Until these legal and financial questions are resolved, the BOE should refuse to engage with the Township about this property. Bloomfield deserves better than political games and taxpayer-funded mistakes. #BloomfieldNJ #Accountability # #NoDoubleTaxBurden
(10/10)

Those responsible (the current mayor, Jenny Mundell, especially) are now trying to dump this mess onto the BOE. An investigation is needed to determine if the original purchase was legal.
(9/10)

A concrete plan must be established before the next election—or before the federal government audits the town’s ARP spending.
(8/10)

The BOE wasn’t involved in the original VoTech purchase. Both the township and the BOE represent Bloomfield taxpayers. Shifting this costly mistake between them doesn’t change the fact that taxpayers are footing the bill. Stop the double burden of taxes on Bloomfield!
(7/10)

Any change in the property’s use—like transferring it to the Board of Education (BOE)—could require forfeiting $10M back to the federal government. The town must get explicit federal approval before making any move.
(6/10)

Mundell (JM) and Councilmember Sarah Cruz (SC) supported this purchase, calling ARP money “a free loan” because the town didn’t have to bond funds. SC even defended her vote 2 months ago in a tirade on civility. So what changed? (5/10)

Let’s see the written justification. 🤔 The Administrator, and Town Attorney approved this purchase. What exactly did they advise the Council about using ARP funds for this? If the Township Administrator allowed it, they may have enabled the illegal use of federal funds. Who’s accountable? (4/10)

Most importantly, property was bought with $10M in ARP (American Rescue Plan) funds, claiming it would create Open Space. Was this even a legitimate use of federal funds? Can ARP money be used to purchase property? (3/10)

Mundell’s plan shifts the town’s financial burden, likely caused by revenue shortfalls next year, onto the district. If the school district declines, she can twist it into a campaign narrative: “The district failed! The district refused to buy the school!” (2/10)

Agree it’s time to rebuild our state’s political parties. I’m sick of party bosses anointing well-connected candidates, and fighting hard to prevent intelligent, caring, independent-thinking individuals from being welcomed into the party.