Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno Joins Republican Freeholder Campaign focusing on Reducing Property Taxes
October 25,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Park Ridgewood NJ, John Mitchell and the Republican Bergen County Freeholder team was joined by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno at our District 39 headquarters. Her straightforward message was this: Stay on point about reducing property taxes and continue to work hard until the polls close on November 3rd.
As for reducing property taxes ,it’s interesting that the Democrats claim to have saved The Bergen County Taxpayers $200 Million on the Police Merger when it was then Freeholder John Mitchell who started the wheels moving on that project.
The 4.3% Budget Passed yes at 7-0 but if not for the efforts of Republicans John Felice and Maura McMahon DeNicola that number would have been closer to 6%. Easy to call it a Bi-partisan Budget Solution when you outnumber 5-2.
Property taxes vary substantially around the United States, both among states and even within states. Property taxes are levied at the state and local level, but they are also typically deductible on federal returns as an itemized deduction on Schedule A for taxpayers who elect to itemize their deductions.
As a result, the IRS has substantial data on property taxes around the country. The map below shows the average property tax deduction taken on the Schedule A, per tax return, for each county in the United States.
While this is not exactly equivalent to the average property tax collections at the state level (which are higher because some taxpayers don’t itemize) the map shows a pretty good, broad, apples-to-apples comparison of property taxes across the country.
Looking at the map, some obvious things stand out. For example, the border between Pennsylvania and New York stands out; this should come as no surprise to readers of ourState Business Tax Climate Index, which puts New York fourth overall in property tax collections per capita. The most heavily-shaded state is New Jersey, which has the highest property tax collections per capita. And lastly, even within states, property taxes can vary a great deal from county to county. For example, they vary a great deal within Illinois, as we pointed out in our latest study of taxes in the state.
While this is not exactly equivalent to the average property tax collections at the state level (which are higher because some taxpayers don’t itemize) the map shows a pretty good, broad, apples-to-apples comparison of property taxes across the country.
Looking at the map, some obvious things stand out. For example, the border between Pennsylvania and New York stands out; this should come as no surprise to readers of ourState Business Tax Climate Index, which puts New York fourth overall in property tax collections per capita. The most heavily-shaded state is New Jersey, which has the highest property tax collections per capita. And lastly, even within states, property taxes can vary a great deal from county to county. For example, they vary a great deal within Illinois, as we pointed out in our latest study of taxes in the state.
With the November 3 election expected to draw low voter turnout, some local races seem to be the best hope for driving people to cast their ballots. Here is a list of ten races that have the potential to influence the election. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJRead more
FACT : In the last 13 years taxes have been raised 115 times by nj state legislators. Yet career politicians like Tim Eustace and Joe Lagana believe that they are doing a good job. Are you kidding me? On November 3rd it’s time to make a change. The old way just doesn’t work.
Is this childish rhetoric from the author of this piece of drivel or from these excuses of public servants themselves ? Threatening political violence on groups of patriotic senior Americans by a failed economically socially and morally corrupt political party is way beyond the pale in any election cycle.Paul A. Duggan
Everyone who is paying attention knows that the Dems control the Freeholder Board 5-2 ,so how is it possible that the Repubs are responsible for these terrible situations portrayed in this contrived Political piece?John Criscione
Bergen Dems Go for What they Hope is Coup De Grace with Tea Party Tag
The intense portion of the least intense campaign season in years has the two parties reaching for the heavy ammo. Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
OCTOBER 15, 2015, 9:48 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015, 9:53 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
The candidates for Bergen County Freeholder sparred on taxes and the costs of a new Public Works facility in Paramus on Thursday in their first debate of this year’s campaign.
But they found agreement, for the most part, on the need to do more about an epidemic of heroin addiction.
The Republicans and one Libertarian candidate argued that the county needs to do more to cut spending.
GOP candidate Ken Tyburczy contended that more Republicans were needed on the Board of Freeholders to question spending by the Democratic-controlled county administration.
