Letters

Spadoro lauded for property tax reform fight

On behalf of property taxpayers all around New Jersey, and especially those in Edison, I am writing to recognize the efforts of Mayor George Spadoro to reform New Jersey’s regressive and chronic overdependence on property taxes to fund essential programs and services.

His testimony on May 12, before the Assembly Budget Committee, is just the latest example of the mayor’s energetic advocacy for those citizens.

For too long, the people of New Jersey have suffered from our over-reliance on property taxes. For too long, they have seen the problem studied by special commissions denied the power to effect the changes they came to advocate. And for too long, has blame for the burden been heaped on the shoulders of municipal officials, struggling to fund essential services in a system that they did not create and that they cannot change.

Local officials cannot control school spending. They cannot control the state’s underfunding of key property tax relief programs. They cannot control the costs of employee benefits mandated by the state legislature. Yet these are key cost drivers that force our property tax bills higher and higher. The legislature has not dealt with these issues. Nor has it dealt with property tax reform.

And that is why Mayor Spadoro has come to Trenton, again and again. He has long been a leader in the fight to convince the legislature to pass the citizens’ property tax reform convention bill (A -5269). That bill will end the political logjam that inevitably blocks progress on property tax reform. And it will let the people of New Jersey decide how they want to end our property tax crisis.

For that commitment and that effort, we thank him.

William Dressel Jr.

executive director

New Jersey State League

of Municipalities

Resident upset over photo in campaign flier

On May 14, 2005, I received a flier from Jun Choi. This flier was a political promotion for his run for mayor of Edison. Much to my surprise and disappointment, I noticed a photo of myself along with Mr. Choi.

I would like to set the record straight on the facts of the matter. Mr. Choi invited me to a meeting to discuss fiscal responsibility. In the spirit of openmindedness and fairness, I attended the meeting to hear what Mr. Choi had to say. Unfortunately, during that meeting, I was unaware that the photo was being taken for a political flier and that Mr. Choi planned to use that photo in the future. Further, I was never asked for nor gave permission for such a photo to be taken and used in any venue.

I would also like you to know that Mayor Spadoro also invited me to his office to discuss events in Edison. I did not see or expect to see any political fliers with a photo of me along side the mayor.

I have previously told the residents of Edison, the local politicians and the newspapers that my involvement in Edison is not and has never been a political one. I am involved because of the rising property taxes, increased township spending and overdevelopment.

For Mr. Choi to try to exploit my efforts for his own political purposes is simply inexcusable and unacceptable.

It is evident why more good people do not come forward and get involved in the township’s affairs. When one tries to help all the residents and taxpayers of Edison, someone is always out there that looking to take advantage of that persons’ efforts and work. I will not allow Mr. Choi to falsely associate himself with me or the work I do.

To summarize: I am not endorsing Mr. Choi or Mayor Spadoro in this June’s Democratic primary. I have been and will continue to seek ways to stabilize our property taxes, reduce the township’s spending and stop overdevelopment.

As always, I will do so in an open and forthright manner and share any facts about the affairs of Edison with all the people of Edison.

Joseph Petrucelli CPA

Edison

Area doesn’t need another Wal-Mart store

I was shocked to learn that Edison Mayor Spadoro is pushing for a Wal-Mart on Route 27.

After all, there already is a Wal-Mart in Piscataway. Surely that’s close enough. This area really does not need additional traffic that can potentially overflow into the major Interstate 287.

When Wal-Mart comes in, small business is driven out. The so-called Wal-Mart associate works for two years with no health care insurance.

When they become an employee, they get 30 percent of their benefits paid — nothing to write home about. Additionally, Wal-Mart has been implicated in blatant labor abuses such as child labor and sex discrimination.

I can’t understand why Mayor Spadoro is so enthusiastic about Wal-Mart, but it got me thinking about alternatives.

Mr. Jun Choi is running against Mr. Spadoro in the Democratic primary. He has good ideas on reducing sprawl. Edison residents should consider him for a change.

Robert Scardapane

Somerset

Senior citizen grateful for many township services

I recently received a copy of The Beacon, a newsletter geared toward seniors from Edison Senior Outreach Service. Once again, Mayor Spadoro has come up with another outstanding program to assist the seniors living in Edison.

It is obvious that Mayor Spadoro understands the needs of seniors, and I would like to thank both the mayor and the Edison Council on all they have done to help us remain in our own homes and continue to be active members of the community. I wonder how many other communities provide the same services to seniors.

The free services provided by the mayor’s Mr. Fix-It program have helped me with minor home repairs. Volunteers from Edison S.O.S. provided the manpower to do some spring cleanup and removal of heavy objects.

I have used the bus transportation system to attend meetings at the Edison Senior Citizen Center as well as get to and from doctor’s appointments. Without this help, I would be lost, as I no longer drive and do not have the ability to do some of these things on my own.

Thank you, Mayor Spadoro and Edison council for keeping me and the seniors of Edison active, healthy and safe.

Ann Petto

Edison