Rizzuto endorses Rinker

As a resident of Vernon for 40 years who has served on its Board of Education for 15 years and as its president for eight years, I have been most disturbed by a number of mistaken decisions our Township Council has made on some very critical issues. Many, especially those regarding construction of the town center and partnering with Ameripay, stand to cost the people hundreds of thousands of dollars. Dollars that can only be made up from higher taxes, which overly burden growing families and seniors alike. With these thoughts in mind I went before the Township Council on two occasions to question how they were to fund the shortfall caused by the Ameripay theft and to express my concern on what I thought was an out of control expense policy and to offer advice on spending limitations, which were ignored. I also urged them, as a lifelong Republican speaking to a Republican committee, to increase township free balance, our financial reserves, to a level more in line with a town of our size, which could be done by restricting spending to only health and safety and to defer any elective projects until 2011. Subsequently, I made it a point to speak with Sally Rinker, candidate for the township committee, to discuss my concerns and hear her points of view. I was pleased that her comments were well thought out and emphasized three basic concepts: bring spending under control, increase emphasis on shared services where possible and increase oversight and accountability. As a community we can only stand to compound the mistakes of the past if we make the wrong decision at the polls on Nov. 3 by electing candidates with limited or no experience in controlling expenses, debt financing and who have no management skills. This year with three seats open it is vitally important that we put party affiliation aside. I endorse Sally Rinker and strongly urge the people of Vernon to vote for her. Patrick J. Rizzuto Glenwood