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...

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...

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...

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...