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Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 1810
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 11:39 am: |     |
Dave and Jamie
Thank you for posting both sets of responses for the 2003 Maplewood Township Committee Debate. Maplewood Online is certainly a great place for Maplewoodians to discuss all of the issues that are near and dear to their hearts. We appreciate all that you have done to create and maintain MOL!
E & J
Ed May |
Ed May
Citizen
Username: Edmay
Post Number: 1811
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 1:00 pm: | |
Here is a response to Kathy's and Ken's answers to the Maplewoodonline 2003 Maplewood Township Committee Debate questions. This response was prepared by Ed and Joel. The E&J response is BOLDED. This is to differentiate the E&J response from the original Q and A.
1) Electing Joel Ziegler and Ed May to the Township Committee would provide Maplewood with a Balanced Government that represents the diverse viewpoints of Conservative Republicans, Unaffiliated Voters, and Liberal Democrats.
OK
How could Balanced Government and diversity of thought ever be achieved if the Township Committee remained all Democrat?
We believe that diverse viewpoints in government are achieved by electing dynamic individuals to office. Such individuals should possess leadership, critical thinking and broad experience. They should be able to articulate their own points of view while also being capable of working constructively on a team. JOEL AND ED AGREE
We believe that we offer this type of leadership to the citizens of Maplewood, as evidenced by our other answers in this debate and by our campaign in general. ED AND JOEL FEEL THAT THEY ARE THE TYPE OF LEADEERS NEEDED NOW ON THE TC.
With regard to the concept of diversity, our society has identified many ways to categorize people for purposes of achieving various social goals. JOEL AND ED DO NOT CATEGORIZE PEOPLE. JOEL AND ED ARE NOT ABOUT ACHIEVING SOCIAL GOALS. ED AND JOEL ARE ABOUT MAXIMIZING TAXPAYER SATISFACTION.
We do not believe that political party affiliation, by itself, is an indicator of diversity. ED AND JOEL BELIEVE THAT DIVERSITY IS NOT ABOUT RACE, RELIGION, GENDER,OR SEXUAL ORENTATION. ED AND JOEL BELIEVE THAT DIVERSITY IS ABOUT IDEAS. ED AND JOEL BELIEVE THAT THEIR FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE IDEAS REPRESENT A RADICAL DEPARTURE FROM THE TAX AND SPEND POLICIES OF THE LAST TEN YEARS.
With regard to political parties in Maplewood, it is common knowledge that there have been significant differences within the Democratic Party over the last few years. This is clear from the intense interest and high voter turnout in recent primary elections. The voters already know that Democrats in Maplewood do not all think and act alike.
ED AND JOEL ARE AWARE OF THE CURRENT DIVISIONS IN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. ED AND JOEL UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXTREMELY DIVISIVE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY SHATTERED THE DEMOCRAT PARTY IN MAPLEWOOD. ED AND JOEL ENCOURAGE DISENFRANCHISED DEMOCRATS TO VOTE FOR ED AND JOEL. MANY UNAFFILIATED VOTERS AND REPUBLICANS WILL BE VOTING FOR ED AND JOEL.
If we are elected in November, the citizens of Maplewood can be assured that the Township Committee will be a group of unique individuals. IF ED AND JOEL ARE ELECTED IN NOVEMBER THE CITIZENS OF MAPLEWOOD CAN BE ASSURED THAT THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WILL BE A GROUIP OF UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS.
2) Joel Ziegler and Ed May plan to reduce property taxes by applying Total Quality Management (a process that has been proven to reduce costs and improve services in municipalities), running the town like a business, enforcing zoning laws, adding ratables, controlling expenses, eliminating unsupported programs, eliminating waste at the county level, reducing the school budget, expelling illegal students, etc. Can you conceive of a plan that would actually reduce property taxes, or do you view property taxes as something that always rise and cannot be controlled?
A summary of our positions which affect property taxes includes:
ED AND JOEL AGREE WITH LONG RANGE STRATEGIC BUDGET PLANNING, INCREASING COMMERCIAL RATABLES THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN,REGIONALIZATION, A MORE ASERTIVE AND VISIBLE BOSE, CONTINUED EFFORTS WITH THE STATE TO CHANGE THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA, ETC. ED AND JOEL WILL ACCOMPLISH THE ABOVE ECONOMICALLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
We will specifically not utilize TQM or any other formula as a substitute for leadership and common sense. Our approach to governing embraces the key tenets of the Continuous Improvement Process, namely: listening to customers, empowering employees, building consensus in making decisions, and reducing errors by setting standards and measuring results. While TQM has can be successful in the manufacturing industry, it has not clearly been proven effective in the public sector.
