Resident outlines questions for candidates

Thomas Csapo of Bordentown City
To the editor:
   With the plethora of candidates for the three Bordentown City commission seats I feel compelled to write this letter. At last (unofficial) count there are eight running for three commission seats. Two are incumbents, one is a former mayor, one has been campaigning for the last 20 years, along with four brand new names thrown into the mix.
   Bordentown as everyone knows is a beautiful little hamlet of hard working, mostly blue collar citizens that only want the best for the city. With that in mind I have a listing of questions that I would like to see addressed by the candidates. This is an effort to understand exactly where each candidate stands on the issues that I feel are important for this city.
   1. For businesses to survive in Bordentown, old and new, what do you feel are important actions from the commissioners to assure success?
   2. How do you plan the development of more tax ratables in the city?
   3. What is your position on combining fire, police and municipal services with any of the adjoining municipalities?
   4. Shuttered buildings in the city. What is your position on how to fix this issue?
   5. Do you feel there is a need for more police presence in the form of bicycle or walking patrols in the city?
   6. For the safety of the officers, what type of physical conditioning and maintenance program do you suggest for the city’s patrolmen? Do you feel this is an important issue?
   7. The sidewalks and curbing in the city need repair. Is this a priority if you are elected to office?
   8. Do you propose a training program for municipal employees that trim trees in the city?
   9. Permitting and inspections seem to be lacking in the city. Are there any plans to have a legitimate permitting and inspection department? What are you going to do with buildings built out of compliance with the permit and code?
   10. What is your position on having every office accessible for those that are physically handicapped?
   11. Speeding in the city is and has been for years a problem on Union and Burlington streets. I have been complaining about this for years. If elected, what is your plan to fix this problem?
   12. As a candidate are you OK with the way we have clutter around the city? There are homes that have virtual junkyards on the property that add nothing to the property values of the community. Do you have a fix for this condition that you plan to implement, if elected?
   13. According to the most recent report, dated Dec. 16, 2008, there is no money in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. What provisions are you proposing for the city to live up to the Mount Laurel decision?
   14. It is my belief that the Shade Tree Commission should advise the municipal employees in trimming the trees along the sidewalk and curbing. They should not cut a tree until given an OK by the commission. Do you agree with this?