Author	Message
Guest	Posted: Thu, Jun 16 2011, 1:09 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 The state mandated funding would only change if the NJ library law changes.
Guest	Posted: Thu, Jun 16 2011, 8:52 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 So what happens if/when the state-mandated funding for the library changes and the amount mandated no longer covers the expenses?
Guest	Posted: Wed, Jun 15 2011, 10:45 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: They can raise all the money they want but the perpetual costs of maintaining that structure will be another tax/maintenance burden on the taxpayers. One needs to take into account the costs associated with all of these projects. If you look at "The Baseball Field or Soccer Fields" even if we received every penny to build them as Grants we will have huge maintenance costs in perpituity. How about a user fee that will cover all the costs? Then you will see that the use by a select few would not justify the expenditure. I agree with your premise, but as it specifically relates to the library we are State-mandated to fund it at a certain level already which is a significant surplus to their cost to operate in the shared facility, despite having their own staff there. So while they have not yet established the facts to prove that minimum fnding can sustain the new facility, they may. It's definitely a quetsion to ask, but we shouldn't assume it would take additional taxes to sustain it because it may not.
Guest	Posted: Wed, Jun 15 2011, 10:19 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 They can raise all the money they want but the perpetual costs of maintaining that structure will be another tax/maintenance burden on the taxpayers. One needs to take into account the costs associated with all of these projects. If you look at "The Baseball Field or Soccer Fields" even if we received every penny to build them as Grants we will have huge maintenance costs in perpituity. How about a user fee that will cover all the costs? Then you will see that the use by a select few would not justify the expenditure.
Guest	Posted: Wed, Jun 15 2011, 6:59 am EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 The Public Library Board of Trustees plans on privately raising funds to build the library - 2.7 million dollars, through their foundation.
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 8:55 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Last night Mr. Taylor complained that hand rails for town hall should cost no more than $2,000 for the front steps. Do you think he'd spend 3 million of tax payer money for a library?
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 7:46 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: I still find it hard to believe that a stand-alone library is being discussed during this economic climate. I don't understand why so many people are for spending money we don't have. When Mayor Stout was proposing buying the PNC site, for the library despite claims that wasn’t the decided purpose, he kept saying they wouldn't have to raise taxes because we would issue bonds and that Cranbury was well below our legal limit for debt so we were in great shape. It was the equivalent of saying I should go to the mall and buy clothes I didn’t need because my I hadn’t come close to maxing out my credit card. And yet now our debt service is the largest escalating cost for our budget and a big reason for our tax increases (combined with the reduced retables). The bottom line is using bonds is still going to end up in our taxes. In fact, it will with interest.
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 5:57 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 I still find it hard to believe that a stand-alone library is being discussed during this economic climate. I don't understand why so many people are for spending money we don't have.
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 4:20 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: Guest wrote: Guest wrote: Susan Goetz wrote: Thank you for asking the questions. I have every intention of answering each and every one of them in short order. What I am doing at this point is beginning a dialogue and gathering the research I need to gather facts and opinions to allow me to present a position that is not only one I can support personally but one that I believe reflects the desire of a majority of this community. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have my web site - susangoetz.com - up and running shortly. I want to use that web site as a vehicle for you to ask questions and get answers so that long before November you will know who I am and what I stand for. If I am the person that best reflects your interests, I will ask for your vote. You can go to the site now and although it is not "live" you can register your email address and you will receive notice from me when we are up and running. In the meantime, I see no reason why discussions and debates on the committee can not be undertaken with mutual respect and courtesy, even in the face of disagreements. I am confident that I have the skills useful to spirited but not bitter debate. We are lucky to have a Township Committee with smart, creative and dedicated people who all want what they believe is right for our community. We all thank you for taking the time to run for the Township Committee Susan. If you are elected to the Township Committee would you agree to once and for all spend the money needed to build our new much needed library in Cranbury? I would also like to hear the opinion of the other candidate about this very important topic as well. Susan would be one member to get the funds you need a 4-1 super majority vote. I just wanted to chime in before we got a 30 page thread on the library. I was not aware of what you called a super majority vote. Even so all it takes is one member of the Township Committee to commit to this much needed facility for our town. Susan? Other Candidate? Will one of you commit to being a leader for the new library which is needed and important for Cranbury? I don't understand your logic with "...all it takes in one member of the Township Committee to commit to this..." That doesn't make any sense when it's already been established that it takes 4. It's not like the rest of the members are neutral and just waiting for one member to take the initiative on supporting it. At least 3 of the current members, and 2 after Win leaves, specifically campaigned against the stand-alone library being publically funded. Even if you got all three others to support it, that wouldn't be enough unless you convinced one of those two to go back on one of their campaign pledges, which is highly doubtful in this case. The Committee tried twice to advance public funding of the stand-alone library in the last few years when they had a solid three supporters on the Committee and failed both times. And there was significant community backlash and arguably this helped sweep Win and other Republican candidates into office when until 3 years ago there were 4 Democrats on the Committee. So one new person joining who supports it is not spiritually enough and certainly is not technically enough to make the difference. Public funding of a stand-alone library is far from universally accepted as a “much needed” project and if I had to guess I suspect there are more against it than for it, certainly in the current economic climate. Plenty of people are content with the status quo shared library and even among those who wouldn’t mind seeing a stand-alone one many would not support taking out bonds which will eventually raise taxes to pay for it. I doubt the issue will ever be settled short of a full public referendum and not merely at a Committee vote. If the private fundraisers can raise a substantial majority of the money they may stand a chance at getting support for public financing the balance.
