Clark Finally Speaks and Distorts Truth

Cape May Court House – After months of “no comments”, Democrat Mike Clark has finally spoken to the media and the results are less than inspiring.
“Judging from his comments, Mike Clark’s priorities are out of line,” GOP Township Committee candidate Melanie Collins said. “If he thinks the voters’ main concerns are protecting the jobs of well-connected Democrats, quibbling over who writes press releases and launching a ‘birther’-style investigation of a Recreation Department hire, he is just not listening to our residents.”
According to Collins the overwhelmingly number one issue on voters’ minds remains taxes and spending at all levels of government. After increasing the municipal levy by an average of 10.7% per year for over a decade, Democrat spending in Middle Township peaked at $12,314,248 in 2011. The new GOP majority has kept spending below that level in both 2012 and 2013, cutting more than $700,000 compared to the 2011 levy.
“Unless he’s talking about 2007 (when Democrats increased the levy by 35%), Mike Clark is distorting the truth when he talks about 30% tax increases,” Collins said. “I would hope that a candidate for Township Committee understands how our tax bills breakdown. Township Committee only sets the rate for less than 26% of the total bill. Again, over the past two years, that amount is more than $700,000 less than the Democrat’s all-time high levy of 2011.”
Clark claims the Republicans are overspending, but says he opposes the Township’s small move towards some privatization of services. Recent privatization of janitorial services will save the Township over $169,000 a year.
“Two existing jobs (only one currently filled) were privatized and one position eliminated,” Collins said. “This minor adjustment, combined with a well-managed reassignment of responsibilities to existing employees, will save the Township hundreds of thousands of dollars in years to come, with no reduction in services to our residents. If Mike Clark can’t support this step, are there any real spending reductions he will support?”
Clark says he opposes privatizing Animal Control. He’s says his motivation is to protect public sector jobs. He had no comment on the multiple shared services contract that can keep the Animal Control Officer outside Middle Township much of the time. In a comprehensive press release, more than twelve weeks ago, Melanie Collins came out in opposition to Animal Control privatization. She also called for ending the shared services agreements. Her motivation? Public Safety.
“Money is tight and we need to prioritize, but our first priority should always be public safety,” Collins said. “Shared services have their place. They can reduce cost and eliminate redundancy. But when shared services mean less help for our residents and an increased risk to public safety, we need to think again.”
Clark ducked the question when it came to Collin’s challenge to join her in a series of three debates. Clark claimed he was still discussing the matter and what format the debates would take.
“I’m not sure who the Clark campaign is having discussions with about the debates,” Collins said. “We have not heard one word from his campaign. More than a month ago, we not only published a press release, but sent a letter to the Clark campaign calling for a series of three debates. We contacted the Middle Township Taxpayers Association about moderating the debates, so a format is in place, ready to roll. Why is Mike Clark so reluctant to present his platform to the voters in an open forum?”
Ordered and paid for by Elect Melanie Collins, Scott Bluth, Treasurer, 21 Acorn Lane, CMCH, NJ 08210, 609-465-9267.