"It's going to take time," Petillo said. "It's not something we're looking at for only now, but as how you're going to use your land and how you're going to bring economic development in for the future. You're looking five, 10 years out."

You don't have 5 - 10 years time. This is something you should have looked at in 2008 during your 1st term. The stage is already set and it's coming our way.

"Money is being pulled out of Greek banks at an alarming rate and if something dramatic is not done quickly Greek banks are going to start dropping like flies".

Should you be concerned?

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/we-are-watching-the-greek-banking-system-die-right-in-front-of-our-eyes

Yes because...."meanwhile, the United States continues to steamroll down the same road that Greece has gone. According to the Republican Senate Budget Committee, the U.S. government is currently spending more money per person than Greece, Portugal, Italy or Spain does. We are spending ourselves into oblivion, and we are heading for a national financial disaster. Unfortunately, most Americans are totally oblivious to all of this".

Hopatcong is over $40 M in debt and all Petillo knows how to do is "TAX AND SPEND". Then we borrow more money to meet the deficit. For a town with a $15 M budget, what business would be attracted to Hopatcong? Meanwhile our roads continue to deteriorate, services are cut but we still find the money to give 3% raises to borough employees.

"People are starting to put money into their own properties to restore the image of the town," she said. Restoring the image starts at the top.

Personally I believe people don't have money to put into their properties. If we do, then Hopatcong wants to send an inspector out so they can tax you on your improvements. Then they want to raise your taxes 5-7% a year with 1/2 of your real estate tax money going to to pay for the nonperforming schools.

Then she decides to implement "user fees" for garbage collection and other services that have been cut to bone. Guess what? It's now illegal.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/user_fees_bill_clears_senate_p.html

"A bill that would include "user fees" in the state’s 2 percent cap on property taxes cleared a Senate panel today by a 5-0 vote, to the dismay of local officials and advocates for towns". Very few options left now.

Here's what I suggest. Claim bankruptcy. Put the borough into receivership.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapter_9,_Title_11,_United_States_Code

"Previous to the creation of Chapter 9 bankruptcy, the only remedy when a municipality was unable to pay its creditors was for the creditors to pursue an action of mandamus, and compel the municipality to raise taxes. During the Great Depression, this approach proved impossible, so in 1934, the Bankruptcy Act was amended to extend to municipalities"

Can't attract new business into borough if you continue to raise taxes. Start over!

Anybody notice that whenever election time rolls around the mayor and council drag out the old "Economic development" ploy? How long have they been revamping the River Styx area? If you think they don't know that it is a priority of some people on Patch you are mistaken. It is an appeasement ploy in a contested primary. Last time it was a contested election their cry was "new businesses in town" when in fact there were a few replacement businesses also gone (except DD) , so now they'll throw Struble out there as "look a new business." They would have to clean up the River Styx area, and complying with the DEP cost money. Sure we'll put the mayor and council members on that committee too for the next "five to ten years out" Anybody asking what happened to the new "madhouse" that had the sign up by the River Styx bridge for a long time that kept changing the opening date? Gone before it started. In my opinion they've had their chance I have to agree with Randy unfortunately the town doesn't have five to ten years.

Too little, too late! When is the next election? Blue tarps for all!

Time for someone else to run for mayor and actually do something. Stop building more soccer fields and start rebuilding the town! No pipe dreams!

The borough should ask Mr. Szigethy if they can have access to his team for advisement on how to do things. Apparantly he knows how to get things done. Just look at Alice's and the Main lake market and now the new mini golf course.
http://www.lakehopatcongnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=889:miniature-golf-course-taking-shape-on-nolans-point&catid=13:local-news&Itemid=461

