Mayor Platt issues statement on municipal aid cuts

Please see the statement below from Mayor Bernie Platt regarding the cut in aid from the DCA.

“In light of the severe cuts to state aid coming out of Trenton today, I’m hopeful the cuts are not made without providing towns a strong portfolio of resources to implement greater cost savings and more efficient operations. On Tuesday morning I sat down with DCA Commissioner Lori Grifa, Mayors from around the region and the League of Municipalities for a thoughtful dialogue about the Governor’s proposed budget. With that said, Cherry Hill knows that sacrifices have to be made at all levels of government during this fiscal crisis.    

There is no question that I will continue to stretch every penny to the limit, but in order to properly preserve our core mission of protecting the health and welfare of our residents, the Governor has to deliver on his campaign promises and reforms his administration is pursuing. These obligations include changes to binding arbitration, collective bargaining reforms, affordable housing changes, augmenting the pension system and introducing premium sharing into healthcare costs (something Cherry Hill instituted in 2008) in order for municipalities to overcome a significant loss in state aid.

Furthermore, Cherry Hill has been a model of efficiency, and has retained the lowest municipal tax rate in the county for the last 20 years because we have been aggressive at finding cost savings and have brought our work force down to its lowest level in a decade. If Trenton does not deliver the tools that are needed to blunt the cuts from Christie’s ax, I will continue to seek more internal savings by preparing for furloughs, salary give-backs, reopening union contracts, and possibly cutting more staff to preserve our core services.”  

Mayor Platt, Town Council: Speaking Out for Our Schools

By Bernie Platt

The Mayor and Town Council recognize the importance of our schools in Cherry Hill and know that Township leadership has an obligation to provide our children with a quality education.  A good school system is central to the vitality of our neighborhoods and bolsters property values for everyone.

We also believe in the importance of having an independent school district which is governed by a board of education elected by the public and run by a superintendent hired and supervised by the Cherry Hill Board of Education.  However, in a time of fiscal crisis like this, we feel compelled to stake out our position on the current state of education in Cherry Hill. 
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Cherry Hill providing debris cleanup for residents

Mayor Bernie Platt announced today that he is instituting a special program to assist residents with tree debris clean-up, following a winter of record storms.

Township ordinance requires that weekly yard-waste pickup – such as felled branches, bark, and even small trees – be cut into manageable pieces, bundled, and placed in an open bin or bag weighing no more than 60 pounds. For some residents who do not have access to the tools needed to break down large tree limbs, meeting the yard-waste collection requirements may present a hardship – particularly in light of the destructive weather the Township has experienced in recent months.

With that in mind, Mayor Platt has instituted a four-week initiative that will allow these residents to schedule large, unbundled yard-waste pickups through the Department of Public Works. Provided that the branches, limbs and similar pieces of natural debris are of a reasonable weight and brought curbside, a DPW crew will chip the wood on-site and take it away from the property.
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Cherry Hill, Recyclebank featured in NY news segment

Mayor Bernie Platt and a handful of Township residents and businesses were featured in a news segment last night on WCBS (Ch. 2) in New York.

Here's the link: http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=140048@wcbs.dayport.com

DPW crews clearing storm drains to prevent flooding

The Department of Public Works has been working since Wednesday to clear debris from water inlets and outflows in anticipation of this weekend's heavy rainfall.

Residents should call Police Dispatch to report flood conditions during the weekend, at (856) 665-1200.  The police will dispatch Public Works crews as needed.

A ‘monster’ of an event is underway

Jose F. Moreno/Courier-Post file

The 14th Monster-Mania Con will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this weekend, running today through Sunday.

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AARP senior tax help at Town Hall tomorrow

These sessions will continue every Tuesday and Friday through April 13.
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Haddonfield Road pot holes covered

Pot holes at 50 Haddonfield Road, which had been reported two months ago, are now covered by large metal slates.

The issue had been reported by Kevin, who said:

"Crumbling pavement and potholes on haddonfield Rd. in Cherry Hill. The problem is in front of the Toyota dealership prior to the Church Rd. Intersection."

Read more about this issue, and view the photo gallery, after the jump...

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Fast way to see Easter Bunny

Courier-Post file

The Cherry Hill Mall is offering the Bunny Fast Pass this Easter season.

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Mayor Platt comments on sentencing of former township official

Please see the following statement from Mayor Bernie Platt in reference to the sentencing of Tony Saccomanno.

"First and foremost I want to applaud the work of the U.S. Attorney and the FBI on this case.

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Township hosts 2010 Census kickoff event

Mayor Bernie Platt and Township Council invite you to attend the 2010 U.S. Census Kick-Off Meeting on the evening of Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. in the Carman Tilelli Community Center at Town Hall (820 Mercer Street).

Information collected from the U.S. Census becomes a factor in many government decisions, such as the number of seats New Jersey has in Congress, in addition to how more than $400 billion in federal money is allocated each year to fund infrastructure additions, improvements and services in communities such as Cherry Hill.

Please join Township and U.S. Census Bureau officials as the 2010 Census begins!

#SJTweetUp tonight at restaurant

Al Schell/Courier-Post

Chef Mark Smith of Collingswood's Tortilla Press restaurant and Pennsauken's Tortilla Press Cantina will be hosting his third "South Jersey Tweet-Up" this evening.

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PHOTO: Accounting firm logs $6,150 in fundraiser

Alloy Silverstein Goes Red for Women

Monster Mashup: Horror movie stars ready to press flesh in Cherry Hill

By Matt Chimento, Courier-Post Staff

Oscar fever is in the air so it's high time all the elbow rubbers and groupies slink out from hiding and try to hobnob their way into all the hottest parties and gala events.

Click here to view the Courier-Post photo gallery of the 2009 convention, and read the rest of this article after the jump...

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Feel the Latin beat with your family this weekend

Scott Anderson/Courier-Post

Los Tambores de Barlovento, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Garden State Discovery Museum, 2040 Springdale Road. Feel the Latin beat and make some rhythms during this Venezuelan drum festival. Attendees also will learn how to dance the Joropo. Included in regular admission of $9.95 per person. (856) 424-1233. www.discoverymuseum.com.

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