voting! Also, remember here in Evesham we have two different school districts to vote on.

Want to know who to vote for in Evesham School Board election?

2006-04-03T20:35:00.000-04:00

You need to come to the Meet the Candidate's Night on April 5th. It really is a good way to find out where the candidates stand on issues!

FEC Not To Regulate Net

2006-03-27T22:22:00.000-05:00

The Federal Elections Commission has voted 6-0 to not regulate political discourse in the web. The regulations will only apply to paid advertisements:

The decision means that bloggers and online publications will not be covered by provisions of the new election law. Internet bloggers and individuals will therefore be able to use the internet to attack or support federal candidates without running afoul of campaign spending and contribution limits.

"It's a win, win, win," Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub said, adding that the rule would satisfy concerns of campaigns, individuals and the internet community about whether the campaign finance law applies to online political activity.

This is excellent news for free speech advocates and bloggers. This site is heavily influenced by politics from both sides and would have been adversely effected by the proposed regulations.

Posted from rainy Sacramento where I'm meeting with a client this week.

The Dumbing Down of Our Children

2006-03-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

Recently I had the opportunity to truly examine Evesham Township's Middle School (6th to 8th grade) Curriculum Topics/Inclusions, particularly mathematics. To say I was disgusted and a bit shocked would be an understatement. Let's face it, in order to truly learn anything you must start at the beginning, or shall I say the "basics". When mastered, you move on. 1+1=2 2x2=4, you get the point.

A typical school year is 180 days so I am using that figure, I will get back to why in a moment. The following flow from 6th to 8th grade.

6th
Ratio & Proportion
Algebraic order of operations
Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers
Recursive patterns
Numerical expressions
Data Analysis
Probability of compound events
Angles, surface area, volume
7th
Applications of proportions
Rational numbers
exponents
percents
Finite & infinite sequences
Graphic displays of functions
Linear equations
Data analysis and projections
Probability as ratios, percents & decimals
Transformations
8th
Powers of 10
Square & cube roots
Integers
Functional relationships
Linear inequalities
Similar figures
Probability of conditional events
Fractals
Scale drawing
Arithmetic & geometric sequences
Compound measurement (speed, air pressure)
Trigometric functions

Now, we can go back to the 180 day school year. It doesn't take a math teacher to figure out that in 6th grade, there are 9 “mathematical concepts", which children are spending an average of 20 days on each math "concept". Twenty days for an eleven year old to grasp and hopefully master, recursive patterns, probability of compound events & data analysis. Let's move on to 7th grade where there are 11 "mathematical concepts" to grasp in 180 days, leaving the child 16 days for each. The child enters 8th grade and the "mathematical concepts" to learn in a 180 days are now 12, basically 15 days per "concept". All days per “concept” are assuming the child is never absent.

What the hell happened to teaching children the foundation of mathematics; addition, subtraction, division, multiplication? When and why did "Conceptual Math" become an appropriate curriculum? To ask a child to grasp a "concept" is appropriate, if the concept itself is age appropriate.

My studies and conversations with students, teachers and math professors have led me to the conclusion that we no longer teach children the foundation for a strong math background. The above mathematic concepts are rooted in passing the GEPA, HSPA and SAT tests.

Everyone wants their children to excel in life, not just pass a test. Without memorization of multiplication tables and the like, children are not likely to pass a test without a calculator. I liken the math taught to building a new home without a foundation. It looks good from the outside, but it could collapse at any moment, thus making it very dangerous.

The following web sits are as follows: Trigometric Function from the University of Georgia and Linear Inequalities from Purplemath, just so all can see what the two topics touch upon. Impressive, if we weren't talking about 6th to 8th grade students, frightening because we are. Our Children deserve more and better, let us not forget, they are the future.

http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMAT6680.Folders/Johnson/Assignment%207/Assignment7.html

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/syslneq.htm

Just for clarification, HeadLineNews posted this.

Assemblyman Biondi, Meet Matt Drudge

2006-03-14T20:02:00.000-05:00

Assemblyman Peter Biondi introduced legislation recently that would've forced posters to websites such as community boards to identify themselves and face potential slander or libel charges.

To Mr. Biondi's shock, the blogosphere responded (including your humble correspondent) and Matt Drudge (a man who has had 3-billion--with a B--hits in the last twelve months) linked to the article about the legislation. Biondi never knew what hit him:

Biondi's staff drafted the measure late last year. In was introduced in January. The bill hadn't even made it to committee before a small weekly newspaper published an article about it and Internet news providers began spreading the word. Then, callers from as far away as Canada deluged Biondi's office with complaints.

"For a bill that's basically one of 45 just sitting there to be picked out – and for people in Portland, Oregon and Canadian broadcasters to be calling about it – it's a little bizarre," Biondi's Chief of Staff Scott Ross said during an interview. "For something that's not even on the radar screen in Trenton, it's incredible. It's definitely a first for us. It hit the Drudge Report and it was like 'Holy moly!"

Ross said that Biondi and his staff were responding to requests from local constituents who complained about the viciousness of local discussion boards littered with name-calling. They were shocked that the bill – drafted to bring decorum to Internet discussions – drew an intense response from Internet users far beyond the Garden State's boundaries.

"We veered out of our comfort zone with this one," Ross said. "We're usually open space, quality-of-life kind of guys. We veered into technology and we were pretty much taken off guard when got hit with a couple hundred e-mails last week."

I imagine the next elected official who attempts to curb freedom of speech just may think twice about it. A note to PR reps for politicians; embrace blogs because they can help you alot or harm you dramatically.

Cross-posted here.

Local Reporter Exposes Hypocrisy

2006-03-14T17:11:00.000-05:00

Over at the best daily political read in the country, James Taranto notes a Courier Post reporter stymies Dan Rather.

Into the fray...

2006-03-13T08:47:00.000-05:00

At the risk of another extremely long post....I really do hate this partisan crap that goes on here...why don't we remove the Republican and Democrat rhetoric. If, however, you don't want to we could debate the fact that the Mayor was a Democrat when originally elected and switched parties in the middle of one of his terms stating that his philosophy had not changed one iota which should cause great consternation among both parties.

That being said….you must remember when taxes are deferred it means that the entity that the taxes go to are delayed in receiving them. Since we are talking schools here it dismays me that once more we use the schools as the whipping post for bad fiscal management. The schools have had to do with less and less state aid which only brought cries of money mismanagement from local council when local taxes have had to be raised to make up for the loss. Council ignored those warnings and are now feeling that same grip-like pinch. They should have paid attention.

As far as services…we have had services cut…in the last 15 years garbage removal was reduced from twice a week in the summer to once a week. I cannot tell you how much money was wasted on changing the original township building plans of 18 years ago to what we have now because no one who knows will admit it. I could go on and on and on, but people who know me would just tell me to stop flogging that same dead horse that I have flogged for years. Would anyone else like to give more examples?

When you cut services and you don’t make new hires, you insult existing township employees. If not for these same township employees, things would be much, much worse.

As far as the re-assessment…please, please, please someone explain to me why it was delayed for so long that the state threatened to come in and do it?

That is my opinion….now you all can carry on with the partisan rhetoric.

A Family Disagreement Part II

2006-03-13T00:21:00.000-05:00

I have read Scott's critique of my original post and below is my critique of what Scott had to say. I would like the record to reflect that this is a friendly debate among fellow Republicans. My new comments are in the green.

The school tax deferral issue, in my opinion, is nothing more than a red herring. Deferring School taxes frees up money that townships can use, with out paying interest, to pay for essential items like public safety and trash collection.

While I agree that utilizing non-interest bearing school taxes is an option that may help, it is also an option that should be used as a last resort. The idea behind deferments was not to supplement budgets but to assist townships when they were short. I don't believe the original intent was to allow continual use.

Scott, it is a last resort, Mayor and Council started out with a 14 cent tax increase. After exhausting other options they decided to deferred the school tax.

This useful tool has been around for a long while and was a mandatory municipal budget revenue source during previous gubernatorial administrations. Contrary to our opponents belief Evesham is not the only Township which uses this important resource.

Again, deferral may have been around for a long while, but then again so has welfare and we see how that has played out. I understand that Evesham is not the only town to utilize deferments, but just because others are doing something doesn't make it right. Using that thinking, I have a question: other towns such as Mount Laurel, Voorhees and Medford have beautiful sports complexes. Hey, if they can do it why can't we?

You missed my point Scott, I wasn't making a, if your friend jumped off of a bridge would you do it too point, my point is - if the school tax deferment is so bad and so evil why do most other Township also use it. It wasn't created to be an emergency measure, because if it were it would not have been a state mandated practice in previous Gubernatorial Administrations.

The deferring of school taxes is similar to zero percent financing plans that almost every store offers for large purchases. I personally do not purchase any large ticket items unless I can finance them for, at least a year, interest free.

The simple fact is that even if you are not paying interest at a store or car dealership, you still have to pay the loan. An example, let's say you buy a Lexus 300 with no down and no interest for a year. Let's further hypothesize that in a year the economy tanks and you lose your job or take a pay cut, you will be stuck with a nice car that you've paid nothing on but minimal principle. You still have to repay the money. Where does that money come from?

Is the Township going to go bankrupt this year? Do you know something I don't know?

Let's extrapolate that out to the township. Sure, we have essentially free money, but money that will have to be paid back. It's easy to amass loans when needed to the point that before we know it, we have tens of millions of dollars worth of loans and no means to pay them.

Exactly Scott! The Deferral has to be paid off in six months on July 1st. Here is how it works, the Township's budget is on a calendar year (January 1) and School District budget is on a fiscal year (July 1st). The Township collects the school taxes and holds them, unless of course they defer part of the collected taxes. The Township is legally allowed to defer up to 50% of the school taxes. In any case, the school still receives its tax payment, by law, for that fiscal year. The school tax is not deferred indefinitely, just for six months.

For example, my wife and I just brought our daughter a swing set, which we financed for one year, interest free. We figured that for two hundred dollars a month our daughter could enjoy a swing set this year, without waiting, as long as we paid it off within a year.

That's the key phrase "as long as we paid it off within a year". What if you don't have the funds to pay it off in a year? Is it right to keep deferring it?

Again it is only deferred for six months, it is not deferred indefinitely, and it has to be released to the School District that school year. If you need more information on this practice, call either Joe Fisicaro or Joe Boruki, they are our representatives on the Lenape Regional School Board, they will be happy to explain the impact this will have on the Regional School District.

