Skip to content

Not Out Of The Debt Woods Yet

The good news about last night’s stunning upset is that it makes clear that the people of Belmar really do understand that debt is a problem.  Despite what the big spending politicians tell them, they know that when they borrow too much the bills will eventually be for more than they can pay.

The problem is that we’ve already borrowed way too much.

Rejecting the $7 million bond was a big step but it’s only the first step.  We still owe over $40 million and some of it will be due very soon.  We have to change our ways.

I look at the payment of bills lists when they are released and I always wonder if anyone down there is even capable of saying “no”.  But if we are going to prevent devastating tax increases in the next few years we have to look at everything we presently spend money on and see if it can be done at less cost or if it needs to be done at all.

And for the next few years we must limit any new borrowing to be for essential infrastructure and public safety projects.  Sacrifice today for a healthy future.  It’s the responsible way forward.

6 Comments

  1. Anonymous wrote:

    There is a “culture” to every business.
    That goes for municipalities as well.
    The Mayor and Council establish the ways things are done and the spending of public funds. THE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR carries out that vision in the day-to-day. Currently, the average Belmar resident has an adversarial relationship with that administration. If this administration would simply follow the
    purchasing and hiring ordinances we have in place, that relationship would change overnight.

    Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 11:40 am | Permalink
  2. guest wrote:

    This was posted on the borough website:
    “The August 26th Mayor and Council meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting is September 9th.”

    Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 3:54 pm | Permalink
  3. Anonymous wrote:

    I saw that the meeting was rescheduled. Made me think of when you’re a kid and want to get out of a test so you stay home from school. Don’t these meetings get planned well enough in advance? The vote isn’t going to change so rip off the bandaid and get on with business and rebuilding!!

    Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 8:02 pm | Permalink
  4. Anonymous wrote:

    Just a word on this. The key issue coming up I think is getting the council to rescind their ordinance on hiring contractors that have an apprentice program – Union contractors.
    If that’s not done, every construction contract given out by the town will be at top dollar every time. This must be the first order of business.

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 5:01 am | Permalink
  5. Anonymous wrote:

    If they refuse to to rescind it will we have enough time to get it on the ballot in November? Either way the Mayor is in trouble for forcing it down the taxpayers throats,the union bosses won’t like rescinding it and the taxpayers won’t like not recinding it. He’s damned if he does and damned if he don’t. That would be poetic justice.

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 10:46 am | Permalink
  6. VITO CORLEONE wrote:

    I guess the five families won’t find work here?

    Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 11:49 am | Permalink

Post a Comment

Your email is never published nor shared.