Magicians call it misdirection. Basketball players call it fake out. Politicians call it spin.
I have personally spoken to over 100 Jackson residents who signed a petition for a change in government for Jackson because they were led to believe it was to change the system so they could vote for their mayor. They were never told of all the other economic and political ramifications if this change of government is approved.
Virtually all these folks feel that they were not candidly informed and have agreed to reconsider their position. They understand that they can vote no to this proposed change in government for Jackson when they get in the voting booth. I hope everyone in Jackson joins them. I can’t possibly speak to everybody in town so I use this editorial to tell you two reasons why this change in government is such a poor idea for Jackson.
Two key aspects of this terrible plan are:
• It will produce significantly higher taxes and increased cost of government because:
— It includes nine council members instead of the five committee members we currently have. Guess who determines the salary and benefits of these nine new council members? Yup, you guessed it, they vote their own salary. How many of you have jobs where you set your own salary?
— It adds a paid mayor at a cost estimated at $80,000 to $100,000. No one serving as mayor under this form of government in the state that I found is making less than $80,000.
— It calls for a May election. If that happens the county will no longer pick up the cost of the election. That adds an estimated $60,000 to our taxes.
• May elections throughout New Jersey result in low participation. Usually less than 29 percent as opposed to a November election where the turnout is usually as much as 45 percent. This gives very small political groups the power to disproportionately influence the election, your taxes and your lives.
How bad is that?
Try this one on for size. There are approximately 25,500 registered voters in Jackson. A 29 percent turnout divided by six separate wards, as required in the proposed plan and, with four candidates running in a ward, in a plurality election results in (are you ready for this?) as few as 308 votes being all that is needed to get elected. Now we all know there is no possibility of corruption in New Jersey election politics. Right? Is this a good idea for Jackson?
Currently, you have a say in who gets elected for all the committee positions. Under this plan you get to vote for only one ward person and three at large council members. How is this good for you?
If we want an elected mayor we should have one but, under the dozens of other allowable forms of government provided by the state law governing this matter. We sure don’t want this proposed change which is promoted by a small group of people and can result in raised taxes and the taking away of our voting power.
Of the over 550 municipalities in New Jersey, fewer than 10 have governments similar to the proposed form of government they are asking us to approve. Why do you think that’s the case? Do you want to live under ward political systems like Camden, Jersey City, Paterson and Newark etc. Need I say more? Don’t be fooled by people with an agenda. Make your own decision.
Gil Guttentag
Jackson