Hamilton Can’t Afford Republican Budgets

The following is a letter to the Trenton Times - Published October 26, 2013

I am struggling to comprehend the logic of the argument that the Republican politicians and supporters in Hamilton Township are making that they have held the line on property taxes. Republicans took control of local government in the 2007 election, based primarily on a claim that there was a $6 million budget shortfall in an $80 million budget. We were told that this 7.5 percent budget gap was caused by a $4 million increase in expenses and a $2 million shortfall in revenue. The Republican administration then raised the tax rate from 0.81 to 1.185. This tax increase resulted in a net inflow of an additional $13 million in tax revenue, an increase of 16.25 percent.

It seems quite disingenuous to now claim that the Republicans held the line on taxes since taking office, when the 2008 tax increase has generated somewhere between $70 million and $100 million in additional tax revenue in the past six years and a proposed $98 million 2014 operating budget. Reducing taxes by $1 million next year seems a rather weak accomplishment, given the budget is now $19 million greater than when they took office.

As an engaged, independent and concerned citizen, I have met and spent time with Democratic mayoral candidate Barbara Plumeri and I am convinced that she and her team are what Hamilton needs to bring honesty, transparency, accountability and integrity back to our local government. Ms. Plumeri owes no favors, is not a career politician and is dedicated to leading Hamilton into the future.

-- Joseph Zannoni,
Hamilton

 

HAMILTON POLS - I See Nothing!!!!

It is well documented that the FBI initiated an investigation into former Mayor Bencivengo, former Director of Engineering and Planning, Rob Warney and the bribes paid out by the government’s star witness and disgraced insurance broker, Marliese Ljuba.  That investigation led to the conviction and incarceration of Bencivengo and Warney, the firing of former Mercer County Republican Chairwoman and Hamilton Director of Recreation, Cathy Tramontana.

Literally, as our newly appointed Mayor was being sworn into office on November 30, 2012, cell phones were beeping with the news that another former Mercer County Republican Chairman, Hamilton Partnership member, Birdsall engineering executive, and nephew to Hamilton’s current Director Michael Angarone; Phil Angarone Jr. had pled guilty for a scheme to funnel illegal campaign donations  to elected officials.

With 3 prominent Hamilton Republicans marching off to jail; 2 former Mercer County Republican Chairs fired or jailed; one would assume that our remaining elected officials would be toeing the line and would be making every effort to appear squeaky clean and avoid any appearance of impropriety.  Well you know what they say happens when you assume?

We have now learned that Yaede, Kenny, Pone and Gore all were beneficiaries of Mr. Angarone and Birdsall engineering’s largesse.  Yaede’s 2011 campaign received $600 of illegal contributions. Pone’s personal campaign fund received $300 and the joint fund for Kenny and Pone received $2200 in illegal donations in 2009. Mr. Gore was not quite as popular, as he only received $250 in illegal Birdsall campaign contributions. The Hamilton Republican Committee was the big winner, receiving $16,750 in illegal donations.

Now put yourself in our stars’ shoes.  With 2 of your former colleagues currently occupying federal prison cells and the former county GOP chairman, veteran Hamilton Republican power broker, Phil Angarone Jr. awaiting his own state reservation; would it be time to fess up; admit to receiving the dirty money; maybe even return it or donate it to some charitable cause? Or would you just remain silent, do nothing and pray that the November 5^th election would hurry up and get here? 

 

What did the Sgt Schultz say?  “I see nothing”!  At least Hogan’s Heroes was a comedy.  This, I am afraid, is a tragedy for Hamilton and all of its residents that have watched the reputation of their hometown be severely besmirched. 

Verify the illegal donations to your Hamilton politicians by clicking on the Star Ledger Chart link to the left, under the heading Birdsall Illegal Contributions.  We will give you more of the story tomorrow.  Stay tuned!!

 

 

The YAEDE CIRCUS-When Will the Ringmaster Speak?

This week, Ms. Yaede has paraded her usual suspects before the online world to attempt to defend an indefensible record. Yet there still have been no responses to pressing township issues by anyone in the Yaede administration. The first mouthpiece to step up, former Councilman and your current Economic Development Director, Michael Angarone.  As noted in a prior post Mr. Angarone has quite a history in Hamilton Republican circles and a well documented proclivity for attacking those with alternative views to his business as usual mantra. It is actually somewhat surprising that he would choose to enter any spirited discussion on the ethical, honest, good government practices of the current administration.  Mr. Angarone was on the Hamilton Partnership with his nephew, former Mercer County Republican Chairman and recently convicted Birdsall executive, Phil Angarone Jr.  Yes, the same Phil Angarone that the NJ Attorney General says spread over $20,000 dollars of illegal campaign contributions to the Hamilton Republican Committee, Ms. Yaede and Messrs Kenny, Pone and Gore.