By using the school deferral funds the resident's of Evesham Township can enjoy the fantastic services that the township provides and they've come to expect, much like my daughter is enjoying her new swing set.

"Fantastic services?" What services? I agree that snow removal is effective as is leaf removal and the Police department, but what else? We have no fields for our kids to play on and have no hope of any being created before my son reaches high school. We pissed away money on open space that couldn't have been used for other purposes anyway and we have a golf course that'll cost us millions (I know, I know, it's "making money now").By the way, we pay for those services. We've had our taxes increased dramatically in the last decade that pays for the services that you gush about and we will really get slammed when the reassessment occurs. Government does not earn money, the revenue is generated by taxes and taxes alone with the exception of the golf course and we see how that's going.

Lets see where do I begin. First of all the Township has a top rate staff who go above and beyond the call of duty. I have always had a positive experience every time I have dealt with someone from the Township. That being said, we have a top notch Police Department, Public Works Department, I never have to worry about my trash being picked up, roads being plowed, leaves being picked up. We also have a fantastic Fire Department and Rescue Squad. We have a wonder library, the Blue Barn, the Gibson House and the play ground at Memorial Fields are all top rate. It is my understanding that the recreation needs are being addressed.

As far as the open space issue goes, the land I think you are talking about, it is my understanding, that the Township received some sort of credits for, but I will investigate further and let you know. But, I would also like to add that land which you may not think is valuable today, could become valuable in the future if the DEP or a future Governor and Legislature change a developers ability to build on wetlands. Don't think it can happen - ask any environmentalist if they believed the "fast track" bill would have been passed by the Legislature and sign into law by the Governor.

I don't know where you are getting your information on taxes, but the tax rate hasn't increased dramatically, in fact it has either been flat or increased slightly over the last ten years. If you go back ten years, you will see it has only increased an average of two cents per year. As far an the reassessment goes, I have been to several meetings and it has been publicly stated that once the Township reassesses they will lower the tax rate because the reassessment does not change the amount that needs to be collected through taxation. In fact the tax rate will drop. While the Township budget is mostly funded by property taxes, it also uses revenue for other sources, such as; State aid, grants, fines, fees and licenses. There may be other sources, sorry if I missed any.

If interest free financing is good enough for the Waters household, than deferring school taxes is good enough for Evesham Township.

Ed, this is spin. You make it sound as if this is free money. It is not, it is money that will have to be paid back sooner rather than later. That is the antithesis of fiscal conservatism.

Scott, This is my opinion, and I though that was acceptable blogger etiquette to post your opinion. My apologies, I will refrain from adding my opinion to any debate.

The best way I can find to describe the debate about the school tax deferment is by using the words of the immortal William Shakespeare, it's much ado about nothing!

I'll reply with the immortal words of Ronald Reagan: "Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them."

Usually, when I see your negative posts about our Mayor and Council, I think about Reagan's 11th Commandment: Do not speak ill of another Republican.

There was a time when being a Republican meant:
Fiscally conservatism
Small government ideology
Responsibility
Willing to make the tough call when needed.

Sadly, we are on a path to fiscal calamity that can be averted only by acting in a fiscally conservative manner. Whether they are called "interest free loans" of deferments, it's all money that will have to be paid back no matter how it's spun. As a Republican, I can't abide the shifting of money without a cut in spending. It goes against everything I was taught a Republican stood for.

Scott, Mayor and Council have cut spending; they have instituted a hiring freeze on all nonessential personnel, they are not filling 4 vacant Township jobs, they have cut unnecessary expenses. If you have idea's that you think would help trim the budget you should give either Mayor and Council or the Township Manager a call and discuss it with them.

A Family Disagreement

2006-03-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

This blog is a loose affiliation of Evesham residents of all political stripes. We argue, disagree, agree and debate. Just like a family. Well, in that vein, I have to take my blog brother Ed Waters to task for comments in the previous post.

Ed stated:

The school tax deferral issue, in my opinion, is nothing more than a red herring. Deferring School taxes frees up money that townships can use, with out paying interest, to pay for essential items like public safety and trash collection.

While I agree that utilizing non-interest bearing school taxes is an option that may help, it is also an option that should be used as a last resort. The idea behind deferments was not to supplement budgets but to assist townships when they were short. I don't believe the original intent was to allow continual use.

This useful tool has been around for a long while and was a mandatory municipal budget revenue source during previous gubernatorial administrations. Contrary to our opponents belief Evesham is not the only Township which uses this important resource.

Again, deferral may have been around for a long while, but then again so has welfare and we see how that has played out. I understand that Evesham is not the only town to utilize deferments, but just because others are doing something doesn't make it right. Using that thinking, I have a question: other towns such as Mount Laurel, Voorhees and Medford have beautiful sports complexes. Hey, if they can do it why can't we?

The deferring of school taxes is similar to zero percent financing plans that almost every store offers for large purchases. I personally do not purchase any large ticket items unless I can finance them for, at least a year, interest free.

The simple fact is that even if you are not paying interest at a store or car dealership, you still have to pay the loan. An example, let's say you buy a Lexus 300 with no down and no interest for a year. Let's further hypothesize that in a year the economy tanks and you lose your job or take a pay cut, you will be stuck with a nice car that you've paid nothing on but minimal principle. You still have to repay the money. Where does that money come from?

Let's extrapolate that out to the township. Sure, we have essentially free money, but money that will have to be paid back. It's easy to amass loans when needed to the point that before we know it, we have tens of millions of dollars worth of loans and no means to pay them.

For example, my wife and I just brought our daughter a swing set, which we financed for one year, interest free. We figured that for two hundred dollars a month our daughter could enjoy a swing set this year, without waiting, as long as we paid it off within a year.

That's the key phrase "as long as we paid it off within a year". What if you don't have the funds to pay it off in a year? Is it right to keep deferring it?

By using the school deferral funds the resident’s of Evesham Township can enjoy the fantastic services that the township provides and they’ve come to expect, much like my daughter is enjoying her new swing set.

"Fantastic services?" What services? I agree that snow removal is effective as is leaf removal and the Police department, but what else? We have no fields for our kids to play on and have no hope of any being created before my son reaches high school. We pissed away money on open space that couldn't have been used for other purposes anyway and we have a golf course that'll cost us millions (I know, I know, it's "making money now").

By the way, we pay for those services. We've had our taxes increased dramatically in the last decade that pays for the services that you gush about and we will really get slammed when the reassessment occurs. Government does not earn money, the revenue is generated by taxes and taxes alone with the exception of the golf course and we see how that's going.

If interest free financing is good enough for the Waters household, than deferring school taxes is good enough for Evesham Township.

Ed, this is spin. You make it sound as if this is free money. It is not, it is money that will have to be paid back sooner rather than later. That is the antithesis of fiscal conservatism.

The best way I can find to describe the debate about the school tax deferment is by using the words of the immortal William Shakespeare, it’s much ado about nothing!

I'll reply with the immortal words of Ronald Reagan: "Governments tend not to solve problems, only to rearrange them."

There was a time when being a Republican meant:

Fiscally conservatism
Small government ideology
Responsibility
Willing to make the tough call when needed.

Sadly, we are on a path to fiscal calamity that can be averted only by acting in a fiscally conservative manner. Whether they are called "interest free loans" of deferments, it's all money that will have to be paid back no matter how it's spun. As a Republican, I can't abide the shifting of money without a cut in spending. It goes against everything I was taught a Republican stood for.

School Deferral: Real Issue or Red Herring

2006-03-11T09:28:00.000-05:00

The school tax deferral issue, in my opinion, is nothing more than a red herring. Deferring School taxes frees up money that townships can use, with out paying interest, to pay for essential items like public safety and trash collection. This useful tool has been around for a long while and was a mandatory municipal budget revenue source during previous gubernatorial administrations. Contrary to our opponents belief Evesham is not the only Township which uses this important resource.

The deferring of school taxes is similar to zero percent financing plans that almost every store offers for large purchases. I personally do not purchase any large ticket items unless I can finance them for, at least a year, interest free. For example, my wife and I just brought our daughter a swing set, which we financed for one year, interest free. We figured that for two hundred dollars a month our daughter could enjoy a swing set this year, without waiting, as long as we paid it off within a year.

By using the school deferral funds the resident’s of Evesham Township can enjoy the fantastic services that the township provides and they’ve come to expect, much like my daughter is enjoying her new swing set.

If interest free financing is good enough for the Waters household, than deferring school taxes is good enough for Evesham Township.

The best way I can find to describe the debate about the school tax deferment is by using the words of the immortal William Shakespeare, it’s much ado about nothing!

The Lone No Vote

2006-03-09T20:31:00.000-05:00

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 "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 tax and spend Republicans any day. Isn’t that an oxymoron?

A Clarification

2006-03-07T07:08:00.000-05:00

The preceding post was written by Headline News, not me. Since this is a group blog, sometimes posts are listed as being by one author instead of the other.

I don't altogether disagree with the statements made in the post, they were just not written by me.

Just For Kicks and Giggles

2006-03-07T00:02:00.000-05:00

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 business: 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 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 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

2006-03-02T22:42:00.000-05:00

EVESHAM REPUBLICAN CLUB OPPOSES “STEALTH SALES TAX” INITIATIVE

Republican Club Strongly Opposes the Creation of a New Tax

Marlton - Evesham Republican Club President Dennis Dugan today expressed dismay at a recent proposal by Councilman Mike Schmidt to create a business privilege fee, which is equivalent to a stealth sales tax.

“A tax by any other name is still a tax,” said Dugan. “Does Councilman Schmidt believe that by taxing businesses, they will not pass this additional burden onto consumers? This proposal is a sneaky way to implement a new tax which is not only anti-consumer; it would also have a detrimental effect on economic development in the township. 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.”

School Board Elections and Budget Presentation

2006-02-28T16:21:00.000-05:00

It appears as though eight (8) residents have filed their nominating petitions for the three full term seats on the Evesham Township Board of Education. They are, Joseph Barbagiovanni, Theresa Freeman, Joseph Fisicaro, Jr., Rosemary Howell, Eileen Lenihan, Lisa Mansfield, Charles Shipley and Louise L. Sprouse.

