I have been a resident of Red Bank for more than 17 years and have served on the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment for 12 years. After reading Gene Goellner’s letter in the Nov. 14 issue of The Hub, I was compelled to write, as I feel Mr. Goellner’s comments were self-serving, disingenuous and lacking character.
Few will recall, but Mr. Goellner ran for council a few years ago on a platform without any ideas, issues or solutions to the needs and cares of Red Bank residents, yet has the nerve to comment he has just lived through "another onslaught of exaggerations, distortions and yes, sometimes outright lies called politics." However, Mr. Goellner neglects to state the onslaught was forced on the public by his own party’s negative literature, devoid of any ideas or solutions.
Mr. Thomas Hintelmann, on the other hand, has served the residents of Red Bank since taking office in 1974 when Red Bank was known as "dead bank" and the tax rate was the second highest in the county. Mr. Goellner also states the Red Bank taxes "have reached new, unlivable heights," but he neglects to state 59 percent of the taxes are school taxes, voted on by the residents of Red Bank. Neither the council members nor the mayor have any control over the school budget.
During his tenure, Mr. Hintelmann has worked to bring back the foot and bike patrols of the police department to our neighborhoods. He has fought to promote smart growth and, at times, has voiced opinions that have not been popular, but Mr. Hintelmann’s record of service speaks volumes.
What is clearly lacking in Mr. Goellner’s letter are solutions or alternatives. His request is neither sincere nor truthful; however, it does indicate a lack of respect to an individual who has served the residents of Red Bank for more than 30 years in order to affect change. Maybe a better question to the residents of Red Bank would be would you rather have a person who sees the glass as full serving your needs or someone who has not served you at all?
Michael R. DuPont
Red Bank