Open Space 10/9/03
Whether Hazlet’s Democratic candidates and party members are attempting to raise property taxes or win an election, they continue to exhibit a lack of respect for the quality of life in Hazlet.
The same open space tax that the people voted down last year is on the ballot again this fall. Democratic candidates, Deputy Mayor Christopher Cullen and Terry Moore, are actively campaigning to get the motion passed this year.
I recently spoke to Mr. Cullen and Mrs. Moore about this initiative. They were not prepared to ensure proper administration of tax revenue raised in the name of open space. As a result, I am not convinced that citizens will realize any benefit from this proposed tax.
Mr. Cullen explained that the township could use the additional tax dollars to acquire parcels of land for open space preservation and/or provide supplementary funding for parks and recreation. This might seem like a good idea on the surface, but like most plans put forth by this Democratic leadership, it lacks focus and direction.
The township committee will decide how to spend the $100,000 expected to be raised annually from the open space tax.
Mr. Cullen states that there are approximately 118 acres of land targeted by the township for possible acquisition.
Recently, the township targeted the Straquatanio property on Union Avenue, and acquired the site for building a new town hall. The legal and engineering costs ultimately exceeded the actual cost of the land. Professional study eventually convinced the township committee that the site was not feasible for a municipal complex.
The Democrat’s proposal could use an unspecified percentage of this additional tax revenue to upgrade our existing parks, but they have yet to reveal any plan for doing so.
There is already money in the municipal budget and a separate recreation trust fund dedicated to Hazlet’s parks and recreation. Improved management of the current budget seems to be an idea that escapes the Democratic leadership.
The recreation commission does a good job running year round programs and the popular summer camp at Veterans Park. They also sponsor bus trips to ball games, Broadway shows and other events in order to raise money for their trust fund. Since the recreation commission is accountable for the upkeep of the parks, shouldn't they decide how the proposed tax money could best be utilized?
Mr. Cullen and Mrs. Moore also made vague promises to create and maintain “pocket parks” with an unspecified portion of this tax.
The township can issue bonds and solicit county, state and federal support (both financial and professional) to acquire open space that is adjacent to our current parks, or otherwise beneficial to the township.
Hazlet’s environmental commission did not support this same open space tax proposal last year and is not giving its full support to the measure this year.
I think everyone supports the preservation of open space, but our efforts should be professional and goal-oriented. The proposed open space tax emphasizes the Hazlet
democrats’ lack of leadership and planning.
Last week, the Hazlet democrats placed many campaign signs around town in direct violation of the township ordinance governing their use. Some of them are on township property, multiple signs appear on single private properties, and many of them appeared ten days early. Coincidentally, once given notice, violators have ten days to comply with the law before they are fined.
For ten days before Election Day last year, Hazlet citizens endured the presence of at least five, illegal 4’x 6’ “billboards” at prominent locations throughout Hazlet.
As chairman of the zoning board, Democratic Party boss, Marc Nusbaum, should be well aware of, and instruct his people to comply with, all laws regarding election conduct. Circumventing local campaign law underscores an arrogant pursuit of power.
By recycling an appropriately rejected tax initiative and persistently failing to heed campaign regulations, the local democrats are demonstrating their lack of concern for the quality of life in Hazlet.
The same open space tax that the people voted down last year is on the ballot again this fall. Democratic candidates, Deputy Mayor Christopher Cullen and Terry Moore, are actively campaigning to get the motion passed this year.
I recently spoke to Mr. Cullen and Mrs. Moore about this initiative. They were not prepared to ensure proper administration of tax revenue raised in the name of open space. As a result, I am not convinced that citizens will realize any benefit from this proposed tax.
Mr. Cullen explained that the township could use the additional tax dollars to acquire parcels of land for open space preservation and/or provide supplementary funding for parks and recreation. This might seem like a good idea on the surface, but like most plans put forth by this Democratic leadership, it lacks focus and direction.
The township committee will decide how to spend the $100,000 expected to be raised annually from the open space tax.
Mr. Cullen states that there are approximately 118 acres of land targeted by the township for possible acquisition.
Recently, the township targeted the Straquatanio property on Union Avenue, and acquired the site for building a new town hall. The legal and engineering costs ultimately exceeded the actual cost of the land. Professional study eventually convinced the township committee that the site was not feasible for a municipal complex.
The Democrat’s proposal could use an unspecified percentage of this additional tax revenue to upgrade our existing parks, but they have yet to reveal any plan for doing so.
There is already money in the municipal budget and a separate recreation trust fund dedicated to Hazlet’s parks and recreation. Improved management of the current budget seems to be an idea that escapes the Democratic leadership.
The recreation commission does a good job running year round programs and the popular summer camp at Veterans Park. They also sponsor bus trips to ball games, Broadway shows and other events in order to raise money for their trust fund. Since the recreation commission is accountable for the upkeep of the parks, shouldn't they decide how the proposed tax money could best be utilized?
Mr. Cullen and Mrs. Moore also made vague promises to create and maintain “pocket parks” with an unspecified portion of this tax.
The township can issue bonds and solicit county, state and federal support (both financial and professional) to acquire open space that is adjacent to our current parks, or otherwise beneficial to the township.
Hazlet’s environmental commission did not support this same open space tax proposal last year and is not giving its full support to the measure this year.
I think everyone supports the preservation of open space, but our efforts should be professional and goal-oriented. The proposed open space tax emphasizes the Hazlet
democrats’ lack of leadership and planning.
Last week, the Hazlet democrats placed many campaign signs around town in direct violation of the township ordinance governing their use. Some of them are on township property, multiple signs appear on single private properties, and many of them appeared ten days early. Coincidentally, once given notice, violators have ten days to comply with the law before they are fined.
For ten days before Election Day last year, Hazlet citizens endured the presence of at least five, illegal 4’x 6’ “billboards” at prominent locations throughout Hazlet.
As chairman of the zoning board, Democratic Party boss, Marc Nusbaum, should be well aware of, and instruct his people to comply with, all laws regarding election conduct. Circumventing local campaign law underscores an arrogant pursuit of power.
By recycling an appropriately rejected tax initiative and persistently failing to heed campaign regulations, the local democrats are demonstrating their lack of concern for the quality of life in Hazlet.
posted by Rich Kohler at 9:05 PM
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