On budget woes and wasted money in O.B.

Eleanore Whitaker

Guest Column

If the members of the Old Bridge Township Council think the residents of this town missed the council's lack of budgeting skills, they can forget it. They pass an "ordinance," and with a 6-3 vote, sink taxpayers $4 million in the red for repairs and upgrades at Old Bridge schools.

"More, more, more" is the cry of the council and school board. "More, more, more," we beg our employers in the private sector. "No, no, no" is their answer. So, what does this sly little council of ours do? It passes an "ordinance" that it wants us to believe was already in the budget and won't zap taxpayers another grand or two on their property-tax bills.

Do the residents of this town really think this council cares how much money it wastes? Take a look around as if you were a stranger to Old Bridge. How many of the promises made by these politicians have they kept? These are "wish-list" politicians. That precludes them from actually caring what residents suffer because of their spending. They do whatever they want and worry about the consequences later.

This town government sees no real need to rein in waste. Every year, it creates jobs for townies on its crony lists. Then, it turns around and says it needs more money. The council members will feast at the table of denial until you show them in black and white how many new employees with "connections" are now on the town's payroll. Don't believe it? Go check the state's Web site.

Hey, guys. Maybe your government jobs guarantee you those nice cost-of-living increases every year, and your unions all support you paying less than the 35 percent most private-sector employees pay for their health-care benefits, but since we are not all as fortunate as you to have "connections" that got you those "tenured" jobs, give us a break before you end up with a ghost town. But it would be pretty amusing if all that remained of residents were government employees, wouldn't it? Wonder how fast they'd increase the budgets then or use their political sleight of hand when they are all that's left.

And let's not overlook why these school expenses cost so much. Does the word "crony" come to mind? It makes no difference to our council. For it, money flows from our wallets like water - make that a raging river.

These are big spenders, fellow residents. They care little about the sacrifices the rest of us make. After all, unlike those of us without job protection, they can't lose their jobs with those guaranteed salaries and even more guaranteed salary increases. They're tenured, remember?

It behooves this mayor and council to fine-tooth comb that so-called budget. How can any group of people prepare a projected budget and miss the fact that they are $4 million short?

Is it within our council's realm of thinking to cut some of those newly "created" jobs? How about givebacks that would level the salary increases to the rate of inflation? How about using the property-tax revenues for their intended purpose instead of as insurance for salary increases? Old Bridge residents would gladly settle for that.

What most old-timers in this town know is that Old Bridge is not a place people can make their permanent home. Unless, that is, you want to go broke while townies enjoy payment for not being sick and unused vacation time that is a nice handsome bankroll at retirement.

Oh, sure, you'll hear the one about why it is necessary for one employee to tack three jobs, three salaries and three health-benefit plans to their single job as if they walk on water. And you'll also hear that tired old mantra about the contractual obligations to unions. That one is so worn out, it has no thread left in its fabric.

And what is the return on the long-term investment of living in Old Bridge? The heartwarming joy you feel knowing you did without the necessities of life in sacrifice for the insatiable who will enjoy their retirement while you forego yours and die at your desk. But, how dare we private-sector employees complain, or worse, resent having to struggle long past retirement age so the politically connected townies can live large. We work; they retire.

Make you a bet - not one member of our beloved council knows when enough is enough.

Eleanore Whitaker is a

resident of Old Bridge