Your Commentary Inspired Me

I was sent the following by a reader who was inspired by me to comment on some of the nonsense that Middletown's acting mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, wrote and submitted to the Asbury Park Press for the candidates feature which was posted online earlier today. Enjoy!

A Commentary on Scharfenberger’s statements in APP

I'm running for a seat on the Middletown Township Committee simply because I care deeply for the township (yeah…that’s why you gave us a 14% tax increase this year… ) and want to help shape its future. I have two children who have gone through or still attend Middletown’s public schools and want our community to be affordable ( a 45% tax increase in 5 years is “affordable?”), desirable and in possession of all of the fine qualities we now enjoy when they grow into adulthood.

One of the most daunting tasks elected officials in New Jersey face is how to cut property taxes (you have NEVER LOWERED TAXES AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL). While Middletown Township spends far less per capita than any of our neighbors, it is imperative that we lead the way further in cutting spending and lowering property taxes. (If you haven’t found a way to lower our taxes in 5 years, you should thrown out of office!!!) Thankfully, the reforms that Governor Christie has proposed will give local governments the ability to cut the size of government and lower taxes that they don’t have now.

As residents of Middletown, we understand why we have been named one of the top 100 places to live in the country by Money Magazine. As residents of New Jersey, we also know that we are the state with the highest property taxes in the nation. We must immediately cut the size of government and find innovative ways to provide essential services. (Why haven’t you done this after five years?) This will take tough decision-making and creative ideas. I look forward to partnering with Governor Christie to return our state to a place where generations of people can afford to live (I can’t afford another term of Gerry!) and raise their families.