Point Pleasant needs Chris Leitner and Brian Welch. We
need Chris and Brian to help put an end to decades of
control by a small circle whose only interest is influence
and status. Self-servers and rubberstampers have left our
boro’s finances in tatters and services in jeopardy.
Despite all claims to the contrary, past administrations
left us in deficit, with unstable tax, water, and sewer rates,
with less police on the street, with a reliance on furloughs
and reduced services, and worst of all, left us feeling
unsure and uncertain instead of feeling the closeness and
security we all love about our community.
Mayor Schroeder, Chris Leitner and Jack McHugh have
brought fresh eyes to our finances for the first time in
over a decade, putting an end to a long history of wasteful
practices. They have put our professionals to the task of
creating a long-term debt management plan. They are
preparing for the first complete water/sewer audit in
recent memory. They are coordinating a multi-agency
Complete Streets Program that will provide safe bicycle
and pedestrian routes to schools, transportation and businesses
throughout the entire town.
And they have done all this with thoughtful and
methodical consideration. Plans like theirs to reduce
garbage fees for all boro residents have been discussed in
public for months, not presented last minute and rubberstamped
like so many half-baked plans of the past. Bill,
Jack, and Chris have welcomed our residents back to borough
hall, no longer a members-only club for the most
connected.
This progress hasn’t been easy. Bob, Mitch, and Toni
have tried to stall most of these actions only to try and
later claim them as their own. Why would they try to
block the opportunity of a shared service with Brick that
ex-council president Rogers falsely claims is the fruit of
her labor? It’s just as bizarre as Bob claiming responsibility
for the unaccounted reserves discovered by our new
auditor, or claiming to have confirmation from our new
chief financial officer that the boro had a surplus. A claim
repeated by their council candidate that prompted Ms.
Swisher to immediately respond to mayor and council,
saying, “My guess by now is that most of you have read
the Sept. 30 edition of the Ocean Star. Well, that was certainly
a surprise for me especially since I was quoted so
often on a topic I don’t remember speaking about,” and
that she “never mentioned the word surplus.” This time of
transition needs councilmembers working for our neighbors
instead of working to sabotage each other.
Thankfully many recognize that Point Pleasant’s time to
celebrate itself has come. Most of us know that the bare
minimum will no longer do, and that the status quo is no
longer enough. Point Pleasant deserves to reach its full
potential. Brian Welch and I look forward to working with
the mayor, Chris Leitner and any other willing participants
to see this happen. Together we are changing the
attitude of “How much do I have to do?” into “How much
can I do?” Join me in voting Nov. 8th for Chris Leitner and
Brian Welch and a better Point Pleasant.
CHRISTOPHER GOSS
Councilman, Point Pleasant
Kilkare Parkway, Point Pleasant
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