Russell Will Not Be Beholden to Any Political Party

To The Editor:
It has been a pleasure speaking with many Middle Township voters regarding my plan to lower taxes in Middle Township. Additionally, I enjoyed previously sharing my positions with the Middle Township Taxpayers Association, and I am happy to again talk about it during the final week of the campaign.
My position has not changed since the beginning of my campaign and, unlike my opponent’s plan, offers a common sense approach to managing our municipal budget. I decided to seek this office because I believe my years of experience developing and managing budgets as large as $24 million as well as overseeing large capital funds will have a profound effect on our municipal budget. From what I can see, the entire method of spending in Middle Township needs to be reviewed.
I would make certain that budget expenditures do not exceed what is actually necessary to efficiently run our township. We need to review services provided to our taxpayers and ensure that only services that benefit all of our taxpayers are included.
• I would require that all department heads submit zero-based budgets based on their needs, not their wants.
• I will continue the practice put in place last year to hold open workshop sessions with the public and department heads prior to the final release of the budget.
My opponent has said that I advocate spending upwards of $1 million for a new revaluation of our property assessments. This is simply not true. Our last property assessment was completed when property values were at an all-time high. Since that time, we have seen a drastic decline in those values. I believe that Township Committee should formulate a non-partisan committee comprised of real estate and appraising professionals who have proven experience working in the Middle Township market. This committee will be tasked with making recommendations for across the board percentage adjustments in appraised values based on market value changes in every segment of the market (low, medium and high). I would seek to make the adjustments across the board in accordance with what is permitted by statute without incurring the expense of an entire revaluation.
As an Independent, I have no obligations to any political party, and my decisions will be based on what is in the best interest of our taxpayers. I will ensure that all citizens are represented equally, regardless of political affiliation. If elected, voters will have the first truly independent Middle Township Committee, one Democrat, one Republican and a decision-making Independent.”
STEVE RUSSELL
Court House