Torregrossa and Hall for Manalapan Township Committee

Charges Confirmed – WMUA Sewer Authority Flushed into Investigations

Multi-Million Dollar Surplus Squandered
Homeowners Hammered with 33% Rate Increase

Republican lawmakers in Manalapan and Marlboro have spent the last month criticizing the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority, a joint venture between the two towns to oversee sewer operations.

Now, an investigative report in the September 30 Asbury Park Press shows the situation at Manalapan and Marlboro’s sewer authority even worse than originally feared. Nearly $8 million dollars in surplus cash was squandered for among other things, an opulent administration building and massive pay raises for administrators many call completely unnecessary, while other money was spent on the sewer’s public relations firm with direct ties to a Democratic political campaign.
Contact: Jeff McKay / 732.617.7840

Republican lawmakers in Manalapan and Marlboro have spent the last month criticizing the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority, a joint venture between the two towns to oversee sewer operations.

Now, an investigative report in the September 30 Asbury Park Press shows the situation at Manalapan and Marlboro’s sewer authority even worse than originally feared. Nearly $8 million dollars in surplus cash was squandered for among other things, an opulent administration building and massive pay raises for administrators many call completely unnecessary, while other money was spent on the sewer’s public relations firm with direct ties to a Democratic political campaign.

“This is what we have been saying all along – our residents have watched their money literally flushed down the sewer,� said Miracle Torregrossa, a candidate for Manalapan Township Committee. “In one year, residents pay 33% more than they did a year ago, and a multi-million dollar surplus was squandered. Those responsible at the WMUA need to be held accountable.�

Peter Hall, Torregrossa’s running mate, demands the Democratic-dominated Manalapan Township Committee put partisan politics aside and join Marlboro in opening public hearings.

“We have asked that Manalapan’s Township Committee hold hearings into the abuse, however the Democrats in majority say nothing’s wrong at the WMUA. The WMUA commissioners took out a thousand dollar newspaper ad saying Miracle and I am ‘yelling ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theatre,’ but in reality we are being proved right – something smells really bad at the sewer authority.�

In just the last year, the WMUA and their six-figure salaried director:

· Spent $2 million to construct a new and highly ornate administration building after spending money remodeling a building for that same purpose just 5 years ago.

· Spends 4,000 per month for a public relations firm and hired spokesman Jeff Meyer. Meyer ran the Democrats 2003 District 12 Assembly campaign for Michael Panter and Bob Morgan.

· Squandered a nearly $8 million surplus of cash.

· Gave their Executive Director, Frank Abate, a 9.5% pay increase while socking residents with a 33% rate increase.

Torregrossa and Hall’s calls are being echoed by the District 12 GOP campaign of Jennifer Beck and Declan O’Scanlan, who face Panter and Morgan in November’s election.

“There are serious concerns here. Residents deserve to know how their money is being spent, and those responsible must be held accountable. Residents should not have to foot the bill,� said Kevin Israel, spokesman for the Jennifer Beck and Declan O’Scanlan for Assembly campaign.

Calling this “a mismanagement of money,� Mayor Robert Kleinberg and Marlboro’s Township Committee has already scheduled open hearings on October 11 to demand answers.

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