The numbers speak for themselves

When do the fallacious, erroneous and deceptive comments of Mrs. Rinker become more than her typical attempts to gain recognition and finally become detrimental lies injurious to the community at large that she so stridently professes to serve? Her journey from the promise everything candidate to the divisive councilperson to the gavel pounding mayor, who in one evening had three council members desert her on the dais is now complete. Unable to achieve in her term of office what Mayor Victor Marotta has accomplished in less than four years, Mrs. Rinker can only spew misinformation with the hope that a silent electorate will accept her remarks without question.

How sad that under the guise of leadership of a supposedly conservative financial club, Mrs. Rinker resorts to comments designed to arouse an electorate by misstating the facts. In her recent letter calling on Vernon’s residents to question and urge defeat of Ordinance 15-16 that was introduced at the last council meeting, she points out that with out this ordinance the budget would not be in balance. This is totally false. What would happen if this ordinance were not passed is that residents of Vernon residing on Lake Wallkill Road and who travel this road regularly would not have it repaired and brought up to the necessary standards. The Lake Wallkill residents are entitled to safe transit and not approving this these BANS would delay this project and result in the loss of DOT funds made available to the township for this project.

Not only would the road project be jeopardized, but also the construction of a larger salt shed to avoid an out-of-salt condition due to limited availability from suppliers. With the larger shed we could purchase in larger quantities at lower negotiated prices taking delivery well in advance of the winter storms. Other necessary projects as recommended by the mayor would also be delayed such as purchase of a dump truck for the DPW and a police vehicle as well as essential police department security and operating equipment.

Let’s be clear, we will be borrowing this money but not to fund our current operating expenses, that is against the law. At the last three budget hearings our auditor and bond counsel were asked “is Vernon Township using borrowed money to fund its operating expenses?” and each time the answer was a resounding NO! What is even more disconcerting is that Mrs. Rinker was in the audience at all three of those hearings and heard the comments of the licensed professionals and now chooses to disregard their assurances. Use of the Bond Anticipation Notes as a form of capitalization will enable the township to attend to these projects at a very low interest rate.

The numbers do not lie, our audited books do not lie, our licensed professionals do not lie and have affirmed that our fund balance has increased in 2010 when Mrs. Rinker was mayor from $901,498 to $3,040,000 in 2014. In that same period our debt has decreased by $963,152. During that same period our tax rate was reduced three times and this year will remain the same. So Mrs. Rinker, please be sure of your facts, the budget is sound as is the financial condition of Vernon Township and if you choose to reject my assertion please read the Moody’s report on Vernon Township.

Patrick Rizzuto
Vernon Council President