Morris Township Committee Election 2021: Sandra Garcia

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — It won't be long until Morris Township elects members to its Township Committee. Patch has asked local candidates to share their thoughts before the Nov. 2 General Election.

Patch sent out emails to all candidates to the email addresses listed for their campaign provided to the office of the clerk. The responses received will get published between now and Election Day.

Here is the response from Morris Township Committee candidate Sandra Garcia.

Name: Sandra (Sandi) Garcia
Party Affiliation: Republican
Family: I have 3 married adult children, 6 grandchildren
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No
Occupation: Sr. Actuarial Analyst, 11+ years
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Morris Township County Committee
Campaign Website: www.MTwpGop.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking this office because I want to restore common sense government to Morris Township. I have been a resident of the township for 40 years. Morris Township has gone through many changes over these past 40 years. In years past, developers would create communities such as Liberty Green, The Summit, the Rolling Hills including Rolling Hill @ Lake Road and The Moore Estates. These developers were not given PILOT program tax breaks (PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES). When the Republicans controlled the governing body, the taxes had been kept at an affordable rate. However, with the present democrat governing body in charge and with all the PILOT programs being given to the various developers, our taxes are going up at a faster rate. There has been little or no pushback on any of the PILOT programs from the controlling governing body of the committee, which is 4 Democrats to 1 Republican. These programs are affecting our school taxes and our taxes in general.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue in my opinion is the vacant buildings and PILOT programs that will be used to re-develop these properties. As you drive along Madison Avenue, there are many vacant buildings. What is going to happen to these properties? Is the current democrat governing body going to sell out our residents to the highest bidder? In addition, the incentives (tax breaks) that these developers are receiving in turn places the burden of these tax breaks on the backs of our residents. I believe we must consider what this is doing to taxpayers. This is especially hurting our senior residents and residents on modest or fixed incomes who cannot afford to keep up with this rate of tax burden on their properties. In addition, all this over-building creates an environmental issue – the beauty of our township is being destroyed and the natural landscape is being replaced by concrete and asphalt.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I have been a resident for 40 years and have watched the landscape of the township change. In the past, under Republican control, development was done with the residents’ best interest in mind. Under the current governing democrat body, developers receive all the tax breaks and advantages that comes with those breaks with little consideration of the residents. My position is to represent all the resident taxpayers of the township. Right now, opposing opinions are not being heard or even being paid much attention. One has to think with all the vacant buildings on Madison Avenue potentially being redeveloped in the township, the traffic and landscape is going to change dramatically. We, the residents, are going to bear the burden of these higher taxes for our schools, our properties and our services. This abuse has to be stopped or at least relooked at in a reasonable and responsible fashion.

To explain the PILOT: When a town does a PILOT program, the town receives a payment and distributes as they feel there is need. The developers benefit by receiving a property tax exemption during the life of the agreement on the overall improvements to the property (land value is still subject to property taxes). In lieu of this, the developer would be responsible for paying an annual service charge/PILOT payment, which is defined in the agreement. This PILOT payment is generally lower than the property tax amounts, helping to improve the net operating income of the developer and, in turn, encouraging them to enhance the property and raise its fair value. The municipalities also benefit as these payments received go directly to the municipality and do not have to be shared with other local taxes (school, local, etc.), although 5% of the payments received, go directly to the county budgets. (NJ PILOT Program | Payment in Lieu of Taxes (eisneramper.com). Morristown has been abusing this program. Therefore, Morristown gains revenue from these developers by not paying their fair-share of school tax. This then places the bulk of the tax burden on the township residents (As I’m sure you noticed by the increase in school tax this year). Developers should have to set aside a direct payment equal to the amount of “tuition” per student in each housing unit similar to what our township residents are expected to pay. With a PILOT program, payment is generally lower than the property tax amounts, helping to improve the net operating income of the developer, which, in turn, encourages them to enhance the property and raise its fair value. PILOT agreements are meant to spur the development of a property, or an area that is not otherwise generating its maximum contribution to a town’s tax base. The negotiation of the PILOT agreement should be a thorough and fair process. Because state laws do not require that the local school districts receive a direct portion of the PILOT, local officials should take the opportunity during the negotiating process to ensure that if the new property directly affects the school district, accommodations should be made to include the school district with compensation or appropriate credit. (School Finance: An Overview of PILOT Programs - New Jersey School Boards Association (njsba.org)

