Dave Mayer’s Gloucester Township Council: No Progress, Only Politics

Dave Mayer's Gloucester Township Council:  No Progress, Only Politics

Hutchison and Schmidt Vote against Addressing Their Own Campaign Issue, Refuse Elected Responsibility to Address Budget Proposal

Gloucester Twp (October 5, 2009) - After having two weeks to address Mayor Cindy Rau-Hatton's proposed budget that -  except for contractual obligations, uncontrollable price increases and additional unfunded mandates - decreases appropriations from the one they enacted last year, the Dave Mayer Team on Council has yet to offer legitimate suggestions for cost-cutting solutions for township residents.  Yet, despite their inaction, in that time the Dave Mayer Team has used the Township budget as a political issue to further propagate their empty campaign rhetoric.

Their hastiness to play politics with taxpayers' livelihood while dragging their feet on elected obligations, shows not only their disregard for their mandated duties in modifying and adopting the budget, but also their incompetence in providing for the essential services needed to run the Township.

Further, last week Hutchison and Schmidt joined the rest of the George Norcross-controlled Council and voted against one of their own campaign pledges that would encourage homegrown revenue to lessen the tax burden on Gloucester Township families.   They voted against a resolution mandating the GEMS sub-committee meet and present to them an RFQ prior to October 12, 2009.  The resolution, introduced by Councilwoman Shelley Lovett and seconded by Councilwoman Crystal Evans, noted that with the budget proposal indicating a severe revenue gap, it was the Council's "responsibility to further cut expenses while maintaining essential Township services and entertaining all practical ways to generate homegrown income to Gloucester Township."

Despite the Dave Mayer Team's campaign promise to "install solar panels, reducing local energy dependence and cutting energy costs for the township and the school district" (mayerformayor.org/press_release.php, accessed 9/29/2009), members of the team on Council refuse to actually work towards enacting viable solutions.

Says Council Candidate Maureen McLaughlin, "The fact that Hutchison and Schmidt voted against accepting the budget and to avoid their own responsibility in the process, and then had the audacity to vote against one of their own campaign issues that would ultimately benefit taxpayers, can only be explained by their unwillingness to put partisan politics aside and their impotence in standing up against party bosses who call their shots.  They seem content on allowing our families to foot the bill for their ineffectiveness and political posturing." 

Meanwhile, Dave Mayer's personal lack of interest and/or involvement in Township government, as evidenced by his failure to even show at most council meetings, epitomizes his ignorance and disregard for the critical issues which Gloucester Township families face.  He refuses to even lead his own team to do what's right for Gloucester Township residents.  Instead, he feels solely obligated to do what's right for Dave Mayer and his political bosses.

Gloucester Township residents deserve civic-minded leaders making tough decisions on their behalf, not party-backed, special-interest driven politicians.

For More Information, Visit www.GT2009.com and Follow the Gloucester Township Team on Twitter @GTTeam2009.