“We do need a check and balance,” Tyburczy said. “If there’s not a check, how can we possibly control the spending?”
Democratic Freeholder Steve Tanelli noted that in 2014, the Democratic-controlled board passed a budget that had no tax increase.
Tanelli also noted that this year’s budget — which included a 4.3 percent tax increase — won unanimous bipartisan approval from the board.
Bergen County GOP goes to court in bid to replace Assembly candidate
The Bergen County Republican Organization went to court Monday in an effort to replace an Assembly candidate who suspended his campaign last week over a controversial self-published book that contains racial slurs and stereotypes. John C. Ensslin, The Record Read more
Yudin: Cappola Incident Nobody’s Fault
Last week, a book written by former LD38 assembly candidate Anthony Cappola that featured offensive and bigoted writings led him to drop out of the race. Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin said the situation is a “contrary reflection” on the GOP and on the chairman himself. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJRead more
Court Hearing Possible Today Over LD38 Ballot
The GOP effort to replace Anthony Cappola’s name on the LD38 assembly ballot may be heading to court as early as today according to Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
LD38 Case File ‘Pending’ In Judge’s Chambers
According to an source, the LD38 case file is currently pending and is being held in the chambers of Judge Ernest Caposela. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
OCTOBER 6, 2015, 11:10 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015, 6:54 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
After 45 pedestrian deaths in two years, the Bergen County sheriff, prosecutor and dozens of other public officials gathered in Hackensack on Tuesday to put walkers as well as drivers on notice:
Starting this month, whether on foot or behind the wheel, obey pedestrian laws or expect a ticket.
“I’m asking all police departments to issue summonses even for jaywalking,” Sheriff Michael Saudino announced to a crowd at a news conference on the steps of the county Justice Complex.
The reason: “A week doesn’t go by that I don’t get a phone call about a citizen being struck and killed in our county,” added Prosecutor John Molinelli.
Death counts explain much of this rationale:
A total of 21 lives were lost while crossing county thoroughfares in 2013 (more than double the 2012 count of 9) and 24 more deaths were added in 2014 — the most in at least 16 years, according to state police records. The percentage increases accounted for a higher rate of carnage than the statewide pedestrian death toll, which reached 170 last year, the most since the 2002 count of 176.
“We have to do better,” Saudino said in an interview. “Drivers and pedestrians both need to be better educated, and our engineers have to look closely at some of our roadways to make them safer.”
For two weeks starting now, motorists will begin seeing “Focus here” billboards that picture a family at a crosswalk alongside a photo of a phone that accompanies this slogan — “Not here.”
Ridgewood NJ, Unlike past years this years Freeholder contest is all about meeting and getting to know Bergen county. Candidate John Mitchell has been making the rounds non stop from months listen to what people in the county are concerned about .
It was a “Win-Win” at the Ridgewood train station this morning…
…It was a “win” that I was able to help a commuter understand the intricacies of the unfair school funding formula and how it impacts his ever rising property taxes. And it was also a “win” that I had a chance to meet hundreds of residents in this beautiful town.
“I’m always nervous when speaking to a large group of women and particularly beautiful women”…
…was my quote at the Republican Women’s Annual Candidates Showcase. In all seriousness though, the Bergen County Republican Women are the BCRO’s heart and soul and I very much appreciate their tireless hard work and support!
What is a Freeholder?…
…That was the operative question of the morning at the Oradell train station. When I explained that the The Board of Chosen Freeholders acts as the legislature for Bergen County and controls what county government can spend, things became a bit clearer…and certainly the commuters were happy to hear that my running mates and I have specific plans on how to reel in the ever burdensome property taxes hoisted on the backs of our hard working citizens.
