We Proudly Introduce The Democratic Candidates for Matawan Council
When the town is a financial mess, what is the best course of action? Look to the governing body for a solution. Their response will speak volumes about the direction they would like Matawan to take.
The Matawan Democrats would like to address the financial problems by electing councilmen with track records of success. They have nominated candidates with experience and solid financial backgrounds.
The incumbent, Joseph “Bud” Mullaney, is a local business owner who with his wife, Mary, raised their three children on Edgemere Drive. He worked hard to put all three through college and his two sons continue to work in Matawan. Joe, Jr. has an MBA and manages the family business and Michael a Doctor of Physical Therapy has opened a practice on Main Street with his wife. His daughter was a councilperson in Matawan before moving to Aberdeen. He and Mary have four grandchildren. Bud has served his first three year term and is looking forward to another three years with the experience he has gained from his first term.
Continuity has been a problem for Matawan’s politicians in past elections. The phrase, “one and done” has applied to “terms served” too often in Matawan. The experience gained from serving a term in office is invaluable when budgeting and capital projects are prepared annually. Currently, only Mayor Buccellato and Councilman Cannon have served more than one term. Unfortunately, Councilman Cannon is not seeking re-election. His knowledge and input on all aspects of the council, especially the finance committee will be sorely missed. Matawan has been well served by Michael Cannon, a politician who always put Matawan before partisanship. He has been an independent voice for the improvement of Matawan and his seat will be hard to fill. We wish him well in all future endeavors.
The Matawan Democrats have done their best to select an outstanding candidate for the open position. They have nominated Richard Paolini to run for the seat to be vacated by Councilman Cannon. Richard is an Attorney who works as a Vice President for JP Morgan Chase. He and his wife, Beth, live on Wyckoff Street and they are expecting their first child in March. He is confident that he has much to offer Matawan given his extensive financial and legal background.
Mullaney and Paolini offer voters a chance to rescue Matawan from the financial hardships facing taxpayers. They are proud of where they live and would like to restore Matawan’s reputation as a desirable place to raise a family, locate a business and enjoy the many resources Matawan has to offer.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Let the Sunshine “Laws” In and Matawan will be a better place
We Advise, You Decide
Let the Sunshine “Laws” In and Matawan will be a better place
A responsible governing body makes decisions regarding matters to be discussed in Executive Session vs. Open Meetings. It should base each decision on the need for legitimate privacy not the desire for inappropriate secrecy.
The governing body should make these decisions with the advice of competent and independent legal counsel.
Those serving on governing bodies should use executive session judiciously and wisely. It should never give the appearance of doing something behind the backs of the voting public.
The purpose of executive session in governmental bodies is not to hide important information from the public, but to protect the innocent. As in the case of personnel matters when the information to be discussed could be false and harmful to the employee’s reputation by having someone’s good name damaged by falsehoods if made public. This would also expose the governing body to criticism and possible legal action for spreading falsehoods. A call for executive session is warranted in these types of cases.
The purpose of executive session is not to withhold information from the voting public that exposes prior poor decisions and errors in judgment. It is not to make plans to spend millions of tax dollars without public input. It is simply the wrong thing to hide costly mistakes and expensive projects in executive session when the public has the right to be informed. The misuse of executive session takes away a valuable component of good government, transparency.
In the case of Matawan’s governing body there needs to be more transparency and less secrecy. There will be a definite benefit for the taxpayers to elect a councilman who will ensure that all matters discussed in executive session belong in executive session. A councilman familiar enough with the law to challenge the excuses offered as justification for executive session when an Open Meeting is the right choice for Matawan’s taxpayers.
Let the Sunshine “Laws” In and Matawan will be a better place
A responsible governing body makes decisions regarding matters to be discussed in Executive Session vs. Open Meetings. It should base each decision on the need for legitimate privacy not the desire for inappropriate secrecy.
The governing body should make these decisions with the advice of competent and independent legal counsel.
Those serving on governing bodies should use executive session judiciously and wisely. It should never give the appearance of doing something behind the backs of the voting public.
The purpose of executive session in governmental bodies is not to hide important information from the public, but to protect the innocent. As in the case of personnel matters when the information to be discussed could be false and harmful to the employee’s reputation by having someone’s good name damaged by falsehoods if made public. This would also expose the governing body to criticism and possible legal action for spreading falsehoods. A call for executive session is warranted in these types of cases.