ED AND JOEL GIVE KATHY AND KEN A D MINUS IN ANSWERING THIS QUESTION. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IS TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT! TQM IS NOT A FORMULA. TQM EMPLOYS LEADERSHIP AND COMMON SENSE. TQM IS OFTEN CALLED TOTAL QUALITY LEADERSHIP. THE TENETS THAT KATHY AND KEN EMBRACE ARE TQM! TQM AKA CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AKA LEAN THINKING IS A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS. LISTENING TO CUSTOMERS IS ALSO CALLED VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER. EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES IS THE CORNERSTONE OF TQM. CONSENSUS BUILDING IS ONE OF MANY TQM TOOLS. SO IS ERROR REDUCTION BY SETTING STANDARDS AND MEASURING RESULTS AKA METRICS. TQM HAS BEEN PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN MANY MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS. BOTTOM LINE: KATHY AND KEN FAVOR TQM! BUT REMEMBER, ONLY ED AND JOEL ARE EXPERT AT IMPLEMENTING TQM!
We do not view property taxes as something that always rise and cannot be controlled. We believe that, in the long term, taxes can be reduced through the right combination of budget management, economic growth, regional cooperation and tax reform at the state level.
ED AND JOEL ARE HAPPY THAT KATHY AND FINALLY AGREE THAT TAXES CAN BE REDUCED!
However, we believe equally well that promising to reduce taxes in the short term is unrealistic and thus misleads the voters.
ED AND JOEL PROMISE TO REDUCE TAXES DURING THEIR 2004 THRU 2006 TERM, NOT OVER NIGHT.
The reality of our property tax structure is that municipal government accounts for only about 25% while the school district takes about 60%.
THIS IS JUST A REGURGITATION OF DATA.
The reality of the national economy is that state and federal aid to cities is decreasing drastically. We will do our utmost to control costs and hold the line on property taxes.
ALLELUIA
For candidates to promise more in the present economic climate would be pandering to the voters.
THERE YOU GO AGAIN SAYING WHAT CAN'T BE DONE.
3) How would you address the problems of gang activity, car theft, weapons possession, home break-ins, and other serious crime, given the horrendous condition of the Police Station, low police morale, the high turnover of police officers, and the other negative factors that have been allowed to develop over the last several years, while the Township Commitee was Democrat controlled?
The most important factor in dealing with current crime problems is to have a strong and effective police force. The issues of police department morale, high turnover of officers and the condition of the police headquarters are ones that we highlighted during the primary campaign and are still high on our list of priorities. The recently begun discussions regarding the location of a new headquarters is certainly a step in the right direction to address the facilities and morale issues. We can also hope that the current contract, now in arbitration, can be resolved in a manner that is acceptable to the township and the rank and file. While these two issues have been major sources of our officers discontent, there are other steps that can be taken to address the morale of our force:
- Recognition – It should never be the case again, as it was earlier this year, where the courageous actions of the part of our emergency service workers is recognized by those outside of our town before we ourselves make that recognition
- Promotion Policy – we must establish clear objective measures to identify and evaluate officers as candidates for promotion. Retention of good officers and recruiting new ones cannot occur if there is a perception that the job is a dead end.
- Training – Hand in hand with our promotion review, we should do whatever we can - within our fiscal restraints - to ensure that our officers are offered advanced training opportunities. This would not only benefit the officers but our community as well.
OK.
- Scheduling – It is my understanding that since we raised the issue of morale in the PD before the primary election, that there are now active discussions occurring to bring the scheduling of our police officers more in line with that of our surrounding municipalities.
DON'T GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT FOR THIS PER SE, K&K.
All of these things can contribute to greatly to increasing the morale of the police department at little to no incremental cost to the taxpayers if properly implemented. More importantly, implementing these suggestions could lead to a reduction in the outrageous turnover in the force that we have been experiencing and make Maplewood more attractive to officer candidates when we are hiring.
