WW Mayor Hsueh deserves praise

Paul Eland of West Windsor
    I have heard some criticism of Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh’s management skills regarding running our Township of West Windsor during the last 8 years. I strongly beg to differ with that opinion. Three key examples below exhibit the tested/superior skills by of Mayor Hsueh. And there are more.
   • Obtaining an AAA bond rating for the township, which has resulted in a very significant savings on debt service after the township, refinanced its municipal bonds over a year ago, to a lower interest rate. To qualify for an AAA rating the township needed to show a well-balanced budget over time, with adequate surpluses and stabilized expenses. The bottom line is that West Windsor Township saved $800,000 in interest payments, as well as mortgage insurance payments, which did not have to come out of taxpayers’ pockets. West Windsor is one of the 7 out of 566 municipalities receiving this top honor. If this does not exhibit strong fiscal management, I don’t know what does.
   • Another financial management skill the mayor and his staff exhibited was at the last budget review in 2008. Council President Charles Morgan wanted to take money out of the township’s capital surplus to balance the budget. This could have jeopardizes the AAA bond rating the township enjoys. Fortunately, the mayor was able to convince other council members to support his proposed budget. With the economy in further decline today, many townships in New Jersey are hurting financially as well as fiscally. West Windsor would be in a real fiscal bind going into this season’s budget process, if that prudent decision hadn’t been made last year by the mayor and some consenting council members.
   • Finally, another savings to the taxpayer occurred this past fall, when Mayor Hsueh refused to take a raise (and was further supported by Councilwoman Linda Geevers). Council President Charles Morgan and some of the other council members asked for a 50 percent raise in salary. This was a totally irresponsible act especially in these difficult times. No further explanation is needed here.
Paul Eland
West Windsor