Tony "The Fibber" Fiore Is At It Again: Letter To Shadow Lake Residents Is Filled With Falsehoods

Middletown's acting Deputy Mayor, Tony "the Fibber" Fiore is at it once again. You would have thought that after being caught fabricating portions of his resume that was submitted to the Township (which was presented for consideration for the Township Volunteer Bank) shortly after he moved here from Carteret, he would have learn his lesson. You can't make false and misleading statements about yourself or others and expect to get away with it.

In this latest case "the Fibber" authored and sent to resident of Shadow Lake Village (on his own dime supposedly) a letter accusing the lone Democrat on the Township Committee, Sean Byrnes, of begin an obstructionist against the rest of the Township Committee's efforts to dredge Shadow Lake and accused him of "...cutting secret deals to line the pockets of private contractors to pour chemicals into Shadow Lake that will never solve the problem...".

Fiore actually insinuated that Byrnes was a lair by including in this letter "Sean Byrnes says he wants to bring the Army Corp of Engineers into help the Township with Shadow Lake. There are a few problems with this. First, as State open waters, the NJDEP's permission is still required for the Army Corp to dredge the lake. Second, the Army Corp only dredges navigable waters-Shadow Lake is not a navigable waterway."

This letter makes Fiore out to be the buffoon and partisan politician that he is and demonstrates that Fiore and the Middletown Republicans are only out for themselves and not interested hearing from others on how to fix problems. You can see the letter for yourself >>>Here

In response to his colleague on the Township Committee, here is what Sean Byrnes has to say about Fiore's claims and accusations:

"... First, he suggests that I did not vote on dredging for Shadow Lake. That’s correct, because when the ordinance was voted on I was not yet elected to the Township Committee. His letter would lead you to believe I voted against dredging. This is not true. Second, he claims that the Army Corps of Engineers does not have jurisdiction here and cannot take on this project. Here, Mr. Fiore should have checked his facts. While the Corps has traditionally handled the maintenance of navigable waterways, they do now have a responsibility for Ecosystem Restoration. You can check this link on the web for more information:

http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/ecosystem/index.html.

I don’t think these representatives would ask for a meeting if they did not have a program that might address the problems with the Lake.

Lastly, and most disturbing to me, Mr. Fiore contends that I am “lining the pockets” of a contractor to treat the Lake. For the record, this “contractor” has had a contract with the Township for 15 years. The Township, unbeknownst to me, reduced the scope of this contractor’s contract limiting his treatment of vegetation to the most Western portion of the Lake. This may explain the rapid growth of vegetation of the last few years. My request to him to submit a contract for 2011 designed to attack the vegetation growth was an effort to address this problem while we wait for dredging. While Mr. Fiore appears to oppose this treatment of vegetation, I believe it is necessary and his characterization of it as “pouring chemicals” into the Lake is misleading..."

Well then, so much for the final attempt at an "October Surprise" from Fiore and the Middletown GOP, they have shown once again with this letter, that they can not be trusted with telling the truth to residents and are desperate to retain as much power in town as possible.

It seems as though Sean Byrnes is the only one representing the best interests of Middletown, whether it be not voting to support this years budget that included a whopping 13.8% increase to the Municipal tax rate or here in this instance, providing a common sense solution to a problem that has been lingering under Republican rule for 3 years now.

"SoundBites" From Middletown's Recent Township Committee Meeting

This past Monday night's Middletown Township Committee meeting once again did not disappoint those that were in attendance when it came time for comments by Committee members.

I walked into the meeting late and didn't have the opportunity to witness or hear for myself the introduction of Resolution 10-210, which calls for supporting property tax relief through State assumption of per pupil educational costs that our mayor, Gerry Scharfenberger has been touting recently by suggesting that a "percentage" increase to the State's sales tax would be the key to lowering property taxes in Middletown.

(Scharfenberger introduces tax resolution)

Many feel that this resolution is nothing more than an attempt by Sharfenberger and those in the majority, to play a political "shell game" that would divert Middletown resident's attention away from the proposed 14% increase in the municipal tax rate that is called for in the as yet adopted 2010 Township budget.

After the resolution was passed by a 3-1 vote (Committeeman Sean Byrnes being the lone decenter and Committeeman Steve Massell not present to vote), it was time for committee comments.

In the audio that can be heard below Byrnes explains why he voted against the mayor's resolution. He stated that it was designed to take the focus off of the Township's proposed budget that includes a 14% tax increase and clearly shows the lack of planning on the Township's part on budget issues and finance. After his comments many of those in attendance shows their appreciation for Byrnes's level-headed and sensible explanation as to why this resolution would do nothing to alleviate taxes in Middletown and why it was nothing more that a distraction a way from the Township's budget.

(Byrnes's Comments)

Deputy(dog)-mayor Tony Fiore took offense to much of what Byrnes had to say, stating that terms like consolidation, planning and committees were nothing more that "soundbites" and that indeed the Committee(those in the majority) had a plan to control costs through the use of lay-offs and the reduction of insurance costs once employee contracts were up at the end of the year.

(Fiore's Comments)

After the Committee comments portion of the meeting was finished and the floor was open to members of the public a handful of those in attendance who had just received their tax bills came up to the podium to question the Committee about the large increases that they saw in them. These people were assured that by the 4th quarter of the billing cycle all would be well and not assume that based on the 3rd quarter bills have any bearing on what their new yearly tax bills were going to be.

A few weren't feeling very assured and questioned the mayor and deputy-mayor about what their plan actually was because they had been hearing most of the night that a plan was in place to control costs and limit tax increases, but when pushed and prodded they had no answers.

Dustin Racioppi of Redbankgreen.com has an account of what went down Monday night. When reading his column make sure to read the ending comments left by readers, they are fascinating and real eye-openers.

Residents are not as foolish as Scharfenberger and Fiore think they are. They know when they are being made out to be fools and are intelligent enough to tell the difference between being deceived and told the truth.

Middletown Board of Education Blindsided By Additional Cuts

In yet another example of how arrogance and political posturing has overtaken sound judgment and honesty, Mayor Scharfenberger and his crew blindsided the Middletown Board of Education last night with Resolution NO. 10-151, which details the further budget cuts that the Township Committee expects the Board of Education to make to its 2010/2011 school year budget.

I say blindsided because until I posted details of Resolution NO. 10-151 on this blog, members of the Board of Education had not been given the courtesy a head of time of knowing that most of the cuts outlined were going to be included.