http://www.riversidecompany.com/Team/Team_Members/Bela_Szigethy.aspx

Economic Development from Mayor & Company is converting OUR municipal community centers in Congregate Food Welfare Centers for the needy 60+ in our COUNTY. Our Senior-Civic Center is leased out Mon-Fri 9-2 pm to a big gov programs where people are bused in from the county. More information about the Congregate site is on my blog
http://hopatcong.patch.com/blog_posts/why-doesnt-hopatcong-post-the-sussex-county-congregate-nutrition-service-site-flyer-on-their-bulletin-board-and-town-webpage
With Hopatcong being branded a County Welfare cite there is little hope that private enterprises will want to develop high end waterfront shops. The only vendors for "Give Us Your County Poor Town" are shops that fill the basic necessities. The Economic Development reputation the Mayor and Co has developed is trying to sell the Municipal Building to CVS and trying to sell the former Civic Center to the YMCA. The Senior Center is controlled by the County for most of the day and the lower level is even being used by FEMA. Citizens had no say in this arrangement . The citizen groups that were vocal were made into "Frivolous Groups" with no Authority because the Mayor & Co voted themselves as the "Authority" Hopatcong's ambiance is Prayer in the Park and the county's bused in food program for seniors. Who would invest in high end business with the "make poor "reputation the Mayor & Co have branded for Hopatcong?

Town needs a fast food joint - Five Guys Burgers, SmashBurger, Taco Bell - Something where you can grab a fast bite to eat - Diner would great also

So let me tell everyone how arrogant this borough is and let this be a lesson to you that the tax assessors office and this borough is NOT your friend. I haven't been to our house here in Hopatcong for 3 1/2 weeks because of trips BOTH domestically and internationally. Hopatcong borough contracts a company called Certified Valuations to do our tax assessments. But I am represented by an attorney on my tax appeal this year and last because the borough Tax Assessor Therese DePiero for the 2nd year in a row wouldn't renegotiate my taxes despite having a certified appraisal done by a qualified real estate appraiser. She lost last year in tax appeal court. You'd think she'd learn her lesson. Yet despite having "NO trespassing signs" (see 2nd picture above) around my house, they showed up Tuesday 5/8 to make a house call on me evidently to catch me "off guard" (see 3rd picture). Then said I had "5 days to contact them" because they wanted "to perform an interior and exterior inspection". What is this Nazi Germany? Are they that arrogant? Like they have a right to trespass yet alone not contact my attorney in advance of a visit since he's representing me. First of all I wasn't there that week. Secondly from May 13th - 19th my wife and I were on vacation. So I have to ask everyone..."do I have a right to file a complaint" for trespassing? The state of NJ thinks so.

N.J.S.A. 2C:18‑3. Unlicensed entry of structures; defiant trespasser; peering into dwelling places; defenses

Roll Back Our Tax; Good for you!! You are making point for all of us!!! I went to complain about my taxes w/a letter by a certified real estate agent. After hearing that I would have to sue the town, I just dropped it. I know poeple that live in Mt.Olive, the town did it for them years ago. My husband & I bought our home at a time when the prices had dropped to an all time low, taxes were less then a third what we pay now & the town keeps taking away from us. We put up an addition which improves the town. I did not know they would double our taxes for the improvement to our entire block. Now we struggle, the sewer bill is horrific & not complete. What was the Petillo thinking? She keeps taking & taxing for it. She needs to go but I fear it's to late for us tax payers. If the health Dept. can not go on someone property to check on a health issue, ect. Dear lord, they had no right to trespass on yours. Know that I'm on your side, all the way!!!

I am tired of seeing my home value go down 12% a year and my taxes go up 5-6% a year. Just this month my property value fell by another $2,500 for a lakefront property we paid $540,000 for in 2003. Overall property values in Hopatcong fell by 12% year on year.

http://www.zillow.com/local-info/NJ-Hopatcong-home-value/r_52570/

Now compare that figure to other municipalities in our area. The only one worse is Stanhope. But we have a lake that suppose to be the BIG appeal to move here!

Hopatcong$181,100-12.0%
Mount Arlington$263,200-4.2%
Roxbury Township$262,200-1.4%
Stanhope$176,400-18.5%
Netcong$228,800-4.9%
Byram Township$219,100-7.7%

Then they want to continue to pay their monkey attorney John Ursin his fee to fight me in Tax Court over a lousy $1,000 I want knocked off my tax bill?

OMG.....this is the same attorney we pay our tax dollars to defend the borough against lawsuits like the recent Health Board fiasco? How much did that run us?

The mentality of this borough is ludicrous. Let's see if they spend the $ in tax court or settle out of court w/me.

