Well, here's a couple of troubling comments:

"it’s typically done in other municipalities" - George Haeuber
"He has every right to ask for a car." - Minniti

Are you kidding me? Really?

This is ridiculous. You public-sector people have no clue and are so completely detached from reality. You're spending OUR money on frivolous nonsense! Unemployment is high and people are struggling, but yet you think spending MORE tax dollars is appropriate? Unbelievable. You people need a reality check. I hope you get it during the next election cycle.

In the real world, when you take a job somewhere far from where you live, you have a choice. You either move closer, so that your commuting expenses are smaller, or you suck it up. You don't get to ask your employer to pay for a commute that YOU chose to make.

Being sure that our officials have the proper tools to do their jobs is important. The real problem here is the justification for financing. As the headline states,"Cinnaminson officials say the fuel costs are absorbed by more revenue from traffic tickets and court fees."
In his editorial in the July/August issue of AAA World, Berni Koch, AAA Mid-Atlantic President and Chief Executive Officer, elaborates on his headline "Traffic Enforcement Should Be About Safety, Not Revenue." One of the things he talks about in the editorial is red-light cameras, just the thing we are trying to have installed at certain traffic signals.
Mr. King doesn't need tax money.

Red light cameras are unconstitutional. Google it. They denied us the right to due process. It's been a solid and winning defense across the country. Just because they took a picture of the back of your car doesn't mean that you were driving. Again people just letting govt impose against our constitutional rights and we let them.

Now back to the topic. I have family in CPD. I'm always in favor of helping the department. But Mercer Co?? And $50 a week??? It's a V8 Police interceptor!!! $50 maybe every 3 days. I have a V8. I drive all highway. Every time I fil up its $60+ and it's usually more than once a week. I'd like the residents to call Rooneys bluff and make him cough up the overages. You have him on record

Let's not forget Rooney the committeeman last year who fought with the former chief over benefits? I remember him being arguing with the old chief: “times have changed and we can’t afford to give away these types of things anymore”, or “in the civilian sector we don’t get things like this anymore”. I’m no big fan of the old chief and think the new PSD is a far improvement but how is this fair! Oh how things have changed Mr. Flip Flop. If the cost exceeds $5,000….the committee better hold him to his words.

"Being sure that our officials have the proper tools to do their jobs is important."

King has his own car, which is all he needs to get to his job. Using a township vehicle during the course of his duties is fine, but giving him a car to commute is ridiculous.

And as for the red light cameras, they are a whole other can of worms. Traffic enforcement as a revenue center is a disgusting abuse of the populace.

Sit back and listen to all of this everyone, who is benefiting from this I ask, is the community at large or one individual? Was this in his original agreement when Mr. King was hired? Then ask yourself this question why would this suddenly be an issue?i have to agreen with several others on "the split vote" very convenient. Seems to me this is the fashion in which this Twp. uses to get what they want to pull the wool over our eyes. So the Mayor, Don voted "No" he would be stupid not to but they still all got what they truly wanted. One more question for you all~ why do you think it was a closed session? Do you see the trend here? I pray something miraculous happens in November.

I have a question........why is there a need for 'closed sessions'??? Shouldn't those who pay the taxes to 'run the town' be able to hear all the details?? Perhaps I'm just naive or dumb when it comes to 'local government' but still....................................

Huh? Who were the officials who said "the only cost associated with that is fuel"? Isn't the township going to insure the vehicle when King uses it for his personal use? And will not the vehicle will need maintenance because of King's personal usage? My personal experiences with cars tell me it will. For example, the tires and brakes wear down a bit for every mile driven. The more you drive, the more wear and tear is put on the whole vehicle.

And Deputy Mayor Anthony Minniti said: “It’s not a large sum of money that we’re talking about.” Gee, how about all of us deduct $2500 from our property taxes since that is not a large sum of money? I would think those who approve township appropriations would have a better appreciation for property taxpayer’s money. Who do they think they are - the Cinnaminson Sewer Authority?

This is a perfect example why Cinnaminson needs to elect township council members from two parties and not straight republicans.

After this new article, I'm not sure where I stand on this topic. I just don't think there is enough justification. It says above that Mr. Rooney declined to comment to the Patch? Christina, I have never really seen that in articles before. Did anyone else decline to comment to the Patch?

Insurance costs vary by yearly vehicle miles driven, and whether it is being maintained now or not, it will need tires, oil changes, brakes and other maintenance more frequently due to the excess mileage King will put on the car with his personal use.

This is a waste at taxpayer expense, plain and simple. Every dollar that the government has, WE gave them. Never forget that. And playing the "oh, this is just ticket revenue" shell game is not going to cut it. That ticket revenue should be used to offset operating costs, NOT to attempt to justify increasing expenditures.

