Consolidation provides savings now and in future

Editor:

I had the opportunity to attend the informational forum at High Point Regional High School on the issue of consolidation of the municipalities of Sussex Borough and Wantage Township and I did so with an open mind. The commissioners who were in favor of consolidation provided us with an excellent professional presentation that showed both the positive and negative aspects of the proposed consolidation.

The sole commissioner who opposes the merger of the municipalities came to the forum, as he put it, unprepared to make a presentation. I knew well before attending the meeting the names of the commissioners scheduled to make presentations and the pro or con stance they were to present. This leaves me to wonder how he was unaware of this and attended without doing his homework. He offered no facts and his major argument was that Sussex would benefit more than Wantage would.

It is clear that both the taxpayers of Sussex and Wantage would both benefit from consolidation, Sussex would surely benefit more than Wantage initially, but they would both benefit. The commissioners explained in a clear and concise manner why this is true.

Initially Sussex would benefit more because a much smaller population is supporting their government, which creates a much higher individual taxpayer cost to cover the expenses of the day-to-day operations of this government. Over time, savings would be more equally distributed over the entire new municipality of Sussex-Wantage.

This consolidation would do nothing to eliminate our respective municipalities' historical past, our history would remain intact.

Consolidation would eliminate the antiquated township committee form of government and afford us the ability to directly elect our mayor. Also eliminated would be the costly benefits afforded to township committee members, a part-time public service position, which costs taxpayers up to $30,000 per committee person.

Concerns about costs to repair Sussex Borough's sewer and water utilities were raised. The commissioners assured those in attendance that the utilities are consumer driven thus all repair costs will be the responsibility of customers of those utilities. There is no need for Wantage home owners to worry about shouldering the costs of repair and upgrades to the system.

Our communities are intertwined, our futures are common, one government will ensure the best future for all.

In an area where the size of government is a major concern, we are offered an opportunity to eliminate an entire layer of government. Isn't smaller government something most of the voters of Sussex and Wantage want? Consolidation provides the citizens savings now and more savings in the future. Vote yes for consolidation, vote yes for Sussex-Wantage.

Thank you to all of the commissioners who provided us with their best efforts.

Bob Heiden

Wantage

Add your voice now to PSE&G opposition

Editor:

Seeing is believing ...

In a world of analogies and clichés, it is time to put a hammer to your thumb. Sussex residents need to "grip it and rip it," if only to approximate the painful impact PSE&G's proposed Bushkill-to-Roseland power line expansion will have on our fair land. Because "sticking out like a sore thumb" is the appropriate cliché to describe how these gargantuan, industrial-strength monuments to conspicuous consumption would look on our local landscape. Not only do they represent classic "overkill," they are just plain ugly.

Thankfully, you don't actually have to disable a digit to visualize the potential impact of this massive project. You can now see it courtesy of three images currently posted on Stop The Lines (www.stopthelines.com), the Web site of our local community opposition group.

If you're still indifferent to the impact after viewing these three images, then you can go back to "sleeping like a log." However, if you're as alarmed by this proposed blight to Sussex County's bucolic charm as a growing number of locals are, then "wake up and smell the coffee." It's not too late to weigh in via your elected officials or members of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities, which will begin hearing PSE&G's case Nov. 16.

One thing is certain: There is no value in acting after the BPU casts its vote. Because unlike the proverbial sore thumb, the potential impacts of PSE&G's proposed hammer job would become permanent with an affirmative decision by the BPU. Thus, "there's no time like the present" for adding your voice to the chorus of opposition. Because as we all know ... "He who
hesitates is lost."

Mike Marion

Fredon

It's time for new faces to fix Vernon mess

Editor:

Like most voters in Vernon Township, we are thoroughly disgusted with the ongoing mess the Town Council has created over many years, but lately it seems as if they are totally incompetent and guilty of gross mismanagement of the public's money.

We have a sewer system for which "someone" forgot to make sure we had a source of water; we use prime real estate for a sewerage treatment plant and pay an exorbitant price for it; we let go municipal workers because of the economic crisis, but hire a $70,000 assistant manager; we hired an attorney with little or no experience with municipal law; we have a Town Council that has given us millions and millions in debt; and we have a town manager whose bewildering knowledge and competence lead many to shake their heads in wonder. And yet, the voters are asked to continue with "politics as usual," choosing the same party that has created this outrageous mess.

It is time for change in Vernon Township. It is time to elect new people to the Town Council who will make decisions based on what is good for all the people of Vernon, and not just refuse to make a move like frightened little rabbits, without first consulting the chief rabbit.

One-party politics created the mess and the time is now to elect Independent candidates who are intelligent, involved and can think for themselves.

The Vernon Township Democratic Club proudly and enthusiastically endorses Sally Rinker and Mary Ellen Vichiconti for the Vernon Township Council, and we urge their election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Dick Conklin

President, Vernon Township Democratic Club

Helping provide
health care for unlucky

Editor:

Suppose we had a system, funded through taxes, for folks stricken by unforeseen and undeserved medical conditions, and suppose that I lucked out and never needed to tap into it. Would I want my money back, to use for another vacation or even for some cosmetic surgery? I hope not. I'd like to think that I'd be glad for the personal good luck, and that I might visit and ask whether I could run an errand for a sick neighbor.

Dr. Ken Knowlton

Budd Lake