The purpose of executive session is not to withhold information from the voting public that exposes prior poor decisions and errors in judgment. It is not to make plans to spend millions of tax dollars without public input. It is simply the wrong thing to hide costly mistakes and expensive projects in executive session when the public has the right to be informed. The misuse of executive session takes away a valuable component of good government, transparency.
In the case of Matawan’s governing body there needs to be more transparency and less secrecy. There will be a definite benefit for the taxpayers to elect a councilman who will ensure that all matters discussed in executive session belong in executive session. A councilman familiar enough with the law to challenge the excuses offered as justification for executive session when an Open Meeting is the right choice for Matawan’s taxpayers.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mayor Called Out For Smear Campaign
WE ADVISE - YOU DECIDE
Mayor Called Out For Smear Campaign
The owner of Key Auto Body, a business that has been in Matawan for generations, stepped up to the podium at the last council meeting to question Mayor Buccellato on his statements made to the press regarding payments made for emergency services. Not surprisingly, the mayor tried to blame the newspapers and his lack of control over what they print for the amounts reported. When pressed for a retraction, the mayor refused. He doesn’t do that. It seems he doesn’t mind being misquoted when it smears a legitimate business and discourages Democrats who work locally to run for council.
When he ran out of excuses he tried his old diversion trick. He couldn’t offer a valid reason for smearing a Democratic councilman at the expense of a Matawan business so he decided to continue his mudslinging by bringing up the councilman’s compensation package. Councilman Mendes has enrolled in the Borough health benefits plan, an option open to all elected officials. The Mayor was armed with this information but he failed to mention any previous elected officials who have been enrolled in the plan. He left out all the Republicans who have ever been enrolled in the plan. Has the mayor ever been enrolled during his reign of destruction? This information was not made available to the public, through the press or otherwise.
In a strange twist, the Mayor said he carries the information on Councilman Mendes in his car. You have to wonder why this would be necessary. Mayor Buccellato, where do you lock up all the information on the Republicans? Can these records still be found at Borough Hall? This shameless attempt to turn the issue of Buccellato’s smear campaign against a Matawan business into a ridiculous episode of finger-pointing and name-calling is a clear indication of this mayor’s lack of leadership ability. When given a choice, he opts for conflict between the parties. There is never an expression of appreciation only open signs of hostility. Matawan voters made their choice and they deserve more respect and less contempt.
Mayor, it is time to take the high road. There is less traffic and Matawan needs direction. Concentrate on what will make Matawan better; leave these petty attacks behind you. Matawan has been a wonderful town to live in, to raise a family in and to work in. Since you have been involved in local politics the downward spiral is apparent everywhere we look. Councilman Mendes was elected by the people of Matawan to serve the borough, please respect the wishes of the residents who elected him and get down to the business of running the town.
The residents elected a bi-partisan council and you should abide by the decision of the voters. Enough of these petty attacks; start the process of progress in Matawan. Reverse the downward spiral that has started with your involvement in Matawan politics. The residents have elected six intelligent council people so please stop the sabotage and start rebuilding the town.
Mayor Called Out For Smear Campaign
The owner of Key Auto Body, a business that has been in Matawan for generations, stepped up to the podium at the last council meeting to question Mayor Buccellato on his statements made to the press regarding payments made for emergency services. Not surprisingly, the mayor tried to blame the newspapers and his lack of control over what they print for the amounts reported. When pressed for a retraction, the mayor refused. He doesn’t do that. It seems he doesn’t mind being misquoted when it smears a legitimate business and discourages Democrats who work locally to run for council.
When he ran out of excuses he tried his old diversion trick. He couldn’t offer a valid reason for smearing a Democratic councilman at the expense of a Matawan business so he decided to continue his mudslinging by bringing up the councilman’s compensation package. Councilman Mendes has enrolled in the Borough health benefits plan, an option open to all elected officials. The Mayor was armed with this information but he failed to mention any previous elected officials who have been enrolled in the plan. He left out all the Republicans who have ever been enrolled in the plan. Has the mayor ever been enrolled during his reign of destruction? This information was not made available to the public, through the press or otherwise.
