The Courier - November 1, 2007

Middletown candidate hails possibility to serve

By SOMDATTA SENGUPTA

    With a week to go before the General Election, Middletown Democratic candidate for Township Committee Janet Moscuzza said campaigning in Middletown has been a great experience.
    "As a township resident, and member of St. Mary's [Roman Catholic] Church, 1 am proud to be a part of Middletown," Moscuzza said.
    A 29-year resident of the township, Moscuzza, congratulated her opponent, GOP candidate Tristan Nelsen, for coming forward to serve the township.
    "Whether it's local or national, you have got to be proud that so many women have come forward to con¬tribute their talent and time to the political process," Moscuzza said. "1 have not met [Nelsen] personally, but from my friend at St. Mary's, I hear that she is a lovely lady."
    Nelsen is also a political newcomer like Moscuzza. According to www.middletowngop.com, she lives on Blueberry Lane in the Leonardo/Navesink section of the township. She could not be reached for comment by press deadline.
    Moscuzza said she would welcome fresh voices on the Township Committee irrespective of political affiliations.
    "I have been interested in politics in as much it could change people's life for the better. I never imagined myself taking part in it, although I followed it closely since I was in school," she said. "Right now, I am involved because I personally feel that something has to be done about our taxes. I am willing to sacrifice my personal time to fix our sky-rocketing taxes, because I like everyone else want to live here. This is where I raised my family, this is where I call home."

Home is where the heart is

    Moscuzza said the most gratifying experiencing of going door-to-door during the campaign season was to get to know Middletown better.
    "We have such wonderful people in our town," she said. "Everywhere you go people are so friendly, they ask you what you are running for and wish you luck. It's the most kind-hearted community you will come across."
    One of the reasons she got involved was also because of the friendly neighbors and township residents she had met during campaigning, Moscuzza said.
    "I felt I had a personal obligation to these people," she said. "So many seniors have welcomed me for giving them a voice. They said that taxes were driving them out of Middletown. I know what's it like to invest in a town, to have your children go to school and form friendships. Then, to have to suffer the anxiety of being driven out of your hometown because you cannot afford it, that is just heartbreaking."
    The other thing that made her sad was to see the impact of flooding on home-owners. "Just try and imagine that you have to live with the constant thought of suffering damage to your possessions every time there is a rainstorm," Moscuzza said. "I have seen the wet lines in the houses. You can't hide the smell of mold. We have to correct the flooding problems in Middletown. People invest their whole life's savings into their house. To have your home's value go down because of flooding damage is devastating."
    Part of the reason Moscuzza decided to seek a place on the Township Committee is to help turn the tide in Middletown.
    "There were times when, as a resident and spokesperson for my development, I had sought help from the township. But while the various departments were very helpful, like the police, the parks and recreation people were very indifferent," Moscuzza said. "But as a mother trying to raise your family, you hardly have the time to fight for local problems. You generally give in to the idea that you can't fight Town Hall and suffer the inconveniences."
    However, silence was no longer an option when escalating taxes made the threat of having to move out of town a possibility, Moscuzza said. "Our town is bonded beyond imagination. How are we going to pay back such an excessive debt?" she questioned. "When you start to investigate Middletown's debt, and you realize what a tax hit is coming your way, you have to act and do something."
    Moscuzza said everyone knows where to start. "Investigate your budget and do away with the excesses," she said. "Spend your tax dollar responsibly and be truthful to the people about how you are running the township."
    She said the "how to do" part is easy if there is a will to do it. "If my friends on the committee had done the job, I would have been spending my time with my grand kids right now. But sadly, they haven't. And, I can't sit and watch."
    Moscuzza said, as a career woman, a mother, a grandmother, and a coach, she has had a vast exposure to problem solving. "I am all about getting things done," she said. "If there is a problem, I fix it." It's the same "can-do" approach she will bring to the Township Committee, if elected next Tuesday, Moscuzza concluded.