InJersey

In Jersey was a great idea. It provided a good space for local clubs, events & opinions. Sorry to see you putting it all on hold.

Dear RC1991, if we get the $38 million from the state your property taxes will go down. Corzine got the Supreme Court to say his formula was legal. That is tremendously helpful to the Woodbridge School District and all of us as taxpayers.

For the last 30 years conservatives have failed to convince the Supreme Court that your point is legal.

Yes, Abbott districts need more creative solutions. But Woodbridge is in a different place & I am interested in the future of Woodbridge.

An extremely large portion of our township is strong when it comes to family support of our students. We must do everything we can do to make that contagious. State aid to Woodbridge will play a critical role as well. With additional aid we can have smaller class sizes & additional programs both during & after school. That will address the needs of our economically disadvantaged students. It will help all of us including your property values.

You cannot overlook the fact that nearly 25% of our students are economically disadvantaged. More affluent communities don’t face the issues we face.

Together, and with additional state aid, we can keep Woodbridge as a great place to live with a strong education system & solid property values.

We must convince the Mayor & the Governor that this is important to Woodbridge even if it means taxing millionaires to accomplish it.

In 2005 I had the pleasure of working on Governor Jon Corzine’s Transition Team. As it directly benefits Woodbridge, Corzine changed the state’s funding formula for dollars to follow economically disadvantaged students vs. a particular district.

Corzine changed the direction which was most evident recently when our Superintendent of Schools Dr. Crowe was asked to testify before the court ordered master of this very subject.

The result of Corzine’s change is that the old Abbott districts are no longer guaranteed money because of their zip code. It also results in a significant ($38 million) increase in state aid to Woodbridge because nearly 25% of our students are economically disadvantaged.

Eventually, when we are fully funded under the Corzine formula, which has been accepted by the State Supreme Court, we will have additional programs & property tax relief in Woodbridge!

The facts included in rc1991’s post are wrong. I believe they are also out of touch with the reality of our town & school district. Our district currently spends 9% below the state aid adequacy as defined in the most recent state funding formula. Districts with considerably fewer economically disadvantaged students receive much more per pupil state aid.

On numerous occasions I have brought this matter to the attention of the Governor& his senior staff as well as leaders in the Legislature. I know they understand the problem & Woodbridge residents should not support them unless they address the issue.

Our teachers & support staff have done an incredible job holding our district together even after the significant state aid cut we had last year. Teachers & the school district play an expanded role in the lives of our economically disadvantaged students. Smaller class sizes & after school activities can literally turn the lives of these students in the right direction. At the same time these same teachers have continued to encourage all of our students to reach a higher level.

I have seen the great things that our school district can do. Receiving proper funding from the State would benefit us for the next generation. That means well educated students, better opportunities for our economically disadvantaged students, stable property values & less property tax.

I would like to thank the editorial staff at the Home News Tribune for endorsing a cause I have been promoting in Woodbridge. Taxing the State’s Millionaires to properly fund our school district.

We learned that Woodbridge is being substantially underfunded by the State. However, ours is a much different situation than most districts are facing because of the bad economy. Woodbridge is receiving less than 50% of what the State formula says we should receive. Most towns receive a much higher percentage of the state formula.

The Governor & Legislature must fix this. I have called on Mayor McCormac to help our town. This past week Christie said McCormac remains an advisor to him. That can be a great thing for Woodbridge but only if McCormac speaks up.

McCormac authored the transition report that called for the elimination of the Millionaires tax. That decision is hurting Woodbridge. Christie cannot be upset with McCormac if he changes his position to support Woodbridge.

Our Superintendant of Schools, Dr. Crowe, should be commended for leading the fight for Woodbridge to receive a fair amount of State aid. At the same time we all understand that the State can’t make up the $38 million it owes Woodbridge in one year.

That is why as the editorial states it is important to reinstate the Millionaires Tax to bring additional revenue into the State. This way Woodbridge can gradually receive increases in State aid until the problem is corrected.

