I enjoyed reading the article about my candidacy today in the News Transcript, and I would like to make clear that .... My platform is built on MANY more issues.
Forming an Economic and Business Development Committee, that the FCP for example will have to report to, is critical for the Borough. We must maintain a forward thinking agenda that will assure homeowners that they are not the sole source of income for the Borough of Freehold. Retail and restaurants are nice, but we need more links in the the chain of economic and business development. Another forgotten plus will be the jobs that will be created. We need more jobs for our fellow residents, and not just restaurant jobs.
The abandoned Bennett street building is a prime example of neglected development. Why have we not reached out to Centra-State for example, to use this site as a satellite medical arts building, perhaps with a focus on geriatric medicine? This would be a tremendous win for our community, we develop a dependable rateable, we create good jobs and we serve the greater community.
Last June I ask our Borough Council to reach out to ICS and start to plan for 287g implementation! We must empower our Local Law enforcement to become vigilant in the prosecution of repeat offender illegal aliens who believe they need not follow OUR laws, and continue to engage in criminal conduct. The Mechanic Street "ILLEGAL RESTAURANT IN A RENTAL HOME" (a Wall Cop was the absentee landloard) issue is the poster child for why repeat offender Landlords and TENANTS must not be tolerated. There is no excuse for these reoccurring instances. We must challenge criminals by making a crystal clear statement, Freehold Borough is NOT tolerant of those who do not follow laws. Freehold borough will not be weakened by those thinking they can come here to do anything they want! The current perception of our borough must change by action not just by strong words.
Borough police are still receiving complaints about aggressive day laborers swarming cars. One recent complaint involved a woman in the car with her young daughter. The woman stated she was intimidated and frightened. I have witnessed aggressive day laborers too. Today this is NOT being re-meditated as it should. The fact is, there are "BAD" contractors who profit by using contraband labor and cheat their competitors by not complying with our fair labor laws. This must be addressed through the combined, coordinated effort of local-municipal, county and state agencies. As a council member I will reach out to fight for the rights of honest contractors and their honest hard working laborer-employees who deserve a fair and competitive labor market.
I grew up in rental apartments. I know the difference between a good landlord and a creepy landlord! I propose aggressive prosecution of slumlords that have infested our Borough. These landlords have shamefully been allowed to drive down our property value and our most precious quality of life. We can no longer afford to suffer as we have all been suffering with the tepid actions of code enforcement. This Borough must take strong actions. Seizure of the criminal slumlords bank accounts will aid with needed funding of the relocation of tenets living in deplorable conditions, as well as the necessary and immediate remediation of code violators. We must stop the abuse of tenets and the homeowners that have been enduring too much for too long! A permanent Rental Board must be established and the position of rental commissioner should be evaluated.
