I read the recent letter to the editor from Mr. Bill Gettler with great interest (“Bills don't help local businesses”). But as a Vernon resident I see things differently.
I understand why Vernon Township Mayor Harry Shortway approached Senator Oroho and Assemblymen Space and Wirths and asked them to introduce the legislation.
It is no surprise that the loss of population and ratables which Vernon Township has seen a decline in correlates with the passing of the Highlands Act, brainchild of disgraced former Democrat Governor Jim McGreevey. Remember there are no mechanisms in place to provide money for residents losing their private property rights nor extra aid to make up for the loss revenues local governments have experienced.
So, while myself and every other Vernon taxpayer gets punished on the one hand, we get punished again when Governor Phil Murphy and the Democrats slashed our school aid causing a 10 percent hike in our local school taxes while harming our children. At the same time, millionaires in Jersey City and Hoboken receive universal free pre-school paid for with our tax dollars thanks to the meddling of the liberal unelected State Supreme Court in its Abbott decisions.
I agree with Mayor Shortway and Senator Oroho and Assemblymen Space and Wirths that Vernon hasn’t been getting our fair share from Democrat administrations in Trenton. A bill like the one introduced raises attention to our plight here in Vernon and other communities in the Highlands region. And as for the legislators’ record on enterprise zones in urban areas (UEZ’s), I checked online and they have not voted for a single UEZ.
Vernon needs strong voices to advocate on behalf of its residents. I intend to be the lead voice to fight for Vernon’s fair share.
Dan Storey
Candidate for Vernon Township Mayor