I am writing to support the candidacies of Bryan Maher, Lauren Kohn, and Gary Zohn for West Windsor Town Council.
The political machines and coziness with developers that have long dominated West Windsor have run their course. In their place will come a set of bright, talented, and financially savvy new council members who will sweep away the old and ingrained ways of thinking that have been holding this township back for years. Bryan, Lauren, and Gary exemplify what is sorely needed in our town’s government: solid financial skills and a totally fresh outlook, rather than the simple rubber-stamping of directives from the administration.
Let’s look at some of the major issues that Bryan, Lauren, and Gary pledge to devote their full attention to:
Competent fiscal planning. The administration has consistently fallen down in the budgeting process. Present council leadership has failed to require that budgets be delivered on time and subjected to thorough reviews. This has led to last-minute adoptions and consequent lack of oversight in eliminating waste of taxpayer money. New council leadership will ensure that the entire fiscal planning process is overhauled and given the in-depth scrutiny it deserves.
A tax-positive redevelopment plan. The InterCap project has been badly mismanaged from the get-go. Recent fiscal impact studies financed by the developer have used unrealistic assumptions and absurdly low marginal per-pupil costs. The administration, facilitated by a compliant council, has failed to provide its own independent fiscal study. Bryan and others have objectively demonstrated that the project would be tax-negative under all but the rosiest assumptions. Control needs to be reasserted, and Gary, Lauren, and Bryan will assure this is done.
Business development. Good business ratables are the key to keeping residential taxes low while providing convenient access to essential services. Our main street, Route 571, is being gradually improved, but more remains to be done. Bryan, Lauren, and Gary will see to it that this gateway to our town is developed and maintained in an attractive condition that will benefit property values and enhance our quality of life.
Government transparency. Anyone who has seen a council meeting in the last year has seen that facts have been hidden and discrepancies swept under the rug. This has been drawn to council’s attention numerous times but to no avail. Bryan, Lauren, and Gary will not tolerate this secrecy and will insist that the government’s business be carried out in the open.
Planning the future. We have a well-developed master plan that has been seriously undermined by efforts such as creating a new train station zone to please one particular developer. This process came under heavy fire from an independent outside planner and is against well-recognized prudent public policy. Bryan, Lauren and Gary will ensure we stay with the master plan while retaining the flexibility needed to handle long-term issues.
John A. Church
West Windsor
