ISSUES WE BELIEVE IN
Why We Are Running
Taxes and cost of living
The current commissioners have reduced the county tax rate BUT because property values and assessments have been increasing, residents are actually paying more in county taxes.The county is collecting an estimated additional $7.0 million in taxes this year even with the reduced tax rate. The question is how is this additional money going to be used and how can it best benefit the residents of the county?
Fiscal responsibility is not just keeping taxes as low as possible. It is insuring that the county is getting the best value for dollars spent. It is also important to take into account doing the greatest good for the majority of the residents of the County as dollars are allocated
Are we allowing the commission to to operate in the shadows, leaving tax payers to find out later how their decisions affect them economically? We endorse the timely public notice posting of the budget and all negotiated contracts, The residents of the County deserve clear explanations of how their tax dollars are spent. There should be an open public meeting to review the budget with public comments welcomed. This should be done prior to the budget being voted on and passed.
Infrastructure
Power Grid
Our county must work with the state legislators on solutions to rising energy costs, clean energy power generation and the aging power grid. PJM Interconnection is the grid operator for NJ and 12 other states and the District of Columbia. BPU New Jersey is the local operator providing utility services. Together they are responsible for reliability and performance. We should restrict power hungry AI Data Centers until the grid has been fixed unless they can supply their own energy with solar.
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The number of power outages across the County is unacceptable and requires a strategic long term plan to correct. Additionally, there are outages caused by dead ash trees that have not been removed to protect the power lines. This can easily and should be rectified by the county
Storm water management
The state’s new regulations concerning storm water management are creating increased costs for the taxpayers. Grant programs to defer some of these costs should be continued and expanded.
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Water from rain and melting snow that flows over lawns, parking lots and streets is known as storm water runoff. This storm water runoff may flow through gutters, into catch basins, through storm drain pipes and ditches, or over streets and paved areas. Along the way, the storm water runoff picks up trash (fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, Styrofoam cups, etc.) and toxins, bacteria and other pollutants (such as gas, motor oil, antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet droppings). This storm water runoff is usually not treated, and is discharged into local surface water bodies and groundwater. This polluted storm water runoff can also contaminate drinking waterbodies. Have all possible solutions been studied for this growing problem due to more intense weather?
Support solar farms
Solar is a good alternative to conventional energy production and can lower costs of energy and increase reliability of the grid. Solar installations can be done where it makes sense by township to relieve costs for the residents. Solar panels can be integrated into farm fencing, offering a dual-purpose solution for both boundary marking and energy generation. We should help our farming community with grants to support their evolution to solar. Other ideas should be explored to urgently increase solar power in the county.and reduce costs for all of us. .
Support our farming community. We are the Garden State
Work to find funding programs for farmers for conservation practices, renewable energy, regenerative farming practices and natural filtration systems to keep fertilizer out of water supplies. Make our farming community a leader in innovation in the country and the most successful and sustainable farmers in the country!
Public safety and emergency services​
The County needs to continue and expand the grants for fire, police, and ambulance. Fire and ambulance equipment across the County is aging and in some cases requires replacement despite extensive maintenance. The replacement of the equipment needs to be on a planned and cooperative timetable across the county as the equipment has a long lead time before delivery.and is very expensive to replace.
Our police departments have used their grants to buy protective equipment and body cams. Both of these are continuing and ongoing expenditures. The County has invested in modern emergency response systems. The 911 system has been upgraded and it needs to be kept current as upgrades become available for best performance. Staffing the 911 center continues to be an issue. More investment in recruitment, employee training and compensation is needed to keep us safe.
Foster discussion and openness in commission meetings and decisions
There should be regular and ongoing public communication. Town Halls need to be rotated through the county and held at least once a quarter. Meeting agendas need to be published in advance of the meeting to give the public enough time to read what is under consideration and bring their questions to the meeting. We need to develop an easy way to collect feedback and constituent ideas on the County website. Schedule discussion of those suggestions on the meeting agenda to allow for community generated conversation and ideas.
Good governance at this level does not need partisan politics. We are public servants, not politicians and should act accordingly. Collaboration benefits us by creating moderate policies that work for all of us.
Economic stability and smart growth
As commissioners, we will make it a priority to keep small businesses thriving. Small business is the lifeblood of the community and a large part of the tax base. Regulations concerning small businesses should not be over restrictive nor should they be difficult or expensive to adhere to. As commissioners we will support job creation, tourism, and balanced economic development.