In addition, As taken from the Evesham Township E-newsletter,
"On Wednesday, April 5, the combined PTAs of our district will sponsor a Meet the Candidates Night in the Marlton Elementary School All-Purpose Room. There will be a brief budget presentation at 7 p.m. followed by a candidates’ forum moderated by the Moorestown Chapter of the League of Women Voters. Each candidate will have the opportunity to make an opening and closing statement and the floor will be open for questions from the audience.

With such a large field of candidates, the discussion should help residents as they decide for whom to vote. Mark your calendars now so you can attend on April 5th. Your participation and questions will help make the evening enlightening and informative."

For those that do not receive the School Districts e-newsletter, I would encourage you to contact Jeanne Smith at smithj@evesham.k12.nj.us Include in the text of your message that you would like to sign up for the e-newsletter and I am sure Jeanne would be happy to add you to her growing list of subscribers. The newsletter is filled with valuable information concerning Evesham Township district issues.

In Addition, Evesham Township District Department heads will present their budgets at a public meeting on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building. It is sure to be a very informative session. Public is Welcome.

Fields...Again

2006-02-26T20:33:00.000-05:00

Today was field lining day for travel soccer. I hate this day, especially for spring season because we are forced to play at Savitch as opposed to Memorial in the fall.

The field we set up for the team I coach (ranked #1 in South Jersey) has more undulations in the terrain than the parking lot at the same facility.

This is a disgrace. We may have Washington Twsp, Princeton or Moorestown coming to play here and we will have a sad excuse for a field to welcome them.

With the current tax situation we are experiencing, I fear that we will have to deal with this for the next five years.

Pathetic.

Several members of council promised action on this and I expect them to live up to their campaign promises.

South Jersey Doesn't Rate With Menendez

2006-02-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

Senator-select Robert Menendez is too busy to debate Tom Kean, Jr.:

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. - It should have been the first face-to-face discussion of issues between two men running for U.S. Senate in New Jersey.

But incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) couldn't stick around at the Southern New Jersey Development Council for the 11 a.m. tradition of debating his opponent in the year's hottest race.

He took a cheap shot at Cheney of course, then we have this:

He said he had a scheduling conflict and pulled a few North Jersey meetings from his calendar just to make the South Jersey event.

Well thanks, Bob. We in South Jersey felt honored by your presence. We all know that the state begins in Monmouth County and ends in Passaic. Everything south of I-195 is just farmland and an endless supply of casino money. I mean, that trek down the Parkway past exit 100 is difficult for someone of your stature.

I can't wait til Kean destroys this pretend senator in a debate. If Kean were smart, he'd concentrate now on South Jersey and work his way up north later.

Mark my words; the GOP picks off this seat come November.

More on the Tax Situation

2006-02-22T19:42:00.000-05:00

As HLN noted in the previous post, things are bad but not completely bleak. As I'm in Akron, OH visiting a client, I've only read the varied reports about last nights meeting.

The general feeling is that Mr. Schmidt and Mrs. Sarcone offered some ideas to trim the fat from the budget and the remainder of council was more pessimistic.

I respect the fact that they have taken a stand and are doing everything possible to back up what they promised while campaigning. To be honest, they can't be blamed and neither can Mrs. Olt. This problem started well before they assumed office.

That leaves two remaining members of council who by all accounts (again, I did not attend as I left early this morning) that I've received including--e-mails and such--offered nothing new.

I hate to keep harping on this but a true CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN would find some fat to cut or start preparing to make some hard decisions. Alas, being Mayor is not just cutting ribbons, it's also cutting spending.

I'll do my best to attend the next meeting and hopefully we can get some public input as to what should happen. Apparently the leadership of council is out of ideas.

Bleak, but Not Hopeless

2006-02-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

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.

The Tax Situation is Bleak

2006-02-21T19:05:00.000-05:00

To follow up on TS-S' previous post, let's break some things down:

The proposed township budget, which calls for an 18 percent tax increase, is putting two rookie council members into a sticky situation.

Last year, the township council deferred $2.3 million in school taxes in order to prevent a tax increase.

An election year is always a bad time to raise taxes, so just defer them and we'll deal with it later. Nice philosophy. The two "rookie council members" knew what they were getting into and should really thank the mayor and the deputy mayor for saving this bunch of goodies for them.

Let's continue:

Councilman Mike Schmidt and his running mate, Councilwoman Debbie Sarcone, ran on this issue, calling the deferment a political maneuver that would be terrible for the long-term financial stability of the town.

On one hand, their words were prophetic. The township is facing a $2.6 million revenue shortfall this year, and all but $300,000 of that is because of last year's deferment.

Emphasis mine. $2.3 million was deferrred. In business this is known as "cooking the books," in Evesham it's known as "good government." In reality it's called mismanagement or incompetence.

On the other hand, in order to prevent a tax increase of as much as 30 percent, the township manager has suggested that the township council once again defer school taxes this year. After the proposed $1.3 million deferment, the tax increase would be about $150 for the owner of a home assessed at $156,000.

Translation: That will mean an increase of more than $200 for most home owners and quadruple or quintuple that after the reassessment.

That leaves two questions:

Will the candidates who campaigned against the deferral of school taxes push to avoid another deferral, even if it means a tax increase of much more than $150?

Good question. I think it should have been phrased more like this: Was everything you said in the last election a lie? Was it just campaign trail rhetoric to make you sound as if you had a clue?

Or will they change positions and support the deferral in order to keep another campaign promise -- low taxes?

Sorry Mike and Debbie, you can't have it both ways without cutting services dramatically and as pointed out later in this post, there ain't alot to cut.

"I don't think this council should adopt a budget that adopts another deferral of school tax," Schmidt said. "I stand by my position of last year and I'm not wavering from that."

Schmidt also added: "I will not vote for a budget that has a (tax) increase. I do not want to raise taxes."

Good luck with that, buddy. I respect you saying it on the record but so did George H.W. Bush and we know how that turned out, don't we?

How Schmidt can keep taxes stable without the revenue from a school tax deferral is unclear. He said he is still working through the budget to find other ways of saving money, but he noted the township could consider selling off property.

Or maybe we can have a really big bake sale and invite all the other townships to come and attend. I'll make the key lime pie and TS-S can make the bundt cake.

You know, come to think of it, that's a better idea than council's come up with in years.

Still, the budget is already pretty bare.

Contracting reform and contracting some services may be the way to go. Perhaps if they decide to contract out some services, they will utilize Marlton-based companies just like they did with the golf course. Oh, wait; they chose a company from out of town when a highly qualified firm in town would have a been a better deal. Nevermind.

Perhaps better written RFP's and expedited payment terms will be an incentive to get better bidders.

Two township positions have been eliminated, and an open police officer's position will not be filled until June, township manager Ed Sasdelli said.

Now it'll take three years instead of two to get that tree in front of my house near the street cut down. You know, the one that has the sidewalk protruding like ten inches upward. Oh well, in the meantime, the kids in my development can continue to use it as a bike ramp.

For her part, Sarcone said the current situation proves she was right about the council's decision last year. At the time, she called the deferral a "tactic" to get people to support sitting council members.

Wow, incumbents looking out for each other. I'm shocked!

"I was against the deferral of the school tax because I knew exactly what would happen this year," she said last week. "So now here we are faced with this, what do we do? We can't hit the taxpayers all at once. We can't."

Translated: If you live in Evesham, your taxes are going to skyrocket. We'll just hit them over the next three years for $150. Sounds like she's going to use that dreaded "tactic" too.

So although she said she's "not happy about deferring the taxes," she's willing to defer some money this year to ease the sudden burden on taxpayers.

Like I said, raise them $150 a year for the foreseeable future until none of us can afford to live here.

And then there's another possibility.

To keep taxes flat last year, the council increased the manager's recommendation for deferral from $1.2 million to $2.3 million.

The council could do that again, but legally a town can only defer 50 percent of its school tax obligation, and Evesham is approaching that limit.

Translation: We're screwed! One positive in this (I am the eternal optimist) is that Gus won't have to worry about passive recreation and places for seniors because the seniors will all be taxed out of their houses. That means that if the seniors won't be needing the open space, perhaps we can build fields on them (provided we get donated labor, dirt, fencing, grass seed, wood, block and lime.)

Dictionary.com defines deferment as: The act or an instance of delaying or putting off.
A synonym would be delay.

In lay terms the definition is: Push it to the future and get the damn heat off of us for another year or in my lexicon: irresponsibility.

"We're trying to wean ourselves away from it so we don't have to depend on this all the time," Deputy Mayor Sal Cardillo said.

Come on, Sal. Why would you want to wean yourself from the very thing that has continued to get you elected? How about acting in the best interest of this town and not spending like a drunken sailor (I am a former sailor so I can use that analogy.)

In summation; this town needs a Conservative, not necessarily a Republican, as the RINO's (Republicans in Name Only) in this town would make Ted Kennedy blush by their spending habits (they sure as hell make this Republican embarrassed to be in the same party). Perhaps a small amount of fiscal discipline would've gone a long way towards avoiding this financial quagmire.

I can't attend the meeting tonight as I have to go out of town early tomorrow morning, anyone who attends feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment below.

This will be very interesting...

2006-02-20T13:05:00.000-05:00

...for years and years, council has not raised taxes citing all sorts of reasons...the biggest of which depended on which council people were running for re-election. Now, it seems, it is time to pay the piper.

Council will have a public meeting and budget workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the municipal building, 984 Tuckerton Road, Marlton.

The New Fire Commissioner

2006-02-19T15:27:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Mark Scian who was elected Fire Commissioner.

Let It Snow

2006-02-12T11:25:00.000-05:00

This was a pretty significant snow storm and I'd like to give credit to the township for clearing the roads quickly. It's tough duty, and the workers did it well.

Round and round...

2006-02-10T11:08:00.000-05:00

Oh goody...I just can't wait until the destruction of the Marlton Circle begins. I don't know what I am looking forward to most...the insanity during construction or the finished product. Won't that elevated road look good!

Scranton Drops Out

2006-02-07T19:20:00.000-05:00

While not necessarily a local issue, it is a regional issue. Bill Scranton has dropped out the PA governors race due to lack of party support. This leaves Lynn Swann with all the backing and a nice war chest of cash to face Ed Rendell.

This is a possible Republican pick-up in a state they had previously written off.

More here.

A Military Parents Perspective

2006-02-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned my friend Leslie Drummond before here and here. Leslie's son is stationed in Iraq and she was stirred to start the Yellow Ribbon Club, an organization run by her that sends care packages to our troops.