From what I have been told, the members of the Board of Education that sat down with Gerry Scharfenberger and Pam Brightbill for their two meeting on May 3rd and May 6th presented ~ $1.5 million worth of cuts on their own to the Township representatives that were in attendance. They had thought that there was agreement between them and that no additional cuts would be needed. These cuts came from savings in the employee health insurance plan ($803,878), the refinancing of a bond ($465,829), modifications to the nursing services contract ($150,000) and a change to the summer guidance program ($70,000).

Boy, were they wrong!

Stating that the Committee relied on the hundreds of suggestions that they had received through the Township website, the mayor said that he felt obligated to seek out more on his own. So without further correspondences with the BoE and little knowledge as to how further cuts would affect the school system, he stated last night that he feverishly scoured the budget over the last days to find additional cuts. What he came up with was another ~ $600K, all of which seemed politically motivated and consisted of the elimination of Classroom supplies ($58,000),1 Night Foreman position ($50,117),1 Public Relations position ($16,000),1 Assistant Business Administrator ($91,000),1 Assistant Principal HS South ($130,000),1 Assistant Principal HS North ($130,000) and1 Director Position ($126,000).

What’s funny about this is that after mayor Scharfenberger’s open and public sparing match with the MTEA, which contributed nothing to the process other than to further alienate anger and poison resident’s opinion of the teachers union, he seemed to have given up on that fight. Instead the focused turned to comments left on the website over the past few days, sparing the teachers from additional cuts.

The question remains though, were these addition cuts really necessary? According to those with knowledge of the school budget the answer is No. They said that these additional cuts will have devastating effects on the school system regardless of the spin that Gerry Scharfenberger or his deputy mayor, Tony Fiore place on them. Fiore made the following comment after the resolution was introduced “My hope is that this is a meaningful cut… these cuts, they do not cut one teacher, they do not cut one program."

While that may be the intent, the reality is something far different. I was informed that members of the school board told Scharfenberger just that during their meetings. Cutting more administrators from the school budget would have crippling effects on the quality of education that children receive in the classroom he was told.

The Assistant Principals at the high schools main functions are supervisory; they oversee the curriculum, evaluate teacher performance and act as disciplinarians to maintain order in schools that have close to 2000 students each. After already eliminating seven positions district wide previously in the failed budget, equalivent to 14% of the administrative staff, the loss of two more cannot be tolerated without having a direct, long term effect in the classroom.

And what about the $58K further reduction in the budget for classroom supplies? I was told that that line item was already trimmed previously by 10%, did more really need to be cut? I guess so if you don’t expect to need new text books or expect parents to purchase more supplies for their kids than they already do now.

Even though the school board is now bound and obligated to reduce the school budget by an additional $2.09M by the Township Committee, I would be surprised if they implemented their recommendations fully.

In my opinion, I think that the district will be looking into the possible layoff of a handful of more teachers, the possible elimination of non varsity sports programs or a sports program that will be based on a pay-to-play fee system and the possible closure of a district school, which I was told could not be fully implemented this year but could happen next year.

I also would not be surprised if the Board of Education appealed this budget to the Monmouth County schools superintendent in the hope to overturn the addition $600K worth of cuts that the Township Committee imposed on them without their previous knowledge or input.

If that happened then there would be little need for further layoffs of any kind, the possible elimination of any extracurricular programs or the possible closure of a school. Let’s hope that the County Superintendent agrees.

Middletown School Board Candidates' Forums: Meet The Candidates for the Upcoming April 20th BOE Election

For interested residents who wish to make an informed decision about who to vote for in the upcoming school board elections the Middletown Board of Education will be holding a series of Candidate Forums starting tonight. These forums will be sponsored by various township organizations and are a good opportunity to meet and hear from the candidates that will be seeking election onto the Middletown Board of Education.

Those seeking election on to the School Board are:

Dawn Diorio
Leonora Caminiti
Gerald Wexelberg

Patricia Walsh

Michael Mascone
Chris Aveta
Vincent Brand

And will be sponsored by and take place at:

Organization: Lincroft PTA
Place: Lincroft Elementary School – All Purpose Room
Date: Wednesday, April 7
Time: 7:30 p.m

Organization: Middletown Republican Club
Place: Lincroft Inn
Date: Wednesday, April 14
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Organization: Middletown Mornings
Place: To be determined
Date: Friday, April 16
Time: 9:30 a.m.



An FYI for those that think partisen party politics should have no place in the education of our children should note that the ticket of Mascone, Aveta and Brand seems to have been put together by Mayor Scharfenberger and Deputy Mayor Fiore in an apparent effort to have more control over the school board.

All three candidates have ties to the Middeltown Soccer League and Deputy Mayor Fiore. The Middletown Soccer League supported the Mayor and Deputy Mayor's efforts to have a sports complex built at West Front Street Park in Lincroft and now tht the plans for new turf fields in town have fallen through, all three have a vested interest in seeing that the artifical turf fields at both Middeltown High Schools are opened for the personal use of Middletown Soccer.

Deputy Mayor Fiore's signature can be seen on both the Brand and Aveta petitions

Do Mascone, Aveta and Brand have the best interests of the students in Middletown at heart or are they more interested in partisen politics and seeing their best interests are taken care of first? That is a question that should be asked of them during these Candidate Forums.

Have You Heard The One About The Joker Who Wants To Be On The Middeltown Board Of Education?

There is a real Joker in town who wants to be elected to the Middletown Board Of Education, the guy is Vinnie Brand and he is a comedian and owner of the Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick.

From what I understand he is running on the slate with his buddies Mike Mascone and Chris Aveta, all three are involved with Middletown Soccer and have ties to Middletown Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore, who seems to have put the three together in order to take control over the school board.

Fiore put together this "soccer dream team" and signed the school board petition for both Brand and Aveta. Most likely with the idea that if elected to the Board of Education, Brand, Mascone and Aveta will be more inclined to open up the synthetic turf fields at both high schools to kids that play soccer in Middletown being that plans for the turf fields at West Front Street Park and Croydon Hall have been cancelled.

(Mascone Petition)

(Brand Petition)

(Aveta Petition)

(click on the images to see who signed their petitions)

Being a comedian and owner of a comedy club I found some interesting information on Mr. Vinnie Brand that I thought I should share so that voters could make an informed choice when going to the polls on April 20th to vote for members of the school board and school budget. This information is from his own website at vinniebrand.com, his My Space page and on Twitter. So these are his own words not something I wrote about him.