RBOT - I think you are totally missing the Mayor & Co's plan. It is to increase tax foreclosed properties so that the Town has more to auction off. Don't forget we have bonds that are due this June. Don't remember seeing the Due Date of these Bonds on public notices, but I know you gave us this info on past comments and links and I remembered the date. Unlike their campaign signs, you really have to piece the puzzle together to see the economic picture of Hopatcong. You are really putting a monkey wrench to their plans with your tax appeals. Suppose everyone caught on to this this? The only program the Mayor could sponsor is Prayer in the Park. How dare you ruin a good strategy! The Mayor & Co campaigned so hard to maintain the race on Tax foreclosed property in Sussex County . You should also thank them for their Economic development in covering unsightly lots with enormous " Vote for Bunce & Galate" ( a few with NO sponsors indicated) political signs. Now that is a better cover up than any blue tarp. Can't say they haven't done their fair share here in making our town more attractive with these barrier political signs.

Michele...who knows what they're up to and it possibly may back fire. But I do know this. If we continue on this path of arrogance, we may end up like Detroit.

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/turn-out-the-lights-the-largest-u-s-cities-are-becoming-cesspools-of-filth-decay-and-wretchedness

"Once upon a time, the largest U.S. cities were the envy of the entire world. Sadly, that is no longer the case. Sure, there are areas of New York City, Boston, Washington and Los Angeles that are still absolutely beautiful but for the most part our major cities are rapidly rotting and decaying. Cities such as Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis and Oakland were all once places where middle class American workers thrived and raised their families. Today, all of those cities are rapidly being transformed into cesspools of filth, decay and wretchedness. Millions of good jobs have left our major cities in recent decades and poverty has absolutely exploded".

We are at a cross road here in Hopatcong. We are now charging residential tax rates at the same level we'd charge a business because the tax base has turned "upside down". When the borough tax assessor goes to extreme measures to extract from residential tax payers what they believe is owed by sending the Gestapo Certified Valuations http://www.cvinj.com/ to your home to inspect your property it is a sad situation. When the money leaves Hopatcong this borough is done.

Evidence of what I stated above "when the money leaves Hopatcong this borough is done". There used to be NO more than 20 "lakefront" homes on the market in Hopatcong. Now there are 40.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Hopatcong_NJ/type-single-family-home,mfd-mobile-home,condo-townhome-row-home-co-op/ofbm-101?disp=1

Here's the alarming part. Of those 40 there are 17 in the $550,000 range & above what I consider "high end".

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Hopatcong_NJ/type-single-family-home,mfd-mobile-home,condo-townhome-row-home-co-op/price-550000-3500000/ofbm-101?disp=1

The #1 home priced at $3.5M is paying $40,299/yr in taxes.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/35-Elba-Ave-Hopatcong-NJ-07843/39941344_zpid/

The #17 home priced at $569,900 is paying $10,062/yr in taxes.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/104-Randolph-Ave-Hopatcong-NJ-07843/39937777_zpid/

Simple analysis. Continue to raise taxes on ones that have the money they will put their house up for sale. When it doesn't sell, they'll reduce the price just to get out. When you reduce the price & the house sells below market value, the new owners & others around them appeal their taxes. When they appeal their taxes other residences have to pick up the slack. What happens when the ones who have to pick up the slack can't afford their taxes? Their house goes into foreclosure. When their house goes into foreclosure it brings the borough closer to bankruptcy.

RBOT - How clever the rich are doing a reverse Robin Hood on the real estate of our town with this Open Space and Recreation Fund. Now you know why our Mayor sent out all the propaganda letters to us villagers to vote to merge the Environmental Planning board and why they got their donations to remodel the courtroom via a Hudson Farms donation. You comment on who is on this committee crystallizes the power and the benefit that is being given to the very wealthy through the ignorance of average voter who thought they were doing something for the greater good only to have their own pockets picked with higher taxes because the wealthy have found a tax exception for property that they are squatting on with their private clubs. But they given their generosity to us by allowing is do a charity hike on it so they can check off the open to public box and charitable contribution box on their tax forms - Sweet! To bad I can't make my backyard into a camp for the day then I can have the recreation status to and be tax exempt.

Please watch 60 Minutes tonight. I have been posting comments on Patch about these subjects below over the last couple years explaining "if we don't get these under control it will bring the US economy down". They're important enough now to give some air time.

