NEWARK HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING, ONCE AGAIN, UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
NEWARK USES HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS FOR SUV'S
For Release: Contact:
December 7, 2005 Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio/973-984-0922
Immediate Assembly Republican Office/609-292-5339

NEWARK HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING, ONCE AGAIN, UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
NEWARK USES HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS FOR SUV'S

Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio today questioned a decision by the City of Newark to purchase 20 Sport Utility Vehicles using $625,000 in federal homeland security dollars, while the city's fire officials say the department is in need of new trucks and equipment.

"After the garbage truck debacle, I would have expected city officials to do a better job of prioritizing its use of homeland security dollars," said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic. "Newark has no conception of what homeland security is about."

"I intend to, once again, write to Secretary Chertoff of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to oversee New Jersey's homeland security needs," Pennacchio said. "This spending by Newark is wasteful and dangerous."

The Star-Ledger today reported that Newark is using $625,000 in federal grant money from the Department of Justice to purchase a total of 20 SUVs and sedans for the fire department, health department and water and sewer division.

The story points out that the head of the city’s firefighter union stated that the average age of a city fire truck is 13 years and that the fire department is in need of a new class of firefighters, new radios and ropes.

Pennacchio was responding to the news about Newark from Israel where he is currently traveling, and he noted that homeland security is an issue he is aware of 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The administration spent 93% of homeland security funding in Democrat controlled districts, Newark purchased Garbage trucks with homeland security dollars and former Governor McGreevey named his 'friend,' Golan Cipel, as homeland security advisor," Pennacchio said. "This is absolutely shameful. When is this nonsense going to end?"

"Even if the SUV's were needed by the fire and health departments, are they really more important than the need for more firefighters, new trucks and modern radio equipment?" Pennacchio asked. "It seems to me that this is a case of money being spent on the wrong needs."

Pennacchio applauded the firefighters union and the Newark council members who questioned the decision at last night’s council meeting although he said the council should have rejected the purchase.

"I think those council members who raised questions about this spending should be commended for doing so," Pennacchio said. "I am glad that there are elected officials in Newark who were at least willing to challenge these spending priorities."

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