As reported in the Asbury Park Press on Wed., May 2, 2007, Matawan's own Freeholder Rob Clifton made Matawan proud. Our former Mayor and his running mate, Jeff Cantor called for the resignation of Annie W. Grant of the Monmouth County Tax Board for excessive spending of taxpayers dollars in Monmouth County. Details of County business trips taken by Ms. Grant and upcoming trips planned to Alaska were mentioned in the APP article.
Freeholder Rob Clifton & his running mate Jeff Cantor, candidate for freeholder, are the type of people we want to see in government. Regardless of party affiliation they saw wasteful spending and exposed it for what it is! Thanks to Freeholder Clifton and his running mate Jeff Cantor for their mission to end wasteful spending and the expansion of political appointees in Monmouth County. We wish them continued success in exposing and curtailing excessive spending in government. Keep this in mind this November when you cast your votes for Freeholders in Monmouth County.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Matawan Boro Council Mtg Tonight at 7:30pm
Wonders will never cease.....finally the Borough Council will vote to award the contract for Phase I of the 2006 Road Program tonight. Sources have it that Union Street has been deleted from the proposed 2007 Road Program......WHY? Did Union Street repair itself? Did Councilman Mullaney have the DPW patch all the potholes and make the street appear level and safe? Oooooooooooooooh yes, we are waiting for the proverbial "Aid" from other sources. Matawan should have a "LIVE AID CONCERT" to get our streets and roads done. Maybe we can get Bruce Springsteen to perform. Didn't Mayor Aufseeser associate Asbury Park and Matawan when it came to a Redevelopment appointment? While the current Borough Council has sat on their hands these last few years our streets and roads have deteriorated. Has anyone considered that Matawan may not get the "municipal aid" and the effects it would have on the road program? Do we have an alternate plan?
Once again, we cannot stress enough how the attendance of Matawan residents is critical to a "government by the people, for the people." Don't let the current elected officials dictate how your money is spent. Guide them with your voice and concerns. If you don't agree with what is going on in Matawan...SPEAK UP! Complacency will not get the roads improved, will not get the Transit Village redeveloped, will not improve the quality of life in Matawan.
We are the minority, we attend every Borough Council meeting and report on this Blog from a resident, taxpayer, homeowner, layperson point of view. Please join us at these meetings.
Once again, we cannot stress enough how the attendance of Matawan residents is critical to a "government by the people, for the people." Don't let the current elected officials dictate how your money is spent. Guide them with your voice and concerns. If you don't agree with what is going on in Matawan...SPEAK UP! Complacency will not get the roads improved, will not get the Transit Village redeveloped, will not improve the quality of life in Matawan.
We are the minority, we attend every Borough Council meeting and report on this Blog from a resident, taxpayer, homeowner, layperson point of view. Please join us at these meetings.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Update to Borough Council Meeting 4-19-07
Correction: Ordinance 07-06 Amendment for the "Wireless Telecommunications Towers & Facilities." This ordinance was not about the placement of a cell phone tower on top of the water tank in Matawan. It was merely to place an ordinance regarding cell phone towers on the books. However, we believe one of the locations being discussed is on top of the water tower in Matawan. That location is within feet of the ball park and homes.
With that out of the way, here is what was going on at this meeting:
Budget 2007 - The Borough Budget, Primary Components of Tax Increase and Budget Status were made available at the meeting for attendees to review and question. Matawan's CFO was present to answer questions, note there was not enough time to review the documents. Following opening/closing the floor to questions, the CFO left the meeting.
Problems with this procedure:
1. To review the Budget documents prior to the meeting, a resident must go to Borough Municipal Center to request a copy, pay $1.00 per page under the Freedom of Information Act, and in all likelihood fill out an OPRA form.