On his website he lists this as his bio:

“Vinnie grew up in Middletown NJ, the third of four children born to a plumber and a overly optimistic mother. He attended Rutgers College and immediately met the woman of his nightmares. Promptly, they had three children and bills. Vinnie ran his own construction company and flower shop while performing at open mic nights, juggling his time raising his children, working like a dog and performing.

After becoming a headline comic, He sold the flower shop, closed the construction company and gave his wife the divorce she was begging for. With three kids, no money and no car, he opened The Stress Factory Comedy Club while living in a boarding house for fathers that lost it all in bad divorces.

In 1995 Vinnie met the woman of his dreams, Vicki, while borrowing her car. He married her in 1998 and got full custody of his three children in 1999. Then, to round things out, they added two more children.”

“ Today Vinnie spends his time on stage all over New York City talking about the things he knows best, kids, marriage, bills and family. His unique approach lets him weave a story that captivates audiences of all ages while pissing off his ex wife. Overall, it has all worked out.”

I have to wonder how much thought this guy gave to running for the school board or did he just let the party use him for publicity? How about his availability for doing the job of school board member? Just check out this schedule comedy club appearances:

July 28th, Tuesday: COMIC STRIP LIVE ,
August 3rd, Monday @ 9.35PM: COMIC STRIP LIVE
August 5th, Wednesday @ 9.20PM: COMIC STRIP LIVE
August 6th, Thursday @ 9.20PM: COMIC STRIP LIVE
August 20th, Thursday: with JIM BREUER AT THEATRE IN MORRISTOWN
August 28th, Thursday @ 11.10PM: COMIC STRIP LIVE
August 29th, Saturday: BORGATA HOTEL WITH JIM BREUER
August 31st, Monday @ 10.05PM: COMIC STRIP LIVE
September 26th, Saturday: with JIM BREUER at Capital One Theatre

You really have to ask yourself why is guy running for a public office? He uses his kids for material in his comedy routine (as evident in the youtube video at the bottom of this post), which make you wonder if he will us the kids from the district as material in his act as well if he gets on the school board?

School board members should be an example to our children. What kind of example is it to put this on His My Space:

From Vinny Brand on My Space/Blog Posting Wednesday, September 27, 2006

spinach, you bastard. Current mood: annoyed

No, it can't be, but it is. Spinach is killing people. That's it, I quit! I could deal with all the bullshit this world throws at you, terrorism, rising interest rates, dysfunctional TIVO and Iran enriching uranium because I always had the good shit to fall back on. Spinach was one of them. I could kill off a box of HOHOs' knowing that I could wash it all away with a helping of spinach. Fucking spinach was my rock, it was in my terror attack survival kit, right next to the duct tape, plastic and batteries. Now I'm screwed. It's like finding out that you could choke to death on a vitamin.

I'm done folks. I'm going to drown myself in Pop Tarts, Red Bull and cookies. Damn the torpedos, let Iran have a nuke and screw my tivoed episode of Greys Anatomy that pixilates because Comcast sucks, none of it matters now. Spinach, you bastard!


What kind of example is that? I can only imagine what Brand will use from his board experience in his comedy routine. Maybe that is why he is running, for more comedy material. I can tell you this, I would not want him having ANY confidential information about my kid!

His lack of good judgement in the video below is an example. He calls the police to arrest his son for smoking pot in his bedroom only to find out that in the end that it cost him over $5 grand in lawyer and court fees while his son is left with a criminal record.



I think it best we leave Mr. Brand and his slate to the jobs they seem to enjoy more and put more qualified candidates on our board of education. Or the joke will be on us!

Tony "the Fibber" Fiore Suggests That The Only Place Left In Budget To Cut Is Police For Savings

Last week Middletown special financial consultant Bob Roth re-introduced the FY 2009 budget to the Township Committee. The budget, which seems as though it was put together by the use of smoke and a mirror will be voted on and approved tonight.

The budget relays on 1 shot gimmicks such as reducing the surplus reserve for uncollected taxes and deferring a portion of the townships pension obligation, so instead of a 9.2% tax increase that was proposed back in April the new tax increase to the municipal rate will be 5.8%, and we have the State to thank for it.

After months of telling the public how hard and how tirelessly they were working on the budget, meeting department heads over and over again to ensure that their budgets fell in line with township priorities, the Republicans on the Township Committee lead by Mayor Brightbill and Deputy Mayor Scharfenberger left the decision making to the state because they could not find any budget cuts or savings themselves!

The junior Committeeman, Republican Tony ”the Fibber” Fiore went as far as saying that the only area in the budget left open to the Committee in which to cut costs, was emergency services and to lay-off or furlough police officers and staff.

What a stupid thing to say!!

How could you possible say that the only place left in the budget in which to cut costs would be to trim the police department? Fiore’s statement from the dais last week was not only a head shaker, but also an outrageously gross attempt to place blame on others for the Republican’s failures to produce a budget that was inline with the realities of the day.

There were and are numerous areas and line items throughout the FY 2009 budget that could have been cut or trimmed in order to lessen the financial impact on residents if the Republicans truly wished.

Fiore, for all of his efforts and work that he put into the budget could not even implement any of his infamous ideas from the 8-point plan that he introduced back on February 2nd. Other than the suspension of the township committee’s yearly stipend, none of his ideas listed below were worthy enough for consideration:

1. Suspend the entire Township Committee’s salaries.
2. Freeze all non-essential hiring not required by law.
3. Freeze all union and non-union salaries.
4. Evaluate all non-essential, non-revenue generating programs for elimination.
5. Seek out additional shared service arrangements.
6. Sell surplus township property and assets.
7. Eliminate all non-essential Township subscriptions and dues payments.
8. Eliminate all conference and travel expenses unless required by law for continuing education requirements.

Now, how can someone have the nerve to sit in front of others and say with a straight face that the only remaining area in the budget in which to cut or reduce would be police manpower? Were the other 7 out of 8 recommendations that Tony Fiore proposed deemed to essential by his fellow Republicans and therefore taken off the table?

