Archive for November, 2011

DiFolco takes office, keeps campaign promise

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

DiFolco advances township ethics reform

On Monday night Rich DiFolco was sworn in by Democrat Assemblyman Troy Singleton. After taking office DiFolco did not waste any time. After thanking the volunteers on his campaign and the voters of Mount Holly he made a motion to reintroduce the ethics (pay-to-play) reform that Town Council tabled months ago. With Councilman Dow seconding the motion it passed and will have the first reading at a future meeting.

This ordinance will prevent lawyers and engineers that have contracts with the township from contributing to political campaigns for members of town council. This ordinance was previously supported by Councilman Dow but died after first reading when Mt. Holly did not receive additional state aid. The ordianace was mandatory to recieve the aid but Councilman Belton and Gibson refused to support it after getting pressure from the political boss on High Street. Basically they supported it to get state funds then refused to support it after being lobbied and now will be forced to publicly vote on it again. What will they do? Will they flip-flop again?

Kudos to new Councilman DiFolco for keeping his campaign promise and introducing the much needed ethics reform to improve transparency in our local government.

Hollowell drops request for recount

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

I hear the judge laughed at his conspiracy theory.

BCT story

 DiFolco to take oath of office Monday at Town Council meeting.

Hollowell proves he’s a sore loser

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

By wasting the superior courts time and your tax dollars.

BCT story

A candidate who lost the race for a Township Council seat Nov. 8 wants the absentee ballots recounted.

Allan Hollowell, who according to official results from the County Clerk’s Office lost to Richard DiFolco by a 590-572 vote, sent a letter to Superior Court Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder late last week asking for the recount.

“I would feel more comfortable with losing this election if I know everything was done legally,” Hollowell said.

He requested a “recount and examination” of the absentee ballots. (more…)

Chance to ask Virtua Hospital to pay taxes

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

I found this buried in the public notices of the BCT. When googled I found a press release from Virtua Hospital. Apparently the hospital is required to have a “public meeting” but they were not very public about advertising it. Virtua press release

Had the general public actually know about this meeting tomorrow I’m sure many Mount Holly residents would have attended.

Questions for Virtua:

- What will happen to the vacant land from the houses Virtua bought and tore down surrounding the hospital?

- When will the expansion project begin?

- Will the hospital that makes millions contribute funding to Mt. Holly’s in these tough economic times? (Virtua currently pays ZERO in taxes and the township continues to lose tax-paying properties as they are bought up by the hospital)

- Will the hospital address traffic and parking issues that will be increased with expansion?

I encourage residents to contact the Public Relations person for Virtua and request the hospital hold a meeting in Mount Holly to keep the residents informed of its plans.

Virtua Hospital Public Relations:

Peggy Leone
pleone@virtua.org
Director, Media Relations
856-355-0821
Fax: 856-355-0820

Without action nothing will change, Virtua will continue to buy property and build larger buildings and continue to add to Mt. Holly’s biggest problem. With over half the properties in town not paying taxes the working class families of Mt. Holly will continue to foot the bill.

Thank you Virtua, Kent Pipes, Burlington County, Children’s Homes and other non-profits for ruining our town and taxing us out of our homes.

No referendum on school district’s agenda

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Previous referendums failed

BCT story by Rose Krebs

The school board has scrapped its plans for a bond referendum to fix the roofs and ventilation systems at the district’s three schools because it does not believe voters will support it.

Residents already have rejected two referendums for school improvements.

“Right now, we have roofs that have lived out their life. They need to be replaced,” Superintendent Eric Hibbs said at Wednesday’s meeting.

The roof on the John Brainerd School leaks, Hibbs said. (more…)

Hollowell, Belton, Gibson = sore losers

Monday, November 14th, 2011

At the council meeting Monday night Hollowell showed what a sore loser he is by crying about how he should have won the election and that its not fair that he lost.

Belton and Gibson cheered him on.

Note: Hollowell sat next to Kent Pipes at the meeting. Pipes has pledged thousands for Hollowell’s next attempt at office. Owning over twenty properties in town (and pays ZERO in taxes) Pipes has a lot at stake.

Another referendum for School Board?

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Wednesday Nov 16 meeting at 7pm to discuss potential referendum.

BCT story by Rose Krebs

The school board once again is considering a referendum for voters that would fund repairs at the district’s three schools.

The matter will be discussed at the board’s Nov. 16 meeting at 7 p.m. at the F.W. Holbein School on Levis Drive.

Officials want residents to attend and give their thoughts. (more…)

DiFolco wins! Elections moved to November

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

BCT story

Rose Krebs BCT

The township got a taste of what will be the new norm for its municipal elections: voting in November.

On Tuesday, voters resoundingly supported a measure to change municipal elections from May to November by a 1,051 to 196 vote, according to unofficial results. Bass River, Bordentown City and Medford Lakes are now the only county towns that still hold May municipal elections.

Also, voters selected Richard DiFolco to serve an unexpired term for the Township Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Kimberly Kersey in August. (more…)

Don’t forget to vote today!

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Regardless who you vote for make sure you vote YES for the municipal question to move the local election to November!

Polls are open until 8pm. Make your vote count!

Kent Pipes supports Hollowell

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

The man who wants to put half-way houses everywhere in Mt. Holly supports Hollowell

Approximately four Salt and Light (Pipes) owned properties in town are proudly displaying Hollowell signs. Even the Salt and Light admin building in Eastampton has a Hollowell campaign sign in front of it. Pipes who was in attendance at the Candidates Night publicly endorsed Hollowell and even bragged that he contributed to his campaign. Pipes owns 20+ properties in Mt. Holly through his varies companies and pays ZERO in taxes so I guess he is trying to protect his investment.

Hollowell’s supporters:

Kent Pipes- who stands to make a lot of money off his gardens properties and wants to put half-way houses in town

High Street Elite- the political machine that controls town and wastes your tax dollars

Winnzinger Inc- has made millions of dollars from demolishing homes in the Gardens and used millions of your tax dollars on their businesses in town

Pipes properties are listed below, drive by and see for yourself:

87 Mill St.

94-96 Rancocas Rd.

113 Rancocas Rd.

121 Rancocas Rd.

several properties on Grant St.