To the Editor:
Timothy Donohue’s 10-step vision for Middle Township Recreation tries to promise something for everyone, a common politician’s tactic, yet his plan raises two questions for every Middle Township taxpayer: how much will all these projects cost and how much will they raise our taxes?
Donohue’s ultimate pie-in-the-sky proposal is for an aquatic center in Lower Township. While an aquatic center would be nice to have, Donohue’s proposal has all the earmarks of a classic boondoggle.
First, he wants Middle Township taxpayers to help Lower Township pay for an aquatic center which will be located in Lower Township. According to Donohue’s “vision,” Lower Township is developing the plan for the aquatic center and wants Middle Township to help pay for it.
Middle Township residents would be allowed to buy “memberships” in Lower Township’s facility. In other words, Middle Township residents will have to pay twice for Lower Township’s aquatic center.
We will be allowed to use this aquatic center at “preferred” times. When exactly? When no one from Lower Township is using it?
How does Donohue propose to pay for the Lower Township aquatic center? He plans to pay for it with a 30-year bond. This means that our children and grandchildren will be paying for the cost of this boondoggle over the next three decades.
I favor a strong recreation program for Middle Township. We must augment our recreation programs and continue to improve our facilities throughout the township, but our first obligation is to keep taxes as low as possible.
In these difficult times, people are struggling financially. We must not add to their burden by irresponsibly increasing taxes.
ED. NOTE: The author is running for Middle Township Committee.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
