Election 2004 10/28/04
The Middle Road
By Rich Kohler
October 28, 2004
I recently received some mail from the Committee to Elect Democratic candidates, Kevin Lavan and Jim DiNardo. The flyer lists a crumbled town hall, rising taxes, over-development, and poor management of our remaining open space as reasons to oust the current leadership in Hazlet.
I considered other campaign information that I have seen and heard in support of the four candidates, who are vying for two seats on the Hazlet Township Committee.
Propaganda and marketing tricks traditionally shadow every election season, so I made an effort to look past balloons, billboards, and pandering rhetoric in search of substance.
I saw that the issues concerning our local candidates are the same as in past years.
The Lavan/DiNardo campaign piece blames the Republicans for the condemnation of the old town hall. Acknowledging the problem and taking appropriate action to solve the problem is a different matter from causing the problem. Buildings do not fall apart in six months.
Several years ago, as the old building deteriorated beyond repair, the Democrats led the township into a legal battle for land on which they intended to build a new town hall. The land cost the town almost twice the amount for which the owner had originally asked. Eventually, the engineering studies found that the site did not meet the appropriate specifications for a new town hall.
Continuing their irresponsible pursuit of a new town hall, the Democrats’ then commissioned an additional engineering and architectural study of their concept to close our library and build buildings on top of buildings.
After three years of municipal tax increases that averaged 4.5%, under Democratic authority, the Republican-controlled Township Committee reduced this year’s tax increase to 3.7%.
The Democrat’s position on Hazlet’s concern with the preservation of open space is plain and simple. They want to impose an additional tax, but they have no specific plan for spending the proposed revenue to responsibly manage land use. Hazlet voters have already rejected this initiative three times.
Mayor Paul Coughlin and the Republicans are actively seeking county, state, federal, and private resources to preserve natural land within our residential community. They have also begun to investigate every available piece of land within Hazlet’s borders to determine its value to the township.
This year, the township sold property that had no strategic value in a responsible plan for land conservation. The proceeds provided immediate tax relief for every homeowner in Hazlet. The township is negotiating to sell one parcel of land to owners who would be bound financially and legally to preserve it as open space.
The current Republican-led administration is responsible for the continuing improvements to Veterans Park. By soliciting grants and corporate donations, these important projects are taking place with little or no taxpayer dollars.
Hazlet’s Republicans are determined to decrease commercial development within our borders. The township has successfully stopped new construction proposals for a funeral home and a discount supermarket near residential areas.
The Democrats allowed the Fox Building to be constructed at one of the busiest intersections in town.
As deputy mayor of the current administration, Michael Sachs is already a valuable part of the team that has been working hard to improve the quality of life in Hazlet. Along with Mayor Paul Coughlin, Committeepersons Michael Christopher, Tracey Maffiore and Scott Aagre, Mr. Sachs deserves our support for his successful efforts to lead Hazlet in a positive direction.
Bridgette Antonnuci supports the hard work and direction of our current committee, and she is eager to contribute to their efforts.
Our local Democrats seem to be following the lead of the national party by claiming the incumbent Republican administration is failing to properly serve the best interests of the public.
As with the campaigns of our state and national candidates, the facts fail to support many of the Democrats’ accusations and many Democrats fail to support their goals with viable plans.
Democratic candidates Kevin Lavan and Jim Di Nardo want me to vote for open space, our children, and stable property taxes, which is exactly what I plan to do.
I will cast my vote for Republican candidates Michael Sachs and Bridgette Antonnuci, because I believe they understand that solving problems requires debate, planning, and leadership.
By Rich Kohler
October 28, 2004
I recently received some mail from the Committee to Elect Democratic candidates, Kevin Lavan and Jim DiNardo. The flyer lists a crumbled town hall, rising taxes, over-development, and poor management of our remaining open space as reasons to oust the current leadership in Hazlet.
I considered other campaign information that I have seen and heard in support of the four candidates, who are vying for two seats on the Hazlet Township Committee.
Propaganda and marketing tricks traditionally shadow every election season, so I made an effort to look past balloons, billboards, and pandering rhetoric in search of substance.
I saw that the issues concerning our local candidates are the same as in past years.
The Lavan/DiNardo campaign piece blames the Republicans for the condemnation of the old town hall. Acknowledging the problem and taking appropriate action to solve the problem is a different matter from causing the problem. Buildings do not fall apart in six months.
Several years ago, as the old building deteriorated beyond repair, the Democrats led the township into a legal battle for land on which they intended to build a new town hall. The land cost the town almost twice the amount for which the owner had originally asked. Eventually, the engineering studies found that the site did not meet the appropriate specifications for a new town hall.
Continuing their irresponsible pursuit of a new town hall, the Democrats’ then commissioned an additional engineering and architectural study of their concept to close our library and build buildings on top of buildings.
After three years of municipal tax increases that averaged 4.5%, under Democratic authority, the Republican-controlled Township Committee reduced this year’s tax increase to 3.7%.
The Democrat’s position on Hazlet’s concern with the preservation of open space is plain and simple. They want to impose an additional tax, but they have no specific plan for spending the proposed revenue to responsibly manage land use. Hazlet voters have already rejected this initiative three times.
Mayor Paul Coughlin and the Republicans are actively seeking county, state, federal, and private resources to preserve natural land within our residential community. They have also begun to investigate every available piece of land within Hazlet’s borders to determine its value to the township.
This year, the township sold property that had no strategic value in a responsible plan for land conservation. The proceeds provided immediate tax relief for every homeowner in Hazlet. The township is negotiating to sell one parcel of land to owners who would be bound financially and legally to preserve it as open space.
The current Republican-led administration is responsible for the continuing improvements to Veterans Park. By soliciting grants and corporate donations, these important projects are taking place with little or no taxpayer dollars.
Hazlet’s Republicans are determined to decrease commercial development within our borders. The township has successfully stopped new construction proposals for a funeral home and a discount supermarket near residential areas.
The Democrats allowed the Fox Building to be constructed at one of the busiest intersections in town.
As deputy mayor of the current administration, Michael Sachs is already a valuable part of the team that has been working hard to improve the quality of life in Hazlet. Along with Mayor Paul Coughlin, Committeepersons Michael Christopher, Tracey Maffiore and Scott Aagre, Mr. Sachs deserves our support for his successful efforts to lead Hazlet in a positive direction.
Bridgette Antonnuci supports the hard work and direction of our current committee, and she is eager to contribute to their efforts.
Our local Democrats seem to be following the lead of the national party by claiming the incumbent Republican administration is failing to properly serve the best interests of the public.
As with the campaigns of our state and national candidates, the facts fail to support many of the Democrats’ accusations and many Democrats fail to support their goals with viable plans.
Democratic candidates Kevin Lavan and Jim Di Nardo want me to vote for open space, our children, and stable property taxes, which is exactly what I plan to do.
I will cast my vote for Republican candidates Michael Sachs and Bridgette Antonnuci, because I believe they understand that solving problems requires debate, planning, and leadership.
posted by Rich Kohler at 6:48 PM
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