“Taxpayers First?” Really?
Middletown Republicans are again campaigning under the slogan “Taxpayers First.” It’s a slogan they recycle year after year, as if repeating it will make it true. But Middletown residents know better, just by opening our property tax bills.
If your taxes didn’t go up this year, you undoubtedly know families whose did. That is not “Taxpayers First.” It’s homeowners and families struggling to keep up while the same insiders congratulate themselves on what they consider “sound fiscal management.” However, we know the truth, because we’re the ones writing the checks.
And while we’re paying more, we’re also paying for waste. Middletown Republicans have dumped hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars into litigation that has no realistic chance of succeeding. Hard-earned taxpayer money that could have been invested in our communities, our roads, or our schools has instead disappeared into legal battles against developers and the state that amount to political theater.
Look at the state of our infrastructure. Our neighborhood streets are riddled with potholes, intersections remain unsafe, and uncontrolled development continues year after year. When the local government won’t prioritize the basics like safe streets, passable sidewalks, and well-maintained roads, then taxpayers are not first. They’re last in line.
The situation with our schools may be the clearest example of how hollow the “Taxpayers First” slogan has become. Schools don’t just educate our children, they anchor our neighborhoods. Even if your own kids have long since graduated, the strength of our schools defines the strength, stability, and value of Middletown. It’s no secret that the Republicans control the Board of Education, they are out campaigning for their chosen slate. The Board was ready to close the Leonardo, Navesink, and Bayshore schools just to plug a self-inflicted budget gap, with no real plan for the children who would be displaced. And where was the Township Committee? Nowhere. The mayor dangled a promise of shared services, which would have eased the burden on both the district and taxpayers, only to rescind the offer because the Board didn’t vote the way he wanted them to. This isn’t taxpayers first – it’s partisan politics creeping into our schools, where it doesn’t belong.
It’s time for Middletown residents to ask a simple question: What has “Taxpayers First” actually done for you? We were prepared to ask this on voters’ behalf at the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, where all candidates for the Township Committee were invited to speak. But Rick Hibell and Kevin Settembrino ignored the invitation, and the forum was cancelled. Apparently, “Taxpayers First” doesn’t extend to showing up and answering to taxpayers.
Vote for Jeremy Seideman and Shawn Wallach for Township Committee, and replace the rubber stamps on the Township Committee with real independent voices. It's time to retire “Taxpayers First,” because You Deserve Better.
Jeremy Seideman and Shawn Wallach are candidates for Middletown Township Committee