Bills Opinion:
Is There An Election In Gloucester City?
By William E. Cleary
Residents in Gloucester City are being asked to choose between two sets of candidates running for council in the November 7 statewide election. Yet, for some strange reason neither side has publicized the reasons we should vote for either slate of candidates. In past years when there was a contest the election spin would start the week after Labor Day and continue right up to the November’s election.
One has to assume that the Keating ticket is running on its present record, which if that is the case, I am not that impressed with the way the city has been managed in recent years.
Why? For the past seven years or longer our taxes have increased. That seems to be the answer when there isn’t enough money. Go to the people and ask for more. Just once, I would like to see a consorted effort to reduce our taxes. Between the state and local government, we are being taxed out of homes.
If the City was run like any other business cuts would be made in the work force, which makes up the biggest expenditure in operating a business or a government.
A recent editorial in the Courier Post urged N.J. voters to force cuts in state and local governments. “Voters have the power to force it by voting out the politicians who don’t vote to cut the payroll and the size of the government workforce” Courier Post October 5.
After reviewing the 2006 Budget Statement the financial outlook for the City is bleak. The fact that the City lost $1.4 million in tax ratable as the result of the 70 residential properties being demolished to make way for a new middle school hasn’t helped the situation either. (Source 2006 City budget statement).
Also contributing to the City’s financial problems are the *tax ratable being lost from properties being acquired by the EPA’s cleanup program; plus the city’s acquisition of the AMSPEC property resulted in reducing the assessments on the tax roles by $5.3 million; along with the increase in salaries and benefits for city employees as the result of contract negotiations with the seven major unions. (Source 2006 budget statement).
According to the recent report Cities in Transition: New Jersey’s Urban Paradox, “A low property tax base means a municipality must increase its tax rate significantly to provide services for its residents, become dependent on state aid to fill the gap, or—as in many New Jersey cities—both. While state aid has been generous in recent years, it cannot be relied upon to continue to provide a sustainable long-term revenue source.”
Those running for council need to address this problem. Yet, we hear not a peep from either side on how they are going to maintain services without continually raising our taxes.
The medium household income for Gloucester City is *$36,855, and the per capita is *$15,912. Because of those figures, our city qualifies to be labeled an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). It also has the unique distinction of being labeled an Abbott district. (Source 2006 budget statement). You should realize our poor economic situation is the reason we have been labeled as such. It is not a mark of honor one should be proud of.
Yet, despite this unique classification we have more department assistants then most nearby affluent communities. Why for example does our part-time mayor need a full-time confidential aide making $40,000 a year?
There are tough times ahead. Who ever are elected will have to make unpopular decisions. The present incumbents suggest the savior for our future lies in the development of the South Port area. Moreover, they give the impression they will continue with the status quo; raise our taxes to keep the government a float. Incidentally, the incumbents don’t broadcast the fact that development of the South Port area could take as long as 10 years to become a reality. What do we do in the mean time?
In addition, I like to know if Mr. Keating is elected, does he plan to fulfill the four-year term, or will he step down in mid-term like former Mayor Billingham and former Mayor Gorman?
I will conclude by asking all the candidates running for council in November. What separates you from your opponent? What new ideas do you Mr. James, Mr. Brophy, and Mr. Marchese bring to the table that will change the status quo? The same question for you Mr. Keating, Mr. Hagan, Mr. Pollander, and Mr. Coxe? Why should any taxpayer or I give you our vote?
Note: The opinion expressed is mine. My views do not necessarily represent the views of the Gloucester City News or its owner, Albert Countryman.
