Dear Editor:
The State just charged the City of Hoboken $4.2 million because it implemented an illegal Early Retirement Incentive program in 2008. Unless City Hall magically pulls a rabbit out of its hat of financial tricks, taxpayers will once again be asked to pick up the tab for the City’s incompetence. If the $4.2 million is raised by taxes, the tax levy for FY09 will go from $34 million in FY08 to an unfathomable $68.2 million in FY09. This is an outrageous 100 percent increase in Municipal taxes in less than 12 months!
Mismanagement – When will the mismanagement, incompetence, or possible criminal actions taken by members of this administration stop? How did the Mayor’s office and City Council approve such a measure? How many other “surprises” will bleed our taxpayers of their hard earned money at a time we need it most? Why are we over seven months into our fiscal year and spending approximately $700,000 on salaries and benefits for a Mayor, Council and Fiscal Monitor who only seem to increase taxes? How high will taxes go now to pay for the Mayor and Council’s latest $4.2 million boondoggle?
Accountability – When will someone be held accountable? Private sector employees lose jobs for less than this. Everyone responsible for this failure should be fired immediately, without pay or “golden parachutes”. These elected or appointed officials and employees have already cost the taxpayer millions. It is time to aggressively hold people accountable and “clean house”. If criminal actions occurred, everyone involved should be prosecuted. It is time for our elected officials to get serious about running the City as a business instead of their own personal treasure chest for insiders.
Better Communication and Transparency – Why aren’t taxpayers being adequately informed of the state of our finances? We deserve better communication and information from City Hall and our elected leaders on the current state of affairs. We do not appreciate these $4.2 million “surprises”. You were elected to be caretakers of our money. We deserve to know immediately and directly how this $4.2 million charge will impact our tax rate for the upcoming months and years. And, we deserve full disclosure of all the fiscal mistakes that have occurred.
A Rallying Cry – The situation is yet another wake up call for the citizens of Hoboken. We must continue to demand change, now. We must continue to be vigilant, to organize and to demand greater leadership and results from our elected officials. We can and must do better. I strongly encourage residents get involved by attending meetings and joining organized groups at websites such as LowerHobokenTaxes.com and HobokenRevolt.com. Ultimately, the power to change the status quo lies with the voters this upcoming May. Be sure to register to vote, learn about the issues and have your voices heard at the ballot box.
Sincerely,
Scott Delea