Key Issues
We are the next generation of Hammonton Democrats. We understand why the overwhelming majority voted for new representation at last year’s election. We understand that the people of Hammonton have been frustrated for years witnessing the inaction of the previous Town Council. We understand that it was a time for change. We understand why the public was willing to appoint a new Mayor & Council to see if things would change. We understand that the change we were looking for still has not occurred.
We have witnessed a Council that is moving us backwards in services and infrastructure instead of providing us with the progress we so desperately need.
The Hammonton Lake clean up project is once again back to square one, a project that has had many years of inaction and finally had a guaranteed solution only to be held up once again due to the indecisiveness of the current council.
The Municipal Utility Advisory Committee has been disbanded. A committee that was put in place many years ago to help create an open government, free from corruption and deal making has been eliminated by a council that promised us a more open government. It has been replaced by a committee of hand picked party supporters doing the job behind closed doors.
The code enforcement officer has been fired with no plans for a replacement. There is no one in Hammonton enforcing our codes.
A sewer line for the Boyer Avenue recreational facility has been put on hold, causing another project that has been worked on for a long time to be delayed even longer.
Council meetings were promised to be held twice a month to start moving this Town along at a more rapid pace. That only lasted six months. We are back to once a month meetings and any progress we were making will now be slowed again.
Department heads no longer attend council meetings. Now decisions are made by a few people while the experts sit home and watch on TV. When answers are needed, the answer will be another month in coming so the Department Head can be requested to attend the next meeting.
Plans are in the works to eliminate the Rent Control Board and the Shade Tree Commission. This is a council who promised to use “community volunteers” to provide “more” services and all we have seen is the turning away of volunteers who have served us for many years all to service the personal opinions of a few council members.
Street sweeping has been eliminated in the Town. This was a service that not only helped beautify our Town, but was also a requirement of the DEP. Now our Town will become dirtier every day and we have opened ourselves to potential fines.
Council is looking to eliminate some street lighting. While we may applaud any attempt to save money, we do not agree with doing that at the expense of the safety of our community. In these times of crime and sexual predators we can not afford to make the job of the criminals easier.
The Town hall has received approval from the Pinelands Commission, but there are still a lot of hurdles to overcome and we share the concern of a growing number of Hammonton residents as to being able to finish the project within the promised cost of $5.9 million. Remember, that cost includes moving the historic Town hall and providing a community center.
We understand that it is still time for a change. We understand that we need a council that is willing to stand up to the private interests. We understand that the interest of the whole community takes priority. We are the Next Generation of Hammonton Democrats. We are new names and new voices who are not tied to any of the special interests in Town or any previous political machines. We are Jose Diaz, Ralph Glorioso and Tom Santone and we promise to work hard within the community, the county and the state to make things happen for the citizens of Hammonton. We have some new and innovative ideas to move the Town of Hammonton forward. We look forward to presenting our platform over the next few months and also hope for continued input from the taxpayers of this community. We understand what we need to do and look forward to the opportunity to serve you…
TODAY, TOMORROW…TOWARD THE FUTURE.
So far Town Council has accomplished the following:
*Hammonton Lake closed for the season
*MUAC Eliminated
*Code enforcement officer fired
*Hiring freeze
*Fired all part timers in the Highway Dept.
*Working to eliminate Shade Tree Commission and Rent Control Board
*Jeopardized the Town July 4th celebration
*Turns away grants for Senior citizens from the CDBG
*Eliminated Street Sweeping
*Eliminated funding for the Senior Citizen club Christmas party
*Cut funding for the Fire Department
*Paid $1.2 million for school property we already owned
*Paid $500,000 for a pumping station we already owned
*Council's school funding solution guarantees a 10.2 cents tax increase in school taxes next year
They said they were going to bring so much more to the town, looks like they are more interested in taking services away.
Rent Control Board
Do you believe the Rent Control Board should be abolished?

Yes
No
I don't know
 Council Meetings  
Do you attend or watch the Town Council meetings on Channel 13?
Yes, Religously.
As often as possible.
Once in a while.
No, never.
Current Results
*Town Hall

*Hammonton Lake

*School District

*Main Street Hammonton

*Transit Village

*Tax Ratables

*Representation
MUAC Survey
Now that Town Council has abolished the Municipal Utilities Advisory Commission. Do you think Council will be able to do the thorough review of projects that MUAC was able to do?

Yes
No
Not sure
Services cut
So far Town Council has cut services, personnel and advisory boards, all to bring tax rate to zero. Are these cuts too severe after their promises of a more open government?

Yes, they are not providing the services we need
No, it's more important to lower taxes.
I'll wait and see what they do next.
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