I e-mail back and forth with Leslie several times a week and enjoy her spirit immensely. In all the months I've communicated with her, I've never asked what her opinion of Cindy Sheehan was out of respect for Leslie and her husband. It felt to me to be an intrusive question.

Since starting the Yellow Ribbon Club, Mrs. Drummond has been on the news frequently accepting goods for the care packages from schools throughout the region. Well, she was asked to comment on the State of the Union speech by a local news organization last night and here's her words verbatim:

From the very beginning, when the President told us that we were going to the Middle East, he asked us to be patient and that it may take some time to complete the mission to build democracy in Iraq. Well, my son and many others signed up for the military knowing that he would likely be deployed there. My son is now in Iraq, my son-in-law is in the Airforce in Japan and my other son-in-law is in the Coast Guard and works for Homeland Security. I stand by all of the brave men and women who knowingly put themselves in this position. This position is an honorable position and deserve nothing less than our respect and continued support. They also deserve to know that even though we may be scared for them, we are willing to be patient for them. They deserve to know that all Americans appreciate them stepping up to the plate for us. It is so sad to see a woman continue to generate negative attention on behalf of her fallen son. I hope I never have to endure her pain, but the possibility is real in my life and I can tell you that no matter what happens, I will always support and honor my son and my son in laws no matter what happens. I will always generate positive attention for all of the troops, they deserve nothing less.

The president said that the time for pulling out of Iraq will be dictated by the military officials, not politicians in Washington. He is right. I have talked to many soldiers since the beginning of my club and I can tell you that I take stock in what I am told by the soldiers who are in Iraq, not those who are watching everything on TV like the rest of us. I will listen to the ones who come home with sand in their fingernails and pride in their eyes because they did wonderful things in Iraq.

I have to believe our President as he honors our military men and women with passion in his eyes. Those are my sons that he is talking about when he speaks of them with honor.

I'm a pretty hardened guy but her words got me choked up. She inspired me to write why I joined:

I joined the military--as did my brother, dad and several friends--knowing full well that I may be ordered into a precarious situation. I didn't do it because of my financial situation or any other reason beside the fact that I wanted to serve my country and what we stand for. I wanted to protect our way of life and ideals.

I served for the people who supported me and those that did not. I served for the flag wavers and the flag burners. I served for the guy who started a business and believes in capitalism and the girl who believes that Trotsky and Marx were brilliant. I served for the people who support the troops and those who would refer to them as "baby killers".

In short, I served for America. To those who can't understand or comprehend or even deride how I feel, I served for you also. [END]

Corny? Not to me or many who've served in our armed forces.

Thank you Leslie, America is a better place because of people like you and I'm proud to say you live in my town.

Update: Cross posted here.

Update 2: The words of a soldier in Iraq:

“I look at faces and see fellow human beings, and I say, ‘O.K. This is the sacrifice I have to make to bring them freedom.’ That’s why I joined the military. Not for the college money, for doing what’s right. Fighting under our flag. That’s what our flag stands for. I believe in that stuff. Yeah, we might lose American soldiers, but they are going to lose a society, lose a people. You’ve got to look at the bigger picture. I’ve lost friends, and it hurts. It definitely hurts. But that’s even more reason why I say stay. It’s something that has to be done. If we don’t do it, who will?”

Read the entire great piece.

Press Coverage of Bob Woodruff's Injuries

2006-02-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

I find it highly distasteful that Bob Woodruff and his cameraman are recieving so much coverage on their unfortunate injuries. Why don't the heros, you know the brave men and women who are fighting the war on terror, get as much, if not more coverage. While my sympathy and prayers go out to these gentlemen's families, they are not heros and do not deserve any more attention than than a soldier who has been wounded or worse yet has been killed in the line of duty. I found a story that expresses exactly how I feel about this subject and linked it below.

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060131-041958-8164r

Farber Confirmed

2006-01-30T17:14:00.000-05:00

Jon Corzine nominated Zulima Farber for the job of state Attorney General. This is a woman who Mc Greevey nominated for the state Supreme Court and had to withdrawal the nomination because of such inconvenient facts as:

15 speeding tickets
2 bench warrants for failure to appear in court
3 license suspensions

Today she was confirmed by the state senate. Is this a woman we wish to entrust the job of top legal watchdog?

Corzine Advisors Advise the Tax and Spend Approach

2006-01-27T09:38:00.000-05:00

Jon Corzine has not been in office for a month yet and his advisors are calling for tax increases:

TRENTON - Expand the sales tax to include clothes and online purchases. Tax 401(k) retirement accounts. Raise the gas tax. Consider a temporary increase in the state income tax.

With New Jersey's finances "perilously close to ruin," Gov. Corzine's budget advisers have recommended these unpopular solutions and more to fill what they estimate to be a $6 billion hole in the state's budget.

The grim transition report advises the Wall Street financier-turned-governor to immediately prepare plans to lay off state workers and cut government services. It also suggests that Corzine develop ways to control skyrocketing costs for pensions and schools - including raising the state's retirement age and revisiting funding for needy Abbott school districts.

I have previously called for an approach that would entail increasing the sales tax to 7% to offset the skyocketing property taxes. That would be a shuffling of the burden from property owners to those who purchase goods throughout the state. This plan would be a major tax increase that will not offset anything, in other words, just an additioanl tax on top of the myriad taxes we already pay.

This report is misguided and must not be implemented by the legislature. History has shown that reduced spending and lower taxes increase revenue while allowing citizens to purchase more goods and services.

Furthermore, implementing a tax on online shopping will be met with stiff resistance by the industries involved and may force them to move to a region that does not tax internet commerce.

Although this is only a report, it does give insight into the mindset of Corzines advisors.

Hero's Come In All Shapes & Sizes

2006-01-26T19:07:00.000-05:00

When we speak of hero's what comes to mind? In my world, only what I call "real" Hero's, which I classify as the following: military personal, police officers, fire fighters, medics, you get the picture. Athletes do not apply, anyone that gets paid millions for playing a game is no hero. Lucky, yes, hero no. Though I digress, back to the reason for writing this. I never really thought about the fact that on 9/11 not just people lost their lives, a dog named Sirius, a CBP Explosives Detector Dog, was the only canine to lose his life. Sirius is remembered today with a name sake and her new handler Walt Riggs. Officer Riggs is a former South Jersey native. The following link will take you to an article about Sirius his/her handlers and the job they do protecting this country.

http://communitydispatch.com/artman/publish/article_3550.shtml

God Bless the Hero's all around us!

Pay to Play

2006-01-26T07:05:00.000-05:00

Thoughts on the US Attorney's probe of Norcross and JCA here. Inquirer story here.

The culture of corruption survives.

I love this town!

2006-01-20T08:59:00.000-05:00

You know in all reality, it's not where you live, but who lives where you live. The people in this town are great! Mark McKenna is a very fine example of that!

Corzine Takes Office

2006-01-18T22:08:00.000-05:00

Jon Corzine takes over the governorship and promises accountability:

Democrat Jon S. Corzine became New Jersey's 54th governor Tuesday, pledging to cut property taxes, clean up corruption and restore public trust in government.

"Let's award public contracts by competition and quality, not (political campaign) contributions," Corzine told the crowd of lawmakers and government staffers at the Trenton War Memorial.

Alright Jon, let's start by getting rid of the requirement to perform all work with union labor. That will cut contracts in half.

"Hold me accountable," the new governor said.

Don't worry, we will. After what the state had to suffer under McGreevey, Corzine had better perform at a high level.

News and Notes

2006-01-17T23:24:00.000-05:00

This post originates in beautiful San Diego, my old home and still my favorite big city in America. 65 and sunny today I'm sorry to say.

Anyway, Leslie Drummond--the founder of the Yellow Ribbon Club--is still working hard getting together care packages for the troops. I've not had much time to assist her but that'll change when I get home.

Please keep checking this site to see updates on a drive in Marlton to collect lots of needed items to send over to Iraq. Details soon.

Clever headlines notwithstanding...

2006-01-16T09:13:00.000-05:00

...smoking is out in New Jersey. Unless you are gambling...guess that cigarette helps when you are losing the mortgage.

What do you think? Happy on the ban? Or do you want the government to butt out?

Good choice for school board...

2006-01-13T16:27:00.000-05:00

Lisa Mansfield was appointed to the Evesham Township School Board on Tuesday. She fills the spot left vacant when Bonnie Olt was elected to council.

Lisa is an excellent choice because she has been involved in education and our schools for many years. It's good to see another parent on the board.

Anger at Lenient Criminal Courts

2006-01-05T20:04:00.000-05:00

Every once in awhile, you see a news story that gets you so mad that you just have to vent. This is the most recent story that makes me want to go ballistic:

There was outrage Wednesday when a Vermont judge handed out a 60-day jail sentence to a man who raped a little girl many,many times over a four-year span starting when she was seven.

The judge said he no longer believes in punishment and is more concerned about rehabilitation.

Prosecutors argued that confessed child-rapist Mark Hulett, 34, of Williston deserved at least eight years behind bars for repeatedly raping a littler girl countless times starting when she was seven.

But Judge Edward Cashman disagreed explaining that he no longer believes that punishment works.

"The one message I want to get through is that anger doesn't solve anything. It just corrodes your soul," said Judge Edward Cashman speaking to a packed Burlington courtroom. Most of the on-lookers were related to a young girl who was repeatedly raped by Mark Hulett who was in court to be sentenced.

The scumbag repeatedly raped a young girl for four years and received 60-days in jail. Yes you read that correctly--days, not years. Read the whole piece and you'll be as mad as me.

I know this is kind of out of the scope of this blog and is graphic and troubling, but this is a travesty. I imagine the judge doesn't have a daughter.

State Legislature Takes Action

2006-01-03T09:39:00.000-05:00

We are currently paying more than $2.00 per gallon for gasoline, a major increase over this time last year. A definite hit in the wallet for all of us.

So what are our esteemed representatives planning on doing about it? Well, raising taxes to increase the price even more of course:

Last month, Gov.-elect Jon S. Corzine told reporters that he had not ruled out an increase in the search for solutions to the state's transportation funding crisis. Just a few hours earlier, Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kenny (D., Hudson) said he would introduce legislation in the new year to authorize an increase. Another bill is planned for the Assembly, where revenue-raising proposals must originate.