Since we share the school system with Morristown, Morristown has taken advantage of these PILOT programs. We on the other hand have had to take on more of the tax burden. Morristown has more students enrolled in the public school system than Morris Township. Our school tax has risen, and Morristown’s tax has gone down. This issue should have been addressed long ago between both towns. There is also another reason that our school taxes are so high. Morristown was last reassessed in 2004 and it is my understanding that it has not done its revaluation of the town that was ordered in 2017 by the County Tax Board. Thus, they are paying their school taxes on undervalued property.

All this re-development has caused another issue to be addressed. TRAFFIC! The traffic problems and the wear and tear on our roads and communities is going to cause all kinds of issues. This again has to be considered with all the redevelopment that is being proposed. The quality of our life is changing, and we have to have our voices heard. With respect to traffic and roads, why did our democratic governing body reject Federal Funds earmarked for infrastructure improvement on the Route 24 Project? Anyone who travels the Route 24/Columbia Turnpike/Park Avenue intersection during rush hour knows the nightmare of traveling in that area.

Now, in this same area, the Red Bulls Soccer Club is potentially building their facility on the former Honeywell site. I don’t have enough information on this issue to give a responsible answer, but one of my other concerns for this site is if additional high-density housing were to go there – our schools will also be impacted. Again, the traffic in the area is horrible now and without the Federal funding which was not accepted by the current democrat governing body, image what traffic issues & problems not only on the Columbia Tpke/Park Avenue roads, but the access road on Kahn Road/Madison Avenue, this additional redevelopment may potentially cause going forward.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Being fiscally responsible with taxpayer money.

We should be considering affordable housing and improved tax structures for our current senior citizens, residents on modest/fixed incomes and our veterans. Many of these residents, like me, have been township residents for years, have paid their taxes, and raised their families in the township. Many of our long-time residents have had to move due to the higher tax burdens that these PILOT programs have been putting on the township taxpayer. The tax burdens absorbed by our residents from these PILOT programs are changing not only the landscape of our town, but we are also losing long-time residents.

We all want to live in a town that is safe for ALL its residents. Under the excellent leadership of Sheriff James Gannon and Chief of Police Mark DiCarlo, our township police department is second no none! Supporting our outstanding law enforcement is crucial to not only our township but to any community. The continued training and education that our law enforcement goes through, is one of the reasons that our local communities and law enforcement have a great rapport. I will always support our law enforcement and our first responders. We will continue to invest in our community programs including our parks & recreation, pools and playgrounds so our families will continue to have a fun & safe place to play and enjoy.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Although I have been given and received lots of wonderful advice, I think the values my family instilled in me have molded me to be the person I am today. Treat everyone with kindness as we are all created in the image and likeness of God. Always tell the truth and stand up for what you believe in, even if you must stand-alone. Always be yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Government works for the people. I will work tirelessly to accomplish what is best for all the township residents. I have lived in this township for a very long time. This is my home. When my family first came to this area of New Jersey, we made our home in the Butterworth section of the Township. As our family grew, we moved to the Rolling Hill at Lake Road development. As my life changed even further, I moved to Convent Station! I never considered living anywhere else in New Jersey but Morris Township – one of the best places to live and raise a family.

My life experiences have prepared me to face any and all challenges that are presented. My professional career has varied over the years. After first graduating college, I worked in advertising. Shortly after moving to New Jersey our family opened our own business where I would do some of the bookkeeping. For most of my life here in Jersey, I was a stay-at-home mom. I was fortunate enough to be able to have that ability and I would not want to change that experience for anything. This afforded me the opportunity to get involved in the children’s school and recreational activities including coaching, parent organizations associated with their respective schools, booster clubs, fashion shows, raffle programs, etc. After the kids “left the nest”, I worked in banking for approximately 8 years. I am currently working for a reinsurance company as a Sr. Actuarial Analyst and have been doing so for the last 11+ years. I belong to Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church in Cedar Knolls where I am an active member and a Eucharistic Minister.

I want to thank you for your time and consideration. God Bless America & I hope I can earn your vote on November 2nd.

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