millvillefirst.org

Great letter in the DJ today…  click it…  http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20110616/OPINION03/106160336/City-partnership-build-hotel-bad-business

Also, NJ stinks on the freedom list … click it …  http://mercatus.org/freedom-50-states-2011/NJ

No meetings until September, but…here’s an interesting letter by Mr. Tesoroni

MILLVILLE DOES THINGS MUCH BETTER AND THOROUGH

 On Tuesday, 5-31-2011, Millville City Commissioners unanimously approved $200,000 for a feasibility study of the riverfront which, if adopted, would result in a public/private investment of a hotel, restaurant, public library and parking deck.  The project cost are estimated at 23 million dollars with 16.9 million dollars being city-issued bonds (backed up by the taxpayers of Millville).  Certain opponents of this proposal made reference to the 8 million dollar plus Levoy Theater renovations and the current financial status of the Landis Theater as reported in the (D.J. 06-01-2011).  It was reported that Vice Mayor, Joe Derella, stated after the meeting, ”
I don’t know what the Landis Theater plan was, I think we do things much better and thorough here in Millville.”  As a taxpayer in Millville, let us take a look at how we do things better than Vineland.

The city has invested over 25 million dollars in a six block area of High Street, (The Arts District).  This has cost numerous individuals their life savings attempting to operate a business in an area that continues to be misrepresented as to it’s financial feasibility for business entrepreneurs.  Then we invested over 1 million dollars in a boat dock that was represented as bringing in yachts with visitors from all over the world.  The only people that utilize the dock are the N.J. State Marine Police and a boat company that conducts cruises up the Maurice River.  Next we have the Union Lake Shopping Mall, which enjoys a tax abatement (to include buildings of businesses that have gone out of business) and creates a constant draw on our emergency resources (police and rescue) due to traffic issues.  Next we have the New Jersey Motorsports Park, which is currently in Chapter 11 and more than likely will result in many small local businesses receiving pennies on the dollar which are owed to them for services already rendered (a loss which may well be the demise of many of these businesses).  Then we have the 2 million dollar footbridge from nowhere to nowhere.  This continues to cost the taxpayers due to continued vandalism.  And let us not forget the Levoy at 8 million plus dollars.  The selling point for this is that it will draw 220 people, per day, everyday of the year (80,000 the first year and then 120,000 per year after that).  Somewhere in between, we held a ribbon cutting for a solar company that was going to bring livable wage jobs to Millville, but they decided to go somewhere else.  And we would be remiss if we did not mention the lost money from the Glass Group Corp. due to the city failing to protect our interests.  And this is far from an inclusive listing of how Millville Does Things Much Better and Thorough.

It was reported that the Landis Theater started out with no working capital (D.J. 05-31-2011).  The difference between the Landis and the Levoy is that our city leaders in Millville have publicly stated that they and they hope all future commissioners will give the Levoy all the financial support they require.  Interpretation:  We recognize they will not be able to make it financially, on their own, so we are giving them a “blank check” for their success. 

Now our leaders want to partner with a private firm to build a hotel, restaurant, public library and parking deck with over (2/3) two-thirds of the financing being backed by the taxpayers.  And it should be noted that one of the companies involved in this venture recently built the hotel located on Blue Bird Lane.  A principal in that company stated that they were turned down for a loan by 25 banks.  That alone should cause one to pause and ask “why”?

But the important question is “during this recession, in a county that has the highest unemployment rate in the state and a city that is facing yet another tax increase and possible police and fire personnel layoffs, should our leaders be getting us, and our tax dollars, involved with the private sector that will result in a future tax increase?  I say NO!  But I was characterized by Mr. Phillip Van Embden, along with others who oppose this project as “a group of middle aged, angry men.”  Just to set the record straight – At 60 years of age, I am well past middle age.  To say I am angry is an understatement.  To incur debt that my children and grandchildren will have to pay back is irresponsible and unconscionable.  And I don’t believe for a moment that opponents of this type of wasteful spending are just a “group of middle aged, angry men.”

With the above ”facts”, the public can decide for themselves if they think Millville does it better.  And if you may be undecided, compare your tax bills from 2001 to 2011, together with your income and quality of life and then make up your mind.  And once you have decided, take action.  Call, write, email and show up at the next commission meeting and let your elected officials know how you feel.