October 23rd, 2008, Subject: Middletown needs change
As a retired State Senator and
Assemblyman for nearly a quarter of a century, I am supporting Pat
Walsh and Jim Grenafege, both Democrats seeking seats on the Middletown
Township Committee.
This was a tough decision for me, having served
in the State Legislature as a Republican. But I'm voting my
conscience. I can no longer support the Middletown Republican party
because it has been taken over by Peter Carton, the party's
chairman.
Under Carton's regime during the past 27 years,
property taxes have soared, and bonding too many public projects has
increased Middletown's debt service to $8.4 million a year. And Mr.
Carton is in the bond business, which presents an obvious conflict of
interest.
Mr. Carton is also responsible for appointing
members to the Middletown Sewer Authority, Planning Board and
Zoning Board.
It's time for a change of government in
Middletown. That's why I'm voting for Pat Walsh and Jim
Grenafege. Pat has a long record of being involved in serving the
educational needs of Middletown and understands wasteful spending.
Jim is a retired human resources executive with
special skills in communication and interacting with people at all
levels of responsibility.
The Middletown Republican Party won't take
responsibility for properly managing the needs of the voters and
taxpayers of Middletown. It's a rubberstamp operation, with Mr.
Carton controlling the party agenda.
In this weak economy, Middletown should be borrowing
only for the basic necessities. Legal expenses alone cost
taxpayers $600,000 last year!
There has been excessive bonding. The
Middletown Arts Center cost the town $8 million. Another Carton
indulgence.
We can no longer afford the Republican Party.
If we don't act now, Middletown will be digging a deep hole of debt for future generations to payoff.
The GOP has also killed almost all commercial
properties in Middletown. Commercial buildings help pay the heavy load
of taxes, while not increasing taxes. It's a win-win situation.
Middletown needs change now. Vote for Pat Walsh and Jim Grenafege Nov. 4.
Joseph Azzolina
Retired State Senator