THE COLLAPSE - Tuesday, May 29th 10p | 1a ET

The Next Housing Shock

A report on how and why banks so poorly handled documentation on millions of mortgages, resulting in their inability to prove that they actually own the homes they now want to foreclose on — resulting in lawsuits from people seeking to save their homes, and hampering an already weak housing market.

Wall Street’s Shadow Market

A report on credit default swaps and their impact on the current economic crisis. Private, largely undisclosed and deregulated, these are the contracts that mortgage investors — who bought up the riskiest mortgages when they were repackaged by Wall Street as exotic investment securities — entered into to protect themselves, in case their investments went bad. When homeowners began defaulting and the Wall Street high-risk mortgage-backed securities also began to fail, the big investment houses and insurance companies who sold the credit default swaps hadn't set aside the money they needed to pay off all the insurance contracts they'd written.

The Day of Reckoning

A report about the looming financial crisis involving state and local governments across the country, and the threat this poses to the U.S. economy.

Roll Back Our Taxes; I'll watch 60 mins. tonight.Thanks for the info. BTW, a few years ago, I went to the town w/a Certified letter from an appraiser stating I was being overtaxed on $45,000.00, about the amout I had just paid for an addition to be added to our home. After they told me I would have to sue the town, I asked why the town doesn't re-appraise it them selves? I was told " our town appraiser would never have the time to appraise over 5,000 homes because if he did mine he would have to do all", LOL. He had more then enough time to serch every bit of my property when we put up the new addition & just about doubled our taxes. Shouldn't he have caught the error at that time? I guess that would have made to much sence! I would like to know if this is even legal.

Mrs Skinny...contact my tax attorney Rob. Spiotti @ rspiotti@taxcounsel.com or call him direct at 973-943-6590 about any questions you have regarding your property taxes. I have about 450 members in my group and we give him A LOT of business.

I think what we really need to do is come to terms with what this town is all about.

http://hopatcong.patch.com/blog_posts/conflict-of-interest-a-citizens-unconstitutionality-complaint-that-begs-hopatcong-to-answer

Answer: Special interest groups.

But what we REALLY need is "a government for the people".

You see borough attorney Ursin also gets paid to defend the borough against tax appeals we deserve from the borough.

Why? Yours truly Mayor Petillo and ALL the current Council members made it so at the CM meeting in January 2012 by presenting Resolution #2012-09. LOL...can you imagine that?

http://www.hopatcong.org/Minutes/010412Reorg.pdf

Resolution #2012-09 – Legal Defense of Tax Appeals

Councilman Young made a motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the Tax Assessor and Borough Attorney to defend the Borough before the Sussex County Board of Taxation and Tax Court of the State of New Jersey in all contested tax appeals.

Then look who seconded it - Councilman Bunce.

Then look at roll call vote ALL in favor:

Ayes: Baker, Bunce, Francis, Galate, Klein, Young.

So what business would want to set up business here? I'd suggest a pawn shop!

So here's the choices this primary June 5th:

"Hopatcong Moving Backwards" and more of the same with incumbents Bunce and Galate.

Or....

"Keeping Hopatcong Honest" by voting in Gianni and Forbes.

Good Morning Interesting--I'm not getting into this battle with you and Mr. Rollback but I do have a question for you. Do you honestly think this current Mayor and Council are doing a good job? From where I sit I see our services being cut to save money yet our taxes continue to increase every year. I see our sewer bills increasing on a regular basis. I see grant after grant being accepted yet the only improvements I see being made are to the center of town yet those who live in other sections are footing the bill because these grants NEVER cover the whole cost. (Once again, grants are not free money, our state and federal taxes pay for them so we are getting hit on both sides). I see a donation being accepted to re-decorate the Borough Hall and you cannot tell me the donation covered the entire cost. Who do these people think they are to re-decorate during these economic times? Do those fancy new counter tops do anything to help the people of this town? I see our Mayor and Council giving themselves more and more power and giving the taxpayers less of a voice in matters. How about they vote themselves some power to have more control with our school system and actually represent the taxpayer (their job by the way, lest they have forgotten) and let it be known that if something doesn't happen quickly Madam Mayor will be taking names and kicking butt? All this while Hopatcong sinks deeper and deeper in debt. How can these two people do any worse?

