NJ Common Sense

By Lon (Alonzo) Hosford

Top New Jersey Democrat Dick Codey recently moved from West Orange to Roseland where $1 million in extraordinary property tax relief was granted from the DCA (Department of Community Affairs) significantly contributing to fourth-quarter tax bill reductions of $450 per $60,000 of assessed value according to NJ.com.

With Roseland’s average 2007 home property assessment of $650,000 that can equate to $4,900 in an area where median family yearly income is over $90,000.

Property Tax Aid Cut 37% Statewide

In August Governor Corzine cut town extraordinary property tax relief by $4 million or 37%. As a result 22 towns lost aid. Yet Roseland not receiving aid in 2008 or 2007, received the largest award of all towns for 2009: $1 million.

Roseland is in the NJ 27th District.  Dick Codey is the Democrat Senator for District 27 and the NJ Senate President. Dick Codey often fills in for Governor for John Corzine as well as previous Governors such as the failed Governor McGreevey.  Also in District 27 are Democrat Assemblyman John McKeon and Democrat Assemblywoman Mila Jasey.

Roseland Awards Codey, McKeon and Jasey for $1 Million

On September 29, 2009 Roseland invited Senator Codey, Assemblyman McKeon and Assemblywoman Jasey to a “resolution” ceremony at the town meeting. Moved to the first item on the agenda, the three were thanked for their effort in procuring the $1 million and spoke about their roles as the same resolution for each was read into the Roseland record.

$1 Million Tied to Reelection of Jasey, McKeon and Codey

Assemblywomen Mila Jasey was the second to receive thanks.  Mila  told the Roseland officials “Its always great when we can bring good news so John [McKeon] and I are both running. We hope that you will go to the polls and think well of us …”

Of course the other New Jersey towns not receiving the same aid such as small rural towns, did get bad news as well as did neighboring District 27 towns such as Livingston and West Orange in Mila’s district. Mila is a resident of South Orange.

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Codey Does a Biden Speaking of Conflict

Council member John Duthie seated behind Codey appears to stike a bewildered look when Codey spoke to Roseland Mayor John Avarnites publicly.

“You know mayor I obviously can be accused of a conflict getting the million dollars since I live in town.“

Codey may have taken a cue and switched to a comic transition with “But I did see that I’m here a year and the pot holes on my street finally got filled.”..

Codey Does a Second Biden Speaking of West Orange High Taxes

West Orange Mayor John McKeon starting his acceptance speech for the $1 million of aid to Roseland by saying “Number one mayor and town of Roseland, I don’t care how many trophies you give me, I’m not going to forgive you for taking Codey away from West Orange. Codey chimed in by saying

“You wouldn’t keep the taxes down!”

Codey had moved from West Orange about a year ago.

McKeon goes on to claim that the State only recognized “well run” towns for aid.

“I’m sure that you recognize … a lot of towns had fiscal issues problems and difficulties. But the State only recognized those that were well run and it wasn’t like … throwing bad money or good money after bad.”

How Many Poorly Run Towns Lost State Aid?

The “well run” criteria raises a lot of questions. DCA standards are not published and subject of a lot of controversy according to Senator Gerald Cardinale Republican of 39th District. His district had one town receiving aid in 2008 and none in 2009. Cardinale has called on Governor Corzine to appoint a nonpartisan special investigator to review the State’s Extraordinary Aid Program – see full story at Senator Cardinale Calls for Investigation into Extraordinary Aid Program.

Codey Does a Third Biden

There are various reasons Corzine espoused on cutting aid to towns. Most were to cover the failing New Jersey budget revenues such as stiffing small rural towns for urban towns.

Perhaps one of the most revealing reasons is a town’s influence with Senator Codey. He reveals how the District 27 Democrats worked together to influence the Extraordinary Aid from the DCA for Roseland, the town Codey resides.

“When I am calling the Commissioner of DCA its on behalf of all three of us – whatever Mila does or John Does -  its a team effort … “

This inside report from McKeon about “aid based on how well a town is run” is a vague standard. Following that logic, New Jersey is just littered with poorly run towns and that would include West Orange. It appears to be more a mask for the budget failures of the State and McKeon, Jasey and Codey are the elected Democrats responsible.

West Orange Loses $400,000 – A Well Run Town?

West Orange is one of the towns that lost aid from 2008 to the tune of $400,000. John McKeon is also the Mayor of West Orange. Opponent candidate Barry Funt (R) has harsh words for McKeon.

“Perhaps West Orange is not well run enough to qualify for the property tax relief because Mayor/Assemblyman McKeon is too busy trolling around the State for special interest campaign contributions to keep him in his Assembly seat.”

“I don’t think Roseland received the money because it is well run.  My town of Livingston is well run and also received nothing.”

Barry is running as a Citizens for Assembly candidate. He has adopted the Common Sense Pledge which calls for true property tax reform to help towns like Roseland to have more independence over their tax dollars. Barry would like to see a change to the inside dealings with tax dollars:

“I’m happy that the people of Roseland received property tax relief, but I’m tired of politicians who use our tax dollars to reward insiders.  My property tax relief plan would reduce property taxes for everyone in the state, not just special people.”

Roseland $2 Million Shortfall and 19 Layoffs – A Well Run Town?

According to NJ.com in a September 15th 2009 story, the State of New Jersey denied Roseland a bid to raise its property tax.  Roseland had marched directly into a serious $2 million dollar budget shortfall after laying off 19 borough employees. Using a tax appeal reserve fund gimmick along with the $1 million Codey, McKeon and Jasey procured, the problem was reversed to the point that Roseland is one towns actually reducing taxes and one Codey is a resident. It is still not certain if the tax assessment appeals will lose with the continued downward pressure on all property prices. Worse, next year the extraordinary aid game will be played again and Roseland may get cut to zero like dozens of other towns.

Codey has not offered to return all the tax savings he will accrue.

McKeon Suffers from Government Job Conflicts

Why so many hands in property taxes and some with dual roles? Some are the same hands from multiple government roles. McKeon has a conflict of interest common in New Jersey politics. He is a Mayor and also a NJ State Assemblyman. This cuts his interests and loyalties. Focusing efforts on reductions in Roseland residents’ taxes while not defending the town of West Orange during an election year makes more smoke.

Senator Codey fanned this issue when he quipped about leaving, “You wouldn’t keep the taxes down!”.

Getting back money we send to Trenton is an evil process that needs to be repealed. Real tax reductions and more local control is the alternative.

Exactly what all New Jersey and specifically West Orange property tax payers should be saying at the voting box in November “You wouldn’t keep the taxes down!” as they vote out candidates like Codey, Jasey and McKeon who are part of the past and go with new fresh thinking candidates.

I do not know of any small rural town with such great two camera video recording with what appears as live video switching as Roseland has for their town meetings. See for yourself.

Full Roseland Awards To Democrat Senators Procuring $1 Million in Special Aid