There is a petition circulating the Borough of Mt Ephraim regarding a $3 million project to purchase Fire Department property, demolish and re-build a new fire house on Bell Road. THIS WILL CAUSE YOUR TAXES TO GO UP!!!
This should not be able to proceed unless the taxpayers have a say. That is the fair way a democracy operates.
You're Fire Department and Commissioners have flown under the radar on this and don't want you to know the facts. Borough employees have lost jobs, benefits, and additional money...And while all this was being done they borrowed $3 million. And don't want you the taxpayers to have a say or know.
It's a total waste of taxpayers money. Especially since Bellmawr is in the process of planning & implementing a large main station at the corner of Bell & Browning Roads. In theory for the amount of work Mt. Ephraim gets, Bellmawr could cover it. I would venture to say that the majority of Mt. Ephraim's calls are out of the town, what say 50-75%. The governor is looking to consolidate services last time I looked, not waste 3 Million dollars on a firehouse that doesn't need to be built & is only going to be about a 1/2 mile away from a station that could adequately cover their area. Doesn't make sense! I'm sure the taxpayers could be better served with that money going to other priorities & leaving the fire company the way it is presently.
As the News Correspondent who covers all Mount Ephraim Borough meetings each month for the Gloucester City News (Mount Ephraim's local newspaper), I would like to release the following facts.
Concerned resident Bob Medlar (interestingly enough a FORMER MEMBER of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department until he resigned shortly AFTER the two separate fire stations consolidated into one department, under the leadership of then MEFD Fire Chief Jim Sylvester & MEFD Deputy Fire Chief John West Sr. [Bob's own brother-in-law]. Bob is also a former Fire Chief and currently is employed as a Camden County Fire Marshal) stated: "You're Fire Department and Commissioners have flown under the radar on this and don't want you to know the facts. Borough employees have lost jobs, benefits, and additional money...And while all this was being done they borrowed $3 million. And don't want you the tax payers to have a say or know."
As posted here on Cleary's Notebook (March 10, 2008) and also published on the FRONT PAGE of the Gloucester City News the following week...
"Mount Ephraim $3 Million Fire Station Project Moves Forward
By Bill Bates, NEWS Correspondent
Three ordinances were read and approved authorizing the guaranty of a bond from the Camden County Improvement Authority in an agreement principal amount not to exceed $3,000,000, a second ordinance authorizing the execution of a loan agreement with the Camden County Improvement Authority and the third was authorizing the acquisition of certain property from the Mount Ephraim Fire Department.
Fire Department President Richard Holmes was on hand along with Deputy Fire Chief Brian Gilmore to thank the Mayor and Commissioners for all of their assistance and the professionals involved in this project for their services over the past months.
President Holmes also wanted to announce that the fire department will be holding two Public Information Meetings to be held at the Bell Road Firehouse located at 200 Bell Road & James Street. The dates and times of these meetings will be announced via the town bulletin board in front of Mary Bray School, Community Channel 19, and the local newspaper.
The fire department will be meeting on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 pm with the residents within 200 feet of the proposed site which will be located to the rear of the existing facility on Bell Road.
"These Public Information Meetings will be to inform the residents on the what, when, where, and why of the project as well as to answer any questions" said President Holmes whose organization is 80 plus strong with members of fire explorers, firefighters, active members, and ladies auxiliary."
I sat at this meeting as not one question was asked by any resident that was in attendance for this meeting. This new building was also announced at the prior meeting that I was unable to attend.
It appears that only after Governor Corzine announced he would be eliminating Municipal Aid to small towns with less then 10,000 residents that the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Mount Ephraim had to make some cuts for the upcoming budget as many other towns have also had to do. These changes were made AFTER the plans were announced and read at both meetings and were passed by the Board of Commissioners.
Concerned Resident Bob Medlar also stated: "And while all this is going on the Police Department gets threatening letters from an ALLEGED fireman to leave them alone???"
I personally spoke with the Chief of Police regarding this above incident and was told that two separate letters were sent to his home and they were from an "ALLEGED" member of the fire department. The matter is being investigated by the Camden county Prosecutor's Office.
I hope this clears up a few "statements" that were brought forth by the "Concerned Resident".
The next Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Mount Ephraim is scheduled for tomorrow night, Thursday, May 1 commencing at 8 pm in the Borough Meeting room on the second floor.
