Republican Candidates Put Democrat Incumbents On The Defensive

The Union County League of Women Voters held its annual Candidate Forum for Freeholder at the Cranford Municipal Building on Tuesday, October 15th.

Reporters Richard Khavkine from the Star Ledger and Mike Deak of the Courier News served as panelist that asked questions ranging from Berkeley Heights succession, Runnells Hospital, Freeholder districting, the budget and few more issues.

You can watch debate online of the Union County LWV 2013 Freeholder Forum on Cranford TV35.

A short recap:

Berkeley Heights Secession - BH Mayor Bruno wrote recently "The reason why we are seeking to secede from Union County is because we are not happy with the taxes we are paying. In 2013, it cost the taxpayers of Berkeley Heights $15,598,269 to belong to Union County which was an increase of $1,110,360 or 7.66 percent from 2012. In 2013, we had the third-largest increase next to Elizabeth and Linden. The average county tax increase per household was $95, but here in Berkeley Heights our average was over $200. Did our county services improve? No! In fact the county dropped us from our shared IT service agreement which we paid additional money for." Everyone should understand the underlying frustration municipalities have with the county that would drive Berkeley Heights to want to secede

Runnells Hospital - In 2010 Freeholder Debates, Freeholder Kowalski responded "a few years ago, Runnells was not in such good shape financially." Then went on to say, "this Democratic team, we have made sure Runnells is self-sustaining economically and is moving very solidly in the future," and her fellow Freeholder Linda Carter echoed the same sentiments, "Runnells is a self-sustaining hospital." Now Freeholders Carter and Kowalski have put out an RFP through the UCIA calling for the privatization of Runnells. Its now 2013, imagine the millions of tax payers' dollars that could have been saved if they looked at privatization back in 2010.

Freeholder Districts - 11 of the 21 municipalities in Union County have representation based on wards (districts). These 11 municipalities comprise 72% of the population of Union County. There are only 4 counties in New Jersey that have 9 member board of freeholders; Union, Atlantic, Hudson, and Essex Counties. Neighboring Hudson County has 9 Districts for a population of 634,000, a 100,000 more residents than Union County. Our other neighbor Essex County has 5 Districts and 4 At-Large freeholders with a population of 783,000 with 250,000 more residents than Union County. Atlantic County has 5 Districts and 4 At-Large freeholders for a population of 275,000 with 250,000 less residents than Union County. Carter and Kowalski argued against direct representation Even though Carter elects her own direct ward representative in her own town of Plainfield. 

The Budget - 15 years of continuous tax increases. Can you afford more of the same?

Time to return bipartisanship to the Board of Freeholders in order to have checks and balances. One party rule isn't working.

On November 5th, Vote Column B for A Better Union County

Krauss - Martini - Geiger For Freeholders