Republican Candidate Hal Halvorsen Discusses Tax, Education & Growth

halverson_2_tlsThe following was submitted to TLS by Republican Candidate Hal Halvorsen: I believe anyone running for Public Office today is announcing they are going to lower taxes. Yes, Steven Langert and I will continue the good work that was started over two years ago to lower expenses. However, the bigger challenge is the future. Lakewood is a unique Township, a Township of exceptions. We need to create plans that will address our exceptions.  As an example, let’s look at our tax base.

I don’t believe Lakewood has enough residential tax units. The results are, on average, our taxes per house are too high. This caused by land use and younger growing population. We are not going to change these facts, but we must compensate for our uniqueness. I thought it was wonderful that the Chedar School was able to find a building to house the boys school. Being able to acquire such a large building is a plus in so many ways. However, there is always the other side. The Township is losing a major tax ratable.

The two major segments of the Township that must grow are “The Industrial Park” and Retailing.  The remaining land on both Route #70 and Route #9 must be used for retailing whenever possible. We need to attract big box retailers to Lakewood.  The Industrial Park is our biggest asset and it must grow and be nourished. Some of the recent announcements concerning the “Park” are in the right direction. The only way to compensate for our small residential base is to grow the “Park” and Retailing. Not only do we need to grow the Park, we need to protect it. Each time a school is added to the “Industrial Park”, we lose a great rateable and we raise the concerns with other present tenants

We have two education systems in Lakewood, a public and private. However, it is the responsibility of the community to make sure all of the children receive a proper education. We have a master plan outlining the future growth of the Township and where the growth will take place. I believe the size and location of future schools must be part of that plan. Will we be able to continue the present busing system when we have 30,000 children in the system? There must be an ongoing dialog concerning the school systems, with the Township Committee and the Township Educators.

Limited to this small article, I have only touched upon a few complex issues that we face. I believe increasing revenues and dealing with the major problems facing the Township is what this election is all about. Steven and I recognize and are up to these challenges. TLS.

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32 COMMENTS

  1. You’re a good man Hal. I still don’t understand what this has to do with Steve or for that matter with Hershel. Run on you ideas alone and don’t try to manipulate who the 2nd candidate will be.

  2. Are you kidding me Hal!

    “I don’t believe Lakewood has enough residential tax units”

    I don’t know where you live in Lakewood, but where I am from there are TOO MANY units. There are more units per square foot in this town then most places Ive bben too, and they are all taxed!

  3. Hal,
    Are you living in Lakewood?!
    There are so many homes in Lakewood, so many clustered, crowded sections compared to surrounding towns, and yet you say the residential tax base is small?!
    You are clearly missing the real issue.

  4. Get a grip Hal its obvious what your agenda is to knock out hershjowitz. Instead of knocking him stand up and give acknowledgement for his ideas

  5. A small residential tax base? You’ve got to be kidding! It’s the loss of our tax generating base that must be the focus. Residential ratio to business is out of whack. Need to put a moratorium on massive building going on, without reference to the needed and expanded infrastructure.

    Now, when the water company needs a raise for infrastructure, to provide the required clean potable water, who is ready to complain? Our residents, of course. Want the services, but do not want to pay for them.

  6. TOO LATE FOR THE INDUSTRIAL PARK. AND THE RETAIL STORES, THE MAJORITY ARE OWNED AND OPERATED by the Orthodox, who owns the retail shopping centers, how many retired people in LAKEWOOD SHOP IN THE RETAIL STORES, AND THEY ARE CLOSED ON SATURDAYS.” GOOD TRY HAL.

    The busing, EVERYONE PAYS FOR THE COURTESY BUSING INCLUDING THE ORTHODOX, so it will be high and higher taxes Hal, more schools, more buses. run on your own,

  7. I want fiscal responsibility and government that works for all the people of Lakewood. I’m living in this town for a relative short amount of time and I still have much to learn about the inner workings of Lakewood. I am bright, honest, and fair. Bring some dignity and maturity to local government and please vote for me.

  8. Hal,
    You just convinced me that I should vote for hershkowitz.

    We have so many developments that bring in taxes so get with the program. If they don’t have schools, then you will have empty homes with no tax base. Then the town will have more non paying tax families from south of the border and you will have another Camden.

  9. #21 , what is wrong with helping the seniors. We are the cash cows of lakewood. If it wasn’t for the thousands of us your taxes would be much higher. By the way you should be concerned about the seniors, what about your parents.
    We have so many real issues in lakewood that if people from all backgrounds don’t sit and discuss reality Lakewood will be a sorry town in years to come.

  10. By the way, Hal is correct- we need much more box stores and retailers to bring in tax dollars. Take the flee market, big mistake making that another community rather then a large shopping center. Shopping centers, bring jobs- if you work

  11. glitz- you need a reality check. If we had box stores everyone would shop in them bringing much needed tax dollars to Lakewood. As far as the busing, your coreect but incorrect. How much money is wasted when you have 20 children on a bus for 52 children. busing costs could be reduced if the girls schools pushed backed starting times by 45 minutes. A study was done if the schools were to push back starting times by only 30 minutes it would save lakewood over 3 million dollars. instead of talking like you know the facts, get the facts

  12. I donyt know he is not enbarrissed to write this. Bussing is a problem, we give taxes and dont use the system. We put so much taxes into this town and dont get back. The cheder is the problem, iMAGINE THOSE KIDS GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL, it would cost them tons of money. This town is from the most growing communities, there is enouph taxes. The problem is not that, he lost my vote.

  13. im a hershkowitz backer, and i am a little upset at him

    why are you backing halverson just to stab langert.

    this is is a total tool

    puppet.
    even as a republican i would cross lines and got for a democrat rather than vote for him

    leave him alone and let him , he is not getting voted in, soon he will be enjoying his golden years in peace

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