Rising taxes are bad news for homeowners

U.S. Attorney Chris Christie's recent letter responding to complaints about Marlboro Mayor Robert Kleinberg's politicization of his recent appearance at a Marlboro Township Council meeting speaks volumes about Mayor Kleinberg's hollow claims that he cleaned up Marlboro.

Mr. Christie denied in writing that he endorses Mayor Kleinberg in the coming elections and denounced any efforts to politicize his appearance at the council meeting, saying he came for the people of Marlboro and not for any politician. Further, Mr. Christie said that if Mayor Kleinberg uses any photos of him during the fall's elections, he will put a stop to it.

If Mayor Kleinberg decides to run for re-election it will be on the backs of Marlboro residents, not as their savior.

Over the past four years of his administration and Republican one-party control of council, municipal taxes have increased enormously. Mayor Kleinberg must now run on his real record. Just look at our taxes:

+ Marlboro ranks as the No. 1 township in the entire state of New Jersey with the highest dollar increase in tax paid per resident ($2,767) over the past four years. (Source: The Star-Ledger, Top 50 New Jersey leaders in overall dollar change in average tax bill of all towns with over 10,000 homeowners, 2000-2005).

+ Marlboro ranks as the No. 3 township in the entire state of New Jersey with the highest average total tax bill per resident ($8,802). (Source: The Star-Ledger, Top 50 New Jersey leaders in overall average tax bill for local, school and county services of all towns with over 10,000 homeowners, 2000-2005).

+ Marlboro is No. 10 in overall percentage increase over the last four years at 62.1 percent across the board. (Source: The Star-Ledger, Top 50 New Jersey leaders in overall percent change in average tax bill of all towns with over 10,000 homeowners, 2000-2005).

These are not top 10 lists we want to be on or should be on with proper leadership.

This administration has spent over $60,000 of last year's budget remodeling the municipal offices and mayor's office, and yet spent only $500 on economic development needed to increase revenues so that the tax burden on residents could be eased (Source: Marlboro 2006 municipal budget).

After 16 uninterrupted years of Republican leadership in the mayor's office, with the same one-party control of council recently, it's time for a change and more balanced government to reduce our costs and stabilize our taxes.

Patrick Kelly

Marlboro