03/22/2018
Several weeks ago there was an article published in the Camden News that mentioned a new location for the Camden Jaycees Haunted House. This article was apparently based on information from Mayor Trisollini, Camden Airport Authority, Camden Port Authority, and the City Attorney Michael Frye. At no time did the Camden News contact any member of the Camden Jaycees or it's Representatives. When a phone call was made to the Camden News they also did not bother calling anyone back.
Going back to the beginning, this all started when we first moved from our Haunted House location on Maul Road. After some complaining from City Officials about the lack of parking space on Maul Road during operation in October, the Jaycees sought after a new location which landed our new home in East Camden at the old Benny's Lumber Company warehouse. The property belongs to the City of Camden and we were given a key by the Mayor on terms that we could lease the old building for next to nothing but a written contract would need to be made. The Mayor also mention the Airport Commission but also stated that she appoints these people so there wouldnt be a problem. All good! Three months into clean up and construction and we were met by a person saying he was with the Camden Airport Commission and we did not have their permission to be there. Back and forth we went with things with the Mayor and City Attorney and finally came to an agreement and a contract with a three year lease. After the second year the Airport Commission decided that they wanted us out but would give us until the end of the season and then we would need to move. Everything was torn down and we moved stuff into storage the best we could by the end of February 2018.
City Officials and the Mayor had mentioned the old Bradford Funeral Home on Adams and Grinstead before but we were unsure what all would be involved and if parking would be a problem. We were told the building might be in poor condition and would need to be restored to a condition that met City code. This would be at our expense if we wanted to use it. We were also told by the Mayor that it was being occupied with storage but the current Tenant had not paid his lease agreement for several years and he was being evicted. The lease agreement with the current Tenant was $1 a year. The Mayor told us that a similar contract could be made on a long term lease agreement. After exhausting efforts to have a contract made we get the news through this article in the Camden News that "the Port Authority" has decided upon leasing the building to us for $500 a year for one year with the option to renew if there were no complaints (who doesn't complain in Camden) from the public. What?? Another Commission?? And this time the Mayor states according to the Camden News that the days of renting City property for a dollar are over. NOT WHAT SHE TOLD US in person! It also doesn't mention that "we" the perspective Tenant would have to remodel the building and get it up to City code to be able to operate. This is impossible for us as a Non-Profit Organization to afford but once again we were mislead and should have known better in trusting what the Mayor had said.
The truth is we will most likely not be having a haunted house anytime in the near future. At least not while the current City Officials or its appointed parties are in office. Proceeds from the Haunted House not only go toward maintaining an annual haunted house but also go toward the Camden Jaycees annual Toy Drive which helped 78 children during the 2017 Christmas season. Annual Scholarships and Easter Egg hunt was cut back due to moving expenses.
We would like to thank the community and all of our past customers for keeping us alive! We may be back one day, who knows!