I have a several budget savings ideas, in no particular order, that I would like to recommend to Tony Fiore and his Republican colleagues to consider before the next time they infer that the only option left open to the Township Committee is to cut the budget by reducing the size of Middletown’s police force:

1. Privatize the Cultural Arts Center or change its mission to allow for-profit organizations to rent and utilize the building.
2. Reduce the number of township supplied employee cars.
3. Reduce the operating hours for the Kanes lane recycling facility.
4. Privatize a portion of public works.
5. Fund Middletown Matters by sell advertisments instead of by tax payer dollars.
6. Consolidating purchases, printing and advertising.

Based on the horrible outcome of this year’s budget process to the residents of Middletown, it is essential that the Township Committee establish a Budget/Finance Committee that would interact with township personnel well before the end of the calendar year and make specific recommendations to the Township Committee on budget matters. To leave important budget issues up to the State, like was done with this years budget, is irresponsible.

And to suggest that the only option left to the Committee to reduce spending is to lay-off township police officers, is just plain stupid.

A Quick Synopsis Of The Middletown Budget Mess

Last night Middletown re-introduced the FY 2009 budget and to summed up in very plain and simple language, it is a MESS !!

The budget has been put together by the use of smoke and mirrors - no cost reductions or spending cuts of any kind to speak of.

Here is a quick synopsis of last nights meeting, I'll have more to say and discuss over the next few days once i have sufficient time to review my audio recordings of the meeting:

Contrary to previous reports Bob Roth really did not find any hidden monies, when he presented the budget to the local finance board in Trenton, the state told Middletown that they could reduce the amount of reserve for unpaid taxes to the state mandated minimum which saved the township $1.2M.

Next week there will be another ordinance to be voted on by the township committee that will take another reserve fund, that has been laying around since 2006, and put it into the budget for another $399k 1 shot revenue gimmick .

The "tireless " hunting for savings that the Majority search for resulted in a few minor reductions and few increases in line items throughout.

I have to hand it to Bob Roth, after over 20 years of being CFO, he really knows his stuff. the man had explanations for everything that was brought up, but overall there were no real cost savings in this budget, just the 1 shot use of surpluses that were moved into the budget.

Now that Middletown has used these 1 shot gimmicks, there will be no substantial reserves to work with next year. It will be interesting to see how that will work.

The bottom line is this, even after the use of the surpluses it did not save the township from a significant tax increase of 5.8%. And by deferring payment of half of Middletown's pension obligations of $600K, which was a requirement by the state to qualify for the cap wavier, it will cost Middletown an additional 4% interest over the next 12 years on that deferral.

Where is the saving there? If Middletown did a better job at managing it's finances and did not need to seek a cap waiver, Middletown would not have to defer payments it's pension obligations.

This is just another case of mismanagement of the towns finances by the majority of the Committee and really gives credence to Sean Byrnes request to establish and head a Finance committee.

Tony Fiore came out to say that real cuts to the budget would have meant reducing police staff and other essential services that he would have been unwilling to make, which is utter nonsense! There are other areas in which to cut like travel, magazines,office supplies, utility costs at the Arts Center, Parks and Rec, Middletown Matters, the possibilities are endless if he and the majority were willing end the cronyism and patronage that they practice.

What this budget shows me is a total lack of leadership by the Republican majority who were and are, unwilling to make hard and necessary choices.

What this budget really does is it pushes harder decisions off until next year, it creates a huge hole in next years budget due to the fact that there is no surpluses left to raid.

How much will it cost us then ?

Middletown GOP Candidate Massell Proposed Tax on Homeowners Who Cut Down Trees

Middletown Planning Board member and GOP Candidate for Township Committee, Steve Massell, recently proposed to the township committee that homeowners should be taxed for cutting down trees on their properties.

During the public comments portion of the May 18th Middletown Township Committee Meeting, Massell read from a front page article of the Asbury Park Press, the first paragraph of a story entitled “Justices OK tree-clearing fee in Jackson”.  

The paragraph stated that the “The state Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of Jackson's tree-removal ordinance, which requires property owners to replace any healthy tree taken down or pay into a fund dedicated to planting trees and shrubs on public property.”

Massell said that he was upset at seeing sections of town “clear-cut” by developers in order to build housing developments like Harmony Glen, which is off of Harmony road, behind the Shoprite. He felt that by charging homeowners upwards of $800 per tree (to be put in a general fund for tree and shrub replacement like the Jackson tree-removal ordinance calls for), would be a good way to dissuade developers from building in town. He never thought of the cost to the average homeowner that would like to build a single family home on a private lot or the homeowners that would like to expand their existing homes. Deputy Mayor Scharfenberger pointed out to Mr. Massell that as a member of the planning board, he should be aware that the township already has ordinances in place to force developers into replanting a certain number of trees that had been clear-cut once a new development has been completed.

Steve Massell then left the podium, mumbling to himself something about how he still thought it would be a good idea if the township committee considered the Jackson ordinance, which surprises me. One would have thought that Massell would have first talked about this with his fellow GOPers before presenting his idea in front of the committee, after all Pam Brightbill and Tony Fiore sit on the planning board with Massell.

I have a couple of things I would like to point out to Steve Massell:

First, as a Planning Board member, you have a say in how builders develop property in town. When a builder brings prints to the planning board for approval why don’t you insist that a property could not be clear-cut? Have builders submit plans that leave some trees and shrubbery in place, I am sure that an architects could handle planning such a development.

Second, in the winter 2005 edition of Middletown Matters, then Mayor Tom Hall address the issue in the Mayor’s Message titled “Keeping the trees was not an option for the Crestview Drive & Route 35 site”.

He stated, “…can’t help but notice a new landscape. The stretch of woods located next to the revamped shopping center has been replaced with a barren, unattractive construction site.” “…I share the sentiments conveyed by many in phone calls, letters and conversations: I’d rather keep the trees. However, that’s simply not an option.” 

So Steve, before you propose a tax on residents make sure that you do your homework first and check with the other members of your party before presenting such an idea, particularly since as a Planning Board member, you can already take steps against clear-cutting

Thanks to GOP, Middletown Has Become Unaffordable

Check out Pat Walsh's post "Thank you Middletown GOP for making it completely unaffordable to live in Middletown!" over at her blog, Middletown Musings, she has some very good (and I don't mean in a nice way) things to say about the 9.2% budget increase that Pam, Gerry and Tony are pushing on to the residents of Middletown.

Democrats have been warning Middletown for years now about the reckless spending habits of the Middletown GOP.  

