Councilman Newman questions spending

[BrianSullivan]

I will only post parts of this letter and encourage people to visit the News Transcript to read the entire thing.


newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-13/Editorials/It_is_time_to_cut_spending_and_not_just_leave_it_f.html


The Freehold Borough municipal government, approximately 34 percent of the tax bill for its residents, will increase more than all of the other governments combined for the second year in a row. The costs for certain items have increased which are not within the control of local government; our tax increase will be attributable primarily to increased pension payments, insurance and street lighting.

However, unlike other governments, there has been virtually no effort by the majority to cut spending. (AMarch 30 article in the News Transcript contained an error that the newly formed Citizens Budget Advisory Committee has had input into this year’s budget; they have not, but are working on items for next year’s budget when the borough will begin paying back the $452,000 in deferred pensions from the 2009 budget — a budget which also increased the local tax rate.)

This year, every borough department will have the same budget as the past few years. Although their expenses are remaining flat, my colleagues have refused to seriously examine new, creative and necessary measures to protect our taxpayers.

Now is the time, as other governments have learned, to make tough choices in this year’s budget. I urge the Democrat majority to reject this budget and consider some very specific cuts. I would start with a mandated reduction in departmental spending of 10 percent across the board.


Next, we need to make cuts in non-essential services; refrain from purchases of nonessential items; reduce capital projects; eliminate, reduce or temporarily halt certain boards and commissions; cut back on spending on certain committees; take a hard look at cost savings for all professional expenses, such as retaining an in-house municipal attorney; delay moves on salary guides; and not fund overnight visits for the League of Municipalities or other local conferences.

In addition, we need to evaluate the merits of regionalizing departments and other services (like the code enforcement, “engineering,” and building and construction departments, as well as regionalizing trash hauling services).

Likewise, we need to examine the efficiency and modernization of borough services, increasing technology so that bills can be paid electronically and forms received and submitted online to reduce the need for additional manpower at Borough Hall.

Making hard choices is never easy, and we are here as a state and town because for too long those elected refused to do so. Now, slowly, we are seeing towns making the same tough choices at the council tables as families do at their dinner tables. As stewards of the citizens’money, we owe them the effort to at least attempt to find these savings.

Perhaps I have not served long enough to simply give up or lose my creative fire. However, the people of Freehold elected me to work hard to protect their interests, and I stand ready with these and a host of additional proposals to lessen their tax burden.

Governance is not easy, but it is easy to see how a stale government can lose the public’s trust. I implore my colleagues to help me revitalize the budget process and protect our town.

John F. Newman is a Republican councilman in Freehold Borough.

[richardkelsey]

Apr 12, 2011 15:52:30 GMT -5 BrianSullivan said:

I will only post parts of this letter and encourage people to visit the News Transcript to read the entire thing.


newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-13/Editorials/It_is_time_to_cut_spending_and_not_just_leave_it_f.html


The Freehold Borough municipal government, approximately 34 percent of the tax bill for its residents, will increase more than all of the other governments combined for the second year in a row. The costs for certain items have increased which are not within the control of local government; our tax increase will be attributable primarily to increased pension payments, insurance and street lighting.

However, unlike other governments, there has been virtually no effort by the majority to cut spending. (AMarch 30 article in the News Transcript contained an error that the newly formed Citizens Budget Advisory Committee has had input into this year’s budget; they have not, but are working on items for next year’s budget when the borough will begin paying back the $452,000 in deferred pensions from the 2009 budget — a budget which also increased the local tax rate.)

This year, every borough department will have the same budget as the past few years. Although their expenses are remaining flat, my colleagues have refused to seriously examine new, creative and necessary measures to protect our taxpayers.

Now is the time, as other governments have learned, to make tough choices in this year’s budget. I urge the Democrat majority to reject this budget and consider some very specific cuts. I would start with a mandated reduction in departmental spending of 10 percent across the board.


