Thursday, May 25, 2017

Strongly Supporting Jack Ciattarelli for Governor

Candidate for NJ Governor, Jack Ciattarelli

I couldn't imagine who would ever want to be New Jersey's next governor.  Our state is in such a terrible mess -enormous property taxes,  insane state school funding formulas, a State pension fund so deep in the hole that 3 former governors at a League of Municipalities Conference recently agreed they wouldn't even know where to being in order to fix it.   However,  I'm very impressed with a candidate who has a plan and gives real answers to question vs. the same older political rhetoric.  That candidate is Jack Ciattarelli, he's a businessman and resident first, before politics.

I've never been one to shy away from disagreeing with my own political party but I believe Jack Ciattarelli is the best person to lead the state.  The Primary selection for Governor should not be a coronation of an establishment's candidate that automatically assumes the nomination.  It should be a contest and debate. In those debates Jack has demonstrated himself to be the better candidate.   Here are the reasons why I'm supporting Jack Ciattarelli in the June 6th primary.

SCHOOL FUNDING -  Finally someone is admitting why our property taxes are so out of control and has a plan to fix it.  The way the State funds our schools is all out of wack.  Jack is pointing this out and vowing to change that formula.  He acknowledges it will take bipartisan work in the legislature but already knows which Democratic Assemblypersons and Senators are open to support it.  There is no reason why residents of Denville should be paying leagues more money for their schools than affluent property owners in Hoboken or Jersey City.  We need a new fair funding formula.

TERM LIMTED - I enthusiastically applaud how Jack has term-limited himself in every political position he's had.  He believes politicians must NOT be a permanent part of a political machine.   Jack is a business owner and resident first. He is not tied to a political establishment.

BENEFITS REFORM - I point blank asked Jack how'd he accomplish this with a Legislature that is in the pockets of big unions.  He has a plan.  Jack knows he can lead support for school funding reform with key bipartisan support in suburban counties. Once that success is achieved he can leverage that equity for State benefits reform.  All the stakeholders have to come together instead of the mudslinging and name-calling that has been happening for the last 8 years.  It's time for a new and fair approach on both sides of the issue.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING -   It's a simple plan, get it out of the courts and back to the legislature. As Governor, Jack will appoint a fair council that will be committed to getting something done instead of being deadlocked in political stalemate.  I'm proud of my political party but we need to put the state first over political parties and work across the aisle.

THE DMV - Finally a NJ political figure is pointing out how inefficient the DMV is and wants to fix it.

HE CAN WIN IN NOVEMBER- NJ voters lean heavy Democrat and the actions of this last administration and the National Republican Party over the last few years have nearly destroyed the party in NJ.   Jack is putting NJ first and is the only one who has smart sound ideas that both Republicans and Democrats can agree with.  We need to fix the the states finances ASAP and there is a way to do it without massive tax increases.  Let's fix the wasteful inefficient state government.

Ciattarreli's opponent Kim Gaudagno is a nice individual. I am grateful for the support she has shown Denville, but it's time for change.  The accusations against Jack from her campaign are wrong.  He is not looking to raise taxes, instead he is actually giving voters an honest and complete plan about how he will fix this economically dying state.  I much rather a candidate that gives details instead of quick marketing tricks and sound bytes.  Vote Jack Ciattarelli June 6th.  He's a really impressive guy and the only hope we have to save NJ.

Jack recently outlining some of his plan for NJ.com


Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Thoughts About 7-11 In Denville



7-11 is intersted in purchasing the old auto-garage across from Norman Dean Funeral Home in Denville.  I'm not a huge fan of 7-11s and not too interested in one being so close to our downtown.  It has the potential to disrupt the small-town feel Denville has.

However, the area has been zoned for commercial/retail use for decades.  And the owner of the property has a right to sell/open whatever type of establishment he/she wants as long as fits with the type of usage area has been zoned for.   And despite my pre-conceived notions of what 7-11s look like, there are some newer 7-11s that are very presentable and work well within downtown districts.  Morristown & Panther Valley are two examples.

There certainly are others like myself, cautious about a 7-11 in our downtown.  However, there is a misconception that the Planning Board meeting tomorrow night (Weds, May 24th) has the option to reject a -7-11 from coming to that location.  Unfortunately, that is most likely not going to happen.  The Planning Board is not deciding whether to allow 7-11 to open.  They are deciding as to whether they grant 7-11 variances for sign usage and front yard setback. Local governments can not be specific about types of establishments property owners can open.  I' ve heard people say "it'd be ok if it were a WAWA".  Well that's illegal and unconstitutional.  None of us should support governments restricting establishments based on our whether they like that establishment.  This is America.  Citizens can open businesses on private property they choose as long as they are legal businesses abiding by the laws of that location.  Other than those use variances the owners of the property do not need "township" approval to open a 7-11.  (Minutes from 1st Planning Board Meeting)

I might also note that outside of being illegal, restricting an establishment from opening due to unsubstantiated stigmas of that establishment would easily result in costing Denville taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.   Naturally any property owner would sue the Township if we restricted them, which is unbelievable costly to taxpayers.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO?

The Planning Board can request the applicant (7-11) make remedies to accommodate parking, traffic, etc.. but can't say "no we don't want a 7-11".  It can also be an opportunity to ask the 7-11 owners to do other things to help the neighborhood.  (They wouldn't be contingent on approval but it doesn't hurt to ask)  So I encourage everyone who is concerned about those implications to attend the meeting and ask questions during the public portion.  The Planning Board is made up of fellow Denville residents just like ourselves.  None of them have any vested interest or benefit in whether a 7-11 is there or not.  I have confidence they'll make the right decisions for our town and I encourage residents to discuss these matters with the Planning Board.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?

If you absolutely don't want a 7-11?  Let's utilize the best form of protest we have, our wallets and pocketbooks.  Show up to the meeting and remind 7-11 that we'll support SmartWorld or Mara's for our coffee.  We'll go to DenvilleMart for quick convenience items.  When we need a newspaper, we'll go to the Smoke Shop.   Contact 7-11 Corporate. and let them know as well.