Like many others who chose to migrate to the Wildwood seashore community, I hold many fond memories of growing up on the Jersey Shore beaches and boardwalks. Over the years, the word "suckers" has been associated with the areas, mainly as a reference made to us people who enjoy spending a few of our hard-earned dollars on the entertainment of some games of chance, or a high-priced, low quality tee-shirt, however, us "suckers" always knew that we were not "suckers" at all; and we pretty much knew what we were spending our money on.. .fun.

However, since I have made a life here in the Wildwood New Jersey, the word "suckers" has taken on new meaning. Indeed, Wildwood New Jersey is loaded with "suckers"; but not the kind you might think of. Recently, I had the high privilege of going to the bank to get money so that I could hand it to the City of Wildwood's clerk's office as payment for license fees for the right to conduct my boardwalk business. The license fees I had to hand over totaled almost $5,000.00, which included $750.00 in payments to the state for the same license privilege.

As I stood at the desk of the Wildwood City Clerk, just by chance I was joined by the acting Wildwood city manager, Lou Ferrara, and we discussed another licensing issue in which I find myself having to seek the majestic permission of the City of Wildwood for the privileges of working hard while providing a service to the community, with the added benefits of paying additional absorbitant license fees.
My mind spins to the fact that I am paying almost $20,000.00 in yearly property taxes for the 40 feet of wildwood seaside boardwalk business space that I conduct my business in, and after I am done paying my license fees, it will be totaling nearly $70,000.00.

After I calculate in the other essentials like water, sewer, gas, electric, and insurance, my essential costs will far exceed the $35,OOO mark. If I were to rent my 40 foot property, I would be lucky to get a tenant who would pay $70,000.00 for the year; which brings my yearly taxes alone to a rate of 30 of my income property potential, and my total carrying costs to 50 of my income property potential, not counting any mortgage fees or interest on loans or equities.
Putting the Wildwood New Jersey property tax issue aside for a moment, and feeling much like the "sucker" I often hear of, I asked the clerk just where my licensing fees are. going; what is all that money going towards? I explained that, by a matter of law, license fees are only to be made in order to cover the actual expenses of governing that type of thing being licensed.
I asked the clerk, just how the different wildwood license fees are set and determined, and what they are based upon; but she did not know. I mentioned that the license fees were raised this year, and I asked what the basis of the increase was; she didn't know that either. I asked if license fees and increases were just arbitrarily set according to whim, or if someone just decides that the city of Wildwood wants more money; but again, she did not know.
I requested an answer as to my questions, and I asked just who would know where the money is going, and I was sent to the Wildwood treasurer's office at the other end of the hall. Upon visiting the treasurer's office, I asked the same questions, and again no one knew. I asked where the money goes from license collection once it is handed to the treasurer's office, and I was told that it just goes into one big fund.
I ask if that meant that, whatever the city of Wildwood needed money for? Yes was the answer. I again exclaimed that, by law, license money is not supposed to be used for any other reason than for purposes that concern governing those licenses, and that the city is not allowed to make a profit on license fees, otherwise the city is becoming a partner in my business.

I was now directed back to the Wildwood New Jersey City Clerk's office for more answers, but upon arrival, there were no answers, however; I was sent back to the Treasury office. This time at the Treasury office I was told by the city representative that "she was not going to answer any more of my questions." I asked the two ladies behind the counter in the form of a common question, "Did anyone here hear of the Freedom of Information Act?" And I was again told that they were, "not going to answer any more of my questions."

Now the buck was being passed to the "CFO" as she was being referred to by the city representative. The Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Jeanette J. Powers, sat in an adjoining office cubical just a few feet away, and with open door, she was very much aware of my issues, however, I was told that she would not be available to speak with me anytime soon as she was busy.
As cover-up, and racketeering came to mind, I again was feeling quite the "sucker" for having blindly paid absorbitant license fees and property taxes simply with good faith that the monies were being fairly charged and lawfully used. I now asked for a complete and itemized break down of all monies collected by the City of Wildwood New Jersey, including license fees, property taxes, parking meter monies and other sources of income. I also asked for a complete itemized break down of how those monies were spent, including all salaries and payments made of all types for the year starting with January 1, 2003, and ending with January 1, 2004.
I was once again sent back to the Wildwood Clerk's office to put my requests in writing, and so I did. I made an official request on the official request form, but have yet to receive anything. During my alternating visits between the City Clerk's office and the Treasury office, the city employees were reporting to each other via telephone as to my pending arrival and my pointed questions, which were being considered as trouble and I as the troublemaker for asking them.

