October 27th, 2009
Dear Milltown Residents & Business Owners:
My name is Joseph Pietanza and I am a candidate for Milltown Borough Council. I am a candidate because it’s important to me to be able to make a positive difference for Milltown, it’s people, it’s business owners, and to be a voice for everyone at Borough Hall.
I have been fortunate to have met and spent time with many of you during my endeavors as a volunteer in this community. Over the years, I have listened to your needs, shared your thoughts and heard the issues that are important to you. This has motivated me to reach for a lifetime goal - to serve my community in a meaningful way.
It would be my great honor to serve as your Councilman. As with everything I do, I will bring with me energy, enthusiasm and honest leadership. I humbly ask for your support, for your ideas, for your concerns - so that together we can make Milltown the best it can be. On behalf of my wife Barbara, our son Anthony and our daughter Gabrielle, I thank you for this opportunity to serve my adopted hometown and I thank you for your kind consideration.
Sincerely,
Joseph Pietanza
Democratic Candidate
Milltown Borough Council
October 27th, 2009
Dear Neighbor:
My name is Richard Ryan and I am a candidate for Milltown Borough Council. I am a candidate because I wish to affect a positive impact on our community. I was raised in East Brunswick and have been a resident of Milltown since 1989.
I am employed in the public sector and have been since 1988. I have had the opportunity to work with many of you in my capacity as a member of the Milltown Zoning Board of Adjustment for 11 years, 8 of those years as Board Chairman. The experience and education received as a member of the Zoning Board has prepared me to take on a more aggressive leadership role in our community.
It would certainly be an honor to serve the residents of Milltown as your Councilman. Through honest leadership and hard work I believe we can leave a better Milltown to those who follow. I kindly thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Richard Ryan
Democratic Candidate
Milltown Borough Council
October 24th, 2009
Dear Milltown Residents,
I am writing in support of Joseph Pietanza and Richard Ryan, the Democratic Candidates for Borough Council. I have personally known both Joe and Rich for many years. However, my work with them on this year’s campaign has only strengthened my confidence in their ability to serve the residents of Milltown as councilmen.
Not only do both Joe and Rich have great ideas on how to improve Milltown, their current jobs and past experience provide them with the professional skills needed by every councilperson. Joe’s background in finance and his leadership skills, together with Rich’s knowledge of infrastructure issues and public service are invaluable elements that you must not overlook on Election Day. They are committed to working with the other Borough Council members to make sure that the needs of Milltown residents come first and foremost.
The last two years have been hard for all families in Milltown due to unprecedented increases in both property taxes and utility rates. I was raised in Milltown and chose to raise my family here for its small town feel and values. However, the recent increases in both property taxes and utility rates have forced many to question whether they can remain in the Borough. Change is needed before the Milltown we all love is lost. Let’s begin the process by electing Joe Pietanza and Rich Ryan on Tuesday, November 3rd.
They truly are “Right For Milltown And Right For Change”.
Sincerely,
William Deinzer
Chairman
Milltown Democratic Organization
July 1st, 2009
I am writing in response to the article concerning the decision of incumbent Republican Milltown Borough Councilman Randy Farkas to run instead as an independent (The Sentinel 6/11/09). Mr. Farkas indicates in the article that he does not wish to be beholden to any individual or entity providing him with a campaign contribution. The reality is that his party has disowned him because of his dismal leadership and his relationship as a member of the Fourth of July Committee with high-end commercial users of Milltown electricity.
During his tenure as President of the Milltown Borough Council, Mr. Farkas presided over a 70 percent increase in electric rates paid by residential consumers. When asked why the Borough did not choose to burden high-end commercial users with such an increase, Mr. Farkas said that they already pay enough. Perhaps he was confusing their electric rates with their contribution to the Fourth of July Committee. As Chairman of that committee, Mr. Farkas has tried to bolster his image by collecting large donations from those same high-end users.
Additionally, Mr. Farkas has yet to explain what is being done with the roughly $1.7 million surplus generated by the electric rate increase. This enormus surplus came from the wallets of Milltown residents trying to make ends meet in this difficult economic time.
Liz Westbrook
Milltown
November 17th, 2008
*Dixon 1905
*Citro 1842
Harknett 1834
Farella 1826
October 31st, 2008
Dear Neighbor,
Having worked with them on the current campaign for the past six months, Ron Dixon and Mike Farella are very deserving of your consideration. They are both passionate about Milltown, the future and the call to serve our Borough. They are willing to listen to any resident and to converse in a positive manner which should not be discounted.
They have offered solutions to many of our problems and are willing to do the necessary work to see their ideas through. In addition, they work well with one another as they come from similar professional backgrounds. They are committed to do what they can to make Milltown a better place and do not take that responsibility lightly.