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 3:26 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: Guest wrote: Guest wrote: Susan Goetz wrote: Thank you for asking the questions. I have every intention of answering each and every one of them in short order. What I am doing at this point is beginning a dialogue and gathering the research I need to gather facts and opinions to allow me to present a position that is not only one I can support personally but one that I believe reflects the desire of a majority of this community. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have my web site - susangoetz.com - up and running shortly. I want to use that web site as a vehicle for you to ask questions and get answers so that long before November you will know who I am and what I stand for. If I am the person that best reflects your interests, I will ask for your vote. You can go to the site now and although it is not "live" you can register your email address and you will receive notice from me when we are up and running. In the meantime, I see no reason why discussions and debates on the committee can not be undertaken with mutual respect and courtesy, even in the face of disagreements. I am confident that I have the skills useful to spirited but not bitter debate. We are lucky to have a Township Committee with smart, creative and dedicated people who all want what they believe is right for our community. We all thank you for taking the time to run for the Township Committee Susan. If you are elected to the Township Committee would you agree to once and for all spend the money needed to build our new much needed library in Cranbury? I would also like to hear the opinion of the other candidate about this very important topic as well. Susan would be one member to get the funds you need a 4-1 super majority vote. I just wanted to chime in before we got a 30 page thread on the library. I was not aware of what you called a super majority vote. Even so all it takes is one member of the Township Committee to commit to this much needed facility for our town. Susan? Other Candidate? Will one of you commit to being a leader for the new library which is needed and important for Cranbury? It takes 4 members saying yes in order to spend the money as a bond needs to be issued as the cost is 3 million by the best estimates (those of the library). Based on the last budget cycle I can't see 3 of the current TC members agreeing on taking on that debt with other more pressing matters ahead- the Main St repairs of the dam, the COAH build on 130D, and potentially liberty way which would make the vote of Susan or Karen meaningless even if they were 100% for the library. The library has set up a foundation and I think all of the current TC members are supporting that approach as is the library board.
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 2:59 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: Guest wrote: Susan Goetz wrote: Thank you for asking the questions. I have every intention of answering each and every one of them in short order. What I am doing at this point is beginning a dialogue and gathering the research I need to gather facts and opinions to allow me to present a position that is not only one I can support personally but one that I believe reflects the desire of a majority of this community. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have my web site - susangoetz.com - up and running shortly. I want to use that web site as a vehicle for you to ask questions and get answers so that long before November you will know who I am and what I stand for. If I am the person that best reflects your interests, I will ask for your vote. You can go to the site now and although it is not "live" you can register your email address and you will receive notice from me when we are up and running. In the meantime, I see no reason why discussions and debates on the committee can not be undertaken with mutual respect and courtesy, even in the face of disagreements. I am confident that I have the skills useful to spirited but not bitter debate. We are lucky to have a Township Committee with smart, creative and dedicated people who all want what they believe is right for our community. We all thank you for taking the time to run for the Township Committee Susan. If you are elected to the Township Committee would you agree to once and for all spend the money needed to build our new much needed library in Cranbury? I would also like to hear the opinion of the other candidate about this very important topic as well. Susan would be one member to get the funds you need a 4-1 super majority vote. I just wanted to chime in before we got a 30 page thread on the library. I was not aware of what you called a super majority vote. Even so all it takes is one member of the Township Committee to commit to this much needed facility for our town. Susan? Other Candidate? Will one of you commit to being a leader for the new library which is needed and important for Cranbury?