Respectfully,
Bill Bates
Mount Ephraim News Correspondent
Gloucester City News
It still doesn't clear up the fact the need for up to 3 Million dollars for a new fire station when the existing one is just fine. Are the taxpayers of Mt. Ephraim and the people who donate money faithfully every year aware that this is a blatent waste of money? Show us your numbers as to how many calls the boro itself gets as to how many times you are out playing in other boros? What is the firehouse going to serve the public for? Is it a free hall rental? Are non-profit organziations going to be able to use it? As you well know, Bellmawr will be right up the road, there is no sensible reason or excuse to float any loan for a new firehouse.
3 MILLION? 3 MILLION? 3 MILLION?
How about sharing our fire service with neighboring towns that respond to our calls anyway? We definitely don't need additional spending on buildings, trucks, equipment and gas when we can offset costs by being friendly neighbors. Save money, save jobs, save our services.
I am a Bellmawr resident and I have a neighbor who is active in the Bellmawr Firehall and I haven't heard anything. Nor have I seen anything about Bellmawr having plans for a new fire station in any of the local papers or at any of the town meetings? Where would they have enough room to build at?
I also went on their department website and did not see any information. Do you have an inside source or is this just "a rumor".
I will not getting into a verbal contest with the rather unusual thinking William Bates. My present employer and past affiliation has nothing to do with the fact that the MEFD and Commissioners are wasting 3 millions dollars of tax payers money. By the way I am a current and past member of many local, county, state and natl organizations again that has nothing to do with wasting taxpayers money. See you all where the debate belongs 8pm Mt Ephraim Borough Hall.
Call Bellmawr Fire Department & ask for the minutes of their last couple meetings. A consultant & architect have been secured to design a firehouse that is to sit on the plot of land on the corner in front of the Senior Housing. Thats why that land was left there & has been intended to be used for a firehouse for quite some time.
Heres an idea "SHARED SERVICES" place MEFD, Bellmawr FD, and Gloucester FD all under one roof. Take over Brooklawn's FD and EMS services. To go three steps more do it for the police, courts, and public works. If you did this every community would save thousands of dollars, but wait, that's right NO ONE wants to give up there KINGDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was made aware of this site by my neighbor who said her and her husband find it very informational regarding all News in and around South Jersey including local news...kudo's to the owner! It's now one of my favorites!
Dear Bob,
You say "I will not getting into a verbal contest with the rather unusual thinking William Bates." I personally found Mount Ephraim News Correspondent's Bill Bates facts very informative. Doesn't seem like they "have flown under the radar on this and don't want you to know the facts" if it was announced and approved at two separate town meetings and was also published on the front page of the local paper. they even had a public meeting with the neighbors and are planning two more in the near future. I got one of their flyers the other day at the town day.
Interesting you currently are a fire marshal in camden county I am sure work with the guys in town and formerly were a member of the fire hall until you quit. Makes one and I am sure many more readers wonder if you have some type of grudge or hostility towards your local VOLUNTEERS???
I will give anything within a reasonable doubt for any of our VOLUNTEERS who VOLUNTEER countless hours of their time away from their family's to make me and my family safe from the dangers of fire and whatever other man-made disasters may occur within our town! I am sure that there are facts that support the new building of a fire hall. No one just up and builds a new building for no reason.
I will not be able to attend the meeting that is tomorrow night, but I will and I am sure others will support a fine organization that has done countless things for our town to make it a safer and better place to live. Check out the Mount Ephraim Fire Department website (there is a link threw www.mountephraim-nj.com).
Off of the top of my head i know the fire hall runs a remarkable parade each and every year at Christmas as me and my family have been attending every year since we moved here, they are always at every public event in town to support our community the halloween event held for the kids is where i was introduced no one of there older members who knew my father from years ago, i know they are a sponsor of the girls softball league as there is a sign down on the field and also know that they sponsor the little league as well as my nephew plays on the fire company team. There were guys with the trucks there for both opening days of both leagues as I was present for both and know that the kids enjoyed the fire trucks. They are always there at the firehouse every week; i believe it is every Wednesday night, their doors are always open and they are always working or doing something. I could come up with a few more things, but think the point is getting across.
Didn't two VOLUNTEERS give their lives trying to save some kids a few years ago? There is a beautiful monument that i saw on Saturday right on Kings Highway in case you need a reminder! That is even more reason enough for me to applaud and recognize all of the hard work they put forth for our community for FREE each and every week, each and every month, year after year for FREE!
I can't wait to hear the outcome of the meeting as I am sure it will be a productive one and I am sure that those guys will be prepared to provide the facts that the concerned are looking for!
