Misinformation out there about FD budgets

During the recent campaign for mayor in Vernon Township, misinformation concerning the budgets for the Vernon fire and emergency management departments was put out to an unsuspecting public.

One person even alleged that Mayor Victor Marotta had sent the fire departments out into the street to beg for money because their funds were decreased.

The following is an accurate list of the funds allocated by the mayor and council to the emergency management groups. This information can be verified on the township website under the annual municipal budgets posted there: 2010 — $230,000; 2011 — $230,000 (Mayor Victor Marotta takes office in July of this year.); 2012 — $230,000; 2013 — $270,000; 2013 — $342,562 (additional funds allocated through a grant); 2014 — $310,000; 2015 — $327,500 (Mayor Victor Marotta’s final municipal budget)

Vernon residents cannot always be aware of the misinformation that is put out during a political campaign, and it is unfortunate that this type of thing is done to an unsuspecting and uninformed public.

Jessi Paladini
Vernon Township