OK
We believe that the officers of Maplewood police department have the skills and dedication to deal with the challenges that our community face. Based on our conversations with the chief and his officers we believe that they are well aware of the situation with gang activity in and around our town. Maplewood is an active member of the state police task force on gang activity and are working with state, county and other municipal law enforcement departments to stay on top of the situation here in our town. There are things that we can do as citizens to address this issue as well. If you witness any kind of activity that you believe is gang related, call the police department. According to the police chief, a major tool in fighting the encroachment of gangs into our town is information. Another tool that is of great value is intervention i.e. getting to the child likely to be influenced by the lure of belonging to a gang before the gang does. The chief believes that programs in place in the middle and high schools have been successful in this regard. He also believes that his successes have not been as great as they might due in many cases to lack of parental cooperation. We believe that such a program has merit. We also believe that when parent support is not forthcoming, and a child is found to be in violation of local ordinances then the law should be applied to the fullest extent possible.
OK
Blaming the local Democrats, as a group, for any trends in crime is cynical and unseemly.
IF THE REPUBLICANS WERE IN POWER, THEY WOULD BE BLAMED.
For example, car theft has been a significant problem in Essex County for at least twenty years, long before Democrats were elected to the Maplewood Township Committee.
PLENTY OF TIME FOR THE DEMS TO HAVE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM.
We are not yet members of the Township Committee,
WE KNOW
but are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to bring our leadership to bear on the challenges facing Maplewood.
AGAIN ED AND JOEL ARE THE LEADERS NEEDED NOW IN MAPLEWOOD.
K&K Questions:
1) What is your record of community service in Maplewood and how has this prepared you to serve on the Township Committee?
Between us, we have about 75 years of cumulative community service right here in Maplewood! Seventy-five years may make us sound old, but make no mistake about it – we are still in our prime. Actually, if you add our other years of work in non-leadership positions, we would be centarians. WHATEVER
Whether, we were appointed to a Township Board, helped co-found an organization, were elected to an office in a community organization, or coached a sport’s team, our dedication to our neighbors and work to make Maplewood stronger are evident from the listing below.
We are both recipients of the prestigious Maple Leaf award for volunteerism. We believe this is the first time local political candidates have received this award prior to seeking elective office.
Our work gives us each a preparation of mega-value for the Township Committee. Appointments to Boards and work on the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) all bring us close to the workings of Maplewood’s government. Also, the listing shows a broad range of service – from the Planning Board to Domestic Violence Crisis Team. We are immersed in our town, working and playing hard on a daily basis with all of you.
Among the accomplishments that we can point to as a result of our involvement with community organizations are:
-the installation of gates in the Hillcrest neighborhood reducing traffic and creating a greater sense of community
-the introduction of a new function of the CBAC, Study Groups, which will call together residents expert in fiscal and government functioning to collaborate with the Township Committee and town administrator. The Study Groups will take on projects such as a financial comparison of certain services with towns similar to Maplewood.
-a study on residency patterns in Maplewood which has (so far) led to the institution of the new Rental Registration ordinance
-founded two neighborhood associations
-worked with Maplewood Director of Welfare to recruit and provide training to volunteers to work with police department in counseling victims of domestic violence
Ken:
Vice Chair, Zoning Board of Adjustment
Member, Planning Board and Master Plan Steering Committee
Co-Founding Trustee, Community Coalition on Race
District Leader, Maplewood Democratic Committee
Vice President, Chamber of Commerce
Founder and President, Hillcrest Rd. Neighborhood Assoc.
Volunteer, Role Model Program for Male Students of Color
Sports Coach
Kathy:
President, Co-President, Director for Health Issues: League of Women Voters of Maplewood and South Orange
President, Vice-President and Secretary: Maplewood Civic Association
Chairperson, Sub-Committee Chairperson: Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC)
President, Secretary: Maplewood Township – Local Assistance Board
Member: Maplewood Township – Zoning Board of Adjustment
Co-Founder, Co-Coordinator: Maplewood Domestic Violence Crisis Team
Co-Founder, Steering Committee: Berkshire Park Neighborhood Association
Parliamentarian, Newcomers Club of South Orange and Maplewood.
OBVIOUSLY THIS IS THE QUESTION WHERE EVERY CANDIDATE TOOTS HIS OWN HORN. JOEL AND I TOOTED OUR HORNS ALSO. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT HAVE YOOU DONE LATELY AND HOW WILL YOU PERFORM AS A TC MEMBER. JOEL AND I BRING NOT ONLY COMMUNITY SERVICE BUT REAL WORLD BUSINESS EXPERIENCE TO THE TABLE. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME THAT KATHY AND KEN HAVE GIVEN TO THE TOWN. MORE PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY DO THE SAME IF THE TAXES WERE NOT SO HIGH AND PEOPLE HAD TO WORK SO HARD JUST TO PAY THEIR TAXES. BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE TIME SPENT BUT WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED .....
