The Alternative Press

Summit Common Council finally released information that the City of Summit lost about 1.4 Million Dollars in the Ameripay payroll tax fraud. The citizens were told that a bond would be issued to cover the losses to be financed by the property taxpayers, plus interest !!

The City Administrator and Chief Financial Officer use the excuse that it was fraud. Fraud is an explanation, but not an excuse! There is a lack of oversight and control in our city government. After this fraud case had been reported in the media, a member of the public, presented to Council a document that shows a simple way of verification of payment. Our city administration did not even seem to know of such means, which every responsible Small Business Executive uses. Summit taxpayers pay a salary to the City Administrator of $ 182,958 and to the City Treasurer of $ 136,394, plus free health and lucrative pension benefits. For that amount Summit taxpayers deserve much better!

According to the City Charter of Summit it is the responsibility and duty of City Council to set policy and to oversee the administration. The oversight includes department heads of the administration. All financial matters are primarily the responsibility of the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He, as well as, the City Administrator and City Treasurer failed Summit taxpayers miserably. For that reason we urge you to no longer support Andrew Lark. Instead vote for his opponent.

We urge all citizens of Summit to give Steve Murphy their support for Councilman at Large. Change is needed in Summit! While we are on the issue of the election which will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, our other recommendation is Rich Madden. These two individuals are new; it is time for fresh people on the council who are committed to sound fiscal management.