John M.
mt. ephraim resident
Good to see some dialog...As for John M.the facts that are presented are pretty much false. As for the 3 Mil. come to the meeting and learn for yourself. As for me life long resident (-3yrs) I separated from the Vol FD well after Jimmy and John died. Again my employment was made an issue here and It has no bearing on what the real issues are. If it was brought to light to embarrass me..think again I make no secret my position of the fire service anywhere and the service it provides. Some just don't like to hear it. Lastly although Mr. bates lives in some delusional world and he just can't seem to acknowledge the facts... JOHN D. WEST Sr. (my Brother In-Law) responded to and was killed working for the County of Camden. And even that does not change the fact that three firefighters died trying to save three wonderful little girls and the MEFD and Commissioner are wasting tax payers money.
To John M, one of the three fire fighters that lost their lives trying to save three little girls, not some kids! Was my husband and the brother in-law of Bob Medlar, who is my brother. So please do not tell him about remembering! My husband John was also a Camden County Fire Marshal, which allows them to fight fires all over Camden County, I think we all know about the countless hours of time away from family. I also know a lot more about the fire service then people think. I know that John wanted Mt.Ephraim fire house's to consolidate, so one day they could consolidate with other towns to eventually have a County wide fire service. Tell me where is the report that was done 6-7 years ago on the fire house and its best location, and what is wrong with the fire house on Lambert Ave that we already own? Or does it really come down to egos and giving up the kingdom. If there is nothing to hide, then what is wrong with a public town vote. Seems like someone is running scared. As for Billy Bates, I have no respect for anyone who speaks with little or no facts, and only out of anger.
So please John M, get your facts before you say things you know nothing about.
Angela West
Actually I think a Countywide Paid EMS system would be a start. I'm all for consolidation of services as someone mentioned earlier. If the KINGDOM so to speak is hard to give up, form an alliance, a district & somehow leave satellite stations in some towns but do it with combined & cross trained crews. Would be nice to see a paid county FD as well. Our taxes are high enough as it is, alot of money statewide being wasted. A 3 million dollar firehouse for a town that doesn't run 50 calls a year within itself is a waste of money. You don't need a firehouse to have a parade, or show up at a little league opening day, hell a pole building could be used to house apparatus! The FF's that gave their lives in Gloucester has no place in this argument, whether they were for County or Volunteer, it was proven that there were major mistakes all around on that fire & lessons have been learned.
Dear Bob AGAIN,
You seem to be a guy who can't let things go. I have never met you nor this other Bill Bates News Correspondent guy who simply provided THE FACTS FROM THE MEETING that he reported as the news correspondent for the local paper & this website. (Thank you Mr. Bates for doing your job and a fine one at that in providing THE FACTS that this Bob guy just doesn't seem to get!) I don't think it was brought to light to embarrass you (the facts that you were a former member and currently are the fire marshal), they appear to be facts (since you have commented back on them) that are just very interesting facts to the average reader who has been following along!
How do "you" see that they are false? Neither the fire hall nor commissioners tried to hide it in no way. If they were trying to do that why would they be holding three, yes THREE PUBLIC MEETINGS, one that already apparently took place back on the 19th of March. Can you not read? It is clearly printed in black and white and there is even a link at the top of the page (I don't think that it could be any bigger).
Are you sure YOU do not live in "some delusional world"?
I read that your brother-in-law John was a County Fire Marshal, and it was tragic that he passed trying to save others, my condolences. If I am not mistaken, I read that he was also a member of the fire hall and was one of the chief members. That would make him a VOLUNTEER firefighter for this town in my eyes, so Mount Ephraim lost TWO VOLUNTEERS! Yes, I thought I was correct!
The monuments look beautiful and they were tastefully done. There were other people who were looking at the monument when my wife and I were and we could tell that they were touched as well. It is a sad, yet touching story that many will be able to see for years as it is correctly placed in front of the elementary school. Hopefully the kids will know the story and learn from it and remember these guys as HEROES.
How are they wasting tax payer’s money? What are your FACTS? Maybe the building is old and is costly to repair. My employer about 7 to 8 years back replaced their aging old main office building because it was too costly to repair time and time again. That building was only 50 some years old. Maybe I should have went to the owners and my boss and complained that they didn’t need it and I wanted to work in the aging old building till maybe it fell apart and killed me or one of my co-workers. WAIT…that would be my job and not even something I was VOLUNTEERING my countless hours towards by giving back to my community where I live and raise my family. God for bid if that were to happen! Regardless, I am sure that the fire guys and the chief members have their facts and information to report to the "concerned" and really wish I was able to make it to the meeting tomorrow night, sounds like it should be a good one!
