Letter to the Editor: Vote No On Open-Space Financing Question, Fressola Says

Dear Editor:

On the November 4, 2014 election ballot there will be a New Jersey state-sponsored question to be voted on regarding the states purchase of land to preserve open space and the financing of these purchases. The major issue is not the preservation of open space, which I have always been a strong advocate of, but the financing of the purchasing.

A yes vote, which I am strongly against, will be “stealing from Peter to pay Paul.” A yes vote will take 4 billion dollars from the corporate taxes to pay for this open space preservation. This diversion of money will seriously affect many other important services now provided by these taxes including other important environmental issues such as hazardous waste clean-up and clean water projects.

The simplest and best method for financing the purchase and preservation of open space is dedicated long term bonding so the cost of repayment of the bonds will be shared by future generations who will benefit from the results of these purchases.

I ask that all voters review all the facts regarding this issue and if you agree with my position, vote no, and let’s work to convince our legislators the we want open space preserved. But we want proper financing to accomplish these goals.

Sincerely,

Michael Fressola, Mayor
Manchester Township