The stakes are high, and time is short: Without an infusion of cash, experts say, the state Transportation Trust Fund's revenue and debt payments will cancel each other out come July 1, the start of the next budget year. That will leave no money to pay for state road and mass-transit projects - and none to secure more than $1 billion a year in federal matching funds.

This wasn't addressed when McGreevey was in office and Codey let it slide because he was an interim leader.

How could the legislature let this get to this point?

Update: Cross posted here.

Conservation Spelled Out, Evesham to Pay

2005-12-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

The Pinelands Commission laid out their plans for Marlton at the last Council meeting:

Recommendations, which also apply to parts of Medford, include zoning changes, land acquisitions and "development transfer programs." Residents at the meeting had many questions for Pinelands Commission representatives about this program, which would encourage residents in environmentally sensitive areas to sell their rights to developing their properties to owners of land in less sensitive areas.

Reader Bernooche asked in a previous post on this subject:

This is a nice little bit of information..but why does it usually mean trouble?

Because anything the Commission involves itself in costs money:

The committee hopes to reduce future developments in southern Evesham and Medford from 579 units to 270. "Evesham Township would be asked to make a pretty significant financial commitment to future acquisitions," said John Stokes, executive director of the commission.

Emphasis mine. That sounds like less money for sports fields if you ask me and just a question: Does it make anyone else uncomfortable that the executive director of the commission is essentially telling us that we will have to pony up more money? Last I checked, I never voted for the guy.

Anyway, a "pretty significant financial commitment" sound like it will be an awful lot of money.

Thank a Soldier Week

2005-12-20T08:24:00.000-05:00

This is Thank a Soldier Week. You can click here and send an e-mail wishing those serving a good holiday.

Secondly, Leslie Drummond, the local resident who started the Yellow Ribbon Club, has sent hundreds of care packages to our troops. She recently worked with Shawnee students to send numerous packages to Iraq.

In conjunction with Leslie, many residents will be joining in a drive to send as many packages as possible in January. Anyone who'd like to assist us can contact me at sswenviron@comcast.net or Leslie at yellowribbonclub@comcast.net

More news to come and once again this site wishes to thank Leslie for the hard work and good deeds she's done for our Soldiers, Sailors and Marines serving overseas.

Council Meeting Tomorrow

2005-12-19T18:06:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder: Council meets tomorrow at 7:30. Hope to see a good turnout.

Preventing the "Cherry Hillization" of Marlton

2005-12-19T13:53:00.000-05:00

A commenter to the previous post brings up a good point; the importance of Marlton not making the mistakes of Cherry Hill.

First, a bit of background; when I lived in San Diego County, there was a group titled San Diegans Against Los Angelization or something to that effect. They wanted nothing more than to preserve the small town feel in what is the 9th largest city in the US. I remember thinking that this was a great idea as San Diegans had a good idea of what not to do, they only had to look to their northern neighbor.

We have the same opportunity with regard to Cherry Hill. This is by no means a slam at Cherry Hill (well, yes it is but I have to be diplomatic), as that is a prosperous town.

Anyway, we in Marlton must take time and review what the future plans are for commercial development. We have built both north and south of the circle on Route 73 and have only space out towards Medford on Route 70.

While new commercial construction is nice, we have two major shopping centers with vacancies that must be addressed before we approve new commercial building.

I have not had the opportunity to view all of the documentation showing what our building plans are. Perhaps someone with better knowledge can contact me via e-mail or leave further information in the comments section.

Pinelands Commission at Next Council Meeting

2005-12-16T11:38:00.000-05:00

The Pinelands Commission is starting to make noise and that generally means trouble. They spoke at the Medford Council meeting and will be speaking at our next Council meeting. What will they be talking about:

It will present the latest version of the Southern Medford/Evesham Sub-regional Natural Resource Protection plan in Evesham next week.

The 22.7-square-mile region includes large areas designated under the Pinelands protection program for modest amounts of residential development.

About 35 percent of the land is preserved as open space, about 20 percent is already developed and about 12 percent is pending development.

Recent data documented that the area has a high concentration of rare plants and animals.
This led to several high-profile legal disputes between the commission and local developers, according to the Pinelands Commission.

Quick Hits

2005-12-15T08:52:00.000-05:00

Headlines that effect Marlton residents:

A Marine's thoughts on the real situation in Iraq on election day.

Iraqi's go to the polls todays. Here's news from inside the country. PJM has more.

The price of heating your home will nearly double.

Cherokee teacher Carol Smith wins award.

Burlington County roads, including Main St. are set to be paved in 2006.

Update: Typo's fixed. Note to self: never try to type when hands are frozen.

Could You Pass The US Citizenship Test?

2005-12-12T18:11:00.000-05:00

Imagine you were not born in the US and to become a citizen you had to pass this test, would you be able to?

For the record I was 10 for 10 but had to guess at one.

Leave your score in the comments.

Smart Public Transportation

2005-12-12T17:14:00.000-05:00

I recall when they decided to build the River Line that extends from Camden to Trenton. My thoughts were--and remain--why would they build a mass transit system that will not serve the purposes for which it was designed and will never be self sustaining? Well, we know now that it was purely political as these things always tend to be.

I've always thought that the ideal route would've been down the Rte. 42 corridor to Washington Township. Anyone who drives that stretch of road at 5:00 PM knows exactly what I'm talking about.

The line I envision would extend from Winslow or Washington Township, pass over the Walt Whitman Bridge and end at Citizens Bank Ballpark. A connection of the current Hi-Speed Line could be situated in Camden and would be a boon to those attending sporting events and would save the trip to Center City and then a trip down the Broad Street subway.

It's long past time for mass transit money to be spent in a smart fashion that would benefit the most citizens. Sadly, the Gloucester and Camden County politicians have a stranglehold over any decent proposals so I'm not holding my breath. Anyway, the River Line remains a cash drain on the state and should never have been built.

The Courier Post has a report on this issue here that differs from my approach in some respects.

Michael Smerconish at the Marlton Diner!!!

2005-12-12T11:21:00.000-05:00

You are all invited to the Marlton Diner for the Michael Smerconish Show thursday morning at 5:30 to 9:00.

Come and show your support for a great american who shows great support for our country and troops!!!!!

Marlton Winter Fest

2005-12-10T10:21:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Marlton Winterfest last night and it was a fantastic event. The firehouse was packed and my family really enjoyed the arrival of Santa. My two year old daughter was extremely excited to meet Santa and get her picture taken.

It is events like the Winterfest that help make our town the best town in New Jersey to live in. We are fortunate to have events like these and the volunteers who contribute many hours of their free time to make sure that events like the Winterfest are successful.

To everyone who volunteered and worked hard to make the Winterfest successful - Thank you. Congratulations on a job well done!

Sex Predator laws, Why not Marlton???

2005-12-09T09:37:00.000-05:00

Now I see Moorestown is working on stricter laws for their town to protect their children from the sex predators that plague our society. After checking the state website that is intended to inform the public of their names and addresses, we have several of these people living within our community.

What is it the reason that so many towns are tightening up their laws??? Its obvious that they want to do whatever is within their power to protect their children and parents from these people.

I have yet to hear anything about this in our town, we must look at our laws and see if there is an opportunity to raise the level of security for our families.

If you look back on the Blog to a few weeks ago, there was an 11yr old boy missing. I know what was going through my mind. Luckily he was found and was alright. Lets see what we can do to prevent a tragedy.

Continuing the Effort

2005-12-09T06:29:00.000-05:00

The Yellow Ribbon Club efforts continue on. Mrs. Drummond and I are looking to have a care package drive come January. Anyone who wishes to be a part of this can contact Mrs. Drummond or myself.

We look to have the details finalized soon and will have one central location on a Saturday at which you can drop off any of the items listed in the previous post.

If anyone wishes to help, let us know. We could use the assistance of business owners such as mail centers/FEDEX/UPS, etc.

Thanks to all who have contacted us so far.

More on The Yellow Ribbon Club

2005-12-07T17:13:00.000-05:00

Update #3 (12/9/05 0626): Enlighten New Jersey has posted a link to our effort. Thanks.

Update #2 (12/8/05 1345): Mrs Drummond received a note of thanks today:

Subject: THANK YOU Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2005 13:57:34 +0000
Hello from Ramadi, Iraq!

I would like to thank you for the Care Package. I am sending it out to one on our units on the border, they have been doing most of the fighting. They really have done great things and we are winning. I was out there last week to see them. I have 19,000 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors do the work for us here and it great to get out and see them. THEY ARE THE REAL HEROES. I too have my son over here and I am very proud of him.

You are some great Americans and I thank you for all of the Marines, Soldiers and Sailors! Here is our most recent news letter and our web site!

Semper Fi
Ron Himsworth
Sergeant Major
2D Marine Division
Ramadi, Iraq

http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dmardiv/

No, thank you and your men and women Sergeant Major Himsworth. And to eveyone else who reads this, let's help Mrs. Drummond get more care packages made up.

Original post below:

Leslie Drummond has let me know that she will be meeting with a local Brownie troop this evening in which they will make cookies for the troops. Channel 10 news will be there and she will be on this evenings 11:00 news.

Several national sites have graciously linked to our story:

Indymedia Watch

Maobi

I Think Therefore I Err

and I was informed that the Donovan's, who have one of the best military sites on the web will post in the morning. Update: The Donovan's link is here. Their site is up for a Weblog Award as best military blog. Click here to vote for them.

Thanks to all and let's keep Mrs. Drummond as busy as possible.

Update: I almost forgot the excellent Cardinal Martini. Thanks and I just may pull for USC...or not.

Update #2: My Buddy at the Recovering Donk helps out. Thanks.

A Great Cause

2005-12-06T19:02:00.000-05:00

Marlton resident Leslie Drummond is doing great work. Mrs. Drummond has a son that has been deployed to Iraq recently. Her son, like all of those stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan are serving our nation because they--like I did when in the service--want to protect the US and help people who have been oppressed.

Mrs. Drummond has started a project called the Yellow Ribbon Group. The goal of the Yellow Ribbon Group is to send care packages to our troops stationed in Iraq. They accept no money, only products that can make a day in Iraq a little bit easier.

I remember when I was deployed in 1992 during the tail end of Desert Storm and the onset of Somali relief operations. The feeling of being so far from home was at times overwhelming but I--as every service person--understood that I had a job to do. I recall getting a letter addressed to "Any Service Person" and it made my day.