While filling out the request form at the Wildwood City Clerk's counter, I was informed by the City Clerk, that Commissioner Fred Wager wanted to see me. I went up to Commissioner Wager's office, where I found' Commissioner Fred Wager, Acting Wildwood City Manager Lou Ferrara, and a white-shirt officer with a gold badge who was not identified. Commissioner Wager pointedly started the conversation with a statement to the effect that if I want to know where the license money is going, he will tell me. Commissioner Wager informed me that the boardwalk is in bad shape and that the city is spending $350,000.00 on an evaluation study to determine the costs to fix it.
I expressed my astonishment as to paying $350,000.00 just to be told it has to be fixed before any money is spent to fix it. Lou Ferrara stated, "That is the way things are done." As further explanation of where my high license fees are going, Lou Ferrara informed me that the City of Wildwood has wonderful garbage collection, adding that most towns will not pick up commercial garbage!

A old Arlo Guthre song came to mind as,I exclaimed that I too was an advocate for Wildwood's fine garbage; And that in all the towns I have been in, Wildwood has one of the finer garbage issues; and then I added that these are TAX issues NOT license fee issues; and so no other explanation was offered as the license money questions.
I explained my concerns on Wildwood New Jerseys extremely high property taxes I was being forced to pay and Commissioner Fred Wager, phoned the Tax Assessor's office to set up an appointment to see if something could be done. Other issues were discussed at our meeting, including the repairs of my store front windows after a vehicle crashed into my store last August. I explained the repair quotes were over $25,000.00 and I was still waiting for the insurance companies and/or driver of the vehicle to settle the matter.
Referring to the fact that I have questions as to the crash having been an "accident" or an "attack" on my property considering the driver of the vehicle was a Wildwood New Jersey Police officer, the vehicle being owned by the Wildwood Chief of Police, and City of Wildwood looking upon me and my property as a trouble maker, Wildwood Acting City Manager Lou Ferrara stated that, "people don't like my conspiracy theories," and, "I am lucky that my building didn't burn down."
Taking this as a threat, I informed Lou Ferrara, that 2 weeks before the vehicle crashed into my store, I had received targeted damages to my car and property and I had made a report to the FBI at that time-expressing concerns of my expectations of further "attacks" and questioning, "what's next"; then the vehicle crashes into my store and I called the FBI explaining, "now we know what's next".
The meeting ended without answers on the issues of where the money is going, and it certainly would seem that it is a question that Wildwood New Jersey city employees do not like being asked. There is certainly no problem with the City of Wildwood setting fees and charging taxes, and there is no problem with the citizens handing over the money; BUT TRY TO GET AN ANSWER ON WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING and it is a much different story.
Again the word "sucker" comes to mind. Any store or business making a charge for goods or services is required to provide an itemized accounting upon request. People paying bills are entitled to know where their money is going; so why then do we just hand over our Wildwood New Jersey property tax payments and Wildwood license fees with no offered explanation? Only one reason that I can think of, "suckers". .
Most people would like to believe that the government will protect us against crimes like misappropriation of funds abuse of authority and outright corruption; however, we must remember this is a government "of the peoole, and by the people", and it is up to, "we the people" to challenge misuse and to insist that government remains, "for the people", not just a select few. .
We here in America enjoy a host of freedoms, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, that our founding fathers fought and died for, and whether you might believe it or not, most government officials want to uphold those freedoms; but they need our help.
Here is how you can help:
If you in any way feel threatened or intimidated or have previously felt threatened or intimidated by any official in your town and more so in the Citv of Wildwood, please call the FBI main office number at 609-677-6400 ask for a complaint agent, and explain the issues to them. The FBI is currently gathering information on these issues and they need your help to help you. " .
Contact the County Prosecutor's office and explain your concerns there as well; 609-465-1135 Contact The State Attorney General's office, Division of Community Affairs, ask for an investigator, and again express your concerns; 609-465-2121 press 5 and ask for an investigator. Visit your city hall, and ask questions. Remember that you as a citizen are entitled to answers to your questions, and don't be distracted by clever politicians can charm you with a smile, and fast talk, while changing And most of all, remember,
NOBODY wants to be a SUCKER.