Coughlin Aagre 2003

Each Election Day, American voters remind politicians to address issues that concern its citizens, and to exhibit leadership in the development of plans that responsibly manage our tax money.

The democrat-led Hazlet Township Committee has advanced ideas that lack responsible plans. Democratic officials have continually blamed citizen and republican opposition for the current administration’s inability to achieve their goals. Democratic party boss, Marc Nusbaum, and Deputy Mayor Christopher Cullen have referred to this opposition as an obstruction of progress.

Progress requires careful planning. Concerned citizens, along with Committeeman Michael Sachs and Committeewoman Tracey Maffiore have worked to prevent the Hazlet Democrats from creating a short-term illusion of progress that promises a long-term risk of expensive mistakes.

The people of Hazlet do not seem to be part of the current majority’s direction on the following issues: A new municipal complex, an improved library building, the sewerage authority, the over-development in and around Hazlet, rising property taxes, the preservation of open space and the employment of a special counsel.

The democrat-directed township committee attempted to push through a concept for a new municipal complex that utilized the library’s building. The concept did not include a viable plan to continue the library services.

The democrat-led township committee is attempting to close the Hazlet Township Sewerage Authority. Committeeman Michael Christopher recently stated several times that he did not know how much money the township will save by eliminating the authority. The township committee unanimously agrees that this action will not reduce our sewer bills or lower the municipal tax rate. The lack of an accompanying transition plan puts our entire sewer system at risk. However, Mr. Christopher and Mr. Cullen are prepared to cast their votes to dissolve the authority.

Last year, the Planning Board asked the township committee to fund a study that would help them rezone certain areas of town to ease over-development. The democrat-controlled township committee has not responded to this request.

With no plan for administrating the revenue from the democrat-proposed open space tax, it carries a high risk of being mismanaged. If Mr. Cullen fulfills his promise to use an undisclosed percentage of this tax to upgrade and maintain existing parks, the tax may not raise enough capital to meaningfully preserve any open space.

On the heels of a large increase in the school tax, the democratic members of the township committee introduced and voted for a municipal tax increase. Prominent democrats recently tried to blame the hike in municipal taxes on the minority, even though the republicans voted against it.

The democratic candidates’ campaign literature blames over-development for the increase in school taxes and proposes an additional municipal tax as the solution.

Township officials have not defined the duties of the special counsel or documented any work he has performed for Hazlet. Taxpayers continue to pay a retainer fee and employee benefits for unknown services.

Hazlet’s republican party recognizes the need for planning in their approach to community concerns. If republicans gain the majority seat this coming election, they are prepared to address each of these issues with responsible leadership.

The republicans realize the need for a new municipal complex, but they understand the need to carefully research and plan a project of this magnitude. If the library is included in the concept, the cost and quality of continued library service will be of primary concern.

Mr. Coughlin and Mr. Aagre have publicly stated they would vote to dissolve the sewerage authority, but only after appropriate professionals review the township’s plan for managing the operation of our sewer system, and thorough financial evaluation indicates potential savings.

Republican candidates Paul Coughlin and Scott Aagre have pledged to advocate for a comprehensive review of the zoning and utility elements of the Master Plan, and for the elimination of the current special counsel position.

Many citizens are concerned about speeding on local roads. Mr. Aagre and Mr. Coughlin have initiated the “Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25” program in Hazlet. The township republican club is currently funding the introduction of this community-based program.

On Tuesday, I will vote against the democratic initiatives to build a new municipal complex, abolish the sewerage authority, curtail over-development, preserve open space, and raise taxes.

I will be voting for the republican candidates, because their ideas on these same important issues show respect for the concerns of Hazlet citizens.

Unlike the current administration, Mr. Coughlin and Mr. Aagre understand that leadership and responsible planning are instrumental for achieving goals that will benefit the township.