Next, we need to make cuts in non-essential services; refrain from purchases of nonessential items; reduce capital projects; eliminate, reduce or temporarily halt certain boards and commissions; cut back on spending on certain committees; take a hard look at cost savings for all professional expenses, such as retaining an in-house municipal attorney; delay moves on salary guides; and not fund overnight visits for the League of Municipalities or other local conferences.

In addition, we need to evaluate the merits of regionalizing departments and other services (like the code enforcement, “engineering,” and building and construction departments, as well as regionalizing trash hauling services).

Likewise, we need to examine the efficiency and modernization of borough services, increasing technology so that bills can be paid electronically and forms received and submitted online to reduce the need for additional manpower at Borough Hall.

Making hard choices is never easy, and we are here as a state and town because for too long those elected refused to do so. Now, slowly, we are seeing towns making the same tough choices at the council tables as families do at their dinner tables. As stewards of the citizens’money, we owe them the effort to at least attempt to find these savings.

Perhaps I have not served long enough to simply give up or lose my creative fire. However, the people of Freehold elected me to work hard to protect their interests, and I stand ready with these and a host of additional proposals to lessen their tax burden.

Governance is not easy, but it is easy to see how a stale government can lose the public’s trust. I implore my colleagues to help me revitalize the budget process and protect our town.

John F. Newman is a Republican councilman in Freehold Borough.

It is hard to argue with fiscal responsibility, the desire to be a fiduciary for the peoples' money, and the need for immediate and creative action. That's a great letter.

[BrianSullivan]

Apr 12, 2011 17:01:46 GMT -5 richardkelsey said:

Apr 12, 2011 15:52:30 GMT -5 BrianSullivan said:

I will only post parts of this letter and encourage people to visit the News Transcript to read the entire thing.


newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-13/Editorials/It_is_time_to_cut_spending_and_not_just_leave_it_f.html


The Freehold Borough municipal government, approximately 34 percent of the tax bill for its residents, will increase more than all of the other governments combined for the second year in a row. The costs for certain items have increased which are not within the control of local government; our tax increase will be attributable primarily to increased pension payments, insurance and street lighting.

However, unlike other governments, there has been virtually no effort by the majority to cut spending. (AMarch 30 article in the News Transcript contained an error that the newly formed Citizens Budget Advisory Committee has had input into this year’s budget; they have not, but are working on items for next year’s budget when the borough will begin paying back the $452,000 in deferred pensions from the 2009 budget — a budget which also increased the local tax rate.)

This year, every borough department will have the same budget as the past few years. Although their expenses are remaining flat, my colleagues have refused to seriously examine new, creative and necessary measures to protect our taxpayers.

Now is the time, as other governments have learned, to make tough choices in this year’s budget. I urge the Democrat majority to reject this budget and consider some very specific cuts. I would start with a mandated reduction in departmental spending of 10 percent across the board.


Next, we need to make cuts in non-essential services; refrain from purchases of nonessential items; reduce capital projects; eliminate, reduce or temporarily halt certain boards and commissions; cut back on spending on certain committees; take a hard look at cost savings for all professional expenses, such as retaining an in-house municipal attorney; delay moves on salary guides; and not fund overnight visits for the League of Municipalities or other local conferences.

In addition, we need to evaluate the merits of regionalizing departments and other services (like the code enforcement, “engineering,” and building and construction departments, as well as regionalizing trash hauling services).

Likewise, we need to examine the efficiency and modernization of borough services, increasing technology so that bills can be paid electronically and forms received and submitted online to reduce the need for additional manpower at Borough Hall.

Making hard choices is never easy, and we are here as a state and town because for too long those elected refused to do so. Now, slowly, we are seeing towns making the same tough choices at the council tables as families do at their dinner tables. As stewards of the citizens’money, we owe them the effort to at least attempt to find these savings.

Perhaps I have not served long enough to simply give up or lose my creative fire. However, the people of Freehold elected me to work hard to protect their interests, and I stand ready with these and a host of additional proposals to lessen their tax burden.