The media has not portrayed the events in Iraq in the best light, but I know many who have served there and they know what the truth is. Perhaps a card or letter from you will make them feel a bit better while they count the days until they return to their families.

The list of needed items includes:

Baby powder (removes sand)
Fly Paper
Baby wipes (for cleaning rifles)
Sunglasses (new or used)
Visine or Saline eye drops (sand still gets in goggles)
Bug spray or rub on (no aerosols-post office wont accept them)
Chapstick
Candles
Shower supplies/personal hygiene stuff
Puffs/kleenex
Puzzle or crossword books and such
Canned/bagged tuna and chicken
Magazines (please nothing erotic-illegal in Iraq)
Toilet paper
Chewing gum/ suckers ect.
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Stationary (they like to write letters)
Foot powder
Sunscreen
Dry roasted peanuts/mixed nuts
DVD’s & computer games
Potato chips in cylinder or can
Books (any kind)
Dried fruit
Powdered drinks (koolaide and such)
Skittles
Slim Jims
Beef Jerky
Ramen noodles
Hand sanitizer
Greeting cards
Popcorn
Peanutbutter (plastic container)
Fruit cups (plastic container)
Q tips
Coffee/tea
Sugar packets
Creamer packets/containers

For Women

Feminine Hygiene products (tampons, panty liners, sanitary pads)
Shampoo & Conditioner
Moisturizing bath soap
Deoderant
Lotions
Emery boards
Small mirrors
Shower sponges/loofahs
Body wash
Body spray
Hair gel

If you are so inclined, please contact Mrs. Drummond at the e-mail address listed below:

yellowribbonclub@comcast.net

I for one am proud of our troops such as Mrs. Drummond's son and hope that anyone who is able will help her continue the good things she's started.

Chiefs Win State Sectional

2005-12-04T16:48:00.000-05:00

Since no one else has posted it, the disgruntled Shawnee alum will: Congratulations to the Cherokee Chiefs who came back from a 19-point deficit to overtake Absegami.

I can not begin to tell you how much it hurt to write those words.

MRC Meeting

2005-12-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Keep on coming....... to the meetings, MRC or Dec 20th Town Council, get involved!!!!! Whether your pro-skatepark or anti-skatepark.

On another note, if we want to further our MRC agenda we MUST take it upon ourselves to FUND our own projects. If we find the Township opts to match our MRC funds, well then thats fantastic. But nothing will get done unless we turnout in numbers at all twp council meetings. This has to continue, we ARE making a difference. You can see it by the attention that we are getting from the town council members, especially Mrs. Sarcone, Mr. Schmidt and Mrs. Olt.

It was FANTASTIC to see them at our MRC meeting tonight.

Thank you Mike and Debbie. Bonnie rsvp'd she had a prior committment and couldn't make tonites meeting unfortunately but is working for us.

Congratulations all, we are making a difference...

Evesham Forum

2005-12-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

MRC meeting

2005-11-29T21:33:00.000-05:00

Please don't forget this weeks MRC Meeting Thursday night at 830. Lets make sure the attendance is as strong as late and we have participation from town council. I do home that a few of them attend.

The rise and fall of civic and neighborhood associations

2005-11-29T15:12:00.000-05:00

Our association, the Arrowhead Neighborhood Association (ANA), a volunteer organization, has been in existence since 1999. It was started by myself and another resident within the Arrowhead community. I believe that the group has been successful in many ways throughout the years. We have an executive committee, operating committees (safety, recreation, public works, etc). We provide general membership meetings (spring and fall), we have had communications with many of our township officials and directors of various departments. We have sponsored yard/bake sales, represented the community through planning board issues, provided a National Night Out event for the last 6 years and the list goes on. We have had participation by many members of community whether it was passing out flyers, working on path clean-ups, welcoming new neighbors, etc. All in all, it has been a successful endeavor and will continue onward.

http://www.geocities.com/arrowassoc01

We have seen one aspect, general meetings, that has been a point of contention because of low attendance. In a community with approximately 225 homes, we average ~18 people (including association officers) at our meetings.

I would value some opinions from others involved in such types of organizations as to their meeting attendance and how to increase and/or maintain interest.

Am I correct in assuming that if there is no "catastrophic" events that are ongoing, that the residents are just content with how we are proceeding?

Let us know what you think!!

MRC Meeting

2005-11-29T07:55:00.000-05:00

Don't forget the MRC meeting this week. Thursday night at 8:30. I wonder if we'll see any council members there????

Evesham Forum

2005-11-28T22:02:00.000-05:00

Hey All, don't forget this months MRC meeting. Let's have a good turnout and extend invitations to all of our elected officials!!!!!!

Cable Wars Heat Up

2005-11-28T21:09:00.000-05:00

Comcast has had a monopoly on cable in this area for years. From their years as Garden State Cable to their present incarnation, they've had free will to raise rates as they've seen fit.

Things just may change. The NJ legislature is taking up the debate as we speak and options may become available.

The American way is competition--competition lowers prices and increases options. Cable--like Major League Baseball, but I digress--has not played by the rules that other industries have. When you think of Home Depot, you think of Lowes, if you talk of Wal Mart, you have a Target. You think of Comcast and you have...well, nothing else.

Read here, here and here and decide what you think.

Every town in Nj deserves the right to decide if they want Verizon, Comcast or satellite. I'm honestly happy with the product Comcast offers, I'm not happy about the price.

UPDATE-11-Year Old Marlton Boy Missing

2005-11-28T11:33:00.000-05:00

The missing 11 year old boy was found safe.

11-Year Old Marlton Boy Missing

2005-11-28T10:03:00.000-05:00

Police are searching for missing Evesham boy:

Police in Evesham asked the public for help in finding an 11-year-old boy who left his Main Street home for an unknown reason between 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m. yesterday.

Police believe Sebastion Alexander Blinn left around midnight, based on an e-mail he sent a friend saying he was going to take off when his parents went to bed. Police said he may have headed toward his former home in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township.

Sebastion, who has blond hair and blue eyes, is 4-foot-9 and 130 pounds with a medium to heavy build. He may be wearing a hooded New Jersey Devils sweatshirt and sweat pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Evesham police at 856-983-1118.

Delayed Gratification

2005-11-25T12:46:00.000-05:00

The Courier Post has an article on what Scott's last post talked about-the proposed skate park. Council finally gave approval for the project to go to bid.
It seems it took much longer than a year for council to look into the insurance coverage concern for the park and to figure out where the money for the skate park might come from after telling the kids three years ago that the park would be built.
The article mentions that Mike Schmidt abstained from the project bid vote saying he felt that the money could be spent on fields. That is an admirable thought, but a previous council did promise kids the park and they shouldn't go back on their promise. The article also mentioned that senior citizens have in the past expressed concern for money spent on recreation instead of on seniors' concerns.

The last major project the township did was Memorial. While it does provide much needed field space, I don't know anyone who would argue against the thought that the maintenance could be vastly improved upon. I am not talking about paving the parking lot, either.
The playground at Memorial (Scott's Place) was the idea of the late Scott Rand. The money was raised and the playground built by Evesham residents. The football field on Evesboro-Medford Road has lights because the football parents raised the money for them. They also raised money for the scoreboards at Memorial. These are all major projects that have had significant positive impact on different recreation groups in town. They were all accomplished by groups...not by the township.
Is this what it is all about when it comes to recreation in Evesham? We only have this small piddling amount of money and either it gets spent on fields or on other recreation or on the seniors? That manner of thinking by council might force different groups within town to fight one another.
While all of our individual groups are raising money and building for our own individual interests, where is the rest of the money in the township being spent? We can't very well be keeping an eye on the budget if we are too exhausted from fundraising and construction.

Town Council Meeting

2005-11-23T06:29:00.000-05:00

I attended the Town Council meeting and have several comments:

First, it's good to see kids rewarded for attaining the Eagle Scout rank and raising money for autism. Although they probably don't believe it, they will remember that for a long time.

Second, while those same young people will remember being presented awards in front of Council, the kids who were promised a skate park three years ago will always remember that their local government let them down. A group of young people took the initiative to collect signatures and approach Council with their thoughts on the project, they were promised that it would be done by the summer of '04. It is now nearly winter of '05 and nothing has been done.

Ironically, one of the Eagle Scouts was cited for organizing a group and repairing the skate park in Medford.

This issue seems to be revisited every so often and never seems to get off the ground.

The Council did give permission to Mr. Sasdelli to put the project out to bid, but it will cost thousands more now then if it had been done when those kids presented their case three years ago.

Bonnie Olt was not sworn in as the election has not been certified for some reason. She was in attendance however.

I had to leave at 9:00 but several other members of this site remained and can update as necessary.

Camden Wins (or loses) Again

2005-11-21T07:38:00.000-05:00

Camden has been voted America's Most Dangerous city again. The rankings are based on cities with a population of 75,000 or more.

Government has failed that particular city.

Update: I want to expound on the previous comments. I'm a big believer in the axiom--the smaller the government, the better.

That said, Camden has been screwed for years by poor policies, poor planning and extremely poor governance.

I don't want to hear the tired argument that we should throw more money at the problem, the Tweeter Center, Aquarium and other projects should put that debate to bed.

What Camden needs is someone who takes over, is honest and whips that city into shape. Think NYC prior to Giuliani taking over. They need a leader who makes the residents want to make their city better, not another mayor thrown in jail for corruption.

The Camden schools have been milking money for decades and have not improved. The county has been raising taxes to cover the multitude of expenses the city usurps. I know of two Marlton residents who teach there because they want to, not because they have to. They know the problems inherent with the massive entitlement program that Camden has become.

Today, Camden officials reacted with anger, as they did last year. Sorry fella's, anger ain't gonna cut it this time. It's become fashionable to look into "root causes" to determine why cities such as Camden or Detroit fail, well Camden needs a hell of a lot more than examinations of "root causes".

Eventually, you have to try another avenue, don't you?

Update 2: Enlighten NJ has some, er enlightening stats with regard to spending in Newark, Camden, Millburn and Cherry Hill.

Traffic Issues

2005-11-21T07:17:00.000-05:00

Meadow Lane issues keep popping up. Meadow Lane is a winding street lined with houses that connects Evesham Rd. and Brick Rd.