Again, you politicians just don't get it. And you sheep who vote for these people need to remember this when its time to vote. Quit electing fake conservatives. If you want tax and spend, start voting Democrat, so at least you won't have the right to act surprised when your government wastes your hard earned money.

Fuel is just one cost associated. Wear and tear over an additional 200 miles a week, that is an extra 10,400 miles a year. That vehicle will need to replaced how much sooner as a result. I disagree with this decision, personal vehicles are used to get to and from your job, while public vehicles are used at work. This is a poor decision with taxpayer money. One additional note, and the mothers out there will smile at this one, "Just because Moorestown is jumping off a bridge, that doesn't mean you should do it.", of course my Mom would sub in a friend's name to make the point to me when I was growing up. Just because someone else is doing it doesn't make it right. The township committee was elected to look after our interests, and I cannot say they did so in this case. Using a one year track record to determine an additional $5,000 expense, not well thought out in my mind, but I am just one voter I suppose.

If there are "extra" vehicles in the fleet, they should be disposed of. No one should have a vehicle given to them for personal use. Period.

Totally ridiculous, the cost of fuel, tires, brakes, oil changes, and having to replace the vehicle once it hits a certain mileage, along with increased insurance should all be factored in.... If you live in Mercer County and work in Cinnaminson then more than likely it is worth it to make the drive, which means, you should use your personal vehicle to and from work.... Bad call by this committee.... Is this justification to issue more summons now that obviously if more tickets are given out more trophies are given out as well ????

Why are there now more tickets with less officers? Are these officers now more motivated by Mr. King, or is it simply a case of mandating production, which translates to a QUOTA. I also understand that the fancy new plate reader is producing a high rate of tickets. Now by mandating production, we get more revenue, and we give that extra revenue to the person who is mandating tickets. Anyone else see a problem here? Both legally, ethically and morally??

Since the decision has been made to give a car, I must ask, will this car along with the other entire unmarked township owned cars be labeled with at least the towns logo on the doors? I believe when the sewage authority mess came to light it was stated by one of the committee members that all township owned vehicles would have to townships name on them. So as of this time, their is an unmarked police director car, unmarked fire chief car, unmarked zoning officer car and unmarked building inspector car? I really am not surprised though. I guess we will be having a sewage authority debacle again with all these unmarked cars running all over the place

Hello people wake up! No car means no car! Anyway you try and spin this it's a big NEGATIVE to the people of this town. 40 miles with all the lights on 130 you think it's going to be how much gas? What a joke, just like this Committiee!

Christina, this article does not mention what kind of car he will be given. He was using an older Crown Vic, however, now there is a brand new Dodge Charger (with a Hemi I believe) parked there. Please advise.

I know everyone has lots of questions and I'm am answering them if they are directed right at me, or if I can answer something that will help with the story.

Remember, the township committee meets every first and third Monday of the month in open, public meetings where the agendas are made available to the public the Friday afternoon before. The public comment portion of those meetings is where a lot of these questions can be answered.

Christina, is Mr. Rooney a Cinnaminson Police person?

Christina thank you, however, this committee is famous for pulling things like this. Could you please ask them and let everyone here know. We are all very curious. The difference between the two vehicles is huge.

Rooney is a civilian handing out 'OUR" hard earned tax dollars!

Well thanks Christina, but I am not confident in your reporting. If I was a professional journalist as you claim to be, I would make that call immediately and find out the truth, not ask my reading public to do my work for me. He is and was driving a used Crown Vic. There is a huge difference between that and a brand new Dodge Charger with a Hemi V8 engine.

Perhaps Mrs Fitzpatrick asked the question, hence, the not enough information abstention.

I am glad Mr Minitti thinks $2500 isn't alot of money. This type of waste adds up quickly. $2500 is 25% of my tax bill which I could spend on my commute. Maybe Mr Minitti could pay for my gas or lower my taxes and let Mr King pay for his own gas.

Well yes BP, I don't appreciate being told one thing and then finding out it's not all on the level, which is par for this committee. Why not just come right out and tell Christina, and the public? If it's not that big of a deal, why hide it? I did make a call, and yes, he just received a brand new Dodge Charger, but it is only a V6. To me, that so called perk just went from 5 something thousand to the price of a brand new car, plus gas, maintenance, and depreciation, where an old Crown Vic was already in the fleet and being used by him. Perhaps this doesn't make a difference to anyone else, but it's the lies and deception that tell the story. I'm sure Christina could have made the same call, wasn't very hard, I guess she didn't really want to know the answer, or was told not to tell.