Before I depart Bob, I would just like to leave you with this last thought…
I hope your house never catches on fire, or your house gets struck by lightning, or you get in a series crash and need to be freed from your car, or you need ANY service and YOU need to call YOUR LOCAL VOLUNTEERS!!! Would be a shame if those VOLUNTEERS would have to leave their families or their hot meal or maybe even their warm beds to come and save you ass!
What is not mentioned in any postings is that all municipalities, schools and County agencies have or plan to layoff's either this year, next year or in years to come. As I understand the origional project mentioned above included the a new Police Station at the same location . The PD was included in the planning to make an all inclusive Public Safety Facility. That was during the Previous commissioners term. One of purpose of this new facility is complete the housing under one roof of all equipment and personnel. It's not like the old days when many residents had the time to volunteer for anything. When the two Buildings were active, their existed two seperate departments with 20-30 active firefighters. Now the town FD is forced to work from one location just to make sure that proper staffing of equipment needed to respond and it is the same situation in every Municipality in the county. Let's face it, it is the sign of things to come. The layoff's mentioned are going to happen weather this facility goes forward or put to a referendum. Schools, Municipalities, Counties and even the Fire Marshals office will be are forced to layoff especially when state funding is cut to the extent projected. Bellmawr, Gloucester City, Audubon, Haddon Heights are all being subjected to the same state mandates. Taxes are always going to increase PD benifits, Salaries, Utilities but not the volunteer salaries or benifits. Public Safety is provided by both and both are necessary. Maybe Mr. Medlar should volunteer his services again to lessen the load.
I'm sure that the proper information concerning this project is available thru the fire department and not the PD or Mr. Medlar.
Fire Department President Richard Holmes made an announcement at the Borough meeting in APRIL that the project was (paraphrasing) being put on hold due the Boroughs fiscal problems. Holmes made a heart warming speech how the project couldn't go forward with the Boroughs fiscal problems, additional hardships to residents and employees being laid off. Holmes in ending expressed his optimism that in the future they would be able to pick up the pieces and continue with their project when the Borough is more financially sound.
Is the Borough meeting taped recorded? If so I have faith Bill will look into having Holmes comments transcribe for print. I figure Bill must have missed April's meeting since he only makes reference to March and is such a stickler for fact finding.
Keep up the good work Bill. It's good to see unbiased reporting by a News Correspondent. I hate reading articles with a spin on information to cloud issues (sarcasm).
Either someone was being disingenuous at APRIL'S meeting or the Borough fiscal problems are over and we can all give a sigh of relief.
Dear Angela West,
First off, my condolences to you and yours. Sounds like your husband and Jim were great men. Must have been an honor and a privilege to have known these guys from all that they have done for this town that I have read and most importantly what they gave of themselves.
Well, No Surprise to hear that you are related to this Bob character. You posts are both written with...well, one can just tell that the two of you are related and we'll just leave it at that.
So you can get YOUR FACTS straight, the "some kids" I was referring to was the "some" that means: "of a certain unspecified number". I did not remember the exact number of kids that they were trying to save nor does it matter whether it was one or one hundred! I hope that allows YOU to get YOUR FACTS straight!
What is with the Camden Fire Marshal thing? I get and know that he worked as a fire marshal, I read the monument piece. I also read that he was a VOLUNTEER in town and for a number of years before he was killed. Am I missing something here? Why do you both need to keep repeating that?
To be honest, I can not even believe you have the Audacity, sorry; Audacity: meaning boldness or daring, esp. with confident or arrogant disregard, noun, to post one word on here with all of the things that I have heard about you, but I will just tell myself they were "rumors". But…… I will be talking to my neighbor tomorrow who apparently knows of you or your family. She was saying something about it earlier, but I will get a refresher on that tomorrow for sure.
I have no idea what or where for that matter the lambert avenue firehouse has to do with this. I also know nothing about a report that you are referencing. I do know that on the Mount Ephraim Community website it states: and I quote: "Mt. Ephraim has received money to convert the fire house on Station Avenue into a Senior Citizens Building."
