Kudos to Freehold Borough Mayor Mike Wilson and the Borough Council for rebutting the misinformation being disseminated by the Coalition of the Empowerment of Latinos and the Working Poor.
I’ve lived in Freehold for the past 11 years after having moved from New York City and have found a town with a wonderful feeling of community and a sense of inclusiveness for all those who wish to be included.
For the coalition to indicate anything other is at best disingenuous and at worst a blatant attempt at fostering divisiveness and discord.
The problem that many residents of the borough have is with those who are here illegally. No one I know has an issue with aliens who have gone through the proper legal channels, pay their taxes and contribute to Freehold’s economy. The issue is with those who don’t.
Our schools are overcrowded, and those of us who do pay taxes whether or not we have children in the school system, have seen our property taxes skyrocket.
Until such time as the unfair and inequitable way that our education system is financed is addressed on the state level, we need to get a handle on the immediate problem. It’s time that this issue is addressed compassionately yet firmly, including pressure being brought on employers in the county whose illegal hiring practices exacerbate the situation.
David Giffler
Freehold Borough