Former mayor has selective memory

It seems to me that our former mayor has a very selective memory and chooses to point out only those issues that she thinks may further her continued character assassination of Mayor Marotta. She chooses to elaborate on only one issue that of the Performance Bonuses, which if one reads the court documents was decided somewhat torturously due to the varied laws pertaining to this action. While Mrs. Rinker may feel the outcome is favorable to she and Mrs. VanGorder, it is apparent that it actually provides direction for future actions of an administration on this issue.

Clearly her selective memory chooses not to recall the issue of not voting on the Bills List, which was found by the judge to be unnecessary or the question as to the mayor being a full-time elected official and entitled to benefits, which was also supported in his decision.

As for having the mayor and council reimburse the township for the performance bonuses that were given, the judge pointed out that the actions of the mayor and council were protected by law and thus denied her contention to reimburse the township. It seems to me that the results of this hearing were an outright victory for the township on four issues and a toss-up on one. But what of the legal expenses that Mrs. Rinker and Mrs. VanGorder has cost the township, more than $25,000 to address this frivolous claim. What of the hours taken to prepare by our township employees to address this frivolous claim? All this created by Mrs. Rinker and Mrs. VanGorder in the name of frugality? I don’t think so.

The former mayor’s selective memory conveniently omits the fact that while running for mayor, she made comments to her political allies and advisors stating that the mayor should be the highest paid official in the government. I believe the salary she used, as a starting point was $120,00 per year based on the budget document that was left for the incoming government.

It is clear that the new form of government has not been able to function properly, not because of inability, but because of the spite and small mindedness of the former mayor and her small group of confederates who, because of past grievances with the township, choose to attack, distort and belittle the actions of an effective mayor and administration.

Mrs. Rinker continues to spew lies and misinformation about out-of-control spending yet conveniently forgets that when she was mayor, the municipal tax rate rose out of control, bond issues were capitalized with no regard to current financial conditions, which would have benefited the town had Bond Anticipation Notes been sold on an annual basis and taxes raised to fund employee raises that were never given for four years. This on top of a parade of township administrators that were so poorly vetted they were coming and going every six weeks leaving the township with no direction.

It seems to me and I think to the majority of taxpayers, that the mayor is doing a fine job, with three straight years of reduced taxes, increased police services, increased fire and emergency services, roads repaired, increased recreational facilities, Kelly Bill payments to lake communities up to date or on schedule, increased commercial construction in the community and a financial plan that has seen a reduction in debt and growth of the township fund balance from less than $900,000 when Mrs. Rinker was mayor to over $3,000,000 since the current administration took office. This is a record of achievement that is not assailable and readily verified. Mrs. Rinker, think of the township and not yourself, you had your chance and failed, step aside and let a seasoned professional do his job without the hindrances and obstructions of your cast of characters and malcontents.

Patrick Rizzuto
Vernon Township Councilman