There were many errors in a letter to the editor (Independent, Oct. 6) from a fellow Holmdel resident last week.
The first of his mistakes was saying that rehabilitating school fields with municipal tax dollars is “double taxation.” The schools share their fields with the local sports leagues, as by the schools. This extra use drives up maintenance costs. The township recognizes it should share these costs because it helps incur them via nonschool use. If the township didn’t share the burden, the Board of Education would have to raise school taxes to pay for the rehabilitation. That’s why the Township Committee Democrats have advocated partnering with the school district on school field maintenance rather than building new fields — it keeps down expenses and hence, taxes.
Second, contrary to Mr. Stenzel’s claim, the town is not legally able to bond unless there is a specific purpose for the bond, such as roadwork or equipment purchasing. Moreover, no bond can be adopted without a public hearing and full disclosure. Also, bonding spreads the financial burden over a long period — typically 20 years — so the full burden does not rest on today’s residents, but is shared by future residents, who also benefit from these long-term improvements.
Third, Mr. Stenzel castigates those who would put lights at Cross Farm. So do I. It is the Republicans who favor lighting Cross Farm. The Democrats prefer fixing the already lighted football fields at the school site.
Fourth, Mr. Stenzel criticizes the Democrats for building public facilities at Cross Farm Park. In fact, all five committee members — Republicans and Democrats — voted unanimously to finance a rest room, picnic shelter and concession stand for the benefit of children and parents involved in Holmdel youth sports leagues and the growing number of Holmdel residents who use the park.
Next, Mr. Stenzel attacks the plan for a new library, implying our small, windowless basement retreat — temporarily located at town hall more than 20 years ago when the town’s population was half its current size — is adequate. An improved library would be designed to meet our community’s needs, without being excessive. It can be largely funded by corporate and private donations and outside grants, as has been done successfully in many New Jersey municipalities.
How disingenuous it is to accuse the Democrats of enacting a “tax and spend” philosophy when it is the Democrats who have brought down the tax rate increase during the last several years. In 2002, the rate increase was 5.5 cents; in ’03, it was 3.4 cents; and in ’04, it was 2.3 cents. Republicans Terence Wall and Serena DiMaso supported the 5.5-cent increase in 2002, while Democrat Larry Fink voted against it. In ’03 and ’04, Republicans Wall and DiMaso voted against the lower increases of 3 cents and 2.3 cents. Furthermore, when the school budget failed, it was the three Democrats who had to make the difficult decision of cutting the school budget in accordance with the town’s vote. The Republicans evaded that hard choice — Mr. Wall abstained from voting and Ms. DiMaso left the meeting shortly before the vote.
What exists at the committee now is not checks and balances, but deadlock due to political ambitions at the expense of the public interest. The Democratic committee members have done great things for our quality of life and have controlled expenses and taxes. Their commitment to our well-being is known in this community. Elise Donovan and Steve Orbach share this commitment and deserve the voters’ support on Election Day.
Edward Beckenstein
Holmdel