Post by admin on Aug 6, 2008 4:08:58 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0806/letters/022.html
Mayor and council take issue with candidate's letter
Republican Freehold Borough council candidate Ted Miller's recent letter to the editor ("Council Members' Taxes Covered by Raise They Voted For," News Transcript, July 16, 2008) egregiously set forth as "facts" several blatant misrepresentations. While we appreciate and encourage our citizens to voice their opinions and to review the facts, we are compelled to set the record straight when statements claiming to be facts are, in fact, falsehoods.
Our opponent attacks the salary and benefits for which we are eligible. Municipal mayors and council (or committee) members are municipal employees and, as such, are eligible to receive the same benefits as every other employee. He fails to disclose that a council member who participates in the health insurance program contributes to the program in the same fashion as every other employee.
The GOP Borough Council candidate also falsely alleges that Freehold Borough Council members are given a cashout option if they elect not to take the coverage. The fact is that not every council member has elected to participate in the health insurance program. Those who do not participate receive no extra "cashout" benefit.
Rising health insurance costs affect every employer, public and private alike. Asking all employees, including ourselves, to make modest contributions to the cost of such insurance is a fiscally responsible action necessitated by these rising costs and is a measure taken by nearly every public and private employer. We would be negligent in our duty to our taxpayers if we did not actively pursue such prudent cost-saving options.
Our opponent next takes the council to task by comparing Freehold Borough Council salaries with several other municipalities. Not only does he fail to cite his source, he compares apples to oranges. Let's compare apples to apples.
Data Universe shows that council/committee salaries in the 21 New Jersey county seats range from $68,276 to $1,500. Herein, Freehold Borough ranks 13th among the 21 county seat municipalities. The average salary for those serving in a New Jersey county seat is $15,678. Our counterparts in neighboring Freehold Township are paid according to longevity, with salaries ranging from $9,916 to over $10,712.
While we certainly take civic pride in serving our community, attacking us for taking a salary is unfounded and disingenuous. The Borough Council salary of under $8,300 is far less than the average for our county seat peers.
His letter further states, "It is time we see serious municipal costdowns, cutbacks and new creative revenue streams."
Yet, concerning a municipal budget totaling $14,096,789, he could offer only two suggestions. His first idea of holding regular finance committee meetings is not even his own. Instead, this concept came from a recommendation made by two council members at a public meeting.
His second cost-saving idea is to ask the mayor and council to collectively give back $16.67 per month. This council is committed to real fiscal responsibility with real cost saving practices that will soundly benefit all of our residents. We will continue to work toward that goal.
The true facts, as opposed to campaign propaganda, reflect our unfettered commitment to do our best for Freehold Borough.
Mike DeBenedetto
Council President
Kevin Kane
Councilman
Marc Le Vine
Councilman
Sharon Shutzer
Councilwoman
Jaye Sims
Councilman
George Schnurr
Councilman
Mayor Mike Wilson
Freehold Borough
Mayor and council take issue with candidate's letter
Republican Freehold Borough council candidate Ted Miller's recent letter to the editor ("Council Members' Taxes Covered by Raise They Voted For," News Transcript, July 16, 2008) egregiously set forth as "facts" several blatant misrepresentations. While we appreciate and encourage our citizens to voice their opinions and to review the facts, we are compelled to set the record straight when statements claiming to be facts are, in fact, falsehoods.
Our opponent attacks the salary and benefits for which we are eligible. Municipal mayors and council (or committee) members are municipal employees and, as such, are eligible to receive the same benefits as every other employee. He fails to disclose that a council member who participates in the health insurance program contributes to the program in the same fashion as every other employee.
The GOP Borough Council candidate also falsely alleges that Freehold Borough Council members are given a cashout option if they elect not to take the coverage. The fact is that not every council member has elected to participate in the health insurance program. Those who do not participate receive no extra "cashout" benefit.
Rising health insurance costs affect every employer, public and private alike. Asking all employees, including ourselves, to make modest contributions to the cost of such insurance is a fiscally responsible action necessitated by these rising costs and is a measure taken by nearly every public and private employer. We would be negligent in our duty to our taxpayers if we did not actively pursue such prudent cost-saving options.
Our opponent next takes the council to task by comparing Freehold Borough Council salaries with several other municipalities. Not only does he fail to cite his source, he compares apples to oranges. Let's compare apples to apples.
Data Universe shows that council/committee salaries in the 21 New Jersey county seats range from $68,276 to $1,500. Herein, Freehold Borough ranks 13th among the 21 county seat municipalities. The average salary for those serving in a New Jersey county seat is $15,678. Our counterparts in neighboring Freehold Township are paid according to longevity, with salaries ranging from $9,916 to over $10,712.
While we certainly take civic pride in serving our community, attacking us for taking a salary is unfounded and disingenuous. The Borough Council salary of under $8,300 is far less than the average for our county seat peers.
His letter further states, "It is time we see serious municipal costdowns, cutbacks and new creative revenue streams."
Yet, concerning a municipal budget totaling $14,096,789, he could offer only two suggestions. His first idea of holding regular finance committee meetings is not even his own. Instead, this concept came from a recommendation made by two council members at a public meeting.
His second cost-saving idea is to ask the mayor and council to collectively give back $16.67 per month. This council is committed to real fiscal responsibility with real cost saving practices that will soundly benefit all of our residents. We will continue to work toward that goal.
The true facts, as opposed to campaign propaganda, reflect our unfettered commitment to do our best for Freehold Borough.
Mike DeBenedetto
Council President
Kevin Kane
Councilman
Marc Le Vine
Councilman
Sharon Shutzer
Councilwoman
Jaye Sims
Councilman
George Schnurr
Councilman
Mayor Mike Wilson
Freehold Borough
