Commentator
Bob Silva: "Toms River Is "Falling
Apart: The Mayor & Council Are Clueless"
Former ('05) Independent Council Candidate Tours The Community And Finds Numerous
Problems
"It Looks Like A Blimp Crashed On
The School Playground," Silva Says
Bob Silva Took A Ride Around Town
And Submitted The Following Report Printed January 12th In The Ocean
County Observer:
Perhaps
the Mayor and Council need to take a ride around town with the Public
Works or Police Department.
It is
quite apparent that the Township of Toms River has fallen apart and
the mayor and council are clueless to the problems or just don’t care
about the direction of the town.
|
Greedy
Pay-To-Play lawyer McGuckin and the Republican Council handed
Mayor Brush The Only 178% salary increase in the history
of local government in New Jersey |
It seems
the only thing the mayor cares about is his 178% salary increase and
the tax increase we get every year. The mayor and council have given
us a 44% tax increase in only three years.
The mayor
and council should try to live within (the town's) income like we all
do every year
Appalled By The Condition Of Toms River
This past
Friday I had business out on Route 37 west and as I drove around, I
was appalled by the condition of Toms River.
Mr.
Ritacco is building an indoor track to be used as a money maker for the
district. Unfortunately it looks like a blimp crashed on the
intermediate school playground.
It is my
understanding that there are ordinances that govern the color of
buildings and signs within the Township of Toms River. Just ask Toys
“R” Us who were not allowed to use their classic signage on the
building across from the mall because it did not blend in with the
woods behind the building.
Many Recent Structures Do Not Comply
Another
group who caught a lot of heat over their sign was Community Medical
Center because it didn’t meet the ordnance standards. One just needs
to ride around observing many of the recent structures in town are
beige or earth tones.
Where Was The Planning Board?
Where was
the planning Board? Where are the Zoning or Code enforcement officers?
Did they all quit or are they being used in the wrong capacity? Or
does the Superintendent of Schools have Carte Blanche in what he wants
to do in town?
Turf Bonds For Ritacco Are Part Of The Tax Increase
|
Ritacco |
In the
past year the Mayor and Council provide the schools with Astroturf
fields at a cost to the taxpayers of $1.5 million, a new ice area in
Winding River with locker rooms at a cost of $6 million and now Mr
Ritacco is building this hideous looking indoor track.
Indoor Running Blimp May Be An "Eyesore"
There is
no way that this building blends into the community or surrounding
areas. I might even classify it as an eyesore!
I also
question if the blowers have to run twenty four hours a day for the
building to hold its structure. Mr. Ritacco what might be the cost of
operation on that building?
No Bathrooms In The Blimp Structure?
I also
understand that there are no bathrooms in that building so the school
will have to be left open for use of the facilities.
Do you
think that money would have been spent better on repairs or more
academic courses for our children? The schools are supposed to educate
note entertain children.
As I
continued to transit thru Toms River I observed all these two by three
foot signs for child gyms, businesses in Lavallette, promotional sales
and numerous other reasons - not to mention beer delivery trucks with
signs all over them advertising beer sales and trailers with A-Frame
signs advertising beer.
|
Brush got a $48,000 salary increase (to $75,000)
from the generous Republican Council: No one seems to know what
services were rendered
|
I ask
again, where are the code enforcement officers? What is the mayor
doing to justify his brand new $75,000 salary besides giving tours of
the town hall to children?
Quality Of Life Or Tax Increases?
The Mess On Fischer Boulevard?
Have the
mayor and council in their three years improved our quality of life in
Toms River or just provided the taxpayer with tax increases?
Yes, Mr.
Mayor and Marie (Republican Councilwoman Maruca), I haven’t forgotten that mess
from Fischer Boulevard to the Mathis Bridge on Route 37. You two were too
busy to protect the property taxpayers while changing the name of the
town and hiding the Off-Track Betting Parlor from the residents of
Toms River.
Mercantile Licenses Will Pass
Added Expense To The Consumer
And now
you are turning your back on the Chamber of Commerce who supported the
name change by proposing increases in business "mercantile" licenses.
But that's supposedly okay because the expense will be passed on to
the consumer. Perhaps someday true government leadership will clean
that mess up.
Expensive Township Front End Loader Out In The Weather
Finally
the last thing I would like to address what appears to be the brand
new tractor/front end loader, green in color, that is being left out
in the rain and weather, and being abused by the beach sand and salt air over on
the Third Ave Parking Lot in Ortley Beach.
You would
think an expensive piece of machinery would be stored in the garage and be trailered over when it was to be used.
This article prepared for publication on January 17, 2007.
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