In a strange twist, the Mayor said he carries the information on Councilman Mendes in his car. You have to wonder why this would be necessary. Mayor Buccellato, where do you lock up all the information on the Republicans? Can these records still be found at Borough Hall? This shameless attempt to turn the issue of Buccellato’s smear campaign against a Matawan business into a ridiculous episode of finger-pointing and name-calling is a clear indication of this mayor’s lack of leadership ability. When given a choice, he opts for conflict between the parties. There is never an expression of appreciation only open signs of hostility. Matawan voters made their choice and they deserve more respect and less contempt.
Mayor, it is time to take the high road. There is less traffic and Matawan needs direction. Concentrate on what will make Matawan better; leave these petty attacks behind you. Matawan has been a wonderful town to live in, to raise a family in and to work in. Since you have been involved in local politics the downward spiral is apparent everywhere we look. Councilman Mendes was elected by the people of Matawan to serve the borough, please respect the wishes of the residents who elected him and get down to the business of running the town.
The residents elected a bi-partisan council and you should abide by the decision of the voters. Enough of these petty attacks; start the process of progress in Matawan. Reverse the downward spiral that has started with your involvement in Matawan politics. The residents have elected six intelligent council people so please stop the sabotage and start rebuilding the town.
No More Pay to Play in Matawan - Why so silent Mayor Buccellato?
WE ADVISE - YOU DECIDE
No More Pay to Play in Matawan
Why so silent Mayor Buccellato?
On May 19, 2009 a letter was sent to Mayor Buccellato from Hill Wallack LLP, the law firm that Councilmen Mullaney and Mendes asked to review Ethics Ordinance 09-03 that was proposed by the Mayor. A copy of the letter was forwarded to the local newspapers and the Matawan Democratic Committee. To date, there has been no response from the Mayor or the Borough Attorney regarding the substantial concerns outlined by Paul Josephson, Esq. that the Borough of Matawan lacks the authority to revise the State’s uniform ethics code via the proposed ordinance.
Councilmen Mullaney and Mendes would like the Borough of Matawan to have an ethics ordinance in place that prohibits elected officials from using their position for financial gain; in other words:
No More Pay to Play in Matawan.
The state has guidelines that would help ensure this yet;
The Mayor proposes an ordinance that:
1. Is unenforceable
2. May be in violation of the state code
3. Opens the door for more lawsuits.
Thankfully, the State Division of Local Government Services has been informed of the Mayor’s proposed ordinance by Hill Wallack, LLP. This step was apparently overlooked by the Mayor in his haste to have this toothless ordinance passed so that the wolf would still be left in charge of the henhouse. The state recommends an ethics review board. The Mayor’s ordinance wants to deny residents the right to hold office if they do business with Matawan but it allows elected officials to do business with many firms that Matawan hires. Is there any transparency in this misguided logic?
Where is an enforceable ordinance that will reassure the taxpayers of Matawan that contracts are awarded with their best interests first not the interest of local government officials who make a living from government contracts? Matawan needs a Play to Play Ordinance that will address all members of our local government including architects not just the tire salesmen and tow truck operators. This is what makes a real Pay to Play Ordinance so vital. Shouldn’t the Mayor propose an ordinance that unites the council instead of perpetuating a state of conflict? All six council people are intelligent, hard-working residents who have been elected to do what’s best for Matawan; it is the Mayor’s duty to point them in the right direction. Time to step up, Mayor Buccellato.
No More Pay to Play in Matawan
Why so silent Mayor Buccellato?
On May 19, 2009 a letter was sent to Mayor Buccellato from Hill Wallack LLP, the law firm that Councilmen Mullaney and Mendes asked to review Ethics Ordinance 09-03 that was proposed by the Mayor. A copy of the letter was forwarded to the local newspapers and the Matawan Democratic Committee. To date, there has been no response from the Mayor or the Borough Attorney regarding the substantial concerns outlined by Paul Josephson, Esq. that the Borough of Matawan lacks the authority to revise the State’s uniform ethics code via the proposed ordinance.
Councilmen Mullaney and Mendes would like the Borough of Matawan to have an ethics ordinance in place that prohibits elected officials from using their position for financial gain; in other words:
No More Pay to Play in Matawan.
