Hold Downe Accountable

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 ...

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...

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...

In a promising step toward better communication and transparency, Downe Township is set to launch a quarterly community newsletter , beginning in early 2024. Though the first edition is still in development, the initiative already signals a new chapter in how local government shares information with residents. The newsletter will be designed and distributed by the Downe Township Recreation and Tourism Committee , with oversight and final approval provided by the Township Committee . This collaborative structure ensures that content remains both community-driven and officially accountable, creating a reliable and engaging source of local information. The plan is to publish four trial editions throughout 2024 , one each quarter. If the response is positive, the newsletter may become a permanent part of township operations moving forward. While the contents of the inaugural issue are still under wraps, several topics are already being speculated on. Early indications suggest that reade...

In a show of support for student comfort and seasonal practicality, the Downe Township School Board voted on July 18, 2023, to approve a more lenient dress code for the upcoming school year. The resolution passed by a 6–1 vote. Under the revised policy, students will benefit from additional dress-down days throughout the year and an extended period during which they may wear shorts and t-shirts. This change marks a departure from the previous, more formal dress expectations that prioritized pants and collared shirts for most of the school year. The decision reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming, student-centered environment that balances appropriate dress standards with comfort, especially during warmer months. By loosening restrictions, the school aims to foster a positive atmosphere while still maintaining respect for the learning environment. The new guidelines will take effect at the start of the 2023–2024 school year. School administrators will prov...

In a controversial decision drawing growing scrutiny across Downe Township , Mayor Mike Rothman has is said to have assumed the role of Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) — a move that residents and municipal experts say may violate New Jersey state law and raise major conflict-of-interest concerns. The self-appointment gives Rothman direct access to sign township checks , oversee Downe Township financial operations , and control municipal expenditures — powers typically reserved for state-certified financial officers, not elected mayors. New Jersey Law on CFO Appointments in Municipal Government Under N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.10 , New Jersey law states that: “No person shall be appointed or reappointed as a chief financial officer unless they hold a municipal finance officer certificate issued by the Director of the Division of Local Government Services.” Municipalities are expected to appoint certified CFOs , and any temporary appointments must be formally approved by the Townshi...

At its November 8, 2021 meeting, the Downe Township (Cumberland County) Committee adopted Res. R-107-2021 that settled my lawsuit that sought to require the Committee to better comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). The lawsuit, John Paff v. Downe Township Committee, Docket No. CUM-L-637-21 (PDF here and MS Word here), sought two different types of relief. First, it sought to require the Committee, as required by the OPMA, to specifically describe the topics it discusses in nonpublic (i.e. closed or executive) session. From looking the Committee’s previous nonpublic resolutions and meeting minutes, I found examples of the closed topics being described very generally (e.g. “Matters relating to personnel, possible litigation, land acquisition, and contract negotiations in which the public body may become a party.”) Such vague descriptions do no t give the public any real sense of what the Committee is privately discussing. Second, the OPMA requires all public business to be dis...

Residents of Downe Township have reached a breaking point. A recent audit by the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) has exposed serious financial mismanagement within the township’s handling of FEMA disaster relief funds — raising troubling questions about oversight, leadership, and transparency. According to the OIG report, Downe Township failed to follow required federal procurement procedures when awarding contracts for disaster recovery work. As a result, more than $800,000 in FEMA aid may be ruled ineligible — potentially leaving the township on the hook to repay those funds. Even more concerning, the township was unable to properly account for nearly $500,000 in spending, raising red flags about internal financial controls. These revelations have ignited widespread frustration among residents who say they've waited far too long for relief and results. The audit findings suggest not just administrative oversight, but a deeper failure to p...