We're all having a rough time balancing our own checkbooks and have had to cut expenses in this current economic enviroment the country is in, unfortunately the Republicans in town fell otherwise and refuse to cut spending and are increasing the size the  local government by going on a hiring binge again, word has it that the township is looking to fill several positions within Parks & Rec. and Public Works. 

If you are looking for a nice cushy job send your resumes now! 

 

Middletown GOP Push 9.2% Tax Increase Onto Residents

Can you believe it Middletown? The Republican controlled township committee will be pushing through a 9.2 % property tax increase to balance township finances. It will be one of the largest tax increases in township history.

When you add on top of last years tax increase of 7.3 % and the 8.7 % increase over the prior two years, the Middletown GOP has been responsible for local property tax increases of 25% in the past 4 years! 

What have we gotten for all of this? 

We have a beautiful Arts Center that was built on contaminated soil that cost over $8 million  to bulid and costs the tax payers over $240,000 a year just in utility costs. We have 2 Township Attorneys that can bill the township for over $600,000 a year combined and local GOP fiathful that sit on the Sewage Authority that just gave themselves a raise for 12 hours of work a year.

It's time for people to wake up and see what is going on here. It is time to stop blaming Trenton for what happens here in Middletown like Pam Brightbill, Gerry Scharfenberger and now Tony Fiore have been doing for the past few years! 

Our local GOP are fat bastards that need to go on a diet.

You can't blame this one on the Democrats, Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes have been warning residents about this for 3 years now! Why do you think Short has been ridiculed for the past 3 years for reading the bill list each month and pointing out wasteful spending? It's because the Republican majority that runs Middletown is hungry for our tax dollars, to many of them rely on the township for their livelihood. If they cut spending they will go hungry it is as simple as that!

I'd like to hear where this years Middletown GOP golden boy Steve Massell stands on this tax increase?

 I wonder if he was let in on this dirty little secret before Monday's township committee meeting, because like much of what the GOP majority does, it kept Short and Byrnes and the public in the dark about the 9.2% increase until the night of the meeting so that they could not properly respond and ask questions

  

Listen to Partisan Politics At It's Best In Middletown

During the township work shop meeting held on April 6th, a resolution was presented for adoption that would condemn Governor Corzine's budget proposals. The proposed resolution was written by and passed down to local municipalities by the State Republican Party in an effort to garner Republican support against Governor Corzine and his budget.

Democrats on the committee,Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes, took exception to some of the language in the resolution and wanted to rewrite in a way that would be more Middletown specific and not so broad and sweeping. Republicans on the committee, lead by Mayor Pam Brightbill and Deputy Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger thought that the resolution was not sweeping enough,wanted stronger language and refused to make any changes to it. At one point during the discussion, you will hear Mayor Brightbill telling Committeeman Short that he could just vote against the resolution he so chooses, basically tell him and Byrnes that their opinions did not matter, that the resolution would pass as is along partisan party lines.

Typically,this is how the Republicans in Middletown try to reach out to the other side of the aisle. To compromise when trying to issue legislation is unheard when it comes to matters of Trenton or other petty issues. The my way or the highway is the usual response, as pointed out by Brightbill and Fiore, two Republican members of the Middletown Township Committee. Many people have expressed this observation, even before there were members of the Democratic Party on the Committee.

Middletown committee discuss resolution against State budget

Middletown Township Facing a $3.79 Million Budget Deficit: GOP Majority Unwilling to Make Hard Choices

A few weeks ago I asked Middletown Committeemen Sean F. Brynes and Patrick Short, for  their thoughts on how this year's Township budget was shaping up.  They both expressed concerns about how their ideas, suggestions and previous business and budgeting experiences are being ignored  by the GOP majority that controls the Middletown committee. 

At this moment, Middletown is facing a $3.79 million budget shortfall. Brynes and Short are concerned about this because it seems as if the GOP majority of  Mayor Pam Brightbill, Deputy Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger and Committeeman Tony "the Fibber" Fiore, are not taking the process seriously enough to make the hard decisions necessary to balance this years budget. 

Comitteeman Brynes sent me the following letter to further expresses his thoughts and concerns about Middletown's budget shortfall and taxpayers:

The Middletown Township Committee has a daunting task when it comes to balancing this year's budget. Even with freezing spending at 2008 levels, anticipated expenses exceed revenues by $3.79 million, with the lion's share of spending dedicated to salaries and benefits, squeezing the budget for a $3.79 million reduction in operational spending is almost impossible. Unfortunately, the structural changes that are needed to truly reduce spending take time. Reductions in personnel hold the greatest potential for achieving substantial budget savings, but we have waited too long to take action.

Last summer, I introduced a resolution to create a Finance Committee, so that we could begin the work of trimming our budget. At the time, then Mayor Scharfeberger criticized this idea, assuring the public that the Township had cut as much as we could, and further cuts were not possible. Further cuts are always possible. It becomes a question of what you are willing to give up in order to achieve spending reductions. The Township Committee can decide what programs we will continue and what programs will be suspended. It is our job to set policy. The current times call for unprecedented steps to curtail spending. Some programs, even some very popular programs, may need to be suspended until our economy improves. Our overriding goal should be to avoid burdening our taxpayers with any additional tax obligation, especially when some of our residents are about to be hit with increased costs of flood insurance.

I agree that we are at the mercy of State funding reductions, but that's the hand we've been dealt. We need to focus our efforts on softening the blow to taxpayers. I was pleased when my fellow Committee members agreed last week to schedule emergency meetings with all Department heads to review departmental spending and evaluate opportunities for reducing expenses. Everything should be on the table. We will not bridge the $3.79 million shortfall unless we squeeze every available line item. We have entered the month of March. We need to take action soon. As time passes, the amount of spending we can cut diminishes. I have proposed asking all professionals to accept 10 to 15 percent reductions on their professional contracts. I have introduced an ordinance to eliminate health benefits and salaries for commissioners on the sewer authority and their alternates. We don't need 7 sewerage commissioners collecting benefits when we have a Township Committee of 5 who don't get any health benefits.

