Your Turn
Mayor says 2009 will be a challenge
Guest Column • Michael Reina
For Jackson Township, 2008 was a year of changes, both bad and good. As if the economic woes facing our state and country, or the threat of looming tax hikes weren't enough, we had to deal with the uncertainty of who would be governing our town.

Michael Reina

In the past, politics rather than policy often dictated the direction of how our government was run. Decisions that affected the people of Jackson were made with little, if any, input from the residents. This failed policy will have no place in my administration. Call it a benchmark or a footprint to follow along the way, a new beginning is upon us and with a little effort it can only continue to move us forward as a community in 2009.

While I have been mayor for just a little over a month now, I have taken many steps to ensure that the government of Jackson is responsive to the needs of the people. As mayor, I have returned to the Township Council the tools and access necessary for them to meet the responsibilities of their office.

Since taking office in November, I have invited many people to serve as volunteers in assisting our Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. Regardless of their political affiliation, these men and women have come forward to help and are bringing others along with them. The spirit of volunteerism made our country great. To see it resurrected in times like these is something to be proud of. It is this spirit that has been missing from our government in recent times and it will lay the foundation for 2009 and beyond.

Drastic times do not always require drastic measures; a non-threatening environment and clear thinking will often prevail over any rushed or biased decisions. I believe we are on our way to maneuvering our town through this economic storm with minimum damage.

While other towns are laying people off, reducing services and raising taxes, we are doing our best to avoid these extremes by thinking before acting.

I and the members of the council have agreed to keep our salaries at the present level for the coming year. All non-contractual and non-union employees have agreed to freeze their salaries as well.

The upcoming year will bring us into contract negotiations with several unions. I expect them to come to the table with an open mind and the willingness to help as opposed to hinder.

Although no options have been ruled out to date, we are certain that an amicable solution can be reached so as not to hit the extremes that other towns have had to incorporate.

Will this be easy? Of course not, but it is a challenge that I readily accepted in November. I have the confidence that those who surround me, both paid and volunteer, professional and in house, will successfully

meet that challenge with me as we move forward, providing Jackson with the best services and government available. In essence, I will be looking to get us the most we can while controlling

expenses for the taxpayers of our town.

This is a pivotal time in Jackson's future. We all need to come together for the good of Jackson. The people of our town have waited long enough for the government they deserve, one that puts partisanship aside and sets goals that produce positives for the town instead of themselves.

Officials work for their constituents, and somewhere along the line that has been forgotten in our town. As we start the new year, accountability and commitment will become an essential part of the formula for change, and keeping a positive attitude will provide the tools for success.

The mayor's office is open and ready to work for the residents of Jackson. I have reached out to many communities, and by doing so have made arrangements to meet with them in a personal setting. The mayor's office is now a working office of the people, and I am honored to serve you in that position. My e-mail address is mike reina@jacksontwpnj.net or you can call me at 732-928-1200.

Michael Reina is the mayor of Jackson.