Letter: Mix Up Over RiverWinds Refund 'Far-Fetched'

To the Editor:

I would like to comment on the actions displayed by Mayor Ray Chintall and Committeeman Sam Cianfarini at the Sept. 6, 2012, West Deptford Township Committee meeting. I attended this meeting, where it was brought to light that the township had assessed a $750 usage fee for an event at the RiverWinds facility in June 2012. This fee was charged even though all proceeds for the event were benefitting a young child with a serious medical condition.

It should be noted that at the Sept. 6 meeting, Deputy Mayor Sean Kilpatrick stated that Chintall verbally authorized the refund via a phone conversation, after which the Kilpatrick informed the family of the child as to the decision. Kilpatrick stated that he would never have told the child’s family they would be refunded the $750 usage fee if the mayor hadn’t approved it. Chintall then went on record acknowledging the conversation, but then claimed their call got disconnected before he could fully authorize the refund.

I personally find this statement from Mayor Chintall to be far-fetched, and seriously doubt that the deputy mayor would have the informed the child’s family as to the refund without the mayor’s prior consent. Chintall also attempted to make amends by donating his own money towards the child’s cause, but I again find this to be disingenuous. Had the mayor acknowledged his original conversation with Deputy Mayor Kilpatrick regarding the refund, his attempt to make-up for his actions would have been unnecessary.

Eric Agren
West Deptford

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