Yes interesting....it is too funny that every time you open your mouth I get new members in my group. You too continue to amaze me.

Here's what does not make sense since we are a dirt poor borough. When many of us walking into the tax assessors office have certified appraisals, we are denied a reduction on the spot. Instead what the borough does is pay more fees and overtime than the actual reduction amount.

Can you say "are you smarter than a 5th grader"?

So we go to tax appeal court instead of the assessors office being reasonable and reducing our taxes voluntarily. But in the meantime, they send the Gestapo (Certified Evaluations) out unannounced and use another tax funded venture thanks to the Mayor and Council to inspect what you have to see if they can tax MOREEEEEE!

http://www.hopatcong.org/Minutes/010412Reorg.pdf

"Resolution #2012-12 – Appointment of Certified Valuations, Inc".

Then if that is not enough, still want us to chum up some money just to have the right to have our taxes reduced. What does the borough do? Sit back and use OUR tax money to pay the borough attorney John Ursin his fee, certified valuations their fee and overtime for the tax assessor Therese DePiero to attend the Tax Appeal hearings.

But it is what it is and yes there are "no shortcuts". The OZ has spoken.

Brother....can you spare a dime?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih67rlGNhU

"They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob, when there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job".

Too late for empty promises Mayor. Keep raising the taxes, keep handing out the raises, keep raising false expectations. Seems like the word "raise" has become a prominent part of your vocabulary. The only thing that isn't raising is the economy.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/warning-americas-new-age-of-austerity-starts-now-2012-05-29

"You’ve seen the warnings all across the major newspapers about a global slowdown. But why no warnings of austerity dead ahead? Why? America’s still deep in denial. We prefer happy talk to the truth. No, nobody will get honest about austerity till after the elections. Then it’ll hit hard. Wake up. You were warned: America’s new Age of Austerity is already here. Till the elections, nobody else will tell you the truth about what comes with this slowdown: Plan on classic economic austerity. Maybe not austerity as deep as the euro zone’s Spain and Greece. Yet maybe deeper than the 1930s as Nobel economist Paul Krugman writes in his new book, “End This Depression Now.” Yes, America’s already in a depression. Wake up America, to a long bear market, a recession cycle, to austerity where everything slows down, income, jobs, retail, global trade, and market returns".

Borough of Hopatcong received $2 million from the federal Recovery Act in 2008.

http://www.recovery.gov/espsearch/Pages/advanced.aspx?State=NJ&zip=07843

The federal government's "Track the Money" website, Recovery.gov, showed the borough received $337,121 while the school district got $1.98 million. What ever happened to that money? Could have used some of it for economic development in 2008.

Quick comparison on bond yields because when someone said in a prior article in support of the Mayor that "THINGS ARE NOT THAT BAD HERE IN HOPATCONG"...I have to laugh, because they said that not too long ago in Spain too.

Right now Hopatcong's current bond yield is around 4.99%. See link below.

http://www.bondview.com/pricecheck/issuer/439340DX5

These are the "nonrated" bonds. Why are they "nonrated"?

http://www.bondview.com/pricecheck/bonddetails/439340AS9

"Market ratings reflect default risk based upon market perception. Default risk is based on the difference between a bond's yield and the yield of a treasury bond of equivalent maturity. A large difference generally means the market requires a higher yield to compensate for the higher default risk compared to a Treasury bond, which is considered relatively risk free. This bond is currently unrated".

Now let's compare it to Spain who's been recently in news and who's borrowing costs have reached "unsustainable levels". What's their current yield?

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spain-enters-danger-zone-as-yields-near-7-2012-06-14

The yield on Spain’s 10-year government bond ES:10YR_ESP +3.07% rose as high as 6.96%, a new euro-era record and dangerously close to levels considered as unsustainable, according to Tradeweb".

Not too long ago Spain was at a level of 4.99% too. But if you look where Hopatcong bond yields were not too long ago, you'll see why we're in DEEP trouble here.

