| PLUMSTED |
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TOWNSHIP |
Pride in Plumsted, the State's
Center
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Town Talk By Mayor Ron
Dancer
September 10, 2007
Residents Cable Choice: Verizon or
Comcast? |
Plumsted Township residents will have choice and
competition for cable television service in the near future. The Township
Committee held a public hearing on the renewal of Comcast's non-exclusive
franchise and invited representatives from Verizon to speak on their progress
to provide high speed fiber optic cable service to our residents. Verizon
informed the Township Committee that Plumsted is scheduled to have the high
speed fiber optic for cable t.v. service installed "very soon." Upon further
questioning by the Township Committee, Verizon indicated the installation would
be in 2008, although no specific date was mentioned.
Although the Township Committee has no official position
for endorsing any particular cable t.v. company, our policy position has been
that the consumer wins when there is choice and competition. To date, Comcast
has been the only cable t.v. service offered in Plumsted and that will soon
change as a result of a new State Law, Assembly Bill 804, sponsored by
Assemblyman Joe Malone with the support of myself and Senator Bob Singer.
Assembly Bill 804, as adopted, authorizes free choice by individual residents
and creates a competitive system-wide franchise within the entire State for
cable t.v. service. The new law (A804) now requires, among many other
provisions, for every cable t.v. company to provide two public, educational or
governmental channels; provide without charge, one basic service outlet and
free Internet service to fire stations, schools. police stations, libraries and
other municipal buildings.
The efforts of the Township Committee's Cable T.V.
Citizen's Advisory Committee and Committeeman Eric Sorchik, the Township's
liaison, are greatly appreciated to help provide our residents with the
opportunity to make their own personal choice for a cable t.v. service provider
in the very near future.
The Independent Auditor's Report of the Township's 2006
year of operations, has been completed by the William E. Antonides and Co.
C.P.A. firm, in accordance with the audit requirements prescribed by the State
Division of Local Government Services. The Township Audit confirms the
excellent financial status of the Township that only contained (3)
recommendations. To fully appreciate the professionalism of our various
Department Head employees and the outstanding job they are performing, one
would have to go back to the 1987 -1989 era when there were 102 audit
recommendations for that 3 year period. The Audit is filed with and reviewed by
the State Division of Local Government Services. In addition to the Audit
Summary being published in the New Egypt Press, the Audit is a public document
and is available for public review.
The Township Committee obtained a Tourism Grant from Ocean
County to pay for a Plumsted Tourism Brochure that will include a FREE Business
Directory for all businesses in the Township. To be included in this free
business directory submit the business name, address, phone, fax, email and
website information by October 15 to sgano@estreetdesigns.com or leave a
message at 609-758-2733.
The next regularly scheduled public meeting with the new
administration of Township Committee members Mike McCue, Eric Sorchik, Ada
Roberts, and Deputy Mayor Ken Francis is October 3rd at 8:00
P.M Public comments and participation are encouraged at all Township
Committee meetings. . Browse the Township website:
www.plumsted.org and
www.mainstreetne.org for more
information and current events.
Meet The Mayor 2007
Schedule |
As a result of the new Township Committee meeting
schedule, the dates for the monthly one-on-one personal meeting sessions with
Mayor Ron Dancer at the Library every month have also been revised. In 2007,
meet personally with the Mayor at the Library on the second (2nd) Wednesday
of each month (September 12th) from 7 to 9 p.m. to discuss Local
concerns or State issues. Residents may call the Library (758-7888) in advance
to schedule a specific time.
Can't get to the meetings or the hours scheduled at the
library. To discuss your concerns and issues personally with the mayor,
click for more information.
Contact the Mayor at State
Legislative Office |
Residents may also contact our State Legislative office at
732-901-0702 to meet or speak with Senator Bob Singer or Assemblyman Joe
Malone. Concerning Federal issues, contact Congressman Chris Smith at
732-350-2300 and for County issues contact Freeholder Director John P. Kelly at
800-722-0291.
For more information on our Township, residents are
also encouraged to visit website:
www.mainstreetsusa.com
and
the official web site of Ocean County Government:
www.oceancountygov.com.
The
New Egypt Press, our official weekly newspaper, is now on line at:
www.newegyptpress.com.
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