Just about everyone in Lakewood is frustrated and upset with the tax situation not only in New Jersey, but especially in Lakewood. Lakewood residents have had some suggestions for reducing taxes that sound reasonable on the surface. Some of these tax “fixes,” however, are not up to local government, the Lakewood Township Committee.
Three suggestions from residents are:
1) Move away from civil service.
2) Fix the problems of binding arbitration.
3) Spearhead a voucher bill.
“Unfortunately,” says Senator Singer, “these are State issues and we are not able to act upon them locally. Fortunately, my position as your Senator affords me the opportunity to work with Governor Christie and the state legislature to bring about reform and change that can result in real and lasting property tax relief. I embrace the challenge.”
The question of civil service and binding arbitration are issues being addressed by Governor Christie’s “Tool Kit,” a 33 bill package to aid municipalities in reforming their townships. This package of bills is being considered by the legislature and will continue to be worked on throughout the coming session.
As far as the Voucher issue is concerned, Senate Bill 1872, a voucher bill that would establish a pilot program in the Department of the Treasury providing tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for low-income children, would establish an Educational Innovation Pilot Program in the Department of Education.
Those interested, can write to Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo, as well as Senate President Steven Sweeny asking them to post this bill for immediate consideration.
The addresses are Senator Paul A. Sarlo, Chairman Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee,
Fleet Bank Building, 207 Hackensack Street, 2nd Floor, Woodridge, N.J. 07075.
Fax number 201 804-8644: Email: [email protected].
Senator Steven M. Sweeney, Senate President, Kingsway Commons,
935 Kings Hwy., #400, West Deptford, NJ 08086. Fax number:856-251-9752:
Email: [email protected].
This article is misleading and smacks of being an infomercial for the incumbemnt politicians. The reality is that our politicians are doing little to nothing within the realm of actions within their control to slash the Town spending. When Towns all over the State of NJ are placing their employees on furloughs and Lakewood’s Mayor does not do so, but pats himself on the back for a “Zero Increase Budget” while we suffer a 20% increase in our tax bills, we all understand that our pleas are being heard by deaf ears.
Stop blaming Singer and Langert, Harold is not the solution, get rid of the hispanic cleaning lady’s and our taxes will slip down in the blink of an eye. Five hispanic families live in a single five bedroom home, and they each have five kids, so do the math. The cost to put a kid in the public school system is about 12000, so do the math 20 times 12000= 240000, and taxes are only 6000 dollars, so here is your answer, Harold won’t help you, YOU can help your self, GET RID OF THE CLEANING LADY’S! Its time to wake up lakewood.
BLAH , BLAH , BLAH All you get is lip service from the politicians. when is the last time you actually saw your Taxes go down?????
Not going to happen .yea they did a re -evaluation and now your home on paper is worth less and they upped the cost per hundred so they will get theirs and you can’t contest the outragious taxes here in lakewood. We have it all here in Lakewood high taxes high crime lots of crumy neigborhoods Thanks town fathers for making this a great place not to live
more taxs more money they get in their pay check, get rid of the illegals
The time has come for some fresh faces. The status quo politicians are not going to really shake things up. It doesn’t have to be Hershel, but it’s gotta be someone new and NOT the same 30 year career politician. It’s so pathetic that extra spending, like the stadium lights, go through without a thorough vetting process.
It’s a shame.
The “cleaning ladies” aren’t the issue – the fact that they live in 08701, however, is. If communal pressure were put upon those renting to a demographic which sends an inordinate amount of children per unit to the public schools, our tax burden would be significantly reduced.
the possible savings from the LOCAL budget cant account for more than a few hundred dollars per house ,and that would come with a lot of cuts on services . Its the board of educatioin budget that is the problem
I agree to born in lakwood, forget about Hershel, get rid of the illegals!
Lakewood needs new blood in the township.
Great article as it hits the nail on the head. Stop blaming Singer and Langert as Hershel is not the answer. These are problems created by past state leaders and Chris Christie and his supporters like Bob Singer and Steve Langert are trying to fix this problem. By law, your home must be re-evaluated. This is not a Singer Langert issue, it is a law. When people were obtaining mortgages for sky rocket priced homes and the economy was going well, no one cared what they were paying in taxes because they too were selling properties and making a huge profit. Taxes are a part of life and if you want services such as the Police, Fire, EMS, Library, Social Services, Health Department, Buidling Dept., Public Works, garbage clean up etc., then we ALL have to pay.
Oh, and I agree with # 7 too….It is the Board of Education budget that is the problem.
it is defenintely partially the illegals and partially certain publicly funded private schools which cost the boe bet $15,000,000 and $20,000,000 i wonder if there is any one can legally walk into the twnsp and ask where all the boe monies go to , then the taxpayers can decide what wasteful spending is(btw those #s would equal $700-$1000 per household besides the illegals)
While you may be right illegals are hurting our town. Just remember why they’re here in the first place people must have cleaning help and want the rock bottom price. Same goes for construction, painting and everything else. Thats exactly what fuels immigration in the whole world because they’re willing to do the hard jobs cheaper. So in short there’s as much as a need for them here as anywhere else so unfortunately you’ll have to come up with a better plan.
#1 eli… you nailed right on the head. amazing how mr. singer makes himself sound as if he and the governor are in some kind of think tank working out a solution. the last governor we had left the state with a 7% sales tax. work on eliminating that if you want to help the state. lakewood has been hoodwinked and will continue to sand this guy to the senate. TERM LIMITS please.
The BOE has proven by past performance that it is inept and cannot be depended on . They should be held accountable for every penny , looking at the problems in the last few years with the financial chaos that permiates the BOE don’t expect it to get any better
Most commentators on this board are not realistic. As right as you may be about getting rid of cheaper cleaning help, it will never happen on a collective basis. And whether Hershel is the right man or not, he is not in it for himself, and would be glad if someone else grabbed the bull by its horns, and started to clean up the city hall mess. What we need is a independent auditor, to weed out any/all corruption. We can put it up on the next ballot, and it will surely start the ball rolling for a brighter future.
very well put # 16. it is time for those that seek office to explain in detail how the town of lakewood will be put on a right course, what and how they will do it. no more empty promises please. term limits is a good start. truth in government is what is needed. TRUTH… that’s all.
let sen singer answer why he cut funding for jerseycare which just cut out dental services
instead of shifting all blame to others
There is tons of waste in the the current town budget that can be cut by the comittee.
#10. You sound just like a Board of Taxation Commissioner
If we get rid of the “so needed” cleaning ladies, then you’ll have to CLEAN your own houses, OY VAY!!!