Independent and write-in candidates Greg Harris reported the following on his website, www.writeingregharris.com:
1. If you are elected, what would you do first? What would be your highest priority?
My first priority would be working on ways to make sure that the public is informed of everything going on in this town. I’d work to get us systems in place both online and offline to reach every resident with information regarding government matters and decisions, important votes coming up, scheduled meetings and agendas, minutes of meetings, and community events. Residents must be informed of what’s important. Apartment complexes should not appear from nowhere without residents knowing?
2. What can council do to make WW more business friendly?
We can put together a committee to welcome and attract new businesses and have a volunteer liaison who can work with the developers, businesses and the township. We need to offer incentives on taxes or fees, and find ways to move standard repetitive permits along quickly so businesses don’t lose revenue waiting for inspections and permits.
3. What is vision for town center, where located, and how funded?
Evidenced by my survey, clearly the people of this town want Route 571 as the main street. We should work with the county on getting the road fixed up and presentable, and get safety measure put in to slow down traffic for that short section of the road.
As seen with the Cyzner property, the business will help fund. It’s good business. More people means more revenue. When the Intercap site is done, get it connected to “Main Street.”
4. How can we lower taxes?
Although we are talking about savings in Municipal taxes that will only amount to a few hundred dollars a year in savings, there are a few things we can do that won’t affect services much or at all. Looking at our debt service, and future capital purchases can help.
The reality is that most residents would rather pay the extra $100 a year in taxes than lose the services.
5. How do you feel about financing boutique charter schools?
In a school district like ours, spending money on charter schools that are not needed is not a priority. Our schools are top notch and provide services already in many charter schools. However, we have to ask why Samonte says she supports the school district, yet she sends child to private school.
6. Is it ok that the council only cut the school budget $500k when the people of the town voted it down?
No, it is not! The residents spoke when voting it down. The council needs to respect the wishes. Cutting it .05 percent is not enough. We represent the people. We must do what we can to adhere to their wishes.
At the same time, One reason it was voted down by the residents is that they may not have understood the situation clearly. Communication is most important. If the residents came out and voted, this would not have happened.
7. Candidates have mentioned more shared services. Where can this be done?
My view on this is that unless their is a real serious benefit to sharing services, we should avoid it. As a businessman I understand what it’s like to have and not have control over our services. If we want to continue as a full service community, and have our residents be a priority, we should consider providing services to others, but I am not comfortable with taking from others where it will impact us negatively for only a small savings per household. We should examine on a case by case basis, and be very careful.
Diehl is suggesting shared emergency services, police and fire. I would consider cooperation on these, not contracted services.
8. What would you do to increase safety on 571 since fatalities in 2004, 2005, and 2006?
First I think we should point out that the fact that there have been none in the last six years means that some of these things are already being addressed. Additionally we need a traffic light at Windsor plaza, and make changes to the roads to slow down traffic and add medians and crosswalks.
The county needed us to give permission to rebuild old Trenton Road bridge, why could we not negotiate for something for us?
9. What would you do to better on conflicts between council and administration?
For starters, procedures for communication need to be clear, and ordinances updated as a base to start with. The administration can’t drop bombs onto council at a meeting with no prior discussion or documentation.
Transparency is a requirement. Not an option. The Mayor needs to be more communicative. Litigation needs to be avoided at all costs.
