WALSH BACKS UP SHORT ON BENEFITS

PRESS RELEASE/LETTER TO THE EDITOR

For Immediate Publication

POC: Patricia Walsh
Democratic candidate for 13th District Assembly
Tel: 908-601-1252
Email: walshforassembly@yahoo.com

February 9, 2007

Walsh backs Short’s plan to
eliminate benefits for politicians

I attended a recent Township Committee meeting in
Middletown, where Committeeman Pat Short brought forth
a resolution that part-time township committee members
should forgo pensions.

Until Mr. Short was elected it was unknown to the
public that these pensions are voluntary. They are not
required by law to take them.

Meaning they could save the taxpayer money by not
opting for them.
In addition, he introduced another resolution
encouraging local committee people from opting for
family health and dental insurance coverage at
Middletown taxpayer’s expense, which he has declined.
Imagine my surprise when the former mayor, Tom Hall,
and current Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger vehemently
opposed both resolutions.
Mr. Hall and Mr. Scharfenberger were joined in
attacking the lone Democrat on the committee by the
township administrator, Bob Czech, and by the township
attorney, Bernie Reilly.

Other members of the committee sat silent.

It is this type of self-aggrandizement that is part of
the reason the state is struggling from the
overwhelming costs of pensions. Instead of leading by
example and forgoing optional pensions and benefits,
they are part of the problem that Trenton and
taxpayers have to deal with. They are part of the
reason our taxes have escalated to the degree that we
find New Jersey leading the pack in the burden our
taxpayers carry.

Several times Mr. Scharfenberger attempted to
incorrectly state the position of Mr. Short that as
Scharfenberger put it “you are in favor of increasing
the committee’s salaries”. The record will show that
that is not Mr. Short’s opinion but just the attempt
by a political adversary to incorrectly state Mr.
Short’s position on the issue.

It seems rather hypocritical of the committee to pass
resolutions and issue press releases pointing the
finger at Trenton.

As politicians they always point their proverbial
finger over there, when they should be pointing at
themselves. They had the opportunity to show taxpayers
in Middletown that they were willing to be part of the
solution, and said “NO.”

I agree that the issue of pensions and benefits for
part-time elected and appointed officials is one that
legislators in Trenton will have to deal with. I look
forward to being part of the solution, as a full-time
Assemblywoman from the 13th district. Tough issues
require tough people to deal with them. I will not sit
idly by and watch the abuses take place. I will speak
out about the reforms necessary to provide the tax
relief that our residents really deserve. You can
count on it.

Patricia Walsh
Middletown resident
Candidate for 13th District Assembly