Hold Downe Accountable

 Downe Township’s recent appointment of Tony Loteck as its new code enforcement officer has stirred significant concern among residents and officials alike. Hired to oversee the enforcement of local zoning and code ordinances, Loteck’s presence has instead amplified tensions within the community and raised questions about the township’s hiring practices. While Loteck is a retired Millville police officer, he reportedly has no formal training or prior experience in code enforcement—a role that typically requires both legal familiarity and a community-oriented approach. Residents claim that rather than providing clarity or support, Loteck’s enforcement methods have led to confusion, confrontation, and in some cases, alleged harassment. Multiple reports suggest that he has trespassed on private property without proper notice or warrant, escalating already strained interactions with residents. These actions have reportedly left township officials scrambling to contain the fallout. “...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...