We've Got Issues!
Fiscal responsibility – First and foremost, the Council should be fiscally responsible with our hard earned money as taxpayers. When it comes to pushing for large bonds without the right for the taxpayers to vote on it, this definitely raises concerns. In 2008, petitioners submitted signatures to place a $10M bond to a referendum; unfortunately what ensued was a lawsuit against the town which certain members of the Council abided and supported behind closed doors. This lawsuit cost the taxpayers of Berkeley Heights $18,000+ in legal fees. If this bond passed it could have been a financial burden to the taxpayers for years to come. Do you know there are 100+ residents in Berkeley Heights today that have not paid their taxes thus far in 2009? Can you imagine what that number could have been if this Bond was passed? Fiscal responsibility should be PRIORITY ONE as I am demonstrating with my campaign!Quality of Life – What drove me to attend Committee/Council meetings was the I-78 Diamond Hill extension which was proposed by the Borough of Watchung and supported by the then Berkeley Heights Committee. Instead of the Committee protecting our interests they were willing to hand it over for the benefit of another community. They did not care about the impact this would have had to the families on Diamond Hill Road, the surrounding neighborhoods or rest of Berkeley Heights. We thought this problem was put to rest two years ago but unfortunately this issue is still very much alive as the Borough of Watchung continues to press forward with the State and as well with Somerset County. Unfortunately though, we are not the only ones experiencing issues around our “quality of life” in Berkeley Heights. Today other neighborhoods and families are struggling with the Council and the Planning Board, such as Crest Drive, Murray Hill Blvd, Hillside Avenue, Twin Falls and many others too.
Transparency - In 2005 we were paying approximately 8% in taxes. Thanks to an appointed budget subcommittee our taxes have been mostly contained (2008 0% and 2009 2+%) but with much hesitation from certain Council members, who openly expressed their dislike for subcommittees. And this is why I am also running; we should embrace subcommittees and the value they bring to the process. Throughout my campaigns I have met incredibly talented people living in our town who want to help. The door should be opened to us to be part of the process. After all, it is our hard earned money we are speaking of. The Council does not have all the answers and should not pretend to, nor should it be closed minded about asking for help from the community.
Downtown Revitalization – When I shop in downtown Berkeley Heights I immediately notice the number of store front vacancies. To address this I would work with the Council to take advantage of the times we are in to formulate a revitalization plan. I believe the Council should partner closely with the Chamber of Commerce and citizen committees to establish a plan to attract businesses to set up shop in downtown Berkeley Heights. Once a plan is established I believe it should be aggressively executed as the economy recovers and not held up in a political fire storm. If the process moves forward this will allow for a faster recovery within downtown and keep taxpayers from going elsewhere. It will also invite neighboring towns to spend money in Berkeley Heights.
Infrastructure – Being mindful of the tough economic realities we face, we can’t deny the need to focus on the deteriorating infrastructure. The Council MUST actively propose a serious, legitimate LONG TERM CAPITAL BUDGET. Each project must be priced out individually and include its respective operations costs. Once defined, the Council MUST allow the voters to decide what is in need of the most attention first via a referendum. After the voters make their decision known, the Council should NOT only look to the taxpayers but they should seek financial support from local organizations, corporations as well as grants to assist in the infrastructure costs.
As I continue to write and post my videos I will provide you additional insight as to my positions. I hope you will agree with some or most of them. But if you do not let us talk about them so I can understand them and maybe just maybe I will agree with you.
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