I'm In for November: Barnegat's Official Independent Candidate!

After running in the Democratic primary last year, I realized that I am not a "party" type of a guy. The whole two-party system leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It really does not seem to work anymore, and when it does, it works slow!

But I think that's how they like it, the slower you work, and the less you do, keeps you and your buddies on the public payroll longer always saying "we have more work to do."

So I took a drive to Toms River and figured I would give this candidate thing another shot. I picked up my petitions, and headed out to get my 100 signatures (with the help of a couple of independent friends).

As I walked from house to house asking people to sign my independent candidate petition, it became clear that I was not the only one who was tired of the "system."

I met registered voters who said they don't even vote anymore because, "it's not worth it, and nothing ever changes." I would ask them, what would you like to change? And I'm sure you know the first thing out of people's mouth's, "how about we lower the taxes?" Then they would ask me "what are you going to do to lower our taxes?" My response was the same "All that I can."

Most big ticket items and contracts will be in place before January 2012, Waste Management contract has been settled with a big downward change in fees charged per household (according to the Patch article) that should save us $400,000 a year according to Dave Breeden. By the way, all this says to me is that we were being severely overcharged on the previous contract, but who was watching?

The township employees are going to be put on the State Health Benefit Plan, which should save us money, but we really don't know how much, because we never heard the figures. Oh, and by the way, didn't Jake Taylor let you know about this a couple of years ago and you fought him at every turn? I view that as two years of potential savings wasted.

The township employee contracts have all been settled for the next three years with raises, and the police contracts will be settled also. Those items are the main drivers of your taxes: garbage pick-up, salaries, pensions and benefits. It seems that they have all been addressed for the next three years.

The time to ask for give backs, salary freezes and higher health benefit contributions was now. This administration made the decisions on these. the remaining police contract could affect a tax increase or decrease, if they do take raises, or are asked not to by our committee. Stay tuned for that one.

Believe me, there is so much that goes on behind those Town Hall doors. I can't wait to get back there and really see how the town's business is run, from the inside. As a lone Independent, I only have to answer to one party boss: the people of Barnegat. Oh, and by the way, if you send me an email, and I'm a Committeeman, I'll give you the courtesy of an answer within 24 hours.

Want to see where I stand? Check out www.letstalkbarnegat.com, read through the older posts.