Hamilton Township is in financial chaos and no amount of bureaucratic dancing or political bobbing and weaving can change that fact. The facts are very clear. The current government inherited an $8,000,000. surplus and it's gone. Regardless of who is elected in November, that mayor and administration will have at the least two very difficult years of dealing with a falling bond rating, depleted surpluses, stop-gap, one-time financial gimmicks applied to the present that will have to be paid in the future and a rising demand on tax dollars.

Our plan is a relatively simple one. First, we must restore confidence in our fiscal house by appointing an experienced, certified Finance Director who knows Hamilton. We must give that person the freedom to make recommendations on debt reduction and consolidation and on applications of funding based on professional judgment, not political expediency. Second, we must adopt budgets that deliver services and programs that the people of Hamilton deserve and expect and within the taxpaying ability of Hamilton citizens. We will re-install a "Budget by Objectives" system that requires every service or program objective proposed in the budget to answer five cost measurements: personnel; supplies; equipment; contracted services; overhead. Anyone studying that budget will see exactly what each service and program costs to deliver. That way, the difficult decisions of eliminating, reducing or revising a service or program will be based on fiscal prudence. No more will we face staff reductions or budget cuts without knowing exactly what those actions will cause. Equally, proposed expansion of programs and staff will be clearly identified with probable costs.

During the transition period from Nov. 4 (Election Day) to Jan. 1 (Inauguration Day) the Lacy Administration will evaluate every department and every paid position in the township government. Those who are doing their jobs need have no fear. Those who are not performing may either be reassigned to more productive positions or encouraged to find other employment. By the time we actually are sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2004 the municipal government will have been fully appraised and ready for any overhauls our team deems necessary. It will be more efficient and more focused on delivering services and programs, rather than enhancing individual political careers and agendas.