…The Oradell train station also accommodates surrounding towns including the great town of New Milford. I was joined by New Milford Council Candidate Matt Seymour along with Oradell Council President Donna Alonso. Our tag teaming of commuters from the various towns was very productive indeed
“The Junior Statesmen of America”…
…were NJ Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi’s and my audience at Dwight Morrow High School. The subject today was how state and county government works followed by a rapid fire Q&A covering everything from the presidential election, Planned Parenthood, to how we entered politics. They kept us on our toes but is was very enjoyable for all.
“I love Bergen County but I know when I retire I will no longer be able to afford to live here.”…
…This has been a common sentiment as I campaign across the county, and River Edge was no exception. For that very reason my running mates and I have made it our top priority to tackle this problem, with property tax reduction at the top of the list.
“Paramus is a great place to live but please help us keep it that way!’…
…That was what I heard from the hard working commuters/voters at the Paramus Park & Ride this morning. Business attraction, business retention and the elimination of unnecessary business regulations summarizes the conversations I had. Will do!
Woodcliff Lake NJ, Voting is at the heart of democracy. A vote sends a direct message to the government about how a citizen wants to be governed……..That direct message was sent to the commuters/voters by a group of us at the Woodcliff Lake train station early this morning. There is too much at stake not to vote this year and in fact every year. Election Day is November 3rd. The experts are predicting a very low voter turnout. Let’s defy the experts. PLEASE VOTE!
…Pictured with John Mitchell are Woodcliff Lake Council President and Mayoral Candidate Carlos A. Rendo, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, Council Candidate Kristy Herrington, and my Freeholder running mate Daisy Ortiz Berger.
Starting at 12pm next Sunday, September 13th, I’ll be hosting the first LIVE open house in Bergen County. The broadcast will feature my listing at 126 Cortland Drive in Saddle River Grand, a 5,210 square foot townhouse offered at $2,200,000.
You can tune in from any mobile device. Just download Persicope, a free app, onto any mobile device and follow me @buyinginbergen. You’ll receive an alert when the broadcast begins. FYI, the event will not be open to walk-in guests as Saddle River Grand is a gated community.
Be sure to watch until the end when I’ll make a special announcement.
For home sellers, a live open house tour offers many benefits. It helps get your listing in front of more people, introduces buyers to your property in a more intimate fashion and creates word of mouth publicity among agents and buyers.
For those interested in technology, my live open house tour will offer a smooth video experience free of camera shake – I’ll be using a Swiftcam M3s handheld gimbal with my iPhone 6.
I hope you can join me on September 13th. If you’re not available at 12 pm, the video will be available on Periscope and Twitter for 24 hours. After that, look for it on YouTube.com/mshetler.
– Michael Shetler, Keller Williams Village Square Realty
SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, 1:20 AM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
The operators of Bergen Regional Medical Center have applied for state approval to add 10 beds to its drug- and alcohol-detoxification unit in the face of an epidemic of heroin-related cases in North Jersey.
News of the move came less than two weeks after three freeholders urged Bergen County Executive James Tedesco to “pursue a dialogue” with the private operator of the county-owned hospital in Paramus to expand its 54-bed detox unit.
Bergen Regional CEO Susan Mendelowitz responded in an Aug. 26 letter to Tedesco, noting that the hospital had already applied to add 10 more beds to the unit. She said the additional beds were in response to what she called “the intensity of the drug and alcohol epidemic we face.”
She also noted that the hospital has two other longer-term units, including one for patients who also have mental-health disorders plus an outpatient treatment program for substance abuse.
“I believe we are all on the same page with our commitment to provide appropriate care and treatment options for this ever increasing epidemic,” she wrote.
Tedesco spokeswoman Alicia D’Alessandro called the hospital’s decision “a step in the right direction.”
SEPTEMBER 5, 2015, 10:58 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, 12:16 AM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG, LINDA MOSS AND JOHN BRENNAN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
What does it take for a developer to borrow a billion dollars to build a mall in New Jersey?
