Courier Editorial - May 8, 2008

Middletown could teach Trenton a thing or two about wasting money

The Clamdigger

By JIM PURCELL

    At, its latest budget session, Middletown Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger again laid the economic woes of the county's largest township directly at the feet of Trenton.
    On May 5, Mayor Scharfenberger told residents Middletown's budget was a consequence of the state's financial condition, yet again. Meanwhile, Middletown is moving toward hitting taxpayers with a monstrous $62.3-million budget this year.
    In fact, Trenton could learn a thing or two about spending money on superfluous projects from the Middletown Committee.
    Case in point: The Middletown Cultural Arts Center and the more than $8 million it took to buy a building that was unnecessary.
    When the investment for this structure is examined, compared to its return, it is clear that this was a multi-million-dollar project Middletown residents did not have to endure.
    At its outset, the Middletown Arts Center was supposed to be paid for by private donations, which did not happen. As is usually the case in this municipality, when in doubt the committee bonded for the sum.
    I could probably point out some of this year's issues with the budget, except that Middletown won't release it. I am aware of excesses of last year. Quite frankly, the fact that the proposed budget this year is not available only leads me to believe that the gravy train in Middletown is still on track.
    Today, what has resulted is an $8-million building that sees $1 in return per year from the foolhardy lease that was executed for it.
    Any public investment must bring a reasonable return, or it is not an investment - it is simply squandering money.
    Municipalities need well-equipped police officers, DPW workers, Town Hall staff and the roads have to be maintained. This is what municipal government is elected to do: Not "cultural centers."
    In the meantime, there was already more than enough room for town programs to be conducted from Croydon Hall
    While the Middletown Cultural Arts Center was one of the township's larger boondoggles, its financial controls are absolutely suspect where it involves local purchase items.
    The purchasing 'system' the township has for buying television sets, some vehicles, and miscellaneous needs is fraught with recklessness that argues against common sense, let alone fiscal restraint.
    Middletown is a hometown case of a municipality trying to do 'Big Government' in the loudest way possible.
    There are two committee members, Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes, who have more budgetary experience between them in government -and business than probably resides in this entire township and they are routinely ignored where it involves input into the spending plan.
    Excuses are easy to make, but solving economic issues takes talent and determination. I question just how much of that this committee majority in Middletown has.
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