Milltown is a special place to live, raise a family and we all want to see it stay that way. On Tuesday November 4th, please vote for Ron Dixon and Mike Farella. For your family, my family and the future of Milltown.
Respectfully,
Joseph Pietanza
Secretary
Milltown Democratic Organization
October 30th, 2008
This is in response to Randy Farkas’ letter of 10/28/08 which appears in the Milltown Voice and addresses the monumental electric utility rate increase suffered by the residents of Milltown this year. Unfortunately, Mr. Farkas does not provide all of the information necessary to properly analyze the actions taken by the council earlier in January of this year.
During the 2007 campaign, Mr. Farkas and the two Republican Candidates, Mr. Harto and Ms. Waters, criticized the council for utilizing the prior year’s electrical utility surplus to offset the municipal tax increase. It was indicated that the municipal budget should be examined and areas found to control spending. I wholeheartedly agree with each of these sentiments.
However, what I do not understand is how after criticizing the last council, the present council did exactly the same thing. When imposing an electrical rate increase earlier this year, the council did not limit the increase to the actual bulk rate increase paid by the Borough. Instead, the current council increased the electrical rate to provide for additional surplus from the utility.
This fact is evidenced in the adopted budget which states that in 2007 $773,226.00 of surplus was budgeted, while in 2008 $1,122,800.00 of surplus was budgeted. The $1.1 million figure was introduced with the budget in March 2008, demonstrating that as early as March, the council was aware of the increased profit margin for the utility.
Similarly, in 2007, $881,200.00 of the year’s surplus was utilized in the budget, while in 2008; $531,700.00 of the prior years surplus was utilized in the municipal budget. This means that the 2007 Democratic Majority funded the municipal budget with $1,654,426.00 of electric utility surplus and the 2008 Republican Majority funded the municipal budget with $1,654,500.00 of electrical utility surplus. Almost the same amount.
Clearly, the current council has not taken the necessary steps to curtail municipal spending, for which it criticized its predecessor council. Additionally, the council attempted to hide its funding of the municipal budget through the electrical utility by blaming the prior Democratic Majority for the rate increase. The council cannot continue to balance the budget on the back of the electrical utility. The residents of Milltown deserve better.
Respectfully,
Ronald Dixon
Democratic Candidate for Council
October 30th, 2008
I am writing in response to Jules Dekovics’ letter of 10/28/08 which appears on the Milltown Voice and addresses statements which I made at the 10/22/08 Candidates Forum concerning the funding of a new Firehouse for Milltown. Let me begin by stating that I have the utmost respect for all the members of the Milltown Volunteer Fire Department. Their role in the protection of the residents of Milltown is invaluable. If my comments caused them any harm, I am truly sorry.
The Nation is currently in the grips of one of the most pressing financial crises of our generation. Residents are facing real life decisions on how they are going to care for their families. In the midst of this crisis, Milltown must address the pivotal issue of providing a new firehouse to permit its volunteer firemen to do their job. It is within this framework that my comments must be examined.
A new firehouse, while necessary, will be one of the most expensive capital projects that Milltown has undertaken. In light of this fact, all available revenue sources must be examined.
Mr. Dekovics is correct; the Ford Avenue Project is in litigation. For that reason, there is no guarantee that Milltown will receive the $1,000,000.00 offered by the redeveloper of the property. It is for exactly this reason that all available options must be explored. I find it somewhat confusing that I am being criticized for attempting to address this issue, while my opponents offer no constructive input at all.
Let me repeat, I did not intend to insult the volunteer firemen of Milltown, or in any way belittle their efforts. They provide a service to our residents as well as to the surrounding communities and there is no price that can be placed on this.
Finally, my inquiries into available grants and funding options were merely an attempt to fully apprize myself of all information necessary to address this pressing need. I certainly do not have the authority to pursue any such grants on behalf of the fire department, nor would I attempt to do so.
To attack my efforts seems disingenuous. The tone is insincere and unfortunately political. Mr. Dekovics has never approached me on this issue, but I would welcome the opportunity to discuss it with him. I remain committed to my pledge to pursue all available means to provide the Milltown Firemen with the necessary means to protect our residents.
Respectfully,
Michael Farella
Democratic Candidate for Council
October 29th, 2008
http://www.viddler.com/explore/milltowntv/videos/1/
Please click on the link above. Our thanks to Russ Einbinder for putting this together and making it available for anyone interested.
The Milltown Democratic Organization
October 21st, 2008
Please join us at the American Legion Hall on Sunday November 2nd from 7:30AM-12 Noon for an “all you can eat” breakfast buffet. Say hello to our Candidates and enjoy a good start to your day with good friends and good food.
Adults $8
12-18 & 65 & Over $4
Under 12 - Free
