Until recently, I was uncertain about who I would vote for in the upcoming borough commissioner’s election.
I have received literature from several candidates who all appear to be supporting what amounts to basically the same platform.
In fact, on paper, they all sound like the person.
They are all for keeping our property taxes low, reining in spending, fixing our potholes, etc. Are they all using the same publicist?
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of being able to vote against spending many, many millions of dollars of purchasing a Bancroft property that would have been nice to own but was not a necessity for our town.
I say “privilege” because those of us who have lived in Haddonfield for years can recall countless municipal expenditures without any real input from the public — let alone an opportunity for the public to actually vote on those measures.
In the upcoming commissioners’ election, the only candidate who actually took a stand against the Bancroft proposal was John Moscatelli.
I had the pleasure of meeting John prior to the Bancroft vote when he visited our home with a pamphlet and a thoughtful argument for opposing he acquisition of the property because of its inflated purchase price and potential to become a money pit.
Mr. Moscatelli was not a candidate for any office at the time, but he was active on an issue of significant importance in my household.
As another resident stated in The Sun, actions speak louder than words and Mr. Moscatelli is the only person who is now a candidate for commissioner who took meaningful action to oppose an expenditure that a majority of residents also opposed. So when Mr. Moscatelli says he is against higher property taxes and reckless spending, there is real evidence that he actually means what he says and is not merely pandering voters.
I also have great respect for Commissioner Kasko, who for years has tried to focus our town spending priorities, but has often found himself outvoted. It was telling that Commissioner Kasko, unlike the other two current commissioners, did not campaign for the Bancroft bond, but merely supported the measure going to the public vote.
I agree with Mr. Moscatelli and Mr. Kasko that the voices of residents, who must pay taxes, should be heard on measures such as Bancroft.
Again, actions speak louder on words, and that is why I will be voting for Moscatelli and Kasko.
Stephen Griffey
