Setting the Record Straight on Skillman Village
Throughout this campaign there has been many things said and done. It is time to clear the air and make sure that all the people here in Montgomery know the truth about Skillman Village..jpg)
1. There is an offer on the table: In the beginning of October the Township received an offer letter from Somerset County. In that letter, the County said that they WOULD NOT allow for a carve out for COAH housing. The County said that they would pay the Township over $14 million for Skillman Village. While our opponents are out saying that they would like to hold on to 90% of the land, that is not what the County has offered. Either you want to sell the land and start paying down our debt, or you don't. The offer is on the table.
2. Montgomery's COAH plan can be amended: According to N.J.A.C 5:96-3.4, the current proposed COAH plan that has caused this mess can be revised. This means that there is not a problem with the Township committee moving the COAH housing units designated for Skillman Village and place them at a more appropriate site. Back up sites have already been located by Township staff. Our opponents have decided to scare the voters into not only thinking that you cannot revise the COAH plan, but that if we sell Skillman Village this opens us up to thousands of more housing units. According to the law, there claims are not true. We can amend the plan. See the "Third Round" Rules available on the COAH website.
3. Reject Negative Campaigning. Our opponent's negative campaign has sunk to a level not before seen in Montgomery. Our opponents have even gone so far as to suggest that Mark Caligure and Thom Carter have conspired with the County and some developers to turn Montgomery into a terrible place to live. Our opponents have sent messages with personal attacks on Mark, with false claims, and unsupported by any proof at all -- because there is none. The truth is that Mark Caliguire and Thom Carter want the best for Montgomery and will work hard and honestly to achieve it.
Simply, the choice is yours. You can stick with the status quo. You can believe the negative and baseless attacks of our opponents. Or you can vote for Mark Caliguire and Thom Carter. Mark and Thom will accept Somerset County's offer to buy Skillman Village for use as a low-impact County Park. Mark and Thom will amend the COAH plan to move the units to a more appropriate location. Mark and Thom, along with Committeewoman Kacey Dyer, will work tirelessly to lower the Township debt so we can get to the point where we can lower taxes.
Recently Thom sat down and talked about the Issues that are facing Montgomery Township
What do you consider to be the main issues facing Montgomery Township and its residents?
First, Montgomery’s high taxes simply must be reduced and Montgomery’s fiscal house put in order. Under 8 years of Democratic leadership, Montgomery’s debt has ballooned — it is now nearly $60 million — and Montgomery’s once $20 million surplus has been nearly depleted! Whether it results from poor planning by the Democratic controlled Committee or the unfunded mandates forced on the Township by the Democratic Legislature and Governor, we are held hostage by debt. Montgomery’s government, just like its residents, should live within its means. Second, Montgomery needs responsible planning to control development, traffic, and the burdens on our schools and to preserve Montgomery’s beautiful rural character and open space.
How should the Committee address these concerns?
We should sell the entire Skillman Village site to Somerset County. Some people believe that we should hold on to some of the area “just in case” or, even worse, under the Democrats’ current plan, to put high-density COAH housing in the middle of that rural site. This is just poor planning. The revenue generated from the sale will take a large chunk out of our total debt, reduce our interest and debt service and free up funds for tax relief. Next we should reduce spending by, among other things, sharing services with neighboring towns and the County. Sharing or transferring services, including health department, emergency management, and court services, could save the Township hundreds of thousands dollars annually. Finally, as we learned with Skillman Village, the Township Committee should not be in the real estate development business; we should be working to preserve Montgomery’s open space and plan responsibly for the future.
What can you personally contribute to the Committee and therefore the Township?
I have been blessed to spend most of my career helping budget-conscious non-profit organizations effectively navigate miles of red-tape to be heard by, and get results from, their elected and appointed government representatives. This experience gives me a unique perspective on how we can make Montgomery more accessible to our residents and business. As I have worked to help people be engaged in the political process I have learned what it takes to make sure that Montgomery is open to the people, that they will know what is going on, and that they can have faith in their elected leadership. I will bring a pragmatic and fiscally conservative approach to problem-solving to achieve the necessary changes to move us the beyond our debts, while also working to preserve Montgomery’s rural character. I believe that service is the highest calling and takes commitment and sacrifice. I appreciate the trust you put in your elected representatives and I would be honored to serve as your representative on Montgomery’s Township Committee.