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Rothman/Jordan Campaign Claims Dividing Creek Park Contract "Awarded" Days Before Election

A long-awaited park in Dividing Creek is now at the center of political scrutiny after the Rothman/Jordan campaign mailed postcards to residents claiming a contract worth $150,000 has been awarded for the project — just days before the township primary election. This surprise announcement follows nearly two years of hard work by the Downe Township Recreation Committee , which began pushing for the park back in August 2023. The committee not only proposed the idea but also outlined the provisions needed to apply for a grant through the NJ Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) . That application was successful, earning the township a $70,000 grant in early 2024 to fund the project. By October 2024, a finalized site layout had been drawn up, and the project was ready to begin — pending official approval. However, from that point forward, the project stalled while township officials delayed signing off on the necessary contracts to initiate construction. Now, as the June 2025 elec...
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The Sinkhole Scandal: Is Downe Township Exploiting Its Own Failures to Enrich Insiders?

Legal note: This article relies on official documents, public meeting records, and verified statements. All analysis and commentary are clearly marked and based on facts available at the time of publication. Resolution: R-73-2025 ,  Haines Tort Claim & Police Report , Haines Attorney Letter , Previous Article Downe Township residents deserve honest and transparent government that safeguards their interests — but recent events surrounding a dangerous road collapse and a $20,000 payout to the mayor’s stepson suggest a troubling pattern of secrecy and questionable decision-making. Among many locals, it’s already being referred to as “The Sinkhole Scandal.” But for Township officials, it appears to be just another day at the office. What the Police Report Reveals — and What It Doesn’t On June 21, 2024, at approximately 4:35 AM, Nicholas Haines was involved in a crash on Maple Avenue after the road’s eastbound lane partially collapsed. According to the official New Jersey ...
Location: Downe, NJ, USA
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Downe Township Faces Scrutiny Over Settlement Paid to Mayor’s Stepson

Disclaimer: Portions of this article are based on a letter to the editor originally published on CNBNews.net on April 28, 2025, titled "Letter to the Editor: Road Collapse Incident and Political Concerns in Downe Township." The original letter can be accessed here . All credit for the initial reporting and public commentary goes to CNBNews.net and the original author. A 2024 vehicle accident involving the stepson of Downe Township Mayor Mike Rothman has ignited a storm of controversy, as residents demand answers about the use of taxpayer funds, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of public transparency. On June 21, 2024, Nicholas (Nico) Haines was driving along Maple Avenue in Dividing Creek when the roadway allegedly collapsed beneath his truck. Haines later posted publicly about the incident, stating he suffered major financial losses — including the destruction of his vehicle and business equipment. While Cumberland County ultimately declined to offer him compe...
Location: Downe, NJ, USA
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Downe Township’s Transparency Crisis: Where Are the Meeting Minutes?

As of April  1, 2025 , no meeting minutes from this year have been posted to Downe Township’s official website — a troubling lapse that reflects an ongoing pattern of poor transparency and disregard for public accountability. This isn’t a new problem. In 2022 , following lawsuits over the township’s failure to release public records, officials assured residents that changes would be made. They pledged that meeting minutes would be posted regularly and that transparency would become a priority moving forward. That promise remains unfulfilled. Three years later, residents are once again left in the dark. With no access to records of local government discussions or decisions, many are questioning whether the township is living up to even its most basic responsibilities — and some are considering legal options just to obtain public information. This situation raises a serious and fair question: Why are these records being withheld? Are officials attempting to avoid public scrutin...
Location: Downe, NJ, USA
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Residents Furious as Downe Township Officials Mislead About Tax Hikes for Unused Sewer System

Residents of Newport and Dividing Creek are growing increasingly frustrated as they discover that their property taxes are set to rise to fund Downe Township’s $33 million sewer project—a system that they will never be able to use. Despite this, township officials continue to mislead these residents, continuing to assure them that taxes will not increase — a claim that appears to contradict the ordinance language. The controversial sewer project, which is aimed at improving infrastructure in areas like Fortescue and Gandy’s Beach, has sparked significant backlash from the communities of Newport and Dividing Creek. These residents will not be connected to the new system but are being told by township officials that they will not see any tax hikes to cover the costs of the project. However, the truth lies in the Downe Township Sewer Utility Bond Ordinance , which clearly outlines how the township plans to finance the project. According to Section 13 of the 2024-08 ordinance , the ...
Location: Downe, NJ, USA
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Downe Township Faces Challenges Amid Ongoing Sewer Project and Leadership Concern

Downe Township is moving forward with its long-anticipated sewer project for Fortescue and Gandy's Beach communities. However, residents are raising concerns regarding potential monthly bills, which could reach as high as $200 for essential sewer services. While this project aims to enhance municipal infrastructure, it has drawn criticism due to allegations of mismanagement within the township. In light of the sewer project and related financial concerns, the housing market in Fortescue and Gandy's Beach has experienced a significant increase, with more than a 50% rise in homes listed for sale. Longtime and new residents alike are apprehensive about the implications of increased taxes needed to finance the sewer improvements throughout Downe Township. Donald Lipton, a newcomer from Dividing Creek, voiced his worries, stating, "We heard we would be getting a playground for our children at no additional cost, but I haven't seen anything yet—just more tax increases to cov...
Location: Downe, NJ, USA
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Downe Township School Board Adopts Competitive 10-Point Grading Scale to Empower Students

The Downe Township Board of Education has voted to adopt a 10-point grading scale for the 2024–2025 academic year, marking a significant step toward greater academic equity and opportunity for local students. The decision passed by a narrow 5–4 vote during the June 18th board meeting. Under the new system, students will now earn an “A” for scores of 90% and above. This change replaces the previous, more rigid scale that required a 93% to achieve the same grade. The updated grading scale brings Downe Township Elementary School in line with the standards used by many districts across the state and country. This move is expected to benefit students by making their academic records more competitive when applying to specialized high schools or advanced academic programs. The adjustment is intended to reduce grading disparities between districts and better reflect student achievement. With many high schools considering GPA and letter grades as part of their admissions criteria, this chang...
Location: Downe, NJ, USA
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