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Where is the debate on Kearny's tax situation


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Editorial: Where is the debate on Kearny’s tax situation?

Several weeks ago, Kearny Mayor Alberto G. Santos wrote about how there is a need for an open debate on how best to go about solving the Town’s financial problems. Since redevelopment is an ongoing process, it is impossible to simple sit by to wait for the benefits of redevelopment to come to fruition.

But something strange has happened since Santos wrote his piece: There hasn’t been a single on-the-record suggestion made to this newspaper yet on which direction Santos and the Kearny Town Council should go. (We did get a long-winded criticism of the mayor, but it was unsigned, and thus, not published). While we certainly understand elected officials are put into office to make such decisions, we’re seeing democracy at its purest when a sitting mayor is willing, and hoping, to hear ideas from his constituency on what areas could be scaled back, and what areas shouldn’t be touched.

When was the last time any elected official made such a vulnerable statement and suggestion? Truthfully, we can’t remember the last time it happened.

There are, indeed, some tough decisions yet to be made. Do we want fewer cops on the streets at night? Do we want to maintain fewer firehouses? Could we live with fewer parades in Town? Should the Kearny Public Library shut its doors on Saturdays, and close earlier on weekdays? These are just a few of the possibilities that could lessen the tax burden on middle-class Kearny. They are all possibilities that would save taxpayers money. They all could make Kearny extremely vulnerable and an unfavorable place to live.

And yet, there has been this eery silence, one that makes no sense whatsoever.

The time has come for people to step up to offer suggestions — and we’re not talking about attack suggestions that are often made anonymously on Internet chat boards. We’re talking solid ideas. Solid opinions. Solid debates from people who care about their community. This newspaper is a great forum for that debate. So are Town Council meetings. They take place the second and fourth Tuesday of every month; yet, regularly, there are usually more public officials at the meetings than there are residents.

It’s our sincere hope people begin to stand up, voice their opinions and let democracy work at its best. Who knows when we’ll get such an opportunity — if ever — again?

© theObserver.com

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Editorial: Where is the debate on Kearny’s tax situation?

Several weeks ago, Kearny Mayor Alberto G. Santos wrote about how there is a need for an open debate on how best to go about solving the Town’s financial problems. Since redevelopment is an ongoing process, it is impossible to simple sit by to wait for the benefits of redevelopment to come to fruition.

But something strange has happened since Santos wrote his piece: There hasn’t been a single on-the-record suggestion made to this newspaper yet on which direction Santos and the Kearny Town Council should go. (We did get a long-winded criticism of the mayor, but it was unsigned, and thus, not published). While we certainly understand elected officials are put into office to make such decisions, we’re seeing democracy at its purest when a sitting mayor is willing, and hoping, to hear ideas from his constituency on what areas could be scaled back, and what areas shouldn’t be touched.

When was the last time any elected official made such a vulnerable statement and suggestion? Truthfully, we can’t remember the last time it happened.

There are, indeed, some tough decisions yet to be made. Do we want fewer cops on the streets at night? Do we want to maintain fewer firehouses? Could we live with fewer parades in Town? Should the Kearny Public Library shut its doors on Saturdays, and close earlier on weekdays? These are just a few of the possibilities that could lessen the tax burden on middle-class Kearny. They are all possibilities that would save taxpayers money. They all could make Kearny extremely vulnerable and an unfavorable place to live.

And yet, there has been this eery silence, one that makes no sense whatsoever.

The time has come for people to step up to offer suggestions — and we’re not talking about attack suggestions that are often made anonymously on Internet chat boards. We’re talking solid ideas. Solid opinions. Solid debates from people who care about their community. This newspaper is a great forum for that debate. So are Town Council meetings. They take place the second and fourth Tuesday of every month; yet, regularly, there are usually more public officials at the meetings than there are residents.

It’s our sincere hope people begin to stand up, voice their opinions and let democracy work at its best. Who knows when we’ll get such an opportunity — if ever — again?

© theObserver.com

69590[/snapback]

It's very simple the taxes are to high and he has done nothing to lower them. the entire state is fed up with the dems and their fixation and only solution to problems, raise the taxes. Santos has failed the public and constantly points his finger at reasons that are a lot of bull. I hope the people throw him out or recall him which ever comes first.

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It's very simple the taxes are to high and he has done nothing to lower them. the entire state is fed up with the dems and their fixation and only solution to problems, raise the taxes. Santos has failed the public and constantly points his finger at reasons that are a lot of bull. I hope the people throw him out or recall him which ever comes first.

69791[/snapback]

It's easy to complain. But do you have alternatives, if what's going on now is so bad?

If not, then your complaints are completely pointless. You realize that, don't you?

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It's very simple the taxes are to high and he has done nothing to lower them. the entire state is fed up with the dems and their fixation and only solution to problems, raise the taxes. Santos has failed the public and constantly points his finger at reasons that are a lot of bull. I hope the people throw him out or recall him which ever comes first.

69791[/snapback]

It's very simple. Any idiot can always complain that taxes are too high, and reflexively blame the opposing party or any politician he doesn't like. The test is whether anyone can find a way to lower them. So far no ideas have come forward for doing that.

Let our obviously Republican guest get a clue. The way to do this is to show you have a better idea, and then criticize your opponents for not thinking of it first. When you criticize others for not doing what you cannot even describe yourself, you only show everyone what a fool you are.

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Guest Sick of Santos
It's very simple the taxes are to high and he has done nothing to lower them. the entire state is fed up with the dems and their fixation and only solution to problems, raise the taxes. Santos has failed the public and constantly points his finger at reasons that are a lot of bull. I hope the people throw him out or recall him which ever comes first.

69791[/snapback]

Many people cannot attend town meetings because we have to WORK TWO JOBS TO LIVE IN THIS Town.

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It's very simple. Any idiot can always complain that taxes are too high, and reflexively blame the opposing party or any politician he doesn't like. The test is whether anyone can find a way to lower them. So far no ideas have come forward for doing that.

Let our obviously Republican guest get a clue. The way to do this is to show you have a better idea, and then criticize your opponents for not thinking of it first. When you criticize others for not doing what you cannot even describe yourself, you only show everyone what a fool you are.

69810[/snapback]

OK, how about they try to work with the money they already get from us. But no they think the only way to maintain the stat quo is to reach into our pocket and take some more. The republican who's the republican there are no republicans in Kearny where the hell have you been? Solutions! no manage the money properly and start being leaders as well as managers.

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OK, how about they try to work with the money they already get from us. But no they think the only way to maintain the stat quo is to reach into our pocket and take some more. The republican who's the republican there are no republicans in Kearny where the hell have you been? Solutions! no manage the money properly and start being leaders as well as managers.

69910[/snapback]

Yeah, boy, now there's a clear solution.

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