Millville Insider

The final Elec reports have been submitted for the November 7 th Millville City commission. All candidates, committees, and Pacs that receive donations to use in elections must file Elec reports. If you would like to look up Elec reports for yourself the link is:                       http://www.elec.state.nj.us/ELECReport/SearchCandidate.aspx . The campaign contribution totals are the following:                         Mayor Santiago’s Team                 $30,798                          South Jersey Stands Tall               $62,652                                                                                                      Total                                                      $93,450 South Jersey Stands Tall is a group from Atlantic County. It is interesting that they would want to contribute over $62,000 for a local election in another county. South Jersey Stands Tall paid for the negative campaign ads, which helped Mayor Santiago’s Team ge

Santiago, Parent, Udalovas, Pepitone, and Cooper were sworn into office on January 2, 2018 promising to “stop partisan politics at city hall” and “increase transparency of local government”. In the previous blog partisan polictics was discussed. It is now time to address how Team Santiago approach to “increase transparency of local government”. The definition of transparency is the quality or state of being free from deceit, the ability to be easily understood, and increased accessibility of information especially concerning business practices. Words that come to mind when thinking of transparency are apparent, evident, obvious, straightforward, understandable, uncomplicated, and fair. The opposite of transparency is unfathomable, unclear, incomprehensible, and sketchy. In January of 2014, the Millville City Commission began having work sessions that the public could attend and ask questions. The work sessions allowed for all the commissioners to be together at one time

The last post had quite a bit of information. Below is a summary chart of some of the recent professional contracts that were awarded. The common qualifications appear to be 1). campaign contributions and 2). party affiliations: Awarded To        James Schroeder      Doug Long/ Grace & Marmero Law Firm     Pennoni  Engineering    Hardenberg Insurance Group    Job Title City Solicitor Labor Attorney Special Engineer Insurance Broker Lowest Bidder NO NO NO Matched Millville Firm Bid Campaign Contribution to Mayor Santiago’s Team ------------- Chairman of Cumberland County        Democratic Organization which actively aided Mayor Santiago’s Team $500.00 $5,500.00 Campaign Contribution to South