The state has guidelines that would help ensure this yet;
The Mayor proposes an ordinance that:
1. Is unenforceable
2. May be in violation of the state code
3. Opens the door for more lawsuits.
Thankfully, the State Division of Local Government Services has been informed of the Mayor’s proposed ordinance by Hill Wallack, LLP. This step was apparently overlooked by the Mayor in his haste to have this toothless ordinance passed so that the wolf would still be left in charge of the henhouse. The state recommends an ethics review board. The Mayor’s ordinance wants to deny residents the right to hold office if they do business with Matawan but it allows elected officials to do business with many firms that Matawan hires. Is there any transparency in this misguided logic?
Where is an enforceable ordinance that will reassure the taxpayers of Matawan that contracts are awarded with their best interests first not the interest of local government officials who make a living from government contracts? Matawan needs a Play to Play Ordinance that will address all members of our local government including architects not just the tire salesmen and tow truck operators. This is what makes a real Pay to Play Ordinance so vital. Shouldn’t the Mayor propose an ordinance that unites the council instead of perpetuating a state of conflict? All six council people are intelligent, hard-working residents who have been elected to do what’s best for Matawan; it is the Mayor’s duty to point them in the right direction. Time to step up, Mayor Buccellato.
PILOT or Suicide Bomber, you decide
WE ADVISE - YOU DECIDE
PILOT or Suicide Bomber, you decide
When the Matawan-Aberdeen School Board announced a zero budget increase this year the taxpayers of Matawan still saw their school taxes rise while our neighbors in Aberdeen saw their school taxes decrease .This was confusing to many taxpayers in both towns. Of course the revaluation of properties coming to Matawan a year before Aberdeen’s revaluation had an effect. The decline in real estate prices are more accurately reflected in Aberdeen’s later reval and no amount of “Equalized Valuation Math” will remedy that.
There is another component in the allocation of school taxes between the towns that also explains the lopsided savings. It’s called Avalon at Aberdeen Station. This is the 290 unit apartment complex overlooking the parkway off lower Main Street in Aberdeen. This complex sold for $57,600,000 in June, 2006. Instead of paying real estate taxes on the buildings, The Avalon makes a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) to Aberdeen Township. This allows Aberdeen to keep all the proceeds from this ratable and not share any with the school board. This has its own ramifications in Aberdeen but in Matawan it causes the taxpayers to pick up an unfair share of the school tax.
When the school board determines the amount of money they need for the school budget, the amount is allocated between the towns based on assessed valuation. This means that Aberdeen and Matawan’s total assessed valuation from real properties are added together after applying a factor to adjust for market to assessed value. Aberdeen pays their percentage of assessed value to the total assessed value and so does Matawan. The percentage is approximately 67% for Aberdeen and 33% for Matawan.
Unfortunately for Matawan taxpayers, the buildings at The Avalon are assessed at $29,723,900 and this entire amount is not included anywhere in the calculation. A $29,723,900 ratable for Aberdeen is not even in the equation when the school tax is allocated between the towns. Matawan taxpayers pick up the tab and Aberdeen gets to spend the PILOT money in Aberdeen and bypass the school tax. This win- win for Aberdeen is a drain on the taxpayers of Matawan.
Even a swing of 1% in the allocation of the school tax between the towns would represent significant saving to Matawan residents. This year’s school budget was $62 million and 1% of $62 million equals $620,000. That equals about 5 tax points in Matawan and would be some real tax relief to Matawan residents.
When Aberdeen granted this special treatment to the developer of The Avalon, Matawan’s Republican Mayor was Rob Clifton and Matawan’s council was made up of 6 Republicans, including Paul Buccellato. The land that was developed was owned by Joseph Rettagliata, Chairman of the Monmouth County Planning Board and owner of Strathmore Cleaners. Shortly after the apartment complex was built the politically ambitious Mayor of Matawan, Rob Clifton was asked to run for Monmouth County Freeholder. And Matawan taxpayers have been left paying a disproportionate share of school taxes ever since.
Why didn’t Matawan’s leadership fight Aberdeen’s plan to designate this land a redevelopment zone and collect a PILOT instead of real estate taxes?
