Nov 2024 Council Meeting – Special Counsel and Rewriting Land Use OrdinanceThe November 18, 2024, Clark Township Council meeting covered several important items that residents should be aware of. Here’s a recap of the key developments: Comprehensive Update to the Land Use and Development Ordinance The Council is in the process of updating the entire Land Use and Development Ordinance, a document that governs zoning, construction, […] Fixing Problems Is Not Radical: It’s Necessary But instead of addressing our real challenges, our current leadership resorts to fear tactics, labeling practical solutions as “radical.” We, the Stronger Clark team, believe fixing our town isn’t extreme—it’s simply responsible. We’re here to prioritize our schools, restore local control, and bring transparency back to government. This election, vote for facts and common sense, not fear. Is Clark’s Leadership Really Protecting Our Town Services?Mayor Sal Bonaccorso talks about Clark’s town services like leaf and branch pickup as if they’re exceptional, but aren’t these basics every town should provide? Quiet cuts to the Department of Public Works (DPW) have reduced staff from 21 in 2022 to 14 today. Meanwhile, taxes went up by 9% last year. Is Mayor Sal Bonaccorso Setting Clark Up for Another Scandal?Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, is set to appear in court for what the online calendar labeled as a “PLEA BARGAIN.” If convicted, Bonaccorso could be forced out of office, leaving Clark in turmoil.The costs to Clark would be high, both in dollars and morale. Illegal Benefits: Another Way Clark’s Mayor and Council Mismanage Our TaxesClark Township spent $522,000 paying for health insurance benefits paid to its elected officials, even though they were ineligible under state law. This misconduct, detailed in a news report by NJ.com, is part of a troubling pattern in Clark. Clark Council Member Admits They Do No Research – Is This Leadership?The role of our Town Council is to make the best decisions for Clark, NJ. But how can they do that if they don’t bother to do their own research? Recently, Angel Albanese, a member of the Clark Town Council, admitted they don’t do research. Clark Scandal Continues: Wasting More Taxpayer Money to Hide the TruthOur mayor and the town council have spent millions of taxpayer dollars fighting to keep misconduct under wraps. And now, NJ.com reports they’re doubling down, wasting even more money to go after the very whistleblower who exposed the corruption in the first place! Misunderstanding Laws: Clark Mayor’s Rants and Council’s SilenceIt’s not just misconduct from our leadership that hurts us. It’s also incompetence. Our mayor and town council completely misunderstood a law about storm water management. They not only refused to discuss it seriously but misled residents about what the law actually is and wasted town resources passing a pointless resolution against it. Clark’s Abandoned A&P: A Failure of LeadershipIn 2019, Mayor Sal Bonaccorso assured the people of Clark that this eyesore would be developed, yet here we are in 2024, and absolutely nothing has happened. Unanimous: Clark Police Voted No Confidence in Mayor Sal BonaccorsoThe Clark Police Benevolent Association (PBA) issued a vote of no confidence in Mayor Bonaccorso, which means they no longer believe he is fit to lead our town. Mayor Bonaccorso’s Broken Promises Hurt Clark’s FutureMayor Sal Bonaccorso made a promise—“as long as I’m mayor there are no tax abatements to builders. I’m not going to be doing them a favor in plain English.” In 2020, the mayor and the town council approved a 30-year tax deal for 178 new apartment units, and in 2023 they did it again with the CubeSmart deal on Raritan Road. Clark Legal Services Budget: Up 224% Since 2014Appropriations for legal services in Clark’s Municipal Budget have increased from $138,828 in 2014 to $450,000 in 2024. This is an increase of $311,172 or a 224% increase. The largest increase of 75.6% occurred in 2022. Clark, NJ’s Government Budget: A 77% Increase Since 2014The General Government Budget is the money used to run Clark’s government. This includes salaries, legal costs, etc. This cost has increased by $1,018,761 since 2014, a 77.42% increase. The largest increase of 19.53% occurred in 2020. Why Township Councils Must CommunicateA township council makes key decisions on running a town, including building parks, fixing roads, and managing finances. It’s essential for townspeople to stay informed and have the chance to ask questions. Here’s why a responsive and accessible council matters. 4 Years Ago Union County Prosecutor’s Office Took Control of Clark’s Police Department4 Years later Clark is still paying the salaries of suspended officers at a total cost of well over $1.5 million, and Chief Matos is still the highest paid town employee. Here’s Why PILOT Agreements Are Bad for Clark’s SchoolsPayment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements can bring more development to help Clark grow, but they also shift the burden of funding our schools away from developers and onto families. Support Stronger ClarkDONATEVOLUNTEERJoin Our Mailing List Name Email Yes, Send Me Updates and Info