2. Distributing the Budget documents at the same meeting, followed by opening the floor to questions is absurd! The Chief Financial Officer of Matawan, nor Mayor Aufseeser, nor Councilwoman Mullaney, Chairperson of the Finance, Education & Personnel Committee, explained any part of the Budget to attendees. We, as taxpayers are entitled to a line by line accounting of the Budget. A meeting for discussion of the Budget should be held apart from the Matawan Borough Council Meetings. With an increase to the budget by over $1,000,000., we are entitled to a detailed explanation.
The approximate increase to Budget will be 11.3 cents, BUT and that's a big BUT, if we receive extraordinary aid from NJ State which we have received for the last 3 years of $300,000. then it would be a decrease of 6.94 cents. Now we would be talking about 4.36 cents increase to the Budget. Notice how when discussing the Budget in dollars it is over $1,000,000. increase, BUT when explaining the increase to taxpayers it is in cents. Hmmmmmmmm
We have not heard of an actual plan to share services, cutbacks or any other way to trim the budget. Oh wait, least we forget, one trim was made by the Mayor, the Recreation Director position was deleted from the payroll. However, the Mayor claims that salary was used to pay the salary for one new patrolman in Matawan. So that really doesn't count, does it? Personally, I would rather know that my elected officials are working diligently on the Budget, then let us say, picking up garbage in the Parks? Priorities, please.
The Word for the Day ---- ACCOUNTABILITY! When is the present administration going to be accountable to the taxpayers?
At the Meeting Sheila Flamm read a statement of her opinion pertaining to the local School Board elections to the Matawan Borough Council. The postage on a recent mailing from her opponent, and subsequent winner in the election, Larry O'Connell, was paid for by a permit issued to the Democratic Party in Matawan. Ms. Flamm had the mailer in her hand and displayed it as she spoke. Flamm was concerned that politics have been added to a non-partisan election and that it was not in the best interests of the children of the Borough. The Democratic Council Members were conspicuously the "silent majority."
In an unethical move, Councilman Mullaney was reported to be behind closed doors with the Borough Clerk, Jean Monfort as she was processing the ballots for the School Board election. When is it appropriate for an elected official who clearly supported a School Board Candidate to
be present during ballot counting? Councilman Mullaney, check yourself! The name of the Borough is MATAWAN, not Mullaneyville!
November 2007 elections in Matawan will be interesting to say the least. Debates on the issues facing Matawan by all candidates should be on the agenda. Let's hear what the vision for Matawan is from each candidate.
With that out of the way, here is what was going on at this meeting:
Budget 2007 - The Borough Budget, Primary Components of Tax Increase and Budget Status were made available at the meeting for attendees to review and question. Matawan's CFO was present to answer questions, note there was not enough time to review the documents. Following opening/closing the floor to questions, the CFO left the meeting.
Problems with this procedure:
1. To review the Budget documents prior to the meeting, a resident must go to Borough Municipal Center to request a copy, pay $1.00 per page under the Freedom of Information Act, and in all likelihood fill out an OPRA form.
2. Distributing the Budget documents at the same meeting, followed by opening the floor to questions is absurd! The Chief Financial Officer of Matawan, nor Mayor Aufseeser, nor Councilwoman Mullaney, Chairperson of the Finance, Education & Personnel Committee, explained any part of the Budget to attendees. We, as taxpayers are entitled to a line by line accounting of the Budget. A meeting for discussion of the Budget should be held apart from the Matawan Borough Council Meetings. With an increase to the budget by over $1,000,000., we are entitled to a detailed explanation.
The approximate increase to Budget will be 11.3 cents, BUT and that's a big BUT, if we receive extraordinary aid from NJ State which we have received for the last 3 years of $300,000. then it would be a decrease of 6.94 cents. Now we would be talking about 4.36 cents increase to the Budget. Notice how when discussing the Budget in dollars it is over $1,000,000. increase, BUT when explaining the increase to taxpayers it is in cents. Hmmmmmmmm
We have not heard of an actual plan to share services, cutbacks or any other way to trim the budget. Oh wait, least we forget, one trim was made by the Mayor, the Recreation Director position was deleted from the payroll. However, the Mayor claims that salary was used to pay the salary for one new patrolman in Matawan. So that really doesn't count, does it? Personally, I would rather know that my elected officials are working diligently on the Budget, then let us say, picking up garbage in the Parks? Priorities, please.