I have seen the great things that our school district can do. Receiving proper funding from the State would benefit us for the next generation. That means well educated students, better opportunities for our financially disadvantaged students, stable property values & less property tax.

WOODBRIDGE FIRE DIST #1 MAKING CHANGES TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY & PROPERTY TAX

Retiring Union Firefighters & the Woodbridge Board of Fire Commissioners recently made decisions that will save taxpayers approximately $1.5 million dollars.

Firefighters that retired at the end of the year deserve praise for turning back 536 sick days. If the firefighters had used these days & they had to be covered with overtime the cost to taxpayers would have been nearly $800,000.

In addition, the Commissioners decided to retire & not replace an old reserve engine. Replacement costs run approx $500,000. While I had discussed this topic during last year’s budget workshops, the Board worked together to make it happen.

We also participated in a public private partnership with the Water Company & township that provided upgraded hydrant protection to the High School & upper Barron Ave. area while providing new roads & parking lots. Not to mention our installation of solar panels which are good for the environment & have been projected to be profitable in just over 6 years while having a 20 + year life.

I would like to apologize to the firefighters & their families who have been frustrated by some of my public discussions. My comments were never about job performance or the value & character of our men. I am sure our firefighting family does not want me to be just like the state politicians that have gotten us into this situation. However, I realize I need to work harder to better explain that my sole intent was to protect the long term financial stability of our department. In the end that means job & benefit stability as well as fairness to the property taxpayers.

The economy is bad, our surplus has shrunk& our five-year projections show things getting even tighter. It would be a terrible disservice to our union & community to ignore the reality of our situation. It would have been much easier for me to just smile & say yes, yes, yes. However, please don’t be like those who have created the mess. Be leery of those who play on your emotions and misrepresent my commitment to our firefighters & town.
I would sincerely ask all involved to look at my entire record. During my involvement in government, while being fiscally responsible, I have fought to make sure that public employees are treated fairly and not subject to political retribution. I have continued this philosophy as a Fire Commissioner. Last year I was asked to support a sick time policy that I knew was illegal. The State finally agreed. No one should view that as a lack of my support for the collective bargaining process & the promises that have been made to our public employees. It grew from a misconception that sick time turns into vacation time.

I appreciate that our Board is seriously reviewing contracts that go forward for new employees. They must be scrutinized to make sure that they are sustainable by the taxpayers. This will give employees & taxpayers fair expectations up front. Public service is a calling. There is no price that can really be paid to a firefighter, police officer, teacher & the host of others who contribute to our quality of life. While I realize that you cannot take the “thanks of your community” to the bank, it is something that is priceless & of great value. Public servants should be proud. You have more public support than you realize.

Cuts in state aid & pension problems have not been caused by our firefighters, police, teachers or other public employees. The problems have been caused by politicians who have used financial gimmicks & failed to look at the long term funding issues. Unfortunately, we all must sacrifice to get through it.

Please support our fire district & consider a career or volunteering your time with us. Together we can continue to provide a great service to our community.

(Ken Gardner, a Democrat, is a fire commissioner in Fire District 1 for Woodbridge and Sewaren and former President of the Township Council.)

Tom,
Leading up to the bond issue we had a few years ago, I used my government & education finance knowledge to work hand-in-hand with the school district. We were successful in getting the state to fund capital improvements. We also accomplished what some thought was impossible. As CUBS lead the way we convinced the public to support the issue. This was after 30 years of people voting no. It was also before you came on scene.

More simply put, in addition to my voting record, I was working in community groups with the very same members of the Board of Education’s families you improperly bashed on this blog just a short time ago. That was angry.

People who volunteer in the town have showed their commitment to more than just an election. Those are the people who should get the government jobs because they will continue to serve the public well. They should also consider running for office.

As elected officials we must be careful about favoritism. However, the same commitment that called us to public service does carry on to our families. That is a good thing. They are some of our finest employees & they continue to volunteer as well. You are wrong to make baseless statements against us. We are good public servants & employees.