Governance is not easy, but it is easy to see how a stale government can lose the public’s trust. I implore my colleagues to help me revitalize the budget process and protect our town.

John F. Newman is a Republican councilman in Freehold Borough.

It is hard to argue with fiscal responsibility, the desire to be a fiduciary for the peoples' money, and the need for immediate and creative action. That's a great letter.

This is a very good letter for many reasons. First, John shows why he was elected- to represent the people. While he does get along with the rest of the council, he was not put up there to do as they wish. He has provided a new voice with fresh ideas on a number of things. He has stood out on a few issues and that has been the right thing to do. This letter is one more example. His ability to articulate things with an intelligent and civil approach is just why he continues to earn respect from many different people.

Also, the timing of this letter is good. He is not running this year and we are far removed from election season. This makes his letter and the surrounding issues stand out on their own with more merit- as they should.

It is good for the borough to have a watch dog up there who is beholden to none but the public he serves. Freehold is definitely better off for it.

[richardkelsey]

Apr 13, 2011 16:02:32 GMT -5 BrianSullivan said:

Apr 12, 2011 17:01:46 GMT -5 richardkelsey said:

It is hard to argue with fiscal responsibility, the desire to be a fiduciary for the peoples' money, and the need for immediate and creative action. That's a great letter.

This is a very good letter for many reasons. First, John shows why he was elected- to represent the people. While he does get along with the rest of the council, he was not put up there to do as they wish. He has provided a new voice with fresh ideas on a number of things. He has stood out on a few issues and that has been the right thing to do. This letter is one more example. His ability to articulate things with an intelligent and civil approach is just why he continues to earn respect from many different people.

Also, the timing of this letter is good. He is not running this year and we are far removed from election season. This makes his letter and the surrounding issues stand out on their own with more merit- as they should.

It is good for the borough to have a watch dog up there who is beholden to none but the public he serves. Freehold is definitely better off for it.

I have written and said this before, and it remains true long before I heard it and repeated it, one party rule --- by any party --- is never a good thing. It is critical to have independent voices in every debate. The longer a single party rules, the less efficient and creative it becomes. The less effective it becomes as well. This is true of republicans, democrats, and communists alike. In the case of Freehold Borough, they added a smart, savvy, well-educated, engaged, person to the mix, and the result has been to stir the mix. We all saw last year how Mr. Newman's win actually helped the democrats by making them work harder and consider the possibility of of losing. That too is a good thing.

With respect to the mantle of fiscal responsibility, Councilmen Newman has grabbed the bull by the horns, and while the game of politics might get muddy over it, the citizens of Freehold Borough are far better served for it. The same would be true in any town.

[BrianSullivan]

Apr 14, 2011 11:20:48 GMT -5 richardkelsey said:

Apr 13, 2011 16:02:32 GMT -5 BrianSullivan said:

This is a very good letter for many reasons. First, John shows why he was elected- to represent the people. While he does get along with the rest of the council, he was not put up there to do as they wish. He has provided a new voice with fresh ideas on a number of things. He has stood out on a few issues and that has been the right thing to do. This letter is one more example. His ability to articulate things with an intelligent and civil approach is just why he continues to earn respect from many different people.

Also, the timing of this letter is good. He is not running this year and we are far removed from election season. This makes his letter and the surrounding issues stand out on their own with more merit- as they should.

It is good for the borough to have a watch dog up there who is beholden to none but the public he serves. Freehold is definitely better off for it.

I have written and said this before, and it remains true long before I heard it and repeated it, one party rule --- by any party --- is never a good thing. It is critical to have independent voices in every debate. The longer a single party rules, the less efficient and creative it becomes. The less effective it becomes as well. This is true of republicans, democrats, and communists alike. In the case of Freehold Borough, they added a smart, savvy, well-educated, engaged, person to the mix, and the result has been to stir the mix. We all saw last year how Mr. Newman's win actually helped the democrats by making them work harder and consider the possibility of of losing. That too is a good thing.

