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Blackwood- Three Township Council members yesterday accused Mayor Cindy Rau-Hatton of gross fiscal mismanagement, declaring that taxes were going up despite a continuing hiring freeze and cuts in municipal services. They said Rau-Hatton was operating behind closed doors, keeping the public and Township Council in the dark about how taxpayer money is being spent.

"As the hard-working men and women of Gloucester Township struggle to make ends meet, Mayor Rau-Hatton is wasting township dollars and keeping Council and our citizens out of the loop," said Councilman Frank Schmidt. Schmidt said the mayor had completely mismanaged the townships finances, adding, "Finding out about problems only after they occur is what led us to request monthly cash flow reports and we've seen none of them."

"We have been fighting an uphill battle with the Mayor on the most important issue facing our taxpayers," said Councilman Dan Hutchinson. "Instead of a willing partner in the Mayors office, we have someone who refuses to work with us and who will not be transparent with the township books."

The councilmen noted that the New York Times reported on May 3 that Gloucester Township is "running out of cash." The township was one of 11 communities that requested a waiver from the Local Finance Board to raise taxes above the 4% cap set by the State. A $3.1 million increase was approved for the township, which was estimated to mean an approximately $240 increase for each household. Whats more, taxes in the Township will increase another 12 percent this year, even though a hiring freeze instituted by the Township in 2007 is still in effect and no Township services are performed on Fridays.

Dave Mayer, the Democratic candidate for mayor, vowed today that he would provide monthly cash-flow reports to council. "Not having transparency is what got Gloucester Township in this financial mess in the first place," Mayer said. "Our town is running out of cash, and the money it does have is being spent on late fines and penalties because of the mayors mismanagement."

Mayer said he is running to bring fiscal responsibility and personal accountability to the mayors office. "This Mayor either does not understand or refuses to recognize that the township's money belongs to the taxpayers and is not to be spent as she sees fit. Residents have suffered from consecutive double-digit tax hikes since this Mayor has taken office, yet the coffers are still empty. This is gross mismanagement and it has got to stop."

Michele Gentek, a Township Council candidate running on Mayer's ticket, said it was time for a major shake-up at Township Hall. "Government is supposed to serve the community it represents, but Mayor Rau-Hatton is serving no one but herself," Gentek said. "It is time for new leadership so our taxpayers can get the competent, open and responsible government they deserve."