While you have gone off the deep end, I am not against your questioning government. I am sure you value your 2 years of appearances like I value my commitment since high school.

Let’s have a debate on who is responsible for the fiscal problems in government. My record will prove that I have always done the right thing for our community. Even when it was not initially popular. Independent audits have proven in the end that my decisions were correct.

The Woodbridge Fire District was great long before I arrived. However, I think the public will agree that I have helped make some improvements in a few years on the Board.

Are you blaming me for the problems of the world simply because I am a Democrat? I am following the same agenda I did when you supported me during the last few years. Remember, you voted for me.

Mr. Maras your anger blinds you.

First realize that the significant cuts happened last year & may happen again this year.

Woodbridge owes a debt of gratitude to Gov. Corzine who updated the school funding formula. The new formula has money follow disadvantaged students. Not Abbott districts. The change in formula is what has shown that Woodbridge is being short changed. The formula is law & should be implemented.

Its implementation would have a fantastic result. The most important thing it would do is improve our ability to educate. It would reduce class sizes, add programs & increase the district’s ability to help disadvantaged students that account for 25 % of our district. Our teachers have the outstanding ability to move our children forward. However, it takes money to hire teachers and run much needed programs. Additional state money would also free more local money for advanced & gifted & talented programs.

In addition, it would give a property tax break to our residents who are average, not rich people. A property tax decrease may help someone keep their home or give someone the ability to buy one.

During the past year I have made it my business to personally talk with the Governor, his Chief of Staff, his head of Policy, The Commissioner of Education, the Chief of staff to the Education Commissioner, The Senate President, The Assembly Speaker, The majority & minority leaders of both houses of the legislature & a host of other legislators. I have done so all in an effort to explain how Woodbridge has been shortchanged & how they could help keep our district GREAT!

Advocating this issue is much more important than my election to any office. Outside of jobs this is the most important issue facing Woodbridge Township. Its effect on our quality of life will be felt for the next generation.

I am addressing the issue because it is happening now, not 20 years ago.

It reflects my passion for the community & school district that I love.

That love is derived from the education I received at Woodbridge High school. During middle school my mother passed away. Since my parents were divorced my aunt & uncle took me in as their own child and continued to raise me. That saved my life. However, I have realized over time what a profound effect my Woodbridge teachers & coaches have had on my life.

They educated me well enough to later graduate from Seton Hall University. At the time SHU was one of only 2 nationally accredited business schools in the state. My coaches keep me busy after school. I set the schools 400m hurdle record. The record lasted for 10 years (losing it hurts worse than any election loss). That prepared me to become a member of SHU’s nationally recognized tract team. There I became a NJ College State Champ on the 400m relay team.

I started to attend town council meeting in High School. I later became the youngest Council President in the history of the township at the age of 25. I had first run for Councilman at the age of 22 but lost by approximately 100 votes.

Now you will see that I have always really been & VOTED like a DEMOCRAT.

As Council President I was always sensitive to our school systems needs. When the school budget failed at the polls, I respected the public’s mandate to cut. The cuts were reasonable while the Mayor & his finance team urged us to cut more. They were shortsighted. My DEMOCRATIC policy earned me the respect of the teachers & administrators.

As a graduate I continued to support my school. Once my children reached school age I became an active member of the PTO, class parent etc. When my daughter entered middle school I became the PTO president. I joined the Woodbridge Township PTO Presidents Council. I was an active member of the CUBS (Community United for Better Schools). The CUBS are largely responsible for better educating the public on the positive benefit of passing the school budget. I have actively worked to pass the school budget during this time. I spoke publicly & on the record in support of the past & recent school bonds. Your name does not have to be on the ballot or be at a public meeting to be an active supporter. However, I have been on the record many times as school budget presentations & bond presentations supporting our schools.

My passion for our town & school district reaches back 25 years. I bleed Red & Black (as we say at WHS)!

I realize that people will not agree with all the positions I have taken. However, I will not sit idle while you or any other politician question my love of our town & schools.

I am and always have been right here. Supporting our town & schools.