Just a thought for Mike Angarone, before he sanctimoniously lectures anyone on anything regarding Hamilton government; perhaps he should help the rest of our tight lipped officials find the illegal campaign contributions they received from Mr. Angarone’s Birdsall firm. I am sure all the Birdsall cash had nothing to do with the hundreds of thousands in township contracts our elected officials handed out to Birdsall. For extra credit they could begin to look for the contributions the star witness in the Bencivengo corruption trial, Ms. Ljuba, says she gave to Messrs Kenny and Pone.

Mr. Pone, surrogate #2, ditto for you!  The Hamilton is awaiting your Ljuba disclosure and an answer as to what you did with the $2,500 Birdsall illegally funneled into your 2009 campaign coffers.

Cashel Schmittinger Darvas, a good friend of Ms. Yaede’s, a former campaign aide, and campaign manager for Councilman Gore, now also weighs in as a Yaede surrogate.  I am sure the taxpayers are reassured that the Mayor’s secretary is articulating Township policy.  Not only has Ms Darvas been rewarded with a Township job so has her husband Bruce Darvas.  Mr. Darvas, who to date has not weighed in on behalf of his boss, was formerly a part-time Assistant Township Attorney.  Ms. Yaede saw fit to support his promotion to become the Township’s 2^nd full-time attorney after he also ran Councilman Gore’s campaign.  Just how much of the taxpayer dollars have been delved out to Yaede friends?

Perhaps we would all be better off asking the Mayor’s surrogates, or even her dad, former Township employee Fred Yaede, for our long sought answers.  They all seem to be readily available and slightly more inclined to speak.

 

 

THE YAEDE DELUSION & ILLUSION ON TAXES

Kelly Yaede is suffering from something when it comes to her representations regarding Hamilton Township Taxes. Hopefully, she is just unable to remember that she along with Mr. Pone and Mr. Kenny voted for the LARGEST TAX INCREASE in the history of Hamilton.  Ms Yaede continually refers to taxes over the past 5 years. Perhaps her memory only runs to 2009.  More likely, however, she is intentionally creating the illusion for voters that her tax record is that of a councilwoman that never voted for a tax increase.

In point of fact Yaede has supported 3 tax increases during the past 6 years. Granted the increases for 2012 (1.87%) and 2013 (.7%) were minimal. But, that is only because the 2008 Tax Increase was such a whopper – a 46.29% increase.  The 2008 increase yielded $13,324,000 in additional revenue for the township (see page 11 of the 2008 Budget that is conveniently not online at your Township website). Since 2008 Hamilton has accrued an additional $104,349,231 in tax revenues, on the back of Hamilton residents because it never returned the tax rate to 2007 levels.

Mr. Joe Zannoni submitted a letter to the editor recently pointing out the Hamilton Republican hypocrisy on taxes. Low and behold the Zannoni letter elicited a response from 2 Yaede administration officials. No response from our appointed Mayor, but from 2 of her attack dogs; former Councilman and Director of Economic Development, Mike Angarone, and current Councilman Dennis Pone. Both of Ms Yaede’s mouth pieces continue the effort to confuse the taxpayers. The fictional story continues! Now, according to Pone and Angarone, even though the all republican Council passed the 46% tax increase, it wasn’t their fault!  I have not seen them give it back, have you?

Well, is Ms. Yaede delusional when it comes to taxes? Is she purposely pulling the wool over Hamiltonians eyes to create her illusion? Is she just unable to form an intelligent thought on this issue without fibbing; thus her continued silence. Or, is Yaede perpetuating the big lie to benefit her election and 2 of her running mates, which also voted to raise your taxes and slam your pocketbook in 2008; the 1^st year after the GOP gained control of Hamilton’s government?

By the way, Yaede’s own projections for 2014 and 2015 call for an additional $5.8 Million in tax revenue (see numbered page 1 in the proposed 2013 Budget in the link to the right).  I wonder where she proposes to get that money.  I hope all of your backs can bear even more of the tax burden if the republicans continue to run Hamilton!

 

YAEDE’S SILENCE ON CRIME – SHAMEFUL

Hamilton has had a well publicized rash of crime in recent months. Over 30 home invasions in the Golden Crest section; Ms. Yaede's response - NONE!  A string of armed robberies on  South Broad St.; the un-elected Mayor's response... NOTHING!! A tragic murder in the Deutzville area; Yaede's response - SILENCE!!! 13 shootings in Hamilton since Yaede was appointed Mayor;  the Yaede rsponse..."crime is down in Hamilton"; "Hamilton only has a gang presence not a gang problem".  Really Ms. Yaede??????

