Don’t raise taxes; use budget surplus

Phylissanne Stehn, of Cranbury
    When I wrote a letter of endorsement three years ago for Win Cody, I was confident he would do a great job serving Cranbury residents.
   He has not disappointed me. He has worked with other Township Committee members to decrease spending and make good decisions for the town.
   Win was voted in as mayor by the Township Committee members in January because they respected him and his leadership capabilities.
   There are different types of leaders. I look for integrity, principles and conviction.
   These are uncertain times, and difficult choices have to be made. No one wants to see Cranbury change nor services reduced.
   Win’s life experiences and successful 30-year career, in which his financial opinion is highly respected, gives me reassurance he will make the right choice.
   The last Township Committee meeting was described as contentious. Committee members can disagree; it is a healthy process. I would rather witness that type of meeting than one where “rubber stamping” took place.
   Win is a proponent of an open and transparent government. The last two weeks I have had a crash course in budgets, and I am grateful the Township Committee agreed to a working budget session for their next meeting, Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m.
   I am hopeful everyone will have agreed upon the numbers for discussion so another solution can be found instead of raising the municipal tax levy 2 cents and resolution without cutting services.
   Win’s opinion is that we do not raise taxes; that we look to using the surplus.
   We all have busy lives, and I can appreciate the number of hours and tremendous amount of energy and passion the Township Committee devotes to making these decisions.
   Residents should consider giving one or two hours and attend the March 14 meeting.
   I respect all the Township Committee members, even the ones I did not vote for. All I ask for in return is the same.