The Word for the Day ---- ACCOUNTABILITY! When is the present administration going to be accountable to the taxpayers?
At the Meeting Sheila Flamm read a statement of her opinion pertaining to the local School Board elections to the Matawan Borough Council. The postage on a recent mailing from her opponent, and subsequent winner in the election, Larry O'Connell, was paid for by a permit issued to the Democratic Party in Matawan. Ms. Flamm had the mailer in her hand and displayed it as she spoke. Flamm was concerned that politics have been added to a non-partisan election and that it was not in the best interests of the children of the Borough. The Democratic Council Members were conspicuously the "silent majority."
In an unethical move, Councilman Mullaney was reported to be behind closed doors with the Borough Clerk, Jean Monfort as she was processing the ballots for the School Board election. When is it appropriate for an elected official who clearly supported a School Board Candidate to
be present during ballot counting? Councilman Mullaney, check yourself! The name of the Borough is MATAWAN, not Mullaneyville!
November 2007 elections in Matawan will be interesting to say the least. Debates on the issues facing Matawan by all candidates should be on the agenda. Let's hear what the vision for Matawan is from each candidate.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Matawan Boro Council Mtg Tonight at 7:30pm
Borough Council Meeting at 201 Broad Street tonight. Agenda for this meeting will include the swearing in of Patrolman Ryba and two resolutions authorizing the hiring of Jeffrey Bodner and Bryan Murphy as Academy Step Patrolmen. Congratulations to Matawan's Finest. May the Lord keep you all in the palm of his hand as you embark on this worthy journey. Matawan Cops are Tops! In case you haven't noticed I'm a staunch supporter of our Police force. They do a difficult job under dangerous circumstances and manage to do it well. Least we forget there is also a Resolution approving the Retirement for Police Service Dog, Wolf. Best of luck to Wolf in his retirement.
Now for another very important item on the agenda---Amending and supplementing Chapter 304, Zoning Section 77.1 entitle "Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Facilities." This pertains to placing a cell phone tower on top of a water tower in Matawan. The current ordinance reads, a cell phone tower must have a clearing of 150' in circumference. To prevent any danger to the public and property. If this ordinance is amended it will abolish the 150' rule and not be in the interests of public safety. There are homes and a ball park that would be impacted by this amended ordinance. To put it plainly children playing in the ball park and residences of that area would be in danger. Not to mention the liabilities involved. Find another location where public safety is not an issue.
We urge you to attend at least one of these meetings a month. There are important issues that impact of us.
Now for another very important item on the agenda---Amending and supplementing Chapter 304, Zoning Section 77.1 entitle "Wireless Telecommunications Towers and Facilities." This pertains to placing a cell phone tower on top of a water tower in Matawan. The current ordinance reads, a cell phone tower must have a clearing of 150' in circumference. To prevent any danger to the public and property. If this ordinance is amended it will abolish the 150' rule and not be in the interests of public safety. There are homes and a ball park that would be impacted by this amended ordinance. To put it plainly children playing in the ball park and residences of that area would be in danger. Not to mention the liabilities involved. Find another location where public safety is not an issue.
We urge you to attend at least one of these meetings a month. There are important issues that impact of us.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Matawan-Aberdeen School Board Budget Defeated
Latest news from the Asbury Park Press, the School Budget was defeated. Apparently, voters in Matawan-Aberdeen are disgusted with the increasing Budget and the poor performance of our school system. This sends a message to the School Board that lackluster performance will not be rewarded by more and more money! Learn how to manage your money accordingly. We do not have deep pockets to keep dipping into when you can't budget properly.