With respect to the mantle of fiscal responsibility, Councilmen Newman has grabbed the bull by the horns, and while the game of politics might get muddy over it, the citizens of Freehold Borough are far better served for it. The same would be true in any town.

Very true words, Rich. It is not a partisan issue at all and one that plays out everywhere. It is all the more reason why it is exciting to watch the borough after so many years of status quo rule. With Mr. Higgins and two more brand new council people being elected in November, it will be fun and interesting to watch this town.

[admin]

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-05-04/Letters/Look_harder_for_a_way_to_save_money.html

[lisas84]

So as not to mislead readers that this is a Republican only site, let us post the link to the letter that was printed in between these for some balance.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-27/Letters/Councilman_should_make_specific_suggestions_for_cu.html

[adefonzo]

...and the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...

It's amazing how things really never change.

Would anyone like to comment on how the first two letters, written and signed by all of our Town Council people and our Mayor, are helping to "soil" and "damage" the image of Freehold Boro? I mean, there are few things as bad as public bickering between all of the elected officials in town, right? Especially when one of the letters takes cheap shots at the author of the other letter:

"...we can only wonder if Mr. Newman was actually awake and conscious during these meetings."

"Really, Mr. Newman? Perhaps you were daydreaming..."

At the very least, they all should have aired their grievances at a Town Council meeting, right? Not gone to the papers to voice their opinions...right??

Anyone?? Anyone want to talk about how all of these "elected leaders" have more than done their share of giving Freehold Boro yet another black eye in the area of public opinion?? Or is it only those of us who are residents, and who question the actions and inactions of our elected leaders who are the ones doing bad things to Freehold public image?

[BrianSullivan]

May 3, 2011 18:12:48 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

So as not to mislead readers that this is a Republican only site, let us post the link to the letter that was printed in between these for some balance.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-27/Letters/Councilman_should_make_specific_suggestions_for_cu.html

Lisa,

I do not think we have to worry about readers thinking this is a GOP site. The only people who make that accusation are democrat apologists who are not interested in truth and are incapable of open honest discussion.


I spek with many members of the Freehold community who do like this site very much. They are the ones we should always be concerned about. They understand that we have always welcomed all to this site.

[BrianSullivan]

May 3, 2011 21:26:03 GMT -5 adefonzo said:

...and the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...

It's amazing how things really never change.

Would anyone like to comment on how the first two letters, written and signed by all of our Town Council people and our Mayor, are helping to "soil" and "damage" the image of Freehold Boro? I mean, there are few things as bad as public bickering between all of the elected officials in town, right? Especially when one of the letters takes cheap shots at the author of the other letter:

"...we can only wonder if Mr. Newman was actually awake and conscious during these meetings."

"Really, Mr. Newman? Perhaps you were daydreaming..."

At the very least, they all should have aired their grievances at a Town Council meeting, right? Not gone to the papers to voice their opinions...right??

Anyone?? Anyone want to talk about how all of these "elected leaders" have more than done their share of giving Freehold Boro yet another black eye in the area of public opinion?? Or is it only those of us who are residents, and who question the actions and inactions of our elected leaders who are the ones doing bad things to Freehold public image?

Andrew, you should have seen the dems at the council meeting the other night. Even some of the good ones managed to hit a new low. I will be posting on that in the very near future. John continued this discussion and he did a very good job at the council meeting.

[Mike Rosseel]

May 3, 2011 18:12:48 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

So as not to mislead readers that this is a Republican only site, let us post the link to the letter that was printed in between these for some balance.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-27/Letters/Councilman_should_make_specific_suggestions_for_cu.html

My question Lisa is which of those who signed this letter ACTUALLY wrote it? Seems like a piece that was written by an outside source for them? wonder who?

Drama drama drama!

