Vote for independent voices in Howell

I have been a resident of Howell for nine years, my wife's family has been here since before there was a "Howell." Growing up in Fords, Middlesex County, I had no idea what open space was.

If the current administration retains control in November life as we know it in Howell will be over and that's a fact.

The current administration wants to change Howell's master plan to allow for over 3,000 new homes? This is confusing to me because one of the cornerstones of their campaign four years ago was curbing residential development.

All three Republican candidates were quoted in an Oct. 10, 2002, Tri-Town News article as "questioning the present (Konopka) administration's commitment to stemming residential development when, according to them, there have been 1,095 new homes built while they were in office."

The current administration was also highly critical of the Konopka administration in regard to taxes. The following quote is from the same Oct. 10, 2002 Tri-Town News article.

Councilman Peter Tobasco, who is seeking re-election next month, said, "Despite the mayor's claims of a stable tax rate, the fact is there has been a 95 percent increase in four years." He said the municipal tax rate in 1998 was 17.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and today it is 34.5 cents per $100.

During Mr. Tobasco's tenure, Howell's municipal tax rate has risen over 54 percent. Mr. Tobasco calls this, "Fiscally responsible leadership." I shudder to think what Mr. Tobasco considers irresponsible?

During the 2002 campaign Mr. Tobasco and his running mates cited professional fees as being one of the major causes for Howell's tax problems, "the problem is not the school costs, which is what he claimed the municipal administration will say is to blame for rising taxes."

The culprit is the "exorbitant" costs of township professionals. "Costs must be cut," he said. "Professional fees are what is taking too much of the money."

Professional fees during the Republicans' tenure have risen more than 40 percent over the last two years?

Mr. Tobasco and the current administration were all in favor of abolishing the time limits for addressing the Township Council while they were trying to get elected.

Mr. Tobasco and the current administration recently reinstated the time limit for speakers?

The fact is nothing has changed, the current administration has not done what they promised to do when they needed my vote four years ago and now they're making the same empty promises again. Unusual? No. Disappointing? Yes.

Last year the voters sent a message by voting independent and saying no to party politics. Do yourself a favor and vote independent again this year and give the power back to the people because this is our town and it's not for sale.

Jay Migliaccio

Howell