Other savings opportunities are available to the Committee. We need to correct whatever operational problems are generating utility bills over $200,000 at the Arts Center. We need to consider consolidating some activities, perhaps merging the Arts Center with the Library. Recent legislation introduced at the State level would cut the Library's funding in half. I oppose such a draconian cut. It would have a devastating effect on the services our Library provides. However, if we were to agree to continue the Library's current level of funding, even if such legislation were passed, I think it would make sense to merge the Arts Center into the Library's operation. We should move quickly toward outsourcing much of our property maintenance, thereby alleviating the costs associated with purchasing lawn mowers, equipment, and the servicing costs associated with them. We should ask our Board of Education to join in this effort. There is little reason that our parks, ball fields and recreational properties need to separately managed and maintained by two separate governmental entities. Our leaf pickup operation also needs an overhaul and could also be done by contractors. Hiring and paying Township employees to engage in these activities is extremely expensive when you consider compensation, benefits, etc. Recreational activities such as concerts, Middletown Day, etc. may need to be suspended if they cost more than they bring in. Obviously, suspending events like these should be temporary measures taken in a time of crisis. However, they must be on the table.

We have our work cut our for us, but these are challenging times. We will no doubt pull through this current economic slump, but in the interim, we need to ensure that the taxpayers, already feeling the pinch of a sinking economy, are not handed a higher tax bill.

If anyone would like to contact Committeeman Sean Byrnes directly, in order voice your ideas or concerns about this years budget or anyother subject that concerns you, he can be reached at the email address below.

sfbyrnes@gmail.com

In Middletown’s“Battle of the Budget” Democrats Proposed True Budget Savings Of $3Million,While Brightbill,Scharfenberger and Fiore have No New Ideas

Since Monday nights Middletown workshop meeting, where the junior Republican Committeeman, Tony “the Fibber” Fiore, presented an 8 point plan to limit the Township budget by representing previous democratic proposals as his own, Democrats on the Middletown Township Committee, Patrick Short and Sean Brynes have made public their proposals for limiting spending and cutting taxes.

In a letter sent to Township CFO Richard Wright and then acting Township Administrator Fred Jahns on April 5th of last year, Short and Byrnes listed their ideas, that if followed, had the potential to save the tax payers of Middletown almost $3 Million.

The following is the text of that letter and according to Committeemen Short and Brynes as far as they are concerned, the proposals that are outlined below are still relevant one year later and on the table for open and honest discussions:

Sean and I have reviewed the proposed Middletown Budget for 2008 and have identified where further budget reductions could be made. Attached is a copy of a worksheet that captures our recommendations.

The attached worksheet is in a matrix format. From top left to bottom left is a list of Budget Line Items. Across the top, from left to right, is the Line Item Description, Budget Account Number, the Administration’s Recommended Budget Level, Proposed Reduction (further budget reductions made by Sean and I), and Remarks (that provide justification for our reductions). Columns F-I have been added to compare the 2007 Salary Levels to 2008 Salary Levels by providing the salary difference and percentage % of differences. Column J-Savings is a column that totals the savings from each of the proposed reductions and a place holder has been established for any reductions made to a salary line.

As result of our recommended changes, a sub-total of $1,913,652.00 could be obtained (see bottom right side of page 6). And, an additional $654,540.06 could be recognized if salaries were not increased to the levels that are currently specified within the 2008 budget; thus resulting in an opportunity for an overall savings total of $2,568,192.06 if all of the proposed budget reductions were taken into account.

In addition, Grants and their associated costs have been separated within the worksheet so an examination can be made to determine if they are worth pursuing based on need, cost, and success rate.

Lastly, Sean and I have provided a list of observations and further recommendations for your consideration:

1. Wean Middletown Township off Municipal State aid so Middletown becomes self reliant and budget can be approved far earlier than under existing process
2. Cut back on donations, subsides, dues, subscriptions, travel, overtime, operating expense, misc. expense and cap training across the board. Question the Salary Wages level increases across board.
3. Restrict non essential spending until the budget is approved (note 30% of budget has been spent)
4. Restrict non essential O/T until the budget is approved
5. Restrict non-essential Travel. All travel must be approved by administrator
6. Any surprised money obtained from the State should go directly into Tax Relief
7. Note: Total Debt payment = $8.48M (This has contributed to our current situation)
• Debt Principal $4.8M
• Debt on NJEDA $13,220
• Debt Service $2.3M
• Debt Service-Green Trust $92,550
• Debt MCIA $1.3M
8. Examine if capital improvements can be spread over two year period (Note: capital improvements of $3.45M which includes NJDT grant of $175K, could be spread over a two year period, thus providing some savings
9. Examine need for employee cars
10. Examine if telephone providers could be competed or packaged
11. Charge back services to the Arts Center
12. Conduct study to determine cost advantages of privatizing the Arts Center
13. Apply 3.125% Administration fee to library
14. Consolidated services with library
15. Consolidated services with Schools
16. Increase municipal tax associated with hotels etc.
17. Compete multiple fuel source provider
18. Eliminate positions not filled since November
19. Obtain independent financial consultant to review and make recommendations
20. Reduce the number of days recycle facility is open (7 days to 5 days)
21. Consider Mayor's secretary position as a shared resource; part time or eliminate
22. Consider part time vs. OT for Police clerk
23. Consider part time vs. OT for Court Clerk
24. Fill administrator's position with assistant or delay backfill of person filling administrators position until next year
25. Examine if there is a benefit to consolidating the zoning and planning board
26. Review blank purchase order purchases
27. Establish management control over attorneys and engineers; Gain planned work by each before authorization is provided
28. Retain full-time attorney to perform many of the recurring tasks done by outside counsel
29. Develop an "In source" engineering plan
30. Examine funding for grants based on success rate, likelihood to obtain, necessary or nice to have criteria
31. Conduct special audit of vehicle maintenance; Consider state contract or compete maintenance based on consolidated volume;
32. Note: Reserve for Uncollected Taxes = $4.M
33. Consolidate Printing & Advertising
34. Develop an approach to get the budget out to the people for review at the same time that committee members review the budget and before budget is introduced (Reason: to stimulate thought to save $)
35. Establish Budget Committee of two Township Committee members who begin interacting with staff well before end of calendar year and make specific recommendation to full Committee on budget
36. Study privatization of segments of Public Works mission
37. Additional revenue may be generated by:
38. Development and lease of concession at Municipal parking lots
39. Optimizing taxes received per zoned property


Thank you,

Sean Byrnes
Patrick Short


Note From Committeeman Patrick Short:
We are working to do the same for this year but we have not received a credible base line to do the lower level analysis (i.e. Parks and Rec is asking for an 18% increase.. totally in the wrong direction). That is why we have stated that the board should establish the target budget line and pass that down to the departments. At the higher level we have expressed our thoughts similar to what Tony F stated last night to include freeze of OT except for PD and emergency services; establish 10% reduction on last year’s operating expenses until budget is approved. Keep in mind for two years running with these temporary budgets with no constraints attached enabled the departments to expend 40% of the total budget before the budget was approved.