Larry O'Connell won the Matawan seat on the School Board. Considering all the efforts on his behalf including his recorded phone calls today to ask for your vote and mailings paid for by the Matawan Democratic Party this came as no surprise. It makes you wonder what is it about the School Board that made the Matawan Democratic Party get involved. Shame on them for making the School Board elections political at the expense of our children. We trust this does not set the tone for future School Board elections.
Sheila Flamm who ran a much less expensive campaign, without the financial assistance of any political party machine did receive a respectable amount of votes.
Let's all support the School Board in its efforts to provide a quality education for our children. Let us demand the best for our children, they deserve it!
Larry O'Connell won the Matawan seat on the School Board. Considering all the efforts on his behalf including his recorded phone calls today to ask for your vote and mailings paid for by the Matawan Democratic Party this came as no surprise. It makes you wonder what is it about the School Board that made the Matawan Democratic Party get involved. Shame on them for making the School Board elections political at the expense of our children. We trust this does not set the tone for future School Board elections.
Sheila Flamm who ran a much less expensive campaign, without the financial assistance of any political party machine did receive a respectable amount of votes.
Let's all support the School Board in its efforts to provide a quality education for our children. Let us demand the best for our children, they deserve it!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
School Board Budget & Elections Today
Today is the day to get out and vote for the School Budget and School Board. Voting is from 1pm to 9pm. We are all aware of the poor past performance of the School Board. Scores below NJ State average. Please consider casting your vote for change in the machine that allows substandard test scores to be acceptable in our schools. Why increase a school budget that has not provided the best for our children? Let us send a message to the Board of Education that we expect accountability from our School Board and the money they spend!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Remarkable Obituary
Remarkable Obituary
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend,
Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense had been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old He was since his birth records were long ago
Lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated
Such value lessons as knowing When to come in out of the rain,
Why the early bird gets the worm and That life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple,
Sound financial policies
(don't spend more than you earn)
And reliable Parenting strategies
(adults, not kids, are in charge). His health began to rapidly deteriorate
When well intentioned but Overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old Boy charged with sexual harassment
For kissing a classmate;
Teens suspended from school for using
Mouthwash after lunch;
And a teacher fired for reprimanding an
Unruly student,
Only worsened his condition. Mr. Sense declined even further when
Schools were required to get parental consent
To administer aspirin to a student;
But, could not inform the parents when a student
Became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live
As the Ten Commandments became contraband;
Churches became businesses;
And criminals received better treatment
Than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost
After a woman failed to realize that a
Steaming cup of coffee was hot,
She spilled a bit in her lap, And was awarded a huge financial settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents,
Truth and Trust,
His wife, Discretion;
His daughter, Responsibility;
And his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers;
My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because
So few realized he was gone.If you still remember him,
Pass this on;
If not, join the majority and do nothing.
.
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend,
Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense had been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old He was since his birth records were long ago
Lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated
Such value lessons as knowing When to come in out of the rain,
Why the early bird gets the worm and That life isn't always fair.
Common Sense lived by simple,
Sound financial policies
(don't spend more than you earn)
And reliable Parenting strategies
(adults, not kids, are in charge). His health began to rapidly deteriorate
When well intentioned but Overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old Boy charged with sexual harassment
For kissing a classmate;
Teens suspended from school for using
Mouthwash after lunch;
And a teacher fired for reprimanding an
Unruly student,
Only worsened his condition. Mr. Sense declined even further when
Schools were required to get parental consent
To administer aspirin to a student;
But, could not inform the parents when a student
Became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Finally, Common Sense lost the will to live
As the Ten Commandments became contraband;
Churches became businesses;
And criminals received better treatment
Than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost
After a woman failed to realize that a
Steaming cup of coffee was hot,
She spilled a bit in her lap, And was awarded a huge financial settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents,
Truth and Trust,
His wife, Discretion;
His daughter, Responsibility;
And his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers;
My Rights and Ima Whiner. Not many attended his funeral because
So few realized he was gone.If you still remember him,
Pass this on;
If not, join the majority and do nothing.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