I live in a separate portion of this development and see the traffic that goes through. The Inquirer has a story about it in today's paper:

Last June, township traffic engineer Dick Orth concluded that the humps were effective in reducing speed in their immediate vicinity, dropping it from an average of 34 m.p.h. to 16 m.p.h. But they were little, if any, help in reducing volume. They actually resulted in the average speed at the northern end increasing from 31 m.p.h. to 34 m.p.h., because motorists were "trying to make up for lost time," Orth's report said.

Orth recommended replacing the temporary speed humps with three permanent ones and moving one closer to the northern end of Meadow Lane. Other options include installing stop signs, extending curbs, and putting in different barriers such as raised median islands.
"Can we put devices on the road or in the road to slow people down? Yes, and we will," Township Manager Ed Sasdelli said. "But controlling the volume of traffic is a more complicated issue."

A third traffic study is now under way, and another report is expected by late December.

Sasdelli said the council is "responsible to make it as safe as possible, and that starts with the speed limit. We can accomplish that with traffic enforcement. But you can't have officers there 24 hours a day."

Mayor Gus Tamburro views the situation as "two distinct problems. For the people who live on Meadow Lane, it's speed. For people who live off Meadow Lane, it's volume." The solution will "require a combination of things."

The residents just want something done.

Speed humps are a limited solution because they control speed but not volume. people feel better if they are not sitting in traffic but are constantly moving, no matter what speed.

The major issue is Evesham Rd, within a half mile of the light, coming from Voorhees, you have three townships, two counties and a whole bunch of cars.

Being that Evesham Rd. is a county road, it's up to our duly elected Freeholders to come up with a solution. Widening Evesham Rd. so that cars making a right could proceed instead of waiting for the light would be a step.

A second solution would be to make a left turning lane onto the Marlton By-pass heading south. The jughandle was a bad idea from the beginning and a few minutes of watching would show that the left turn lane going north flows well while the jughandle makes for a nightmare.

Traffic is a major quality of life issue in town and this is by far the worst intersection in Evesham. I know that people have been dissuaded from buying in my development simply because of the traffic problem.

Who are we catering to?

2005-11-20T10:49:00.000-05:00

I know I am not the only person in the US to be sickened be the commercialism of Christmas. While shopping for Halloween costumes, if I turned around, Santa could have smacked me in the face in the same isle. 104.5 has been playing Christmas music for a month now and B-101 has deemed itself the "Christmas music station".

I do not shop early, I do not want to hear Jingle Bells in October and I'll go one step further, I do not want to deal with this until I've stuffed myself with Thanksgiving dinner!

I'm all about the holidays, but is the true meaning being left behind for the few that love to complain?

1. Christmas break is now Winter break.

2. The Christmas concerts in schools are now the Winter concerts. (God forbid, should we offend anyone.)

3. Yes, I said it, GOD! Believe, don't believe, I could care less, but do not tell me that I should teach my children that Christmas is for gifts. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah (which begins Christmas day and I will be celebrating this also with my Jewish friends of which I have many and love very much) or Kwanza, this is America, the Greatest Country in the world! We are afforded the right to speak about beliefs and to use the word CHRISTMAS.

4. I will not refer to Christmas break as Winter break.

5. I will sing Silent Night loud and proud.

6. I will say the Pledge of Allegiance including the word GOD loud and proud and add an Amen to the end!

Is this a rant? No, It's freedom of speech. Welcome to America and GOD BLESS the men and women that have fought to give us this right!

Cherokee Wins

2005-11-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

Here's the story in all its gory, er glorious detail.

As some one that has been on the Chiefs bandwagon since about 9:30 last night, I say Go Chiefs!

Breaking News

2005-11-18T16:22:00.000-05:00

According to Drudge and CNN, the House of Representatives will have a vote on pulling the troops out this evening between 5:45 and 7:45 PM.

The GOP has told the Dems to put their money where their mouths are. This puts incumbent Dems from "red" states in a precarious position with the folks back home.

This is an interesting play by House Republicans and bad news for the House Democrats. While support for the war has dipped, a majority still support staying and finishing the job.

Update: Here's more from the AP.

Update 2: The Republicans win but the Dems show backbone and stay and vote.

Update 3 (11/19): The House almost came to blows during this debate. It had the feel of the British House of Commons.

Cherokee at Shawnee

2005-11-18T09:22:00.000-05:00

Mid-November, the temperature is dropping daily and the two best teams in the area meet on a Friday night. It doesn't get better than this. I've contacted the Medford Police Dept. and requested that they stop anyone with an MRC magnet or CHS sticker on the back of their vehicles and ticket them.

Update: I'll take it like a man. Cherokee beats Shawnee. Give me your best, CHS fans. By the way, Bill was right.

A Disclaimer

2005-11-18T09:03:00.000-05:00

I've sent a request to the School Board to fill the seat vacated by Bonnie Olt discussed by TS-S here. I will not use this site to push for anything, but felt that full disclosure is the correct position.

I figured it's time to quit commenting on the day-to-day events in this town and actually do something about it.

STOP THE INSANITY!!!!!!!!

2005-11-18T08:27:00.000-05:00

Again, I am driving by the Memorial field football field and the crews are our there working on it. Please tell me that they aren't going to perpetuate the same old same old. Fertilize, seed, grass emerges, crabgrass emerges, crabgrass takes over, grass dies out, september chill comes, crabgrass dies, rains come, football players come, mud pit arrives, players leave, teams leave, back to Cherokee fields, etc. etc.

Steve

Increasing the Minimum Wage and the Unemployment Ranks

2005-11-17T20:52:00.000-05:00

James Taranto in today's Best of the Web Today (sixth item):

"The purchasing power of minimum wage is at an historic low. Coupled with the relatively high cost of living in New Jersey, the state's lower income workers are being pushed to the brink. Acting Governor [Richard] Codey believes all New Jerseyans deserve the fair proposition that an honest day's work should garner a living wage. Moreover, there is strong evidence that increasing the minimum wage also significantly improves quality of life--reducing hunger and increasing healthcare."--"State of the State Highlights," New Jersey government Web site, Jan. 11

"Several senior citizens working in non-profit and public organizations in Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester counties will face layoffs in December. Chris Davenport, executive director of Salem Main Street program, said the federally funded non-profit company Experience Works, which assists low-income senior citizens with job training and placement, has been forced to lay off seniors due to the increase in minimum wage."--Today's Sunbeam (Salem, N.J.), Nov. 17

New To Evesham Forum

2005-11-17T16:58:00.000-05:00

Evesham Forum would like to welcome Board of Education member Dan Meyers to the EF group. We look forward to Dan's informative posts.

Website Set Up For Missing Marlton Woman

2005-11-17T07:50:00.000-05:00

A website has been created for missing Marlton resident Marianne Demartin. Contact info can be found at the site.

Evesham Board of Education

2005-11-16T15:16:00.000-05:00

At last night's board of education meeting, Theresa Freeman was elected president and Joseph Fisicaro Jr. was elected vice-president. Theresa takes over because Bonnie Olt had to step down after being elected to council.

Theresa is a great choice for president with a lot of experience on the board. Education has always been her top priority.

The Board now has a vacancy and will appoint someone to serve until the next election in the spring. Anyone interested?

Comment Issues

2005-11-16T10:59:00.000-05:00

It appears that Haloscan had a hiccup and the previous comments were erased. I will see if I can recover them and determine what the exact problem is.

An intresting article on real estate from today's Star Ledger

2005-11-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

N.J. home sale fever breaking, data show 'Red-hot' market cooling off to 'just right'

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

BY SAM ALI

Star-Ledger Staff

Sometimes the numbers don't tell the whole story, housing experts said yesterday after glancing at home price and sales statistics from the National Association of Realtors.

At first blush, everything seems rock-solid: The national median price of a single-family home -- the point at which half sold for more and half sold for less -- rose a healthy 14.7 percent to $215,900 for the third quarter, compared with$188,200 in the same period a year ago.
Unfortunately, for folks like Joe Natale, a mortgage banker and builder based in Cranford, the NAR's third-quarter numbers are a bit stale.

"We're already in November, the middle of the fourth quarter, so those numbers are already yesterday's news," said Natale, president of First United Mortgage and JDN Properties. "Today the world is a very different place."

That seemed to be the water-cooler buzz in real estate circles yesterday. The days of beaming some sellers sifting through multiple offers and frenzied buyers snatching up homes for more than the asking price appear to be waning.

"I believe the NAR numbers don't reflect the last 45 to 60 days in the market," said Dominick Prevete, regional vice president for northern New Jersey at Morris Plains-based Weichert Realtors. "In the short term, buyers have been on hold by some recent developments, like the Hurricane Katrina and the quick run-up in energy prices. Those things had people scared and a bit frozen."

Despite all the talk of a slowdown, the NAR's data certainly pointed to sales growth and very strong house-price appreciation in the third quarter.

In its quarterly survey, the NAR found existing-home sales in New Jersey, which included single-family homes and condos, rose 3.9 percent from July through September, compared with the same period a year earlier. Nationally, existing-home sales rose 6.5 percent.

"The fastest-growing markets continue to be the smaller Western markets, which present lower-cost alternatives to California for investors and homeowners alike," said Celia Chen, director of housing economics at Economy.com, a research company in West Chester, Pa. "Florida markets also continue to be exceptionally heated as investors and second-home buyers continue to pile in."

In the Northeast, the median price of a home rose 13.2 percent for the third quarter to $249,300, compared with a year earlier.

In the Atlantic City area, prices jumped 22.3 percent in the third quarter to $247,600 vs. last year and 13.6 percent to $386,900 in the Edison area, a four-county span that includes Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset counties.

Home prices in the Newark metropolitan region -- a five-county span that includes Essex, Union, Morris, Warren and Sussex -- rose 12.5 percent to $446,800.

Regionally, the strongest increase in home prices was in the West, where the median single-family existing-home price rose 18.8 percent compared with last year to $322,000.

All told, home price gains varied widely across the country in the third quarter, with metro-area prices ranging from $72,800 in Danville, Ill., to nearly 10 times that in the San Franscisco-Oakland-Fremont area of California, where the median price was $721,900.

The second most expensive area in the United State was Anaheim-Santa Ana in Orange County, Calif., at $710,700, followed by the Honolulu area and the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, Calif., area, which tied at $615,000.

Of the 149 metro areas surveyed, 69 showed gains of more than 10 percent, while six areas had small price declines.

The NAR described the housing market as one in transition and predicted median home prices would rise about 5.3 percent nationwide in 2006, after rising 12 percent during the past 12 months.

