Photo: 2007 Bound Brook Democratic Candidates: Ben F. Auletta, Anthony "Tony" Pranzatelli, Debbie Cozza, Javier G. VasquezWhere are the Republicans and Independents?
Today (Sunday – Oct 28) the Courier-News published information on all local candidates for election. click here for The Courier News Election article
C-N requested information from all candidates, weeks ago. It is painfully revealing to see that the Bound Brook Republican candidates and the one Independent candidate did not provide any information about themselves. This omission underscores their lack of real interest in meeting their responsibilities as citizens, besides revealing their disrespect to the citizens of Bound Brook who are entitled to hear from those who seek to represent their interests as elected officials (you will not find them on cable TV (See our speeches below), nor in the Star-Ledger either – but you will find the Democrats). It makes me wonder if they really care to be elected!
Every single Bound Brook Democratic candidate did communicate his or her outstanding qualifications for public service.
It is these very same qualifications and abilities that encouraged me to seek to recover my former seat on the council.
· Javier Vasquez – a conscientious current councilman who attends most community events because he really cares about Bound Brook. Has appropriate education and experience. Takes his responsibility seriously and does his job. Has leadership ability – works amicably with citizens and other officials and has developed valuable contacts throughout the state. He would be a Mayor that we can be proud of and one that would not bring embarrassment to Bound Brook.
· Debbie Cozza – a former councilwoman with a distinguished record of community service and governing experience.
· Tony Pranzatelli – an independent businessman with energy and creativity who will bring a fresh view to the council table.
· Ben Auletta – with years of experience and service in business and government operation with special expertise, education, and training in finance, planning, and cost reduction techniques.
I am excited about the possibilities for real progress in “putting Bound Brook first”. A new Democratic council has the potential to be one the best in the history of Bound Brook. From my conversations with citizens I am convinced that there are two very real concerns – high property tax and property market value.
The first is obvious – it simply costs too much to live in NJ. Even paying off the mortgage does not give you complete ownership of your property. You always have a landlord – the municipality that you live in – and they are always raising the rent. The reputation of living in a flood-prone community together with these high taxes exerts a downward pressure on property market value.
Our team’s main concerns are:
· Getting flood project completed
a. Make daily contacts by borough officials, together with citizen volunteers to keep updated on status of project
b. Keep badgering and pressuring anyone who is in a position to help secure funds from Federal, State, and county resources to complete the project now. Stop ignoring the needs of Somerset County’s oldest community -30 years is an unreasonably long time to wait. We have been patient long enough – especially when we see how much government money is being spent all around us. Maybe we need to develop a basis for action through the court system.
c. When project is complete – turn our attention to redevelopment to generate increased revenue and improve property market vales in community.
· Real Estate Tax
Thoroughly study current Borough Government organization, policies and procedures with an eye towards re-engineering them for more efficient operation and instilling true control systems in order to control costs and deliver enhanced services. Need to demand more economic support from higher levels of government and seek worthwhile grants and shared services opportunities.
· Dealing with our changing demographics
With your help – and of course your votes – we can succeed.
Links to speeches and Interviews: My Interview with the guys at http://www.08805.com/ here is the link: Ben Auletta, Sr. Interview (if this link does work go to http://www.08805.com/) all other speeches can be found at http://www.08805.com/
Here are speeches from youtube:
BB Seniors Candidate’s Night My SpeechThe other Speeches can be found at Link To Other Dems Speeches
BB Candidate’s Speeches from Piscataway TV Candidates Forum My SpeechThe other Speeches can be found at Link To Other Dems Speeches
Until Next time
Ben
The Latest From Late Night Comedians:
Conan O'Brien 10/18/2007-"Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich caused some trouble this week, because he was campaigning in Red Sox territory while wearing a Cleveland Indians hat. Apparently, somebody walked up to Kucinich's wife and said, 'Tell your son to take off that baseball hat.'"
