This is in response to the letters written by Eatontown residents in support of the two candidates running as independents for Borough Council. The writers should be aware that these candidates ran as independents because they failed to get the endorsement of both the county and local Democratic Party.
Their rejection was not on the basis that they disagreed with the previous mayor, but rather they placed their personal agenda ahead of what was in the best interest for all Eatontown, namely their position on the development of Old Orchard Country Club. The proposed plan would have allowed rezoning along Route 36 North for commercial development, which would have generated over $2 million in taxes. The exceptional component of this plan was that it would have preserved over 75 acres of open space to be used at the borough’s discretion.
Because of the lack of foresight of these two candidates among others, Eatontown is now engaged in a civil court action with the Old Orchard owners and the developer. One possible result is total development of the property. Four attorneys are representing the borough in this lawsuit at a cost to taxpayers that has topped $42,000 to date from just one of the firms involved.
With the recent rise in property taxes due to the new program instituted by Monmouth County, a ratable that generates $2 million plus in taxes would go a long way in offsetting our recent 11 percent property tax spike. Independent candidate Anthony Talerico sided with the Republicans in publicly supporting the program without question, despite the financial burden it placed on many residents. That position also had nothing to do with the previous mayor who championed a statewide change in the tax structure so people wouldn’t lose their homes due to increasing property taxes.
Sara Breslow Eatontown