I think we can solve this problem at the next election,sounds like a done deal,the township committee has spoken,and we can't do anything about it,until election time and I'm sure they hope we forget about it, $2500.00 a small amount not to me I can't find a job.

I'm sure DK's info can be verified by a call to verify or refute. Especially with press credentials; can any of the Patch staff verify that. It certainly would be part of the article and for those residents who might be apprehensive to ask. It's an update on the article.

Actually, I did make a phone call and learned of some new and different information and I will be writing another follow-up story. Since I have not yet interviewed anyone about it for a story, I will be doing so in the morning, so readers can expect another follow up either tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. Thanks.

And I can assure you that the issued vehicle will also be used for personal use in Mercer County. Like trips to the super market, the drug store, the local bank and to the physician. Who's to know? We are all aware that the Riverline was purposely created to provide transportation between Mercer County and Camden County with stops in Burlington County. Our Committeemen have been in office too long . The feeling pervades among them. What the hell , we can do anything we want . They'll vote us back in anyway.

Christina and the PATCH provide stories that they are important to Cinnaminson residents. They are the only media source for consistently covering Township issues. While the Township shows tapes of their meetings, we only see the end product of their deliberations held at Executive session. I believe the PATCH tries to provide fair coverage. When as a reporter, you take things at face value with our local elected officials, you have a good chance of getting burnt. Christina and the PATCH do provde an insight as to what is going with OUR Township. While many of you voice your concerns and opinions on this forum, you need to follow through with your opposing opinions and points of view. It is time for the concerned readers on this site to consider other means of making a difference. While it is too late for anyone to oppose the Republican candidates running for Township Committee in 2012, it isn't too early to start considering a run for local office in 2013. And yes it does appear it was an orchestrated vote on this issue.

Lol, she made a call and got new information? Has the information changed? I doubt it. They were caught in their lies again and basically had to confess. I can hardly wait for the spin on this new story. Christina, you cannot be happy with these people and the lies they tell you, and the way they use you to distribute information to the residents of this town.

I hear more and more opinions about how the township should be run an how you all have the answers but yet you sit behind your computer and type away most not knowing a clue about what the truth is and running with other peoples responses on here. Whatever the truth is I see people here trying to run a government not a business. I see a difference in the service in this town for the better. I see the new director seems to be doing a great job with our police department. I recently read an article about how production is up by the men and woman that protect this town and all the community oriented services they have offered to our residents. I have read about numerous programs offered and put on by the police department including dare day, national night out and a reading program for our kids. I don't recall these programs ever offered before. People keep writing that he is getting a car for personal use. He is the head of the police department and I'm sure he is on-call 24 hours a day in case of an emergency in the town. I believe they stated it was to be used for department business only. I like the rocket scientist's great idea and question as to why they don't have stickers on all the cars to identify them. Well they are undercover police cars, hence the "undercover" part. Make them slap a police sticker on it so the criminals know who they are. That's great crime prevention! I think you'd do a great job at runnin the town. Wow ! Shaking my head!

Since Mr King lives so far away and we are buying him a car, why not just buy him a house in Cinnaminson? The home values are so low it might be cheaper...or give him one of the many vacant homes in town.

Apparently you don't grab the concept that Mr King is not a Police officer much less undercover.Great he's doing a supurb job well isn't that what he was hired to do? So negotiate a car when his term is up perhaps? Don't give a $2500/year + perk just for doing your job in these times of budget trimming. The main issue at hand here is the lies again from the TWP. they say one thing and do another, is it an older patrol car like they claim or is it the brand new Charger? My bet is it is the Charger. And the Split vote that seems like another lie, Scratching my head!

I'd still like to know if his vehicle is equipped with emergency lights and sirens. Or, if indeed its a new vehicle, will it be outfitted with there's "bells and whistles"? Although I agree that Mr. King is doing an exceptional job with the PD, he is NOT A POLICE OFFICER! His is a civilian administrator.

As for shakingmyheadatyouall's comment about "undercover" cars, they mine as well be marked. Usually the huge spotlight in the corner of the windshield, ginormous strobe lights stuck on the back of the side view mirrors, municipal liscense plates, and super dark tinted windows that is illegal for civilian use gives them away.

I have a totally parallel (and wholly unimportant) take on this article...
>> Minniti said. “The testimony … leaned me in [a different] direction.” <<
I am fairly certain that this was an incorrect usage of the verb "leaned" --- not by Ms Paciolla but but Mr Minniti.

One can "lean" an air-fuel mixture and a supply chain, too, but one is not "leaned" to make a counter intuitive decision.

Just my $ .02 worth!

: )

I am sitting on the edge of my seat,, is it a Spiffy New Charger or the Vintage Patrol car? Inquiring minds want to know!!! What's the exciting twist!!,,