[Mike Rosseel]

Also that letter from the council sounds like a letter sent in an 8th grade fight between students over who's dad can beat up yours! Maybe the council should grow up and stop acting like kids and act like elected officials. I am especially disappointed by the Mayor, he has served for so many years and to walk away with a childish rant, which I am sure, was written for them is simply embarrassing. It sure is a time for change, especially if this is how the mayor and his fellow dems act when theres new ideas or someone thinking outside the box, all the members that signed that letter look like bullies and all they want is our lunch money!!!!!

Maybe Mr Newman is not so outspoken because all the dems listen with closed ears, maybe they should do there jobs like the elected officials they are and work with Mr Newman not hanging him out to dry and take his lunch money!

[lisas84]

May 4, 2011 6:25:13 GMT -5 Mike Rosseel said:

May 3, 2011 18:12:48 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

So as not to mislead readers that this is a Republican only site, let us post the link to the letter that was printed in between these for some balance.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-27/Letters/Councilman_should_make_specific_suggestions_for_cu.html

My question Lisa is which of those who signed this letter ACTUALLY wrote it? Seems like a piece that was written by an outside source for them? wonder who?

Drama drama drama!

Ha! Hey, it's great to see you on site again; hope the family is well. Anyhoo, if you're implying that I wrote it, well, if only I knew what the F I would be talking about. As I wrote once before, I can hardly balance my own d**n budget! True. Numbers make my eyes cross and going to the bank makes me want to hurl.

[Mike Rosseel]

May 4, 2011 6:48:59 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

May 4, 2011 6:25:13 GMT -5 Mike Rosseel said:

My question Lisa is which of those who signed this letter ACTUALLY wrote it? Seems like a piece that was written by an outside source for them? wonder who?

Drama drama drama!

Ha! Hey, it's great to see you on site again; hope the family is well. Anyhoo, if you're implying that I wrote it, well, if only I knew what the F I would be talking about. As I wrote once before, I can hardly balance my own d**n budget! True. Numbers make my eyes cross and going to the bank makes me want to hurl.

Not you but who???

Life is GREAT!!!!

[lisas84]

Mike -- last sentence first -- I am very happy to hear that; it's inspiring!

First question: no clue.

[BrianSullivan]

There is no way in hell that Lisa wrote that. It took the Dems two weeks to respond. If Miss Speedy fingers had wrote it, it would have been written in two seconds. Lisa is that good of a writer!

[lisas84]

Thank you so very much, Brian! And you did a terrific job on your first article for Our Town introducing the region to the mission, goals and accomplishments of the FBAC. I know my readers will enjoy it and I believe that it will gain the organization more members and talent representing a wide variety of arts.

[Mike Rosseel]

Ok ok enough of the love session! your both excellent writers! lol

The skinny here is what did Mr Newman do that was so wrong? I have seen first hand how his ideas are laughed out or looked over by our current council members, was using this venue such a bad thing? What caused the Mayor and current members to have such a melt down? Does it matter if Mr Newman speaks up at a meeting with the public there or uses a different media? Wasn't it not to long ago when we were receiving Boro email blasts with George Schnurrs thoughts pasted all over it? Or was Georges EGO saying nasty things to our beloved fire department members about the dispatchers? Come on council members, Mr Newmans use of a media doesnt make him wrong, it makes him up with the times! I have seen George use facebook to paint a picture of his "good" ideas or announcements, isn't that the same? Looks like a case of political bullying to me! The council may think there 40 mins attack on Newman is egg on his face but IMHO, I feel they look childish and are doing a disservice to the residents by knocking down a man with ideas (good or bad). If they didnt like his ideas, they should have based there comments on that, not "he" should have or whatever...I say SHAME ON YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL (some of them)!

[richardkelsey]

May 3, 2011 18:12:48 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

So as not to mislead readers that this is a Republican only site, let us post the link to the letter that was printed in between these for some balance.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2011-04-27/Letters/Councilman_should_make_specific_suggestions_for_cu.html

Actually -- to do it right -- we should make it a new thread -- which I will do.