"Over the last eight years the people of Hamilton Township have seen their beloved hometown go from one of the most financially-respected towns in New Jersey to a town on the brink of bankruptcy," said Bencivengo.

"When Mayor Gilmore first ran for office in 1999, he promised Hamiltonians lower taxes and long-term fiscal planning.  Instead he has delivered a 25% tax increase and no long-term fiscal planning whatsoever.  Mayor Gilmore's idea of financial planning has Hamilton on the verge of being declared a distressed city like Ewing and that is a distinction Hamiltonians do not want and will not tolerate," he continued.

"Just one look at Mayor Gilmore's record over the last eight years and you can see why Hamilton can no longer afford to have him as mayor," said Mr. Bencivengo during a news conference.

"Mayor Gilmore's record includes a 25% tax increase since 2000, leaving Hamilton's taxpayers to pay the fourth highest municipal tax rate in Mercer County.  Mr. Gilmore's fiscal policies have translated into $12 million in increased spending.  The Mayor has squandered over $10 million in surplus funds to the point where there is no emergency money left in the Town's savings account, an account that the residents of Hamilton and past administrations painstakingly managed."

"Mayor Gilmore provided a $41 million tax break for a wealthy developer through the PILOT program," continued Mr. Bencivengo.  "The Mayor agreed to pay $4.1 million to buy swampland."

"And, the financial shenanigans don't end there," said Mr. Bencivengo.  "An independent auditor discovered no fewer than 90 no-bid contract violations which cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.  The Mayor's record of financial mismanagement goes on and on," Bencivengo added.  "The honest, hard working residents of Hamilton Township can no longer afford the free-wheeling government spending which defines the Gilmore Administration.  Hamilton's financial house must be put back in order now."

"My plan for fixing Hamilton's finances is quite simple: Use common sense and follow the law," stated Bencivengo.

"The first step in my plan is to stabilize the tax rate.  Ever-increasing taxes, as has been the case over the last several years, place an undue burden on the taxpayers.  How can they make their own financial plans if they do not have a general idea of how much they will be paying in taxes?  This is unfair and unnecessary, and can be avoided by instituting long-term fiscal planning."

"Second, we must cut all unnecessary spending.  Spending money like it's water on non-essential items is just incomprehensible, especially when Hamilton is facing bankruptcy and distressed city status.  Like everyday taxpayers Hamilton Township must live within its means.  If a consumer continues to use his credit card without having the means to pay it back, he gets into financial trouble.  That is exactly the situation Hamilton is in right now.  We must identify unnecessary spending and eliminate it."

"Third, we must rebuild the town's surplus to ensure fiscal stability for our future.  By having a surplus, we have the capability to respond to any emergency without necessarily having to raise taxes.  Hamilton needs a financial safety net and it is vital that we rebuild the Township's savings," Bencivengo added.

"Fourth, we must end welfare to developers through multi-million dollar tax breaks.  There is no need to give a developer a $41 million tax break in Hamilton Township, and we most certainly must stop overspending in an attempt to acquire land.  There is no need to pay $4.1 million for swampland which sold for $375,000 just two years earlier.  Deals such as these help no one but the developers.  Financial decisions must be made on balance to benefit Hamilton Township as a whole and the interests of the taxpayers, not developers, must be put first."

"Fifth, we must provide an open and transparent budget process and abide by the public contracting laws so we can be sure to avoid any wasteful spending," Bencivengo added.  "It is not difficult to follow the law and allow the people to see where their tax dollars are being spent.  Under my plan, when the people ask questions they will get answers.  Under my leadership, I will also demand that my administration to follow state and local laws to the letter.  Budgets will be presented on time according to the statutory deadline and no longer will the budget become a political tool in election years as has been the case under Mayor Gilmore.  I will not tolerate excuses for delays and inappropriate actions that violate the law."

"My "Fiscal Five" plan will begin to reverse the financial bleeding which defines the current situation in our Township," Bencivengo said.  "I have laid out my financial plan for a future of prosperity for the residents of Hamilton.  It is time for Mayor Gilmore to present his long overdue spending plan and let the people know his plan for Hamilton's financial future.  The taxpayers can now judge me based on my ideas.  Like Tom Goodwin, Dave Kenny, Dennis Pone, and Kelly Yaede, every promise I make to the people I will keep, just as they have done.  Hamilton need not become a distressed city.  Hamilton and its residents need and deserve a sound financial future," he concluded.