Citing Concerns Over Economic Impact & Transparency, Buena Vista Leadership Joins New Jersey Casino Expansion Opposition

Newark, NJ – Today, Buena Vista Mayor Chuck Chiarello and the entire township committee came together to endorse Trenton’s Bad Bet and oppose the expansion of casino gaming into North Jersey.

“As a mayor, I know that openness and transparency are necessary requirements for those in government,” said Mayor Chiarello. “Unfortunately, proponents of casino expansion have been everything but transparent.”

The referendum for the expansion of gaming in New Jersey was proposed with few details, calling into question the level of transparency the state electorate could anticipate from the deal. In spite of multiple polling surveys indicating that residents are opposed, with 70 percent of likely voters against the referendum in the latest Fairleigh Dickinson University poll, Trenton politicians seem to be forging forward, attending private meetings with would-be developers and participating on panel discussions with special interest groups.

“We have been left in the dark about important details to the proposed expansion, which we know would lead to an increase in home foreclosures and unemployment,” said Mayor Chiarello. “All across the state, towns like Buena Vista would be forced to face the consequences, while only a small group of well-connected, special interests in North Jersey would benefit.”

The mayor’s comments were supported by the entire township committee including Committeemen John Armato, John Williams, Steve Martinelli, and Deputy Mayor Teresa Kelly.

Mayor Chiarello concluded, “Our decision could not be easier – we are voting no on Question One.”

For more information about the Trenton’s Bad Bet, or to follow the group’s social channels, make donations, and find other opportunities to get involved, visit the group’s web site: www.TrentonsBadBet.org
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About Trenton’s Bad Bet:
Trenton’s Bad Bet is a diverse collection of concerned New Jersey community leaders, unions, businesses and residents that will work to oppose the New Jersey Casino Referendum that seeks to expand gaming into North Jersey.

Committee Contact:
Trenton’s Bad Bet
(201) 870-0548
press@TrentonsBadBet.org
www.TrentonsBadBet.org

Buena Vista Township will be holding a ceremony honoring Rev. David V. Mallory on the 22nd of October, 2016 at one o’clock in the afternoon.

The ceremony will unveil a permanent plaque recognizing Rev. Mallory’s long-standing dedication in developing and establishing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Building located at 661 Jackson Road in the Newtonville section of Buena Vista Township.

The plaque will be located at the front entrance of the MLK Center on the deck. Rev. Mallory is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Richland.

In the Richland Village section of our town, we have a giant white oak tree that reached the age of 235 years old.  It died last year.  It was a beautiful tree.

We are making an effort to fund raise to make a carving out of the tree trunk and lower limbs featuring highlights of our Township’s 150 years in existence.  The tree is huge and we need the funds to hire a well-known chainsaw carver to make a permanent memorial out of this historic old tree located in the center of Saw Mill Park on Route 40.

The design will feature carvings around the entire trunk of the tree.  Ideas include a tractor for the farming industry, a chicken for the former poultry industry, deer to represent the abundant wildlife in the Township, a soldier, a locomotive, an eagle and the Township’s logo.

The trunk will be sealed and preserved with polyurethane and a fence around the tree will help keep it protected.  The monument will be lighted and capture the spirit of the fine tree this once was.  It will feature a semi-circle of six young white oak trees that will grow in the future behind the huge carved tree.

Preliminary work to remove excess branches will begin in October.  The largest and strongest branches will remain intact.

To make a donation, please send a check or money order payable to the BVT Special Events Committee, P.O. Box 605, Buena, NJ 08310.  All funds raised will go directly to this project.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency invites you to learn how to avoid foreclosure at a free Foreclosure Resource Event to be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, from 3-8 p.m., at All Wars Memorial Building, 1501 Adriatic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.

For more information, please e-mail Jesse Crawford at jcrawford@njhmfa.gov or call 609-278-7587.

On June 24, 2016, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was present, along with the Township Committee, County and State officials plus executives and employees as the ground was broken for the new Teligent, Inc. complex on Lincoln Avenue in Buena Vista. After shovels hit the ground, the project began its new construction phase.  When completed, the Teligent project will be a $50 million dollar business expansion for our otherwise small Pinelands community.  The project means 75,000 sq. ft. of new warehouse, manufacturing plus research and development space for Teligent.  This will bring their total square footage up to 110,000 sq. ft. and will lead to a doubling of the company’s employees to 200 by sometime in 2017.  The company formally known as IGI has new leadership since 2012 and has taken huge steps forward in the generic pharmaceutical marketplace.  Instead of leaving Buena Vista Townhip for greener pastures, they worked with our community for more than a year to make this project a reality.  Mayor Chuck Chiarello and Township Committee plus our staff worked very closely with the corporate leadership of Teligent, especially their Vice President, Peter Gallagher.  This project helps with long-term stability for our community.

The Township Committee has also been working with Comar, Inc. another large employer in the plastics manufacturing business located on Tuckahoe Road.  Their property is directly in the Pinelands and provides bigger challenges to keep them here and to help them expand in Buena Vista.  Comar has hopes for more employees along with bigger and better facilities to manufacture and warehouse their products which includes many well-known pharmaceutical-type plastic bottles and containers.  Mayor Chuck Chiarello, Committeemen Steve Martinelli and John Armato along with staff and professionals have worked hard to move this project forward.  One specific challenge was having legislation adopted in Trenton that would allow for economic funding to come to Comar for their expansion project since they were considering leaving the area.  In June, State Senator Jim Whelan and Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo introduced a Bill that would modify the current State Law allowing this type of funding to help Comar.  The Bill has been introduced in both the Senate and Assembly.  Mayor Chhck Chiarello spoke in front of the Senate Economic Growth Committee in Trenton to push for the Bill’s passage.  There are still various steps to go through till the Bill reaches the Governor’s desk and we hope this can be accomplished by fall.  Our community needs Comar and the 350 jobs it presently has.  The planned expansion includes additional employees along with new buildings that will replace existing structures for better use of their space.

Earlier in 2016, the new Inspira Medical Complex on Route 40 opened to the public.  Future expansion of doctors and services is expected at their location.  The site offers a new ratable for our taxpayers during difficult economic times.  This year also brought the opening of Buenapac on Route 40 which provides flash-freeze fruit and vegetables for shipping to other parts of the United States and Canada.  Business has been developing at the site and they will be an asset to our farm community in Buena Vista and the region.

While we are a small town with limited resources, Buena Vista Township has worked towards making our business community feel that they are at home here.  We have worked on events such as the Richland Village Festival that is good for our locals and visitors to see our activities, businesses and restaurants that we have.  While limited in staff, we work with Atlantic County Economic Development, the NJ Business Action Center and the State Economic Development Authority to find incentives to help keep businesses here in Buena Vista.

Mark your calendar for the 12^th Annual Saw Mill Park Halloween Fun Day.  This FREE event will be held on Saturday, October 15^th, 11 am to 1 pm at Saw Mill Park, Route 40 in Richland Village.  There will be hayrides, apple cider, a costume parade and judging of the coloring contest.  Reasonably priced refreshments will be available.  More details will follow.