For the week of February 14.
By:
Where are the leaders
in Washington?
To the editor:
For well over a month, there has been a lot of undignified, if not plain immature, bickering being played out on the pages of this newspaper amongst the mayor, deputy mayor and their supporters and former Committeeman Curt Macysyn.
It would not be unreasonable for residents to conclude that their best interests are not being served by the town’s leaders. Far too much time has been spent on trivialities, back-patting and concerns over public image. A couple of examples illustrate the point:
The so-called leaders of Washington Township have spent much of the past two months squabbling over who should pay the transcription costs related to a resident’s appeal of the zoning board’s approval of BP Amoco’s proposed gas station. Meanwhile, East Windsor and Hamilton are rapidly moving forward on their "big box" retail developments that will soon sandwich, if not suffocate, Washington. If it takes this long to build a gas station, no business in its right mind would want to set up shop here.
Our overall tax burden continues its breakneck pace toward pricing many residents out of town. In fact, another significant tax increase is about to beset us all (if approved by voters), this time an alarming 44 percent rise in the fire district tax. This will almost certainly be compounded by yet another school tax increase as well as a county tax increase. If the municipal tax rate remains the same as last year, everyone from the mayor on down will take credit. However, this will be no more than hot air. You can’t claim rates are "stable" when everyone’s tax bills soar.
Isn’t it time for real leadership?
Stephen C. Angelo
Robbinsville
Commission candidate
seeking support
To the editor:
I writing to let everyone know that on Saturday at the firehouse from 2 to 9 p.m. there will be an election for fire commissioner and the district budget. I am asking you to come out and vote. First, vote to approve the budget and secondly, support me to be elected as a fire commissioner.
You might have heard or read in the paper that there will be an increase in the fire district tax. This will be a 7 cents (per $100 of assessed valuation) increase to your already 16-cent tax. I have attended the last few budget meetings and have reviewed the entire budget. Most of this increase will be going towards the newly arrived 24/7 emergency medical service, which our town desperately needed. It has cut the response time down from an average of 15 minutes to three minutes and in 19 days since the service started have responded to 63 calls. Although I am not normally in favor of tax increases, I feel this one needs your support.
Another reason for the increase is the fire hydrant service within a third of the town. The additional increase is reflected in the water costs paid to the Consumer New Jersey Water Company. This is a fix cost that is governed by the state of New Jersey.
As fire commissioner, I will strive to keep taxes down while providing an exceptional level of service. How can this be done you may ask? I intend to use the services of the volunteers in the community and to support the volunteer fire chief, Al Walker. I also intend to support recruitment and retention programs while assisting the president of the fire company, Lori Bainbridge. This way, the volunteers will be there to support and supplement the career staff both on the fire line and as a backup to emergency medical services. We already have the equipment now we need more volunteers.
Volunteer staffing helps keep taxes down.
I have been a resident of Washington Township for more than 17 years. I have volunteered in many different ways during this time. I was part of the first activity committee in Foxmoor. I have spent approximately eight years with the Washington Township Little League board, one year with the county Little League district and I am starting my second year on the Recreation and Cultural Committee.
I hope I can count on your support Saturday. Thank you and as always, have a great and safe day.
Greg Zalenski
Robbinsville
New committeeman
off on wrong foot
To the editor:
I suppose nothing should surprise me these days, yet certain individuals never cease to amaze me. You would think that a newly elected committeeman would seek to work collaboratively with the existing governing body in Millstone Township in order to learn about municipal government and discuss ways to make Millstone a better place to live. Instead he continues to build a wall between himself and the existing committeemen and aligns himself with individuals who promote their own agenda through him.
You would think that a newly elected committeeman would work toward building bridges instead of burning them for the sake of the residents of Millstone Township, but instead he consistently points fingers and promotes divisiveness. You would think that a newly elected committeeman would stand behind his promise for open and honest government, however he surrounds himself with individuals who are less than honest and "concurs" with the things they say.
The residents of Millstone Township deserve better than this, John. If you truly had the interests of our citizens in mind during your campaign, you surely would not be behaving in the way that you have since you took office. Your conduct at the last township meeting was disgraceful when you verbally attacked Deputy Mayor Cory Wingerter. He has done more for this town than you will ever know. Instead of attacking him, you should be thanking him for his years of service and hundreds of hours of unheralded duty to this town.
Mayor Maltz should also be commended for rising to the occasion and as usual, acting with enormous integrity and professionalism. You should take notes, Mr. Pfefferkorn. These are qualities you clearly do not possess. I find this behavior very troublesome. He lacks the professionalism and interpersonal skills that I have come to expect in the leaders of our great township. Since Mr. Pfefferkorn took office, the township has received several resignations. While I don’t want to assume that the two are related, one has to wonder why? This should be looked into before others follow suit.
Two weeks ago, Bill Kastning, one of Mr. Pfefferkorn’s cohorts, said "What a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive." Interestingly, he was referring to other committee members. However, after the most recent report that was released, it is clear Mr. Kastning has weaved his own tangled web. It is appalling that this man very obviously and intentionally worked in deceptive ways as a member of MOST, yet he still shouts from the rooftops that he did nothing wrong and now questions the integrity of the investigative firm, which conducted the investigation.
Poor Bill. He’s following in the steps of Bill Clinton after George W. Bush was elected. He just can’t pull himself away from the spotlight.
Mr. Pfefferkorn, you should think twice about the people you surround yourself with.
John & Lynn Mele
Millstone
Support the incumbents
in Millstone fire district
To the editor:
I am writing to express my support for the re-election of Larry Cier and Frank Leonard to the Millstone Township Board of Fire Commissioners at the fire district’s annual election Saturday at the Millstone Township firehouse.
Incumbents Larry and Frank have been fire commissioners for six and five years, respectively. As chief of the Millstone Township fire company, I have worked with both men and have found them to be committed to improving fire protection for Millstone residents. They affirm the company’s need to modernize fire fighting equipment, encourage training opportunities for our members, and support LOSAP and other initiatives that aid the company in attracting and maintaining a volunteer force.
Larry and Frank are well aware that an active and viable volunteer fire company is in the best interest of the taxpayer. As a result, despite the fact that Millstone Township is Monmouth County’s fastest growing municipality, our fire tax remains consistently low. When the inevitable need arose several years ago to hire paid firefighters to cover weekday calls, both Larry and Frank played an active role in setting up the policies and structure needed to employ four full-time firefighters.
Fire commissioners, like other members of public governing bodies, oversee and administer an annual budget approved by the taxpayers. Larry Cier is a director with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Frank Leonard is a self-employed certified public accountant. They bring to the board solid business knowledge, financial expertise, and analytical skills. Well-run organizations employ individuals who possess these same qualities.
Therefore, I ask my fellow firefighters and Millstone residents to support Larry Cier and Frank Leonard’s re-election to the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Ed Reed Jr.
Millstone
Support is needed
for fire company
To the editor:
I am writing to ask that the residents of Washington Township take the time this weekend to vote in the fire election on Saturday. In addition to voting for the current budget, you are also voting for two fire commissioners. I am hoping to return for a full three-year term, after completing the final year in an unexpired term. I have enjoyed serving the township tremendously and would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving.
Washington is a growing township that needs a strong, thriving fire company, which can only be successful with your support. Please come out and vote on Saturday. Thank you.
Robin L. Skidmore
Robbinsville