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 2:37 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: Susan Goetz wrote: Thank you for asking the questions. I have every intention of answering each and every one of them in short order. What I am doing at this point is beginning a dialogue and gathering the research I need to gather facts and opinions to allow me to present a position that is not only one I can support personally but one that I believe reflects the desire of a majority of this community. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have my web site - susangoetz.com - up and running shortly. I want to use that web site as a vehicle for you to ask questions and get answers so that long before November you will know who I am and what I stand for. If I am the person that best reflects your interests, I will ask for your vote. You can go to the site now and although it is not "live" you can register your email address and you will receive notice from me when we are up and running. In the meantime, I see no reason why discussions and debates on the committee can not be undertaken with mutual respect and courtesy, even in the face of disagreements. I am confident that I have the skills useful to spirited but not bitter debate. We are lucky to have a Township Committee with smart, creative and dedicated people who all want what they believe is right for our community. We all thank you for taking the time to run for the Township Committee Susan. If you are elected to the Township Committee would you agree to once and for all spend the money needed to build our new much needed library in Cranbury? I would also like to hear the opinion of the other candidate about this very important topic as well. Susan would be one member to get the funds you need a 4-1 super majority vote. I just wanted to chime in before we got a 30 page thread on the library.
Guest	Posted: Tue, Jun 14 2011, 2:19 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Susan Goetz wrote: Thank you for asking the questions. I have every intention of answering each and every one of them in short order. What I am doing at this point is beginning a dialogue and gathering the research I need to gather facts and opinions to allow me to present a position that is not only one I can support personally but one that I believe reflects the desire of a majority of this community. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have my web site - susangoetz.com - up and running shortly. I want to use that web site as a vehicle for you to ask questions and get answers so that long before November you will know who I am and what I stand for. If I am the person that best reflects your interests, I will ask for your vote. You can go to the site now and although it is not "live" you can register your email address and you will receive notice from me when we are up and running. In the meantime, I see no reason why discussions and debates on the committee can not be undertaken with mutual respect and courtesy, even in the face of disagreements. I am confident that I have the skills useful to spirited but not bitter debate. We are lucky to have a Township Committee with smart, creative and dedicated people who all want what they believe is right for our community. We all thank you for taking the time to run for the Township Committee Susan. If you are elected to the Township Committee would you agree to once and for all spend the money needed to build our new much needed library in Cranbury? I would also like to hear the opinion of the other candidate about this very important topic as well.
Susan Goetz	Posted: Mon, Jun 13 2011, 6:08 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Thank you for asking the questions. I have every intention of answering each and every one of them in short order. What I am doing at this point is beginning a dialogue and gathering the research I need to gather facts and opinions to allow me to present a position that is not only one I can support personally but one that I believe reflects the desire of a majority of this community. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have my web site - susangoetz.com - up and running shortly. I want to use that web site as a vehicle for you to ask questions and get answers so that long before November you will know who I am and what I stand for. If I am the person that best reflects your interests, I will ask for your vote. You can go to the site now and although it is not "live" you can register your email address and you will receive notice from me when we are up and running. In the meantime, I see no reason why discussions and debates on the committee can not be undertaken with mutual respect and courtesy, even in the face of disagreements. I am confident that I have the skills useful to spirited but not bitter debate. We are lucky to have a Township Committee with smart, creative and dedicated people who all want what they believe is right for our community.
Guest	Posted: Mon, Jun 13 2011, 5:16 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 If the candidates are inclined to respond, I wouldn't mind hearing some perspectives on a few issues --just to get the ball rolling. For example, a few recurring issues would be position on the library, approaches to managing affordable housing, and downtown revitalization. Given how poorly some folks have managed the disagreements over the budget for this coming year, I'd also be interested to see how each candidate would approach disagreements if she is elected to the committee.
Guest	Posted: Fri, Jun 10 2011, 8:45 pm EDT    Post subject: Re: Cranbury primary election results 2011 Guest wrote: Absolutely unfounded. I have never had difficulty accessing this or recent TC members. I generally agree with you. But I will say that some of them rarely if ever check their official Township email. If you get their regular work or personal email they are very responsive.