These are the type of savings that were dismissed as inconsequential and frivolous last year by the former mayor. Now that they see it is necessary to take some type of action they adopt these ideas as their own because they make the most sense. It is time for the Committee to take on the leadership role that they were elected to do, instead of being subject to those that they are suppose to be leading.

Opening Salvo In Middletown Budget Battle Misses Mark

In an obvious attempt at one-upmanship Monday night February 2nd at the monthly workshop meeting, the Middletown Republicans fired the opening salvo in this years “Battle of the Budget”.

Towards the end of a long and tedious meeting, which ended at 11:30 pm, the newest member of the Township Committee, Republican Tony “the Fibber” Fiore, introduced his 8 point plan for controlling spending. Unfortunately for the residents of Middletown, the Fibber’s plan contains nothing new or bold. Democrats Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes have proposed seven out of the eight points outlined by Fiore before in one form or another.

Only the first of the Fibber’s proposals (listed below) is worth discussion, even though the impact to the budget of suspending the salaries of the Township Committee would be minimal and purely symbolic:

(1) Suspend the entire Township Committee’s salaries;
(2) Freeze all non-essential hiring not required by law;
(3) Freeze all union and non-union salaries;
(4) Evaluate all non-essential, non-revenue generating programs for elimination;
(5) Seek out additional shared service arrangements;
(6) Sell surplus township property and assets;
(7) Eliminate all non-essential Township subscriptions and dues payments; and
(8) Eliminate all conference and travel expenses unless required by law for continuing education requirements.”

For a team that promised “New Ideas”, to put “ Tax Payers First” and to “Cut Wasteful Spending and Lower Our Property Taxes”, Mayor Brightbill and Tony “the Fibber” Fiore have taken the ideas of their Democratic counterparts for themselves in order to make it seem as if the Republican majority on the Township Committee truly care and understand the current economic hard times the Township of Middletown faces.

Ethics and Truth Exiled

The  following is a  letter to the editor I received  from Jim Grenafege, Democratic Candidate for Middletown Township Committee:

In support of candidates Fiore and Brightbill, Republican Middletown Mayor Scharfenberger continues his practice of distorting facts whenever possible. When facts cannot be distorted he will fabricate them.

In a letter published in the Atlantic Herald (Middletown Mayor Supports Brightbill and Fiore for Township Committee, October 6) Mayor Scharfenberger stated: “Pam and Tony’s opponents … bring a record of astonishingly high tax increases, vocal support for high density development through low-income housing and support for the destructive policies of Governor Corizine and the Democratic Party in Trenton.”

As an opposing candidate for one of the open seats on the Middletown Township Committee, I unequivocally state that Mayor Scharfenberger has completely fabricated everything that he attributes to the “opponents”.

In a subsequent e-mail sent from Monmouth [University].Edu (message from the mayor, October 19). Scharfenberger duplicated this letter and as part of my alleged record added: “serious ethics problems”. This is more intentional fabrication. This letter was sent, publically published, using Monmouth University electronic mail resources. This letter is signed: “Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger”. In so signing, his political status as a mayor along with his partisan political message was solidly linked to his status as a Monmouth University instructor and employee. He sent it to thirteen people with the instructions: “Please forward to as many Middletown residents as possible.”

In his zeal to have Republican candidates win at any cost, I hope Mayor Scharfenberger has not damaged the “leadership” brand image and the political impartiality important to financial standing and credibility of the University.

My concerns in this matter were discussed with the University’s Assistant General Counsel. I have been told that Dr. Scharfenberger has been reminded of the appropriate university policy. As an internal matter it has been addressed.
As an external matter the intended damage by Dr. Scharfenberger to my and my running mate’s campaign has not been publically addressed by the University, nor has Mayor Scharfenberger publically repudiated his fabrications. Who really has serious ethics and integrity problems -- possibly Mayor, or Doctor, Scharfenberger?

James Grenafege
Democratic Candidate
Middletown Township Committee

Tax and Spend Middletown Republicans

In response to a letter by Middletown Republican candidate Tony Fiore,I vehemently deny that it has been the township's school board that has been the source of pain for residents where it involves taxation.

In contrast, it is the Republican-controlled Middletown Committee that has played the role of tax-and-spend politicians in this community.

Firstly, Middletown's students regularly gain acceptance to first-rate academic institutions in this country.

However, where it involves taxation, I personally believe the school board has been nothing but thrifty in its approach.

State aid to suburban school districts has been frozen for five years and the school budget was impacted, like any other business or homeowner, by the rising costs of utilities, transportation and insurance.

In addition, nine consecutive budgets have passed since I have taken office, while only three failed that were cut. Bear in mind, those cuts impacted our students, but were made when necessary.

It has been the voters in Middletown that have approved the majority of these budgets because they want a high-quality education for their children. And, it takes at least five members of the board to adopt a budget for consideration by the voters in the first place.

Meanwhile, it has been the Middletown Committee that has bonded $85 million, refused to place fiscal controls or oversight in their budget, and even refused to establish a Budget Committee to oversee departmental spending. They voted to exceed their budget cap. Finally, it was the committee, for at least 20 years, that has used deferred school taxes to balance their budget. This year alone they added close to $56 million in deferred school tax liability to further burden our residents. Combined with the total amount bonded, this places Middletown's total debt at about $141 million.

Mr. Fiore is hardly the best source of information about taxation, or anything else, given the fact he has ran on an embellished, grammatically incorrect resume throughout this election cycle, and has done nothing to contribute any ideas about how to contain Middletown's out-of-control spending.

Patricia A. Walsh
Democrat for Township Committee
Middletown, NJ

If We Are Talking About Records…

In a recent letter, Republican candidate for Middletown Township Committee Tony Fiore said that we should look at a candidate’s record to judge his or her qualifications for office. I couldn’t agree more, so let’s look at the record of this year’s Republican candidates.

Although Mr. Fiore is running for the Committee and is currently a member of the Middletown’s Planning Board, he rarely shows up for Committee meetings and has failed to distinguish himself as a leader or innovator on the Planning Board.