I know you are up for election and this time of year is often called the "silly season", but Hamilton residents do not think this is a comedy!  What in the world is a "GANG PRESENCE”?  If you really think that there is a difference between a GANG PRESENCE and a GANG PROBLEM, that alone causes me to question your competence to lead.  A gang presence in Hamilton is ok with you?  You have got to be kidding?

Neither Yaede nor her administration even notified the residents of Golden Crest that there were a rash of break ins in Golden Crest until more than 30 had occurred. Golden Crest residents were justifiably outraged!!  Why weren't flyers distributed in the neighborhood? Why wasn't the reverse 911 system used to notify residents of the crime and the impending danger?  A murder and 13 shootings since Yaede was appointed Mayor.  Her response has been predictable...just more SILENCE.  Shameful.

Hamiltonians are understandably outraged by the interim Mayors lack of comment and response to the crime in Hamilton.  An effective leader stands up and is heard in good times and bad. A leader inspires. A leader does not run and hide during critical moments. Kelly Yaede, you are no leader!!!  Perhaps if you spent more time fighting the crime instead of hiding the non functional Police SUV's , behind the Police Station, all of us would be better off.

 

YAEDE'S POLICE EQUIPPED SUV

Most Hamilton residents probably expect that their Mayor would be driving a township vehicle when on official township business. Would they be surprised, however, if their Mayor drove a police car? No not a marked Hamilton Township black and white, but how about a new SUV fully equipped with a police package. That’s right our newly appointed Mayor has a vehicle with a police radio and some.

Apparently, Ms. Yaede fancies herself as a Hamilton Police officer. The problem with  Yaede's illusion is she is not a sworn police officer and has zero law enforcement experience. Yaede has no training whatsoever with the FBI, NJ State Police, or even a local police academy. Kelly Yaede is a civilian who is completely unqualified to play cop. She just happens to have been appointed Hamilton’s interim Mayor by her 3 running mates, Messrs Kenny, Pone and Gore, who also approved the use of her police equipped vehicle. Ironically, Kenny, Pone, Gore and Yaede provided embattled Mayor Bencivengo with a new 2012 Chevy Tahoe just weeks after he had been arrested and charged with public corruption by the FBI.

Yaede has appointed herself as Hamilton’s Public Safety Director, following in the footsteps of her former running mate, and convicted former Mayor, John Bencivengo. NJ law appears to be abundantly clear barring civilian public safety directors, like Yaede, from having her play police car. The NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police has published a “white paper” outlining Limitations of Authority under NJ Law of Civilian Police / Public Safety Directors. That document sites NJ case law; opinions of the NJ Attorney General and NJ Statutes supporting the prohibition. N.J.S.A. 52:17B-67 specifies that a police officer is “any employee of a law enforcement unit…other than civilian heads thereof.” The Attorney Generals opinion also specifically lists many prohibitions for a civilian Police director, including operating a police vehicle or a vehicle equipped with a police radio.

 How much did our unelected mayor’s perk cost the taxpayers? Why does she insist on travelling in a vehicle prohibited by law? Remember... that absolute power corrupts absolutely!

ED GORE CENSURE by STATE ETHICS COMMISSION - Part I

Ed Gore is a Republican, Hamilton Councilman seeking his 1st full term on Council.  Prior to completing an unexpired term on Council, Mr. Gore previously served on the Hamilton Board of Education. When one reads about Mr. Gore there is little mention of his BOE tenure.  I think we have figured out why.

Mr. Gore was the subject of a formal Complaint to the NJ School Ethics Commission regarding his official behavior while a member of the Board. On November 26,1996, the Ethics Commission determined that Gore while a member of the Hamilton Bd of Ed had violated NJSA 18-A:12-24b of the School Ethics Act by using his position on the Board to secure the home addresses of district employees for the purpose of sending employees an intimidating letter advising them that their jobs could be in jeopardy if they did not vote for the Board candidates Gore had endorsed.

The Ethics Commission recommended that Gore be censured and the NJ Commissioner of Education adopted the Commissions finding & directed that Gore be publicly Censured as a school official having violated the School Ethics Act. Rather than admitting his error and apologizing for his acts, Mr. Gore continued to deny that he had committed any impropriety and appealed the decision to the Commissioner of Education and the State School Board.  Both parties rejected Gore's analysis and affirmed the ethical failings and Ordered that Mr. Gore be Censured and that the censure be read at a Hamilton Township Board of Education meeting.

Do you think Ed Gore learned from his ethical failing?  Does the extreme nature of his abuse of his public office render him unfit to serve the citizens of Hamilton?  Tune in to Part II for the rest of the story.

Here is the link to the full body of the Gore Censure decision.

http://www.nj.gov/education/legal/sboe/1997/gore2.pdf