I am not sure what you or you brother-in-law has against this Bill guy, but AGAIN, he simply provided THE FACTS FROM THE MEETING that he reported as the news correspondent for the local paper & this website. Facts that Bob was a former member and a fire marshal and is the one behind this drive, well, I believe readers can draw their own conclusions knowing these few facts. Puts an interesting spin on things and I think I see where you and your brother might be coming from with the whole fire hall VOLUNTEERS! (Thank you Bill for doing your job and a fine one at that in providing THE FACTS!)
Before I depart Angela, I would just like to leave you with this last thought…
I hope your house never catches on fire, or your house gets struck by lightning, or you get in a series crash and need to be freed from your car, or you need ANY service and YOU need to call YOUR LOCAL VOLUNTEERS!!! Would be a shame if those VOLUNTEERS would have to leave their families or their hot meal or maybe even their warm beds to come and save you ass!
Intellectually yours,
John M.
mount ephraim resident
Bob,
I agree 100% with you. As I stated in an early post "consolidation or shared services" is the only way to go on this one. What gets me is, why one neighboring town would buy a RESCUE truck when there is one next door? Thats a waist of money. It doesn't make sense. Why don't we take the 3 million and use it to "consolidate" the three towns mention before and take over Brooklawn, all three towns go there now. It would only add up to one thing, better service for the community, but again NO ONE wants to lose their KINGDOM.
Hey John M...It sounds to me like you know one or several volunteer firefighters on some level or another...Why dont you stop kissing thier asses and talking about how they get out of thier warm beds and step away from hot meals and spend time away from thier family and on and on. They signed the dotted line...its thier job, buddy. You act like they are the only ones on this Earth who GET OUT OF A WARM BED, STEP AWAY FROM HOT MEALS AND SPEND TIME AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES to do something they love. Last time I checked, most people in society do that everyday in one capacity or another.
It's very comical reading these comments and watching Police and Fire battle it out, but what is the highest level of education in the fire department? I can't follow these comments!!!!!! PLEASE LEARN HOW TO WRITE!!!!!!
I do not know any of the volunteers personally. I wish I did, I would love to shake each n every hand of any volunteer in my town that gives of themselves and ask for nothing in return. No benefits, no salaries, and I am sure sometimes they don't even get a thank you!
It is simply just respect that I have learned to have for VOLUNTEERS after 9-11 and especially when the town that I have lived in for several lost two of their own only a few years ago. There is a beautiful memorial in front of the school in case you need a reminder! We all should have a little more respect for any VOLUNTEERS anywhere. Of course they love their hobbie, why else would they be doing it?
Let's wake up people!
Its funny "save my tax dollars" keeps mentioning to get rid of Brooklawn Fire & ems. The same could be said for Mt. Ephraim as well. Bellmawr can handle their town, they know it, that why they try to run all over the county & get on mutual aid lists. Last i looked the town i live in, Brooklawn put up a new firehouse and i know it didn't cost 3 million dollars. It looks like a plain old building LOL But to run one's mouth about what fire companies should close and do what is absurd. Brooklawn isn't laying people off as i'm aware of. I want to thank our local goverment who I believe does an excellant job in being fiscally responsible along with the school board as well. It sounds as if "save my tax dollars" has an axe to grind with Bellmawr about a rescue they just bought. Sounds like a typical Mt. Ephraim fire guy. Bellmawr is a bigger town with 3-4 times as many population. Don't be jealous!
Save the taxpayers 3 million dollars by not building the firehouse and hire back all of the employees that were laid off! Do volunteers really need the new building? No! I go by it on a daily basis and it seems adequate enough to handle a volunteer fire department that covers .9 square miles.
I have been a resident of Mt. Ephraim for the past 33 yrs. The men and Women Volunteer fire fighters in our town always have and always will get out of their warm beds, leave hot meals, leave their kids baseball and softball games, leave functions that they are attending nearby to answer a fire call for a dwelling or an accident. It could also just be for a cover assignment but the reason stands somebody still has to go. Everytime the pager goes off in the middle of the night when were sleeping and your in your warm beds, my Husband goes to the call. Sometimes it's a really bad fire and then the all-hands are struck. We who are married to these Volunteers or paid it doesn't matter, we always worry that they may not come home. Just like Jimmy and Johnny who were longtime friends in school and out. John and Jim were great guys and they would without any doubt in my mind be all for the "NEW STATION". They are cutting jobs all over the County. I'm not so sure JOHN would be very PROUD of you, Bob or Angela at this moment. He just wasn't that type of person in my eyes. (Hateful) Regardless of the tax raise the Mt. Ephraim Fire Department should be under one roof. Why don't you all put your real name? (ASHAMED are you). Maybe the Fire Department needs to do a open drill for all the town to see just what goes into running a Volunteer Fire Company and Rushing up and getting ready to fight what just might become "THEIR" Belly of the Beast!!!!!!!!! My motto has always been and always will be "WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND TWO-FOLD!!!!!!!!!!! Most people in this world live HONEST lives! Only you and you alone can know what type of person you are, what kind of life you'll lead, I myself have lead an Honest life thus far, and I'm there to support my friends. How about you? Those of you that don't live your life in this manner are LOSERS and BACKSTABBERS. Your life will be full of NOTHING that's real. To John M I may already know you, if not maybe one day I'll get to meet you. It always seems to me that people in general who stir up trouble in the effort to knock down something that would really benifit their town, feel left out, not liked. Good Luck and Always God Bless our Firefighter's and their families and Last but NOT ever least God Bless our VOLUNTEER'S. Have a good night to those of you who deserve it. Donna Schepacarter
John M.
