Public needs info on environmental rules

Your recent reports on Metedeconk watershed issues miss some key points. A few years ago I went on record as supporting efforts to encourage limited commercial development to build Jackson’s tax base. Unlike Howell, we don’t have (and frankly don’t want) a Route 9 cutting through town.

However, whether we like it or not, Route 9 generates substantial commercial ratables for Howell. With the exception of Great Adventure, Jackson has no significant commercial base (both retail and professional establishments). I, like all homeowners, feel the ever-increasing school tax bite each and every year.

As a member of the Jackson Township Committee I have worked hard to control taxes. I am proud that this administration has rolled back the municipal tax rate to pre-1990 levels. However, school taxes keep rising. It’s not surprising when you realize the growth spike we’ve had to endure with literally thousands of new students.

This, combined with the freeze on state aid has killed our school district’s ability to meet the challenges of skyrocketing enrollment. The Bush administration in Washington has made a bad problem worse by refusing to fund programs it mandates.

I agree with those who call for property tax reform. I want our governor and legislators to act now to deal with this crisis. I will join our local legislators in supporting a "millionaires" income tax surcharge to provide school funds and local property tax relief. My only conditions are that the money has to be used for classroom instruction and local property tax relief. I do not want to simply throw more money at school districts to use on hiring new administrators and building their bureaucracy.

Despite our efforts to control taxes and fight for reform, we still need to build the local tax base. The simple reality is that our population has increased by 40 percent. It goes without saying that we need to build up revenue from commercial property to help us keep pace with the cost of providing services to a substantially increased population. There is no alternative that can be taken seriously. If we can keep all property taxes stable it’s a worthwhile effort.

It is for these reasons that I believe we can protect the environment, continue to control residential over-development, while trying to attract clean, commercial ratables. I support the upgrade of the Metedeconk River to Category 1 status. At the same time I favor the intelligent approach of trying to afford a maximum protection to the river while affording maximum protection to the hundreds of small property owners in the area.

It is unconscionable to me that anyone would think about literally condemning people’s property without making a fair effort to look at alternatives. Residents adjacent to the Metedeconk or any of its tributaries in Jackson could incur a substantial decrease in the value of their property if "no can use" restrictions are placed upon their land. We are constantly told about "win-win" proposals. Consider the potential for this to become a "lose-lose-lose" proposal.

First, the people who own the land lose value. As a result they file tax appeals so their assessment gets reduced. Second, the town loses tax dollars so everyone else’s tax increases to make up the loss. Third, we all lose the possibility that some limited amount of this land could be put to good economic use without harming the river or the environment in any way. I can’t think of a worse situation.

I do not support relaxed standards of environmental protection in return for new ratables. I do support the best use of technology and science to protect our environment while enabling people to enjoy and use their property responsibly. I call upon everyone to really think this through before locking themselves into the false hope of just saying no to everything. It is also not a responsible option for our community.

I have asked Mayor Sean Giblin to schedule a public forum with state officials so residents can be informed on all of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s intentions and efforts. I want residents to be able to get real answers to these important questions. As often happens, too much "opinion" is being spread as "fact." We need real facts and the real truth so residents and elected officials alike can make informed decisions about our future. I welcome residents’ comments which can be sent to joedg@monmouth.com.

Joseph D. Grisanti

Deputy Mayor

Jackson