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The Aberdeen Green Party Platform
Following are some of the issues we will address
as members of the Aberdeen Township Council:
1. Control Property Taxes.
The current Council often repeats that most of our property
taxes go toward the school budget, and that tax increases
are caused by increased school spending and not by the
municipal spending which they directly control. However, when
the school budget is defeated, as it has been in each of the last
six years, the Council can work with the School Board to look for inefficiencies
in spending. The current Council has failed to do this in any significant
way. The
people of the township have issued a mandate: we must maintain
the highest standard of education at our schools, but we must also
work to be sure that every tax dollar spent goes to that goal. That
mandate has been ignored by the current Council.
2. Work to prevent Eminent
Domain abuse.
The current Council has created numerous Redevelopment
Zones, all of which could involve the use of eminent domain,
where the township government will forcibly seize privately
held properties which, in many cases, are single family homes. They
then demolish these properties and provide the land to developers
for large projects which
will profit the developers while creating more traffic and
ultimately increased taxes. This
is an abuse of government power.
In the past, members of the Aberdeen Township government
have callously stated that once a property is put in a zone
for potential land condemnation, the homeowners in those
zones had better “sell
now, before it’s too late”. A wave of their pen,
and the economic value of a cherished home is shattered. We
are very concerned by the casual and cavalier way the Aberdeen Township
government has treated this issue, and wish to ensure that the sanctity
of every resident’s property is respected.
3. Create an Open and Responsive Government.
Aberdeen Township’s government needs to be much more forthcoming
with information which affects the quality of life of the township’s
residents. The government should actively reach out to residents
who might be affected by changes to tax assessments, the
zoning ordinance, the master plan, or the proposal of large
development projects. When township residents express concerns
over such matters, these concerns should be respected as
much as possible over the desires of profit-driven developers.
4. Preserve
Undeveloped Land for parks and recreational facilities.
As Council people, we will work with willing sellers of
undeveloped properties to arrange for the preservation of
open space. We
will work with the county, state, and federal governments,
as well as with conservation funds, to raise the capital
necessary to acquire these properties for preservation and
for the creation of recreational facilities like bike trails
and ball fields.
We need to provide a healthy environment for current residents
and future generations, a place where nature and humanity
can thrive. We will work to ensure the health of the lakes
and watershed in Aberdeen in order to protect our aquifers
and water supply. Waterfront areas, such as Cliffwood Beach,
and upland wooded areas need to be given special protection.
5. Promote
Energy Conservation in municipal buildings and vehicles.
We
will investigate what can be done to reduce energy and tax
dollar consumption by the municipal government. Energy and
environmental concerns need to have a greater weight in decisions
for new construction.
6. Refuse ‘Pay-to-Play’.
We will not accept contributions from developers or any other
special interests who are trying to buy influence. It is
immoral and often illegal.
7. Encourage
Locally Owned Businesses.
We want to create an economic environment that favors local businesses
over big-box stores and chains. Aberdeen currently has no “downtown” area – we
are open to creative ideas that involve the whole community.
8. Provide Affordable Housing.
We will meet the state requirements to provide affordable housing
in a creative way, without the environmental destruction
proposed by large developers and the current Council. We will
seek quality, low-impact, energy efficient affordable housing.
We will make sure affordable housing is inclusive, as mandated
by state law, unlike the economically segregated development
often proposed.
Paid for by Aberdeen Green Party,
109 Wilson Ave., Aberdeen, NJ 07747
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