PILOT or Suicide Bomber, you decide
When the Matawan-Aberdeen School Board announced a zero budget increase this year the taxpayers of Matawan still saw their school taxes rise while our neighbors in Aberdeen saw their school taxes decrease .This was confusing to many taxpayers in both towns. Of course the revaluation of properties coming to Matawan a year before Aberdeen’s revaluation had an effect. The decline in real estate prices are more accurately reflected in Aberdeen’s later reval and no amount of “Equalized Valuation Math” will remedy that.
There is another component in the allocation of school taxes between the towns that also explains the lopsided savings. It’s called Avalon at Aberdeen Station. This is the 290 unit apartment complex overlooking the parkway off lower Main Street in Aberdeen. This complex sold for $57,600,000 in June, 2006. Instead of paying real estate taxes on the buildings, The Avalon makes a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) to Aberdeen Township. This allows Aberdeen to keep all the proceeds from this ratable and not share any with the school board. This has its own ramifications in Aberdeen but in Matawan it causes the taxpayers to pick up an unfair share of the school tax.
When the school board determines the amount of money they need for the school budget, the amount is allocated between the towns based on assessed valuation. This means that Aberdeen and Matawan’s total assessed valuation from real properties are added together after applying a factor to adjust for market to assessed value. Aberdeen pays their percentage of assessed value to the total assessed value and so does Matawan. The percentage is approximately 67% for Aberdeen and 33% for Matawan.
Unfortunately for Matawan taxpayers, the buildings at The Avalon are assessed at $29,723,900 and this entire amount is not included anywhere in the calculation. A $29,723,900 ratable for Aberdeen is not even in the equation when the school tax is allocated between the towns. Matawan taxpayers pick up the tab and Aberdeen gets to spend the PILOT money in Aberdeen and bypass the school tax. This win- win for Aberdeen is a drain on the taxpayers of Matawan.
Even a swing of 1% in the allocation of the school tax between the towns would represent significant saving to Matawan residents. This year’s school budget was $62 million and 1% of $62 million equals $620,000. That equals about 5 tax points in Matawan and would be some real tax relief to Matawan residents.
When Aberdeen granted this special treatment to the developer of The Avalon, Matawan’s Republican Mayor was Rob Clifton and Matawan’s council was made up of 6 Republicans, including Paul Buccellato. The land that was developed was owned by Joseph Rettagliata, Chairman of the Monmouth County Planning Board and owner of Strathmore Cleaners. Shortly after the apartment complex was built the politically ambitious Mayor of Matawan, Rob Clifton was asked to run for Monmouth County Freeholder. And Matawan taxpayers have been left paying a disproportionate share of school taxes ever since.
Why didn’t Matawan’s leadership fight Aberdeen’s plan to designate this land a redevelopment zone and collect a PILOT instead of real estate taxes?
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
WE ADVISE - YOU DECIDE
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
The Matawan Advisor will do its best to inform the residents of Matawan about the decisions and actions of our local government officials. The Matawan Advisor will not participate in smear campaigns against the family members of our local government officials. For ugly rumors and baseless accusations and personal attacks on family members of Non-Republicans go to The Matawan Advocate.blogspot.com.
A Matawan resident with a Finance Background was recently asked to run for council and his response was an alarming, “Thanks but no thanks, I couldn’t subject my family to the abuse”. Can Matawan afford to lose good candidates; this particular fellow was a successful guy with 20+ years of Finance experience; because an anonymous blogger will stoop as low as necessary to ensure the Mayor’s job security?
We hope the Matawan Advocate’s lack of standards make you proud, Mayor Buccellato and you may rest assured that your family will not be subject to the same attacks here.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
The Matawan Advisor will do its best to inform the residents of Matawan about the decisions and actions of our local government officials. The Matawan Advisor will not participate in smear campaigns against the family members of our local government officials. For ugly rumors and baseless accusations and personal attacks on family members of Non-Republicans go to The Matawan Advocate.blogspot.com.
A Matawan resident with a Finance Background was recently asked to run for council and his response was an alarming, “Thanks but no thanks, I couldn’t subject my family to the abuse”. Can Matawan afford to lose good candidates; this particular fellow was a successful guy with 20+ years of Finance experience; because an anonymous blogger will stoop as low as necessary to ensure the Mayor’s job security?
We hope the Matawan Advocate’s lack of standards make you proud, Mayor Buccellato and you may rest assured that your family will not be subject to the same attacks here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)