2) Economic development is on everyone's mind and affects everyone's pocketbook. How should the Township Committee approach economic development, and what are the key opportunities and challenges?
Economic development has been a cornerstone of our campaign since we announced our intention to seek seats on the Township Committee. We believe that a successful economic development plan is a critical component in maintaining Maplewood’s place as one of the best places to live in the United States.
EVERYONE AGREES THAT ECONOMIC PLANNING IS A GOOD THING.
Economic development will obviously help ease the property tax burden on home owners. Another important benefit will be to improve the general quality of those residential neighborhoods that are adjacent to our commercial districts.
OK
Given Maplewood’s small size we believe that, ideally, economic development should be looked at for the town as a whole rather than one area at a time.
HOW ABOUT JOINT ECONOMIC PLANNING INVOLVING BOTH MAPLEWOOD AND SOUTH ORANGE?
But, as work has already begun on physical improvements on Springfield Avenue, it makes some sense to continue and to build on that effort. HOW MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT ON SA SO FAR AND WHAT IS TO SHOW FOR IT?
We believe an economic development plan must be based on these building blocks:
-An overall statement of vision and objectives that reflects community consensus.
There are almost as many ideas of what Springfield Avenue should be as there are constituencies in the town, for example. Some of the ideas that we have heard are very good ones but many tend to concentrate on very specific suggestions for merchants or types of stores would be good additions.
NICE PLATITUDES
What we lack at this point is aclearly articulated vision to give us overall guidance as we go forward. WE AGREE We believe that it should be a priority of the Township Committee to articulate this vision and create specific objectives that will be required to achieve that vision. WE AGREE Quite frankly, implementing this plan will require that we make some difficult decisions. DUH We must face the reality of significant changes to our zoning ordinances for such things as density, height allowances and the possible implementation of the Redevelopment Act. OK
- A real plan for economic development, not just construction and zoning, that will attract business owners and developers to Maplewood.
A well-articulated vision should describe how we like to see the town’s commercial areas upon completion of the development process. HOW ABOUT CREATING A VISION STATEMENT FOR MAPLEWOOD FIRST? To get us there, we will require a comprehensive development plan. YUP Up until now, the township has been using certain recommendations made in a consultants report titled "Economic Development Report for the Township of Maplewood" prepared by Abeles Phillips Preiss and Shapiro (APPS) submitted in 1999. It is an excellent consultant's report and has much useful information in it. THIS REPORT IS MERELY INPUT TO THE PROCESS. However, it is not a strategic plan for economic development. AGREED We believe that the town should draw on the resources of the Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Planning Board, citizens groups YES and, if necessary, outside consultants to develop this plan. MAYBE -LOTS OF TALENT RIGHT HJERE IN MAPLEWOOD....
- A comprehensive project plan presenting key milestones, schedules, and resources required to achieve the goals. GEE, THAT GANTT CHART SOUNDS LIKE TQM!
We then need a system in place to measure our progress toward our goals. We cannot effectively monitor our progress or know when it may be necessary to adjust components of the plan unless a project plan has been developed and referenced throughout the development process. MORE TQM!
- An economic planning professional on the township staff to lead these efforts. WE OPPOSE ADDING A $100,000 FULL TIME PERMANENT ECONOMIC PLANNER TO THE STAFF!
Finally, FINALLY we advocate that the township add a planning professional to its staff. WE OPPOSE ADDING A $100,000 FULL TIME PERMANENT ECONOMIC PLANNER TO THE STAFF!
This person would be responsible for coordinating the steps outlined above as well as being the focal point of business and developer recruitment for the own. WE OPPOSE ADDING A $100,000 FULL TIME PERMANENT ECONOMIC PLANNER TO THE STAFF!
As we strongly believe that code enforcement is an integral part of a successful redevelopment effort, this individual might also be responsible for code enforcement as well. WE OPPOSE ADDING A $100,000 FULL TIME PERMANENT ECONOMIC PLANNER TO THE STAFF!