It takes winning over people like Lyle Fitterer, an investor in Menomonee Falls, Wis., who controls $17.5 billion in other people’s money. He invests only in government bonds, including the type that Triple Five, a Canada-based conglomerate, expects to sell soon to complete American Dream, the long-stalled shopping and entertainment complex in the Meadowlands.
So what does Fitterer think of American Dream? Well, it’s complicated.
Demand for such high-risk, high-profit bonds is stronger now than it was two years ago, when Triple Five first received government support for a bond sale, Fitterer said, but the market remains weak. Whereas the original deal offered only tax-free bonds, the revised proposal includes both taxable and tax-free bonds, a mix that he said will broaden the pool of potential investors.
But because the bonds are not backed by taxpayers in New Jersey or the borough of East Rutherford, where the project sits, Fitterer would avoid losing money on the deal only if American Dream succeeds.
And since few have ever attempted a project quite like American Dream, that makes Fitterer and many of his deep-pocketed peers nervous.
A small plane crashed in Cresskill on Sept. 3, 2015, officials said (Courtesy of Marcelo DeMoraes)
By Noah Cohen | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on September 03, 2015 at 5:11 PM, updated September 03, 2015 at 9:21 PM
A small plane crashed in Cresskill on Sept. 3, 2015, officials said (Courtesy of Marcelo DeMoraes)
By Noah Cohen | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on September 03, 2015 at 5:11 PM, updated September 03, 2015 at 9:21 PM
CRESSKILL – A small plane on a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol crash-landed in the borough late Thursday afternoon, leaving two people seriously injured, officials said.
The crash was reported near the Cresskill Swim Club, not far from an athletic field.
The plane was occupied by two people who were on a routine patrol of the Hudson River, a U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman said Thursday. Auxiliary members are volunteers working on behalf of the Coast Guard, the spokeswoman added.
Officials confirmed that two people on the Cessna suffered serious injuries and were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center. Further information on their conditions was not immediately released.
Both occupants of the plane were alert and conscious when first responders arrived, according to Bergen County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Anthony Cureton.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said it received reports that a Cessna 172 aircraft “landed in trees” around 5 p.m. FAA officials did not immediately release details on the crash.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson said the agency would investigate the crash.
U.S. Representative Scott Garrett
Ernest Scott Garrett is the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 5th congressional district, serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes much of the northern-most and western-most portions of the state.
Born: July 9, 1959 (age 56), Englewood, NJ
Office: Representative (R-NJ 5th District) since 2003
Spouse: Mary Garrett
Residence: Wantage Township, NJ
Children: Brittany Garrett, Jennifer Garrett
Education: Rutgers School of Law–Camden (1984), Montclair State University (1981)
WBTP Meeting 7 pm, Tuesday, August 25 at the Larkin House 380 Godwin Ave in Wyckoff NJ all are welcome
AUGUST 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY PETER J. SAMPSON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Two attorneys who were arrested and charged with simple assault in April after a heated dispute turned into a fistfight at the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack have persuaded a judge to dismiss the charges, a lawyer for one of the men said Thursday.
Costantino Fragale, 42, and Jeffrey Mandel, 43, were taking a deposition in a civil suit on April 29 when the dispute erupted in a fourth-floor jury deliberation room that doubles as an attorney conference room.
More than a dozen sheriff’s officers quickly responded and broke up the fight, authorities said.
“We worked it out,” Fragale’s attorney, Miles Feinstein, said Thursday.
Both parties agreed to drop their respective complaints, and Judge Louis Denise of the Central Municipal Court in Hackensack granted their request to dismiss the charges, Feinstein said.
“They are attorneys, and it is the best result for them to not have anything on their record,” he said.
Mandel was questioning Fragale’s client when “it got very heated,” Feinstein said. Mandel threw the first punch and bloodied Fragale’s face and, when his client tried to ward off further blows, sheriff’s officers came in and stopped the fight, Feinstein said.