"Improvements in inventory in most areas should take pressure off of homebuyers to make snap decisions or find themselves in competitive bidding situations," said NAR president Thomas Stevens. "This calmer real estate market will create a more level environment for buyers."

Stevens said that while sellers would still enjoy healthy gains on the value of their homes, they "should expect annual increases to be much closer to historic levels going forward."
Since 1968, home prices generally have risen between 1 and 2 percentage points faster than the overall rate of inflation, which is pegged at 2.6 percent next year, the NAR said.

Most analysts also said yesterday that rising mortgage rates will simply moderate the double-digit gains in home prices that home sellers have enjoyed in recent years, rather than cause sharp declines in home prices.

Freddie Mac's nationwide survey showed that the 30-year mortgage hit 6.36 percent last week, the highest level in more than two years.

"The good news is that inventory levels are improving and housing supply will come closer to buyer demand in 2006," said David Lereah, the NAR's chief economist. "We expect a healthy and more balanced market next year."

Indeed, most housing experts agreed the housing market's transition from red-hot to "just right" was a good thing.

"Generally we are seeing the housing market remain healthy but less frenzied than a year ago," said Fred Cooper, senior vice president of finance at luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers, based in Philadelphia. "Six months ago we were going at 100 miles an hour. Today we are traveling at a more sustainable and healthy pace."

2005-11-16T10:14:00.000-05:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

A Digression

2005-11-15T21:06:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I am going to attend an invite only affair in New York for the kickoff of Open Source Media. OSM is a new venture attempting to expand the world of blogs into the mainstream media. Let me quote from the OSM website:

OSM is the new meeting ground for thoughtful opinion and news online--a unique home for the growing movement of citizen journalism, amalgamating over 70 important webloggers from across the world with mainstream media journalists sympathetic to its goals.

Our most important goal is openness via the free and respectful exchange of ideas expressed through citizen journalists, coupled with a dedication to honesty and the truth.

When we talk about citizen journalism, we mean journalism not created by elites, as in the top-down traditional media, but from the bottom-up by citizens using their observations and knowledge, informed by a desire to speak honestly. Not all who join this effort will be bloggers. Some will be professional journalists and writers of standing who work from a position of openness and responsiveness. Taking our ideas from the democracy itself, we expect all who join us to be willing to have their ideas challenged by the humblest competitor, and to acknowledge the truth quickly and wherever it falls. Citizen journalism at its best means the pursuit of the truth above all things, above partisanship or the financial interests of the medium publishing it.

OSM seeks to expand the influence of weblogs by finding and promoting the best of these citizen journalists. We will provide a forum for them, and a platform from which they can increase their financial viability. In so doing, we do not overthrow the mainstream media, but enhance it.

This venture was started by Charles Johnson and Roger L. Simon, two of the best bloggers out there.

To those who are new to this medium, it may seem a bit strange that ordinary citizens can write opinion pieces that are as good--if not better than--paid journalists. Well, maybe it won't be such a shock to those who are in politics and the public eye.

Here's more background.

I hope to talk with the excellent John Podhoretz and award winning journalist from the Wall Street Journal Claudia Rosett

Anyway, I feel honored to be a part of this new idea and will report back after attending tomorrow.

Thank you for the indulgence.

NJ and Property Taxes--Perfect Together

2005-11-15T14:24:00.000-05:00

Marlton resident Kimberly Brook in the Inquirer today:

I grew tired of hearing all the rhetoric from both candidates for governor. Both talked about lowering property taxes. While that's laudable, no one seems to have a plan for curing the problem where it originates: in our school systems. I live in Marlton, and we have an excellent school system. Year after year, I've watched it struggle to make ends meet.

Because the district gets less and less money from the state, it has to turn to residents for the rest of the budget, and then the taxes go up. I know our senior citizens have a hard time with the increases, but the schools should not be penalized for the state's inadequacies.

Here's a post I wrote recently concerning the same issue.

Moving onto Other Important Issues

2005-11-14T18:37:00.000-05:00

This town has other important issues on the horizon, arguing about the past is counter productive. A short list of imminent calamities includes:

The coming chaos when they begin construction on the circle;
The reassessment and subsequent tax increases associated with it;
The lack of fields, an issue close to my heart;
Stagnant or reduced tax revenue due to limited new housing and business space; and
The financial costs of the golf course.

Let's move on to other issues and feel free to comment on any issue I may have neglected.

Bloggers (and your) Rights

2005-11-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Scott at the excellent Point of View site has information on two bills currently before congress that may effect the use of the internet as a whole and blogs in particular in the political realm. This site espouses free speech as should every American, let's not allow it to be squashed.

Signs

2005-11-14T14:13:00.000-05:00

Does anyone know the regulations on campaign signs and the time allowed to remove them? I'm a bit sick of looking at them.

Next Council Meeting

2005-11-14T07:45:00.000-05:00

Council will meet on November 22nd. Let's have as big a turnout as possible to show that the town is watching what is happening. Here's the events calendar for the rest of the month.

For those of us who have been pushing for fields, we must show up and keep the heat on so Council knows we are not going away.

Montgomery Case Over

2005-11-13T21:18:00.000-05:00

The judge's opinion stated that an election should be held. An election was held and a candidate was elected.

Regardless of the evidence for or against, the facts are the facts, the decision was levied and an election took place.

Solicitors opinion on Montgomery

2005-11-13T19:01:00.000-05:00

"The question assumes that indeed she left the geographical boundaries of Evesham Township during those months; there is, of course, no real proof to that effect."

Also, Gillespie writes that Montgomery, "absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, was a "de jure officer" until Sept. 3 and "if evidence was produced to show that she was no longer a resident in June, July or August, that she was, nevertheless, a de facto officer in accordance with long-established New Jersey jurisprudence."

Interesting that Ms. Montgomery made the motion for Mr. Gillespie's job and Ms. Montgomery via her Sellers Residency Certification dated 6/6/05 clearly stated, as shown above, her residency was Thorofare NJ obtained from the Burlington County Clerks web site.

The following was taken from a web site that was created for Ms. Montgomery and clearly states to RSVP to her. The phone number listed is her Thorofare number. Via subpoenaed phone records, her calls where call forwarded from 6/9/05 from her Evesham number to Thorofare.
Please note, that the phone numbers below are legitimate and therefore must be Xed in order to protect the privacy of the innocent. Though technically this was not necessary, this site was on the world wide web.

Our Engagement - July 2, 2005
Welcome to our Wedding Website! We hope you can attend! We know it's short notice, but nothing would make us happier than if you can share in our joy on September 3! Please RSVP by August 24 to this website or to (856) 251-xxxx and choose your entree. Directions to the church and The Mansion in Voorhees are included. If you need to RSVP via phone, please call Jamie at 856-251-xxxx or Kathy P. at 856-371-xxxx or 856-384-xxxx.

In many newpaper accounts Ms. Montgomery stated that her home was being built. The link below is the already built home bought through Prudential Fox & Roach and on a few of the pictures snow is on the ground. So much for that theory. The real question remains, who knew, when they knew and what they knew.

http://www.prufoxroach.com/search/search_results_profile.cfm?propid=ee472f9f-3504-45aa-a23c-73d42b24cdad&mailLink=Y

U-10 Lightning Win

2005-11-13T18:57:00.000-05:00

The team I help coach, the U-10 Marlton Lightning, beat Washington Township today to improve to 9-0. The season ends Thursday at Memorial against Cherry Hill United. Congratulations Lightning!

New Contributors

2005-11-13T08:53:00.000-05:00

We've added several new contributors to this site. Some will post under a pseudonym and others under their names. Either way, posts will include backup for the various positions the authors state. Pseudonymous posters have been allowed to post this way since the point of this forum is to get facts out to township residents. In some cases, the only way to do that is by posting anonymously.

Keep in mind, this site is an information site, and as of this writing is protected speech. This site is a non-partisan forum with contributors from all over the political arena. The authors of the posts are partisan and will be rebutted as required.

You, the reader of this site are highly encouraged to comment as often as you wish. Those who continually post rude or personal attacks will be banned from commenting and participating.

We kicked this site off only two days ago and should be going full-bore this week.

Corruption Endemic in State

2005-11-13T08:23:00.000-05:00

"Pay-to-Play" has been the hallmark of New Jersey politics over the last several decades. The citizens are aware of this:

A Quinnipiac University poll from October found 92 percent of likely voters in New Jersey felt corruption was a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem.

An August 2004 Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers Poll found 58 percent of adults surveyed said there was "a lot" of political corruption in New Jersey. Nine of 10 surveyed said there was at least "some" corruption.

An unscientific Courier-Post online survey in late October found 85 percent of those who voted were not satisfied with their incumbent politicians.

With numbers like that, one might assume the incumbents were in trouble on Election Day.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Only three incumbents for state Assembly were defeated Tuesday, continuing the tradition that repeats every election cycle in recent memory.

But there is something that can and should be done to address this problem: Voters must demand that the power to redraw legislative districts be taken away from the politicians who benefit most from the favorable boundaries they draw.

The article continues to say that Ohio and California voter rejected propositions that would've taken redistricting out of the hands of sitting politicians.

Only three incumbents were voted out of the Assembly. Does that mean that the rest of the fine upstanding members of the Assembly were doing an outstanding job?

I'm a big believer in term limits for state Assembly and Senate positions. Two terms (three for Assembly) and you're out. We have a two term limit for Governor, perhaps the citizens of NJ should start pushing for this with other legislative bodies.

News of Note

2005-11-12T08:15:00.000-05:00

Events and issues that affect Evesham Township:

Township Solicitor says Montgomery votes to "remain undisturbed".
Pinelands Commission zoning changes may reduce development.
No news in the disappearance of Marianne DeMartin.
Opinion about Corzine's win--both pro and con.

Cherokee at Shawnee

2005-11-12T07:51:00.000-05:00

Cherokee now has to go and play at my alma mater after last night's win. Things will be different this time, because this time it really counts.

Have at it Chiefs fans, let the smack talking begin.

We are here to stay

2005-11-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

The MRC participants that post on this forum and the "other" forum are here to stay. We won't give up or back down from people that post that won't sign their name. We attach our name to our posts because we have no agenda except the field/facility issue.

It shameful what the people on the "other" website say and do to each other. they must have alot to lose and alot more to gain. We have nothing but the best intentions to work with the elected officials in this town to help maintain and improve the facilities and fields our children play on.

Steven Stil