We are concerned
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009“We are concerned about Millville’s financial health ($55 million in debt).
“We want to keep Millville affordable and a great place to live, work and raise a family.
“We want people to have a voice in city government.
“Many of us have become concerned about the drastic increase in local taxes during the tenure of the present commissioners.
“We have endured unchecked development (eminent domain) and community-changing projects (the motorsports park) without having the opportunity to vote on them.
“Part of the mission of Millville First is to present “the rest of the story” on each issue so voters can hold the commissioners accountable.
“The purpose of Millville First is to inform and educate voters and encourage citizen participation in city government.
“Our effort to encourage taxpayers to participate in their government has made some people uncomfortable.
“In an effort to discredit us, our critics have called us negative obstructionists.
“Nothing could be further from the truth.
“We believe it is positive to encourage public debate.
“We believe it is positive to hold elected officials accountable.
“We believe it is positive to disclose information officials do not divulge.
“We believe it is positive to point out the pros and cons of government action.
“We believe it is positive to require taxpayer protections in contracts, instead of protections for the developer only?
“We believe it is positive to insist that tax abatements illegally granted be revoked.
“We believe it is positive to seek repayment of illegal payments to Sun Bank.
“Is it negative to expect all citizens and businesses to be treated fairly, equally and with respect?
“Is it negative to expect a commissioner to read and understand an ordinance or resolution before he votes on it?
“Is it negative to demand that a commissioner exercise his independent judgement instead of doing what a staff member tells him to do?
“Is it negative to demand that our elected officials obey the law?
“Are we obstructionists to object to spending $2 million for a bridge from nowhere, to nowhere, for no reason?
“Are we obstructionists to suggest that inspection and review fees mandated by ordinance be collected from developers?
“Are we obstructionists to expect the commissioners to put the interests of the citizens ahead of the developer when negotiating a project?
“And I could go on.
“Join us and learn, so you will be an informed voter on May 12.