VINELAND MAYOR ANTHONY FANUCCI

ANNOUNCES REELECTION PLANS

VINELAND, NJ:  Vineland Mayor Anthony Fanucci today officially announced his plans to run for reelection promising to remain focused on five key long-term priorities:  fiscal responsibility, economic development, support for public safety, infrastructure investments, and environmental stewardship.   Joining Mayor Fanucci on the Team Fanucci ticket are incumbent council members Dr. Elizabeth Arthur, Paul Spinelli, and Albert Vargas, who will be joined by newcomers Scott English and Cruz Gomez.

“I love Vineland,” Mayor Fanucci said.  “I could never imagine as a young man growing up that I would have the genuine honor to serve as the mayor of this great city, and the privilege to represent some of the finest people in New Jersey.”

“Upon first taking office, we were under no illusions about the challenges ahead.  We knew that bringing about fundamental changes to the way Vineland operated would be a daunting task. Change is never easy, and we have faced our fair share of difficulties. However, I take pride in the fact that we have successfully overcome these challenges.”

“In partnership with my council team, a dedicated city staff, and community stakeholders, we have been able to move Vineland forward towards long-term fiscal stability while addressing important community priorities.  Importantly, we have been able to do this while keeping the municipal tax rate among the lowest of any large municipality in the region.”

“There was a time, not too long ago, when companies were not eager to invest in Vineland, and growth had become stagnant.  But we have been able to turn that around.  Now, developers and entrepreneurs are regularly knocking on our door to lay out their vision for undeveloped properties.  It gives us the ability to pick and choose what projects are in the best interest of the Vineland community.”

Major accomplishments the administration can point to include:

• Establishing a reorganized and streamlined city government, which is now more open and transparent.
• Achieving nearly $600 million in new private sector investment.
• Growing the city’s tax base to a record $3.9 billion, and increasing cash reserves from $1.9 million in 2016 to $14 million at present, leading to the strongest economic health the city has seen in decades.
• Creating one of the state’s most effective UEZ second generation loan programs.
• Improving nearly a quarter of the 259 miles of city-maintained roadways to date,replacing aging electric and water infrastructure, and implementing significant sidewalk and drainage improvement programs.
• Helping to make the Vineland Police, Fire, and EMS Departments among the best in the state by ensuring they are fully staffed, properly trained, and have the equipment and modern facilities they need to do the job safely and effectively.
• Improving the appearance of our community by  demolishing dilapidated structures throughout the city, and providing opportunities for small business exterior improvement grants.

“I am running for re-election to build on the tremendous progress we have made.  As we look to the future, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” Mayor Fanucci continued.  “As part of our long-term priorities, there are a number of specific plans we will move forward on including the Chestnut Avenue Restoration Project, site preparations for our new Industrial Park West, renovations at the Vineland Senior Center and the Carl Arthur Recreation Center, a new Vineland Event Center, and restoration of the historic Vineland Municipal Utilities Sign which will once again light up the night sky.”

“Now is not the time to return to the past. We must continue to move forward, show leadership, work together, and position Vineland for even greater success in the years to come. We have worked too hard to earn our place as a growing community that businesses and families want to invest in to stop now. With our passion, our pride, and our people how can we not succeed,” Mayor Fanucci concluded.