Taxpayers don't think mayor needs raise

I find it hard to believe that the Vernon Township Council has once again approved a pay raise for the mayor. It’s obvious, to even the most casual observer, that the taxpayers do not think this is a necessary expenditure. I am trying to understand how this even gets discussed by the members of the Council. Here is a scenario on how this could happen at a meeting:

Dan: Tim Wagner, West Milford Council candidate, recently said, “The Newark Watershed is highly undervalued when it comes to being assessed for taxes. Our town struggles to keep taxes for residents at a reasonable level, while Newark is making money off the water they are selling.” This is a true statement. Let’s form a coalition with the other municipalities that are in the same situation and push for state legislation to establish a new appraisal method for Newark Watershed property. This could be an ongoing source of additional revenue that can lower taxes.

Dick: Yeah, yeah, yeah … Hey did you see Howie Mandel hypnotized and actually shaking hands with people on TV the other night? It was hilarious.

Jean: We have a natural gas pipeline that cuts through our town. It crosses Canistear Road in Highland Lakes. This seems like an opportunity to provide our residents with another option for energy. Let’s contact a gas company and see if they are interested in supplying gas to Highland Lakes, Barry Lakes, Laurel Lake and Cliffwood Lake. When the gas company disturbs the roadway to lay the pipes, they come back and repave the road. The roads in those areas are in need of repair. This could save the town a lot of money while providing the residents with an energy source that is currently low priced.

Brian: Too bad about the N.Y. Rangers, maybe next year.

Pat: I think the timing is perfect to give our friend some extra money. We tried a $20,000 raise in 2012, but that didn’t work. Then we doubled down in 2014 for a $40,000 raise. The voters obviously didn’t understand our compensation methodology and showed enough displeasure that we were forced to rescind the ordinance. I saw 6’s in a dream last night. Let’s go for $6,000 this time. We’ve beaten them down on this issue enough that they’ll probably just capitulate.

Dick: I’m in. This is a brilliant strategy.

Dan: Don’t you think that the taxpayers have already spoken on this issue?

Brian: Let’s go for it. I’m not running again, anyway.

Jean: This is crazy.
Pat: OK, I’ll have the ordinance written up, and we’ll slide it through while the voters are thinking about vacation. Good meeting.

The mayor announced in March 2014 that he was seeking employment elsewhere. Surely the person touted by his supporters as “a CEO” would have no problem finding a job. I guess that the private sector has a different definition of CEO. The CEO argument is old and flawed. He opted to run for re-election for a $30,000 job. If he doesn’t think this is fair compensation, why run for re-election?

AL Lapitka
Vernon