There is outrage by many citizens of Barnegat this year when they received hefty tax increases from the Twp. John J. Novak has run away and hid behind "prose, poetry, & pontification" along with the good old blame-the-other-guy tactic. So far his strategy has failed. So now, Novak is using facts and figures. The thing is, his facts and figures prove that it is HE who broke his promise to the people of Barnegat. It is HE -- NOVAK -- that raised taxes. His latest high-priced ad is an attempt to play the hard-working taxpayers of Barnegat as mindless chumps. Let us take a close look at this important tax issue.

Let's agree that all the figures Novak quotes in his 10/25 Beacon ad are correct. The voters passed a School Budget last year that increased 30.6 % , and the School Tax makes up 60 % of our tax bill. OK chumps - School bad...me angry...vote Novak. But wait...don't be a chump, use some common sense. Look at what Novak did. Look at his responsibility. He laid it out for you in black and white. Novak increased the Twp. taxes by 8.6 % by his own admission. Wow! That's not too good, is it? The Twp. makes up 22 % of your bill...see that's not too much of an increase. Is it?

Novak ran on a platform of bigotry and hate last year that disgusted many good people. In that campaign of hate, he made one promise. It was "Promise: THREE more years of stable taxes and cuts in wasteful spending without sacrificing the essential services you deserve!" Now tell Novak what the word "stable" really means. To the voter...to the taxpayer...to the people who just struggle to get by, it means you DON'T PAY MORE. So why is Novak so proud of an 8.6 % tax increase? If he kept his promise it would not be 8.6 % percent...it would be 0 % ! But Novak thinks you're a chump. So what does he do? Take responsibility? No. That's what a leader would do. Novak instead blames our Schools.

Now the School District actually has some cover here. Since Novak wants to play the blame game, there's plenty to go around. Out-of-control growth has made the need for more schools and additions on existing schools. Who controls and is responsible for growth? Not the School District, no...Novak is responsible for out-of-control growth. But that's not all. Novak the hero of those who hate (this time not just those who hate Gays and Lesbians, but now our School District) took the time last year to spread his bigotry all over the local papers. You may have read his half-page bombastic opinion piece justifying discrimination in Barnegat. But what has he ever said about the School District BEFORE this election season? The only thing I ever read was his need to put God back in the Schools, and teach public school students the Ten Commandments...just like in the good old days. Novak never said don't pass the School Budget -- or -- don't vote for my friends on the School Board. No. Novak said nothing. He's using a School tax increase as cover to sneak in his own smaller increase! Wow. That shows courage, and the chumps will help him as he does it.

One more important point. We actually vote for -- or against -- the School Budget every year. Look in the mirror if you want to blame someone for the School tax increase. You voted for it! Did Novak (or anyone else blaming the School District now) tell you to vote no?? Did Novak's Republican Party come and pick you up and drive you to the polls to vote DOWN the School Budget? Of course not. You see Novak is self-serving, and a hypocrite. He's not a voice for the taxpayer, he is a voice only for himself. He is part of the problem, not a solution.

We don't get to vote on the Twp. Budget like we do the School Budget. Each November, we vote for Committeepeople who in turn vote for the Budget that THEY -- the Committee -- make. Novak, Hartman, Cirulli and Melchiondo voted YES to the Twp. tax increase. Morano voted NO. This November election is the ONLY time the people of Barnegat have an opportunity to have their voice heard. This year it's simple...vote Novak for high taxes, vote Ryan for lower taxes.

Also what do we get for our Twp. tax increase? The School Tax pays for new buildings and all the costs that go into educating our children. Our children are great. They are smart. They are thriving. Are we paying too much? Whatever you think, vote in April and let your voice be heard. Maybe Mr. Novak will run for School Board since he should have some time on his hands when the taxpayers of Barnegat show him the door this November.

On the Twp. side -- which is WHAT THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS ABOUT -- what do we get for Novak's 8.6 % tax increase? WE GET NOTHING...no improvements, low quality-of-life. This year's election will show the true character of the town we live in, and the people in it. Do we accept bigotry, hate and broken promises? If we do then Novak is right...we are chumps. If we vote for Dorothy Ryan then we vote for change, hope, pride, and something you may find even more important...lower taxes.