RBOT - Interesting comparing Spain to Hopatcong on Bond yields and Hopatcong now getting a high risk yield. What what can the average Hopatcong taxpayer do. It seems that Bunce and Galate are a shoe in for council come November and they will continue with this agenda that is in play. The only power we have is our vote which the Mayor has great sway since her friends and husband have formed their own Republican Campaign PAC. Unless a write-in candidate can find this kind of PAC support there is little hope of changing tack here. This ship is headed for the falls and best we can do is hold on to the railing with our life jackets and hope we can submerge back up. Really what can the people of Hopatcong do - this is already a done deal!

Well Michele....doesn't matter who wins this time. I have suspected this for years. We have a "ticking time bomb" not only in Hopatcong but in the US as well.

"Yes, the stars are aligning again. Much faster. As Peter Coy and Rouben Farzad put it in their BusinessWeek editorial, today’s bubble-blowing resembles the four-year run-up to the 2008 crash, replicating the pre-election timing".

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/world-bank-warns-china-is-a-ticking-time-bomb-2012-02-28?pagenumber=2

"Trapped in a 800-year danger zone, repeating the same old folly. Warning, our world’s in the danger zone again. Will you be caught off guard, unprepared? Like Paulson and Bernanke in 2008? Remember, this historical pattern hasn’t changed in 800 years … cycles are inevitable … repeating … the destiny of nations … lessons never learned … ignored by future leaders … optimism and denial blow new bubbles … and like so many before us, for centuries, we’re in denial … optimistic about a weak recovery … blind to external dangers … praying this time is different … trapped in wishful thinking … yes, China and America … two accelerating race cars … can’t see the cliffs … who’s first?"

I got burned in 2008 because I got caught off guard. Fortunately I got MOST of my investment income back. I see all the signs of 2008 happening again. But this time, I pulled out of the market early. So...."this time I won't get burned". But Hopatcong will.

RBOT - It does matter. History has shown that during the Great Depression of the 1930's the hardships were more bearable by the stoic leadership and the people of these small American towns. It is during these times we look for Local Leaders of strong character. It is been demonstrated by our incumbents that they do not have this grit to pull us through. Our only hope is for a great write-in campaign of capable candidates for council posts to help steer the ship from this brewing economic storm ahead.

continued....

"The greenway virtually connects C.O. Johnson Park with Allamuchy State Park, said Epstein, who noted the Highlands Trail is likely to be re-routed through this new public holding. Partners in the deal with the Land Conservancy included the state Green Acres program, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Byram and the Sussex County Open Space Committee. The project embodies most goals of Byram’s open space program, including conservation of water resources and forests, connectivity of natural corridors, public access to water bodies, off-road non-motorized access between parks, plus sites for future recreational facilities. "The Hudson Farm Greenway project is a perfect example of how local, county and state agencies can all work hand in hand toward a common goal,’’ said Byram Mayor Jim Oscovitch.

A dozen years ago, billionaire investor/philanthropist Peter Kellogg bought the former Hudson Guild Farm in Hopatcong, which had been a charity fresh-air farm for the prior 50 years, and converted it into a semi-private target/instruction course and private commercial hunting preserve gun club catering to wealthy clientele. In 2007, Kellogg added the 900-acre Westby farm along Roseville Road in Byram and Andover to its growing holdings in Sussex, which now comprise some 4,000 acres in Hopatcong, Byram and Andover.

So much for that economic development plan. This borough blew it BIGGGGG TIMEEE!

Lurky Loo just passed this information onto me about CVS buying Barone's property.

http://www.strausnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120613/NEWS01/120619973/0/MILESTONES05/Planning-board-approves-CVS-application

"After over a year of planning, testimony and discussion, the Byram Township Planning Board approved a joint application of First Hartford Realty Corp/CVS Pharmacy and Barone's Restaurant to build a 12,900-square-foot CVS pharmacy on Route 206 across from Lackawanna Drive and ShopRite. The plan calls for the demolition of the building that currently sits on the property and houses the Lockwood Tavern and Barone’s Restaurant. Barone's Restaurant owner Pat Barone said he intends to rebuild the restaurant. The board approved the application in a 6-1 vote, but discussed several items that may need to be readdressed before the final resolution is voted upon. These items include signage, lighting and parking".