Unlike you I also encourage other to get involved & respect differences of opinion regardless of where they were yesterday.

Proud to be a 25+ year (if not a lifetime) active “Woodbridge guy”!

Gardner’s consistent position: I called for 200 police as Council President in 1992 & still support that position in 2011. 19 years supporting our police & our public safety regardless of politics or elections.

Tom Maras’ position changes by the council meeting.

Tom, I must admit I am happy you responded the way you did because it gives me the opportunity to further explain a few areas.

Love of community has brought me to politics…. Not the other way around. I have been civically active since entering high school. I have lead the Fire Company, PTO, Church committees, children’s sports teams & been active in numerous other community activities. I have worked hard & tried to keep Woodbridge the same great place in which I grew up. I have accomplished some good things for our community & taxpayers. So I am 44 & have volunteered for 25+ years.

Is it really so hard for you or anyone to believe that I really just love my town & have a desire to be involved? I think you should look at my entire commitment & judge me more fairly. Is my record of volunteerism really that meaningless to you & these others? Yes I am a politician. However, I am also still a Woodbridge guy & always will be. Is it so hard to believe that as a father, husband & home owner I would be genuinely concerned with public safety? Guess what? I am.

I understand that since I entered politics my every step may now be scrutinized. However, I have tried very hard to be a politician of high ethics & have done substantial research & given considerable thought to the positions I have taken. I have done so to represent the true interests of our neighbor’s.

I have also fought passionately for our community & for public positions that I believe in – simply as a concerned resident.

Unfortunately for me you have jumped to the extreme political view that I must be up to something. You are not alone. Insecure politicians constantly tell people I just have a political agenda. However, if you look at the last 25 years you would see that my agenda is a better Woodbridge.

I am staying with the position I laid out 19 years ago. That will not change regardless of whether or not I run for office. Most people call that honor. For 25+ years I have advocated positions I believe are important to our township regardless of election cycle or political winds.

Political civility – John McCormac is our Mayor at least until the end of this year. The Mayor encouraged us to challenge his ideas during the State of the Township address. We can do so respectfully as a benefit to Woodbridge. My injersey post did exactly that. I laid out my position in detail. Provided alternatives funding & revenue suggestions & offered to work together. Is civil debate a crime? We should not create hate in our positions to the point where we cannot work together on the next issue. I remain committed to working with our democratically elected official’s regardless of whether I voted for them in the past or plan to vote for them or against them in the future. The Mayor has some good ideas. It is appropriate to recognize them. It is reasonably expected that we try to work with him.

Police force size – The Mayor has said it is ok to reduce the number of Officers. I disagree. We should hire 11 more to keep the number stable.

New contract – I stated we cannot continue to pay the old salary & benefit package to new officers. The contract you referred to was for supervisors. The rank-and-file contract can be opened for changes with new hires. The salary, step & maximum should be changed for new hires. These changes & the large number of retirements are the solution to dealing with the Township’s current financial situation.

Cuts to other areas to cover more police – McCormac should cut enough to hire the officers he did not replace. (Tom’s numbers are not for new hires – especially if it is renegotiated)

If a director is not hired until the Chief retires we can use that money. More can come from McCormac’s administrations salary reductions. Finally the mayor can cut other areas & the money can be used to hire police. That takes us well over 11 new police officers salaries.

P.S. I resigned from the republican committee approximately 6 years ago.

Stay tuned for my Fire District thoughts.

My public positions have always been very direct just as this one is today. While I value the thought provoking works of Shakespeare & hope my positions inspire our residents to consider supporting them – I have never, nor will ever betray my Woodbridge for any election.

I think you are confused because I am able to work with people after we disagree on a subject. While I may debate passionately on an issue, I also know there will always be other issues our Township needs to address.

I hope this makes you, the Mayor & the public realize that my advocacy for positions I think are essential to Woodbridge’s future are much more important than me being Mayor.

In spite of your suggestion to the Mayor…. My offer to Woodbridge & our Mayor remains.

Together we can build a better Woodbridge.