FYI
I have certain rules that I ask people to follow.
One in particular to keep in mind is that I will not post a comment like yours that defame someone's good name.
Your most recent remark (which totaled 470 words) about Mr. Medlar's personal life and Angela West had nothing to do whatsoever with the construction of a new firehouse in Mount Ephraim. In fact your statement surprised me sir.
They were vindictive, libelous, offensive and contain no facts whatsoever.
In the future I suggest you submit an email address with your remarks so I can contact you privately.
Sincerely, Bill
I am so happy to see that the meeting went well last night. I am very proud to live in Mt. Ephraim. As far as I am concerned, we have a wonderful police dept. and a wonderful fire dept. I do however feel that there are certain people in town that are trying to start a riff.
These people are nothing but users and losers. They are the people that the firemen help and continue to help. I think everyone knows who I am talking about. It makes me sick that poor Billy is being put down for doing his job. Maybe someone that works for the County should do their job when the fireworks are being set off.
Surprisingly enough with about one hundred signatures in about three hours time not many people turned out. That's ok everybody had their chance. I believe the FOP president said it best this is a firehouse issues because it the firehouse that is the entity involved. I don't care if your building an ice cream stand for the Glee Club it not fiscally responsible to continue to take on debt and increase taxes no matter what your interest rate or pay back will be. Bottom line you still have to raise more taxes to...Yes...PAY IT BACK. With that being said go build ten firehouses if thats what blows up your skirt it's is apparent that taxes are going to be raised the project is going on and that is that.
For my most heartfelt critiques...I have never been nor will I ever be someone to sit on my hands when I believe that there is a better way of doing things. Nobody asked you listen nobody asked you to read I am who I am and if can't handle that then so be it. Enjoy your firehouse and in closing remember...
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodor Seuss Geisel
Here Was the ACTUAL petition being circulated in town.
Petition Concerning Fire House Funding
Borough of Mt. Ephraim
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:37 the following is a petition in regards to the ordinances passed for the funding of a new Fire House at Bell Road and James Street, Mount Ephraim NJ 08059.
This petition specifically requests the Governing Body of the Borough of Mount Ephraim to ascertain the sentiments of the voters by allowing a public vote indicating the approval or denial of a loan from the Camden County Improvement Authority to construct a Fire House.
At the March 6, 2008 General meeting of the Borough of Mt Ephraim Ordinances 01-08 and 02-08 were passed authorizing and accepting a loan from the Camden County Improvement Authority. This loan is for the construction of a new Fire House. Additionally, the loan is required to be paid back to the Improvement Authority over a twenty year period. The sum of the Improvement Authority loan is not to exceed 3,000,000.00 in principal, with additional interest and costs. The effect of the loan will no doubt require a tax increase.
It is the sentiment of the registered voters and taxpayers signed below to be provided all the facts surrounding the loan, the specific financial outcome for accepting the loan and additionally to be provided the opportunity to express our sentiments in a public vote to accept or deny the loan.
Finally it is understood that this is a “Non Binding Referendum” and the results shall not bind the Governing Body nor shall it be construed as other than an expression of sentiment by the voters to be followed or disregarded by the Governing Body at its discretion.
Respectfully Submitted
I applaud you Mr. Medlar for taking a stand! Their are people who respect you for not sitting on your hands, and wish they could be more like you. Maybe people are afraid to hear what you have to say, it may make sense. What would happed then?
Thanks for taking a stand in what you believe and I hope you will not let anyone take that away from you.
Long time resident of Mt. Ephraim