Mayor clarifies his position on twp. taxes

I recently finished reading the latest opinion piece from John Barrett, my opponent in the 2001 Mayoral race. While I always enjoy reading Mr. Barrett’s letters, I again feel that it is necessary to make some clarifications on some of the inaccurate points he brings up. After all, Mr. Barrett called the people of Brick “uninformed” in his letter. I would submit that Mr. Barrett is “misinforming” the people who read his letters.

First and foremost are Mr. Barrett’s inaccurate statements regarding the 2004 no tax increase budget. He states that the budget was crafted solely by the Republican majority. This is simply not true and is, quite frankly, a slap in the face to the township’s financial management team, Business Administrator Scott MacFadden, Chief Financial Officer Scott Pezarras and Purchasing Agent Richard MacDonald. These professionals crafted this year’s budget with input and direction from the Council Budget and Finance Committee. Crafting no tax increase budgets is something our financial team is very familiar with, having crafted six such budgets over the last 11 years.

Mr. Barrett also incorrectly cites the exchange between Councilman Matthews and myself. Councilman Matthews asked how many Business and Finance Committee meetings I attended this year. I replied, none. I have attended meetings in the past, but I feel they are a function for the council. Unlike some, I still understand and respect the concept of separation of powers. However, as with years past, I had extensive discussions with my financial team throughout this year’s budgetary process. I provided them with input on my desires for the budget, and they kept me apprised of the council’s wishes.

Have taxes gone up in Brick Township over the past 11 years? Unfortunately, yes. Brick Township’s school taxes, county taxes and fire district taxes have all increased over the past 11 years also. Our municipal tax increases have been driven by our efforts to preserve open space, hire more police and capital projects that greatly improved our community. These efforts have enjoyed bipartisan political and public support. Yet, people like Barrett make taxes a strictly partisan issue. How would he have paid for these bipartisan initiatives? Barter? Wampum? These programs are paid for by tax dollars. It is the height of insincerity to support these efforts and then not accept your role, or the role of people you support, in past tax increases.

Finally, on the subject of televising council meetings, I agree that televised council meetings would be beneficial to the people of our community. The decision to broadcast meetings is not mine to make. It is the council’s. I support televised meetings of all levels of government and I call on the Township Council to adopt a resolution urging the Board of Chosen Freeholders and Board of Education to televise their meetings. These entities combine to control roughly 75 percent of our tax dollar, and Brick Township’s taxpayers should have more access to their workings.

I make no apologies for my work over the past 11 years. It is not easy to have a no tax increase budget, even if you do nothing. It is especially hard when you preserve as many acres of open space as we have and hire 91 new police officers. I believe the people of Brick Township deserve better than a government that does nothing. We have been given the unique opportunity to improve people’s lives and our community, and I have worked tirelessly to use this opportunity to do just that. Over the past 11 years, our community has become safer. We have slowed development and school taxes through open space preservation. We have constructed and upgraded recreational facilities, and we have implemented programs that have been enjoyed by tens of thousands including SummerFest and our Cultural Arts series. I have seen the smiles on the faces of the thousands of children who have attended HalloweenFest and our HolidayFest at Windward Beach Park. I do not see the world in dollars and cents alone. Personally, these achievements are as important to me as any of my six no tax increase budgets.

Joseph C. Scarpelli is the mayor of Brick Township

Your Turn

Joseph C. Scarpelli

Guest Column