Why is it Byram can get things done and we can't?

So much for the Mayor's economic development. I sat at the Council meeting yesterday to see the Mayor scrambling to play catch up with a Resolution to get their $120,580 in "free $".

http://morristown.patch.com/articles/affordable-housing-fight-goes-back-to-the-courts

Not only aren't developers building anything in this borough but now we were one of two towns that missed the dead line to get our share of state funds that developer's pay into for affordable housing. LOL!

When I asked our Finance Administrator Robert Elia, "what happened"? The Mayor jumped in and explained to me..."it wasn't a lot of $" compared to other towns. Also she blamed it on the state and said..."they weren't specific enough to the cut off date".....in other words "“commit to spend” wasn't defined. I think more like "some one asleep at wheel".

I don't understand how the Mayor calls herself a Republican. Republicans believe in smaller government, less taxes and less spending. All we've ever seen from our Mayor and council is more government and higher taxes.

We need to elect officials who are going ahere to Republican principles. Unfortunately, most residents vote for whichever R is at the top of the list. We need a real Republican and challenge the Mayor in the Primary and we need the party to endorse someone committed to cutting taxes.

Warren.....there will never be "smaller government, less taxes and less spending" here in Hopatcong. The borough is broke. Yet we keep spending and increases taxes 5-6%/year like it's still 2003. Many members of my RBOT group believe the Mayor and others have a "personal agenda". I don't want to get into too much detail here but we believe there's a "hidden agenda" with the merging of the Planning and Zoning Boards. Only with a full investigation will the truth be discovered. But the complaint my group filed against the Mayor (see last 3 attachments), in which the Department of Community Affairs issued a Notice of Violation to the Mayor for "misuse of borough funds" is being contested by the Mayor. She put that on the record at the Council meeting last night. According to NJSA 40A:9-22 (c) "No local government officers or employees shall use or attempt to use his/her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages for himself or others". My only question at this point is "will she use Borough Attorney Ursin to represent her"? She said last night "she hasn't decided yet".

RBOT how can the mayor use the borough attorney on our dime if it's a violation for misuse of borough funds? As for NJSA 40A:9-22 does that cover appointing themselves (and friends) to all the boards/committees giving them unfair advantage in whatever ordinances they want to push through (not to mention owed votes at election time). Warren, we had two challengers in the primary now it's time to vote the person, not the party new people, new ideas. Not all R's nor all D's believe in the party line, or vote party lines. How many on the council were D but put an R after their name to get elected? Maybe you should take the time to find that out you might be surprised. Instead of smaller government they are increasing it and spending more. I'm told the combined boards have $25,000.00 more allocated to it than the two separate boards, how is that the cost savings the mayor and council claimed? Mr. Ursin was also appointed as the BOH attorney and from what RBOT says he charges more than other lawyers. What happened to the checks and balances?

Béla Szigethy who co-owns http://www.riversidecompany.com/ plus property in Jefferson Township (Alice's Restaurant, built the putt putt, refurbished Main Lake Market). He pays plenty of property taxes on those businesses. Also, he's dedicated to improving the lake & developing land in Hopatcong for the benefit of ALL residents.

http://hopatcong.patch.com/articles/report-man-donates-100k-to-lake-hopatcong

"NJ.com reports a Lake Hopatcong summer homeowner donated $100,000 to start the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at preserving the lake...who expects to donate more before the end of 2012, hopes to improve the lake via mapping, weed killing and water-quality testing"

On the other hand Hudson Farms owner, multi billionaire Peter Kellogg pays $87,467 in property taxes on ONLY 19 acres in Hopatcong "where his hunting lodge for the ultra wealthy sits", gets a break on his tax assessment at 20% of their assessed value of $4,135,300 on a 1,000 acre plus compound & is incorporated as a tax sheltered business in Bermuda under MMK Reinsurance. What's the community benefit in that?

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/17653-nj-must-reconsider-sussex-county-farms-shooting-preserve/

"The 900-acre site in Byram and Andover is part of a 3,500-acre plot that also extends into Hopatcong and Sparta. The club received its first shooting permit on the Hopatcong side in 2000, Ursin said".

BTW...Ursin represents Hopatcong borough as well as Hudson Farms.