Mr. Fiore’s biggest campaign issue is school taxes, yet Middletown’s excellent school system is the reason Money Magazine listed our town in their Top 100 Places to Live. If Mr. Fiore was more in touch with Middletown residents, he would recognize that Middletown should not decrease revenue for its schools; it should decrease spending on frivolous expenses, such as the multi-million dollar renovation of the Middletown Cultural Art’s Center that Republicans have championed in the past.

Moreover, while Mr. Fiore is attacking taxes that benefit our schools, his running mate, Pamela Brightbill, is responsible for keeping our municipal taxes high. As a current member of the Committee, Ms. Brightbill voted to approve tax increases of 5.7 percent in 2006, 3.1 percent in 2007, and 7.1 percent in 2008; a total of 15.9 percent over the past 3 years! Middletown cannot afford to elect these individuals to our Committee.

Yet, what is most disconcerting is that Ms. Brightbill promised in her last campaign to keep taxes low if elected. She also promised to preserve open space, yet she approved transforming the Conifer tract of land into a huge development, even though it was purchased with open space funds. Ms. Brightbill’s silence on the soil contamination issue at the Cultural Arts Center and Town Hall has also misled the public. The cleanup could cost taxpayers millions, yet she kept the contamination a secret instead of taking the lead to get rid of this public health concern.

How can voters trust the Republicans to follow through on what they promise? Ms. Brightbill’s actions have already proven that Middletown cannot trust her to follow through. Mr. Fiore has already lied to voters about his resume, what else will be next?

I believe Middletown residents are looking for candidates who are honest and ready to act in residents’ best interest. I know that Pat Walsh and Jim Grenafege have the honesty, integrity, and leadership to transform our Township Committee into the responsive and dedicated body we need in these tough times we all face.

Don Watson
New Monmouth

MIDDLETOWN REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES TAXING AND SPENDING

In response to a letter by Middletown Republican candidate Tony Fiore, which was printed on Oct. 15, I vehemently deny that it has been the township's school board that has been the source of pain for residents where it involves taxation.

In contrast, it is the Republican-controlled Middletown Committee that has played the role of tax-and-spend politicians in this community.

Firstly, Middletown's students regularly gain acceptance to first-rate academic institutions in this country.

However, where it involves taxation, I personally believe the school board has been nothing but thrifty in its approach. State aid to suburban school districts has been frozen for five years and the school budget was impacted, like any other business or homeowner, by the rising costs of utilities, transportation and insurance.

In addition, nine consecutive budgets have passed since I have taken office, while only three failed that were cut. Bear in mind, those cuts impacted our students, but were made when necessary.

It has been the voters in Middletown that have approved the majority of these budgets because they want a high-quality education for their children. And, it takes at least five members of the board to adopt a budget for consideration by the voters in the first place.

Meanwhile, it has been the Middletown Committee that has bonded $85 million, refused to place fiscal controls or oversight in their budget, and even refused to establish a Budget Committee to oversee departmental spending. They voted to exceed their budget cap. Finally, it was the committee, for at least 20 years, that has used deferred school taxes to balance their budget. This year alone they added close to $56 million in deferred school tax liability to further burden our residents. Combined with the total amount bonded, this places Middletown's total debt at about $141 million.

Mr. Fiore is hardly the best source of information about taxation, or anything else, given the fact he has ran on an embellished, grammatically incorrect resume throughout this election cycle, and has done nothing to contribute any ideas about how to contain Middletown's out-of-control spending.

Patricia A. Walsh
Democrat for Township Committee
Middletown resident

Thanks Mr. Mayor, But No Thanks!

The following is a letter by Carolyn Schwebel in response to a recent letter sent by Middletown's Mayor Scharfenberger to local papers, that expressed his endorsement of Deputy Mayor Brightbill and Tony "the Fibber" Fiore for Township Committee:

Thanks, Mayor Scharfenberger for the much-needed levity in your letter endorsing candidates. I was incredulous when I read that one reason that you are endorsing Tony Fiore is that he has been a "recreation and human relations commissioner." You dare to say that as a positive while you have tried to use the Middletown Human Rights Commission for political purposes and are even now seeking to weaken or destroy it?

Your letter further states, "You have told me that you want honesty.." Indeed we do, and open government, and respect for citizens. Knowing that, then why were you dishonest about admitting that you had asked the Middletown HRC to have a meeting about a publication that has criticized you?

I agree with you about the "importance of good government in Middletown." Why instead of providing it have you and your majority violated state and federal regulations? First, you illegally retaliated against me by removing me from the MHRC due to a civil rights lawsuit.

Second, Middletown has made none of the accessibility changes you agreed to do by August 2006. Even worse, your lawyer now suggests that the township has done all they can and that the buildings were compliant when built. Meanwhile, a young wheelchair user cannot travel to her shopping center because of three high curbs on the busy route!

Third, despite my clear information to you and all town officials you persist in violating the N.J. Open Public Meetings Act, which requires that all meeting notices be published in two papers 48-hours before the meeting! Your administration arrogantly refuses to give proper notice to residents about special meetings, including the July 31, 2008 MHRC meeting and the September 30, 2008 special township committee meeting. As a result, any action taken at those meetings, including your vote to appeal the Mountain Hill Town Center decision to the NJ Supreme Court is illegal and must be repeated at a properly noticed meeting!

Sadly, we taxpayers will need to pay for correcting all of your above violations.

I must, therefore reject your recommendation to vote for your deputy mayor, who clearly supported all of these violations. Instead, I urge all who want truly honest, fair, and open government in Middletown to vote for Pat Walsh and Jim Grenafege for the Middletown Committee.

Tony "the fibber" is at it again

In a letter published on-line at the Atlantic Highlands Herald today Tony "the fibber" Fiore is at it again. His penchant for not telling the truth is becoming legendary.

The "fibber" wants us to believe that Democratic Candidate for Township Committee, Pat Walsh, is single handily responsible for the taxes in Middletown being raise due to her work as a member of the Board of Education.

"Fibber" Fiore make no mention that his running mate for Township Committee, Pam Brightbill has voted to raise the tax rate in town the last 3 years by 15.9% !!

He doesn't make any mention to the fact that the Township Committee owes the BOE $56 million in deferred taxes, which is the real reason behind the BOE increases over the years. 

So tell us Tony, exactly how do you intend to lower taxes in Middletown?