Letter: Moscaritolo Responds to Republican Claims

To the Editor: 

Recent letters and campaign flyers have distorted the truth by suggesting that the River Edge Democrats are demanding that “Mayor Watkins negotiate and increase” in school taxes.  

I have consistently supported the current school funding formula and have opposed any increase. I have stated so in the Town News, the River Dell Patch and on the public record.  This is what I said:  

There is nothing unfair about the regional school funding formula approved by the State Legislature and upheld by the Supreme Court.  Instead of a 6 year battle litigating its good neighbor to the south, Oradell should be discussing a merger of our three school districts into a single district to reduce costs.  Enough is enough already. 

How anyone can mislead the public and think they will not be called out for it is beyond imagination. I voted “NO” against the funding referendum, along with my River Edge neighbors. So, let me set the record straight. River Edge Democrats never demanded that the Mayor negotiate an increase in school taxes.  The very idea that anyone in River Edge would want to pay higher taxes is simply ridiculous.  It just goes to show how Mayor will say or get someone to say anything to get re-elected.  This is just another attempt to divide our community – something that Mayor Watkins and her political cronies do very well.  

With very little time left before the November 8^th referendum to renew the River Edge Open Space Trust Fund, our Mayor and Republican majority have not shown any leadership on Open Space funding.  This trust fund has supported park maintenance, tree and flower planting, playgrounds, recreation programs, and our 9/11 memorial.  A recent letter to the editor by Republican Councilman Cordts insists that the trust fund be used exclusively for DPW salaries.  The DPW has been underfunded by the Republican majority in an attempt to justify out-sourcing of jobs, which I oppose. 

Raiding the fund by using accounting gimmicks, would leave our volunteers in the Recreation Commission, River Edge 9/11 Memorial Fund, Beautification Committee, Shade Tree Commission, Historic Commission and Environmental Commission without any funding. This would be devastating to River Edge residents.     

It sounds like some of Republican officials want the referendum to fail. Councilman Cordts has stated that the referendum’s inclusion of the Recreation Commission, River Edge 9/11 Memorial Fund, Beautification Committee, Shade Tree Commission, Historic Commission and Environmental Commission is nothing more than “insubstantial puff”.  That is an insult to dedicated men and women who volunteer hundreds of hours each year to make River Edge a great place to live.  At least we know what side he is on.

It is my hope that you vote “YES” to renew the River Edge Open Space Trust Fund on November 8^th.  If the referendum fails we will see further cuts in services and programs that have made River Edge such a great place to live. When I am elected Mayor, I will push to use the Open Space Fund for its intended purpose, which is to support our volunteer programs.  I will oppose DPW out-sourcing or lay-offs. 

Councilman Sandy Moscaritolo

Candidate for Mayor, River Edge