Mayor Lies, Taxes Rise
Melchiondo and Cirulli Claim Tax Hikes = Zero?

Oct. 18, 2009

After giving the people of Barnegat Municipal tax hikes in 2007 and 2008 while they "promised" stable taxes, what would Committeemen Melchiondo and Cirulli say in their re-election material? Incredibly, they lie. They don't simply try to mislead, like what has become expected from politicians these days, they lie in big red letters..."ZERO MUNICIPAL TAX INCREASE IN 4 OUT OF 5 YEARS!" This desperate attempt to change reality should send Barnegat voters to the polls in revolt this year. The following are facts. Remember - this is not opinion - these are FACTS that you can verify by simply looking at your tax bill. Or, by reading the direct quotes from the Republican-elected officials responsible for these tax hikes.

Republican campaign material from 2006 Twp. Committee election. Melchiondo & Cirulli promised no tax increase - which they promptly then brake.

When Melchiondo and Cirulli ran for office in 2006, they ran with a man named John J. Novak. They ran on one promise. See it right here. They promised the people of Barnegat stable taxes for 2007, 2008, and 2009. They were then elected to office and promptly broke this promise by giving all the people of Barnegat a tax hike in 2007 along with a re-evaluation that also raised taxes on many others. Novak was up for re-election in 2007. So what did he say in his re-election material? If you believe what Melchiondo and Cirulli are saying now, Novak would have said my good people of Barnegat, I, J.J. Novak, am proud to say there is a zero Municipal tax increase! But Mr. Novak didn't say this. Everyone would have known that would be a lie. This is exactly what he said in the Thursday, Oct. 25th 2007 Beacon in an ad paid for by Novak for Township Committee...

2006 Municipal Budget $16,667,985
2007 Municipal Budget $17,571,292 (5.4 % increase)

TAX LEVY Comparison in Dollars
Barnegat Township
Year 2006 $8,550,941
Year 2007 $9,299,475
Difference + 748,534 (+ 8.6 %)

Want more proof of Melchiondo and Cirulli's 2007 tax increase?

Let's see what Lisa Becker pointed out when she said "Taxpayers unite and educate yourselves! No one should take Committeeman Hartman's explanation of the suggested new tax rate [2007] without verification; and should you decide to see what the state figures are for Barnegat Township, you will understand why the math does not work." Mrs. Becker explained how Melchiondo and Cirulli's 2007 tax rate "equals an extra 3 million dollars to Barnegat's budgets". This is the same Lisa Becker who is now our School Board Vice President, and would have given us an overall tax cut this year if Melchiondo and Cirulli would not have raised the Municipal taxes yet again.

Yes, that's right. The next year - 2008 - Melchiondo and Cirulli raised the Municipal Tax YET AGAIN! This time, let's look at exactly what Mayor Jeff Melchiondo had to say. "This introduced budget reflects a five (5) cent increase on the Municipal tax rate." Melchiondo goes on to say "We must come to the realization that like many other New Jersey communities, tax rate increases are a necessary evil." The source for Melchiondo's words is the July 21st, 2008 Mayor's Report. But Melchiondo was not telling the truth. His tax hike would be much more than 5 cents. When the people of Barnegat got their tax bills in hand, it was a 7.6 cent increase! No wonder this massive tax hike was kept from the voters until AFTER the Nov. 2008 election! Melchiondo then joked at a Twp. meeting and said this was a "Christmas present" for the people of Barnegat as they faced the toughest economic climate since the Great Depression.

Now it's 2009, and Melchiondo and Cirulli submit a budget that is short over $400,000. The state tells them to increase the budget to cover all the people fighting their tax assessments. Miraculously, Melchiondo and Cirulli immediately come up with the extra money to finally have a zero Municipal Tax increase. Their first one in 3 years! But wait! If Barnegat will finally have a stable tax rate in 2009, why did Melchiondo and Cirulli vote to raise the cap on how much they can raise taxes in 2010!?!?! Yes...one last fact for you. Melchiondo and Cirulli voted to raise the cap on how much they can hike our taxes. They must know their 2009 budget is under-funded, and plan on massive tax hikes -- yet again -- in 2010.

Why would Melchiondo and Cirulli lie and say they gave us a "zero tax increase" when in 2007 they state in their own Republican re-election material they raised the Municipal tax on everyone 8.6 % ? Then in 2008 the Mayor Report clearly states that Melchiondo says tax hikes are "necessary", as he raises taxes for the second year in a row.

This year's election for Twp. Committee will tell a lot about the people of Barnegat. Do the people of Barnegat hold elected officials responsible when they make promises and then do not deliver? Do the people of Barnegat get played for chumps when elected officials blatantly lie? Will the people of Barnegat vote for higher taxes...again?

Attend the biggest event in Barnegat this year...the Barnegat Tea Party. On November 3rd, go to your voting booth and let your voice be heard. This is your only chance to say NO to Melchiondo and Cirulli, and their tax hikes.