We believe that the greatest opportunity, as well as the greatest challenge, for redevelopment in Maplewood lies on Springfield Avenue. NOT ONLY SA The opportunity lies in the recent developments on the avenue. The physical improvements that have begun on the avenue can be seen as a sign to those who might have interest in investing there that we are serious in our redevelopment efforts. MAYBE We are also fortunate that a couple of viable new businesses have relocated or are in the process of relocating there. I HOPE THEY DO PROVE VIABLE New apartment units have also been added and more are planned. This is particularly important, as we believe that a key to successful development will be increased pedestrian traffic on the avenue. YES, IF THE AVENUE IS SAFE AND SECURE
The challenges that we see are daunting but, in our opinion, not insurmountable. A NICE QUOTE First, we must improve the image of Springfield Avenue. While the physical improvements currently underway will help in moving in that direction more must be done. HOPEFULLY A physical police presence, in the form of a new headquarters or a sub-station would help to address safety concerns. AGREED Next, we must formulate and implement an economic development plan. DIDN'T YOU ALREADY SAY THAT? Finally, we must MISSING WORD viable project plans and implement them under the guidance of a professional planner. WE OPPOSE ADDING A $100,000 FULL TIME PERMANENT ECONOMIC PLANNER TO THE STAFF! We believe that we have the experience, insight and dedication to contribute positively to a successful redevelopment process. SUBSTITUTE ED AND JOEL FOR WE
3) The biggest portion of our taxes goes to our schools. As a potential Township Committee member, how do you see the role of the Board of School Estimates regarding budget planning and review?
A very good question! YOU ASKED IT We first raised this issue in our Primary Campaign because we take the responsibility of the Board of School Estimate (BSE) very seriously. We are stressing the role of the BSE because like you, we personally know that Maplewood is tax stressed with the schools’ portion of our tax bill at 57%. VERY OBSERVANT
With Maplewood’s representation on the BSE being four (3 members and 1 alternate) of the five people on the Township Committee (TC), either one or both of us, if elected will represent taxpayers on the BSE. SUBSTITUTE ED AND JOEL FOR BOTH OF US we’re emphasizing the school budget process even though this is a TC election. GLAD YOU CAUGHT ON TO THIS
We think the BSE needs to be assertive in fulfilling its responsibility. YES! It should be oriented toward improving the budgetary process and making the decisions more transparent to the public. YES! It should not try to micro-manage nor directly set educational policy. ?
The process which approved this year’s district budget was lacking in adequate review time for the BSE, and in meetings and discussions among the BOE, BSE and community. TRUE To the credit of the BSE and BOE, budget education sessions and liaison meetings are being held. THESE MEETINGS NEED CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. The dialogue is opening for the BSE. A TAD. However, the Maplewood BSE members need to be more assertive on the budget timeline by asking the BOE to modify its recently adopted calendar in order to give the approved BOE budget to the BSE with enough time for responsible review. OK
An example of a question directly affecting the schools’ budget which is being raised by Maplewood residents during our campaign is: What type of cooperation is the BOE willing to provide for reducing the number of out-of-district students by going after those committing fraud? THIS ISSUE WAS RAISED BY JOEL AND ED ~ THANKS FOR JUMPING ON THE BAND WAGON. Only with close and in-depth work will the district administrators, BOE and towns be able to resolve this problem. AND A LOT OF COURAGE. And, it is one that we think the BSE should be assertive about. OK The tuition charge for each out-of-district student is $10,000. SOMETIMES MORE. When this is not paid, the district is loosing revenue that would go toward decreasing our tax stress. DO YOU MEAN LOSING?
We’d just like to add that continuing efforts are needed by the governing town members and BSE toward the state to move the burden of school revenue away from residential taxation. TRUE We will be speaking further with Assemblyman McKeon this week, about his proposed legislation to fund the Abbott-Rim Districts, of which the South Orange-Maplewood School District is one. SUBTLE PLUG FOR ANOTHER DEM.
THIS RESPONSE WAS PREPARED BY ED AND JOEL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO KATHY AND KEN'S RESPONSE TO OUR RESPONSE, AS WELL AS VIGOROUS INPUT FROM ALL OF MOL!
Ed May |
Wordsmith
Citizen
Username: Wordsmith
Post Number: 6
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 3:59 pm: | |
Ed,
I see from your debate responses that Vic and Jerry are conducting a right in campaign.
quote:Whatever diversity of thought was offered by Vic and Jerry will be history on 01-01-04 (unless Jerry and Vic win their right in campaign).
Did you mean write-in? Or perhaps you meant right-on because you feel Vic and Jerry are so insightful.
Yours,
Ms. Wordsmith
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