West Deptford Township, Where Did All The Money Go?

To the Editor:

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas is in the process of obtaining co-sponsors for his bill, HR 1207, to audit the Federal Reserve Board. Paul wants to find where our trillions of taxpayer dollars are being spent. In the Senate, Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is doing the same thing.

Currently, Paul reports 244 members of Congress have signed on to his measure, with more getting on board each day.

In the Times\’ June 26 editorial, \”W. Deptford still not fiscally fit,\” similar questions were posed regarding spending in West Deptford Township.

A few years ago, developer NamWest Hospitality made a deal with the township to construct a hotel complex in the township-owned RiverWinds facility. NamWest gave the township a down payment of $5.9 million, with a balance to be paid upon completion of the project.

The company is now bankrupt. Therefore, no hotel complex, and no payment of additional revenue by NamWest. The question now is, what happened to the $5.9 million? Has it been spent and, if so, on what?

Also several years ago, the Gloucester County freeholders purchased another township-owned tract from West Deptford for $9 million, with $3 million a year to be paid by the county, for three years. Has the county paid West Deptford $3 million for the past three years? If so, what has the township done with the money?

It appears that West Deptford Township requires an auditing of its spending, similar to what Paul wants for the Federal Reserve Board.

Some business operating in the township seem to file appeals after they receive their property tax bills. Is it possible that their businesses are being assessed too high? Why does West Deptford lose these appeals or settle them? Are the businesses\’ legal teams better than the township\’s?

The RiverWinds athletic and community complex is a very fine facility and the envy of South Jersey. When it was planned and constructed, times in the country were good. Today, we are in difficult economic times and the questions are, \”Can (the taxpayers) continue to operate RiverWinds or should it be sold to a private investor? \”Can the township continue to maintain the complex?\”

In the months and years ahead, this problem will have to be addressed.

Gene KRAWITZ

West Deptford Township

The letter appeared in the Gloucester County Times July 5