Can't hide from it anymore
Those who see the relatively recent emergence of a more outspoken group of Teaneck voters and elected officials who are relentlessly focused on the bottom line as a negative development should take note of this report from The New York Times.Far from a reactionary political phenomenon, the rise of the fiscal conservative in Teaneck reflects a basic economic reality that has for too long gone unaddressed. Rises in local property taxes have outpaced the growth in incomes across the region, a phenomenon that especially impacts Teaneck homeowners, who pay an overwhelming proportion of the total taxes collected by the municipality.
Structural reforms under discussion in Trenton certainly have the power to alleviate the situation, but the real work has to be done right here in Teaneck. Few residents truly want to see more development in Teaneck beyond, say, improvements to the mass transportation infrastructure. Nobody looks forward to cuts in services or more user fees. There is, however, a growing realization that the current situation is unsustainable. Forced to choose between a full complement of local government services and a comfortable retirement, Teaneck voters are signalling that the latter matters more. Childrens' college funds take similar precedence over a unobstructed views or a little more nuisance traffic on Teaneck's streets.
Here's a not so bold prediction: it will be increasingly harder for candidates who do not demonstrate true commitment to fiscal responsibility to win elections in Teaneck. It's not voter greed talking. It's the instinct for survival.
posted by Teaneck Blog @ 10:31 AM
45 Comments:
The council needs to look at existing business districts and not just Cedar Lane. New business generates better ratables--new housing creates more families that need to flip the bill. As well, Teaneck needs to take a long hard look at itself and picture what it's going to look like in the future. Make a decision then do it. Take responsibility for the future and don't leave it to fly by night developers.
IT is time for T-Neck to start looking at ways to bring more $$ into the town.
The services that we are provided are a joke...The DPW,schools and parks are three of the BIGGEST jokes in this town...the police and fire department are not far behind!
I for one am tired of paying HIGH taxes for inferior services!
Boo hoo. The people who complain the loudest about their taxes are those who tear down nice houses and build the Queen Mary. You people are going to pay a high price when the reassessments come back and frankly I'm not terriby sympathetic.
While the Teaneck Blogger proclaims the "emergence of a more outspoken group of Teaneck voters," a more realistic view of New Jersey voters opinions may be reflected in the Monmouth University/Gannett/NJ Poll from July 23, 2006 "Property Tax Solutions."
While the so called "outspoken group" may be willing to cut services and promote development at the expense of the quality of life in Teaneck, most residents will not put up with either.
While the so called "outspoken group" may be willing to cut services and promote development at the expense of the quality of life in Teaneck, most residents will not put up with either.
We'll see about that, because it's very much on the table. Obscene tax bills are a quality of life issue, too.
I'm not looking forward to the tough decisions that lie ahead any more than you are, but I know that changes are afoot out of necessity. I, too, will shed a tear at the demise of those dilapidated Teaneck Board of Ed vans when we are compelled to share services and start running a tighter ship.
Not all of us that complain have teared down our houses and built the Queen Mary...the ones that will be hurt by the reassesments are the folks that did work with out PERMITS...I cant wait to see the shock on their faces :-)
Boo hoo. The people who complain the loudest about their taxes are those who tear down nice houses and build the Queen Mary. You people are going to pay a high price when the reassessments come back and frankly I'm not terriby sympathetic.
Silly, and most likely untrue.
Anyhow, you are correct to withhold your sympathy from the ostentatiously rich, because there are plenty of seniors and young families struggling with rising property taxes who are far more deserving, but you seem to shed no tears for them either. Nice to see that you yourself are either wealthy enough or masochistic enough not to care. And it's even nicer to see that fewer and fewer people in Teaneck share your views.
Shouldn't you all look at rateables. There are many people here who would like to see some businesses in this town. The pretentious nature of keeping this a town which bases it's tax base on homeownership is propsterous. It seems that if we do away with the BOE then tax rates would go down but that isn't realistic. If there are people who think that is possible then they shouldn't live here.
Just because some families don't use public education doesn't give them the right not to pay for it. Education is something that is paid for by the citizens of this country. If you don't want to pay for it then go somewhere were you don't have to. Some of South Jeresey doesn't have large public school districts move there. But in an area which has an etablished public school system it isn't going away. It's true that some of the costs should be looked at and I'm sure they will be but the budget for public education will still be large.
What happened to the lottery money? Isn't that suppose to pay for education? What education is it paying for does anyone know? Why doesn't the state provide funding for student education so the tax burden is equal across the state? Where are the Federal dollars that were promised to futher special education and pay for NCLB? This fifedom of New Jersey is costing the middle class their retirements.
So arguing on the merits of a system that many are not familiar with lets get legislatures that will work to truely alliveiate the tax burden and get the money we deserve!
ones that will be hurt by the reassesments are the folks that did work with out PERMITS
I don't think that's true. I was talking to someone who did a lot of extensions with a permit and she told me that they did NOT get revalued. Maybe someone who really knows can tell us for sure.
The DPW,schools and parks are three of the BIGGEST jokes in this town
Obviously the remarks of what H.L. Menken would have called a bloviator. All bluster, no facts or guts. DPW perhaps. Schools, absolutely not. Parks -- I'm not familiar with the details but it does seem to me that if you have small kids (as I do) the town does a great job with kids. And the Rhodda center is a wonderful resource. Perhaps I'm wrong about Parks, but I haven't heard anything to change my mind
Here's some advice for all the people having heart failure about high property taxes in New Jersey: Move to New York City, which has some of the lowest property taxes going.
For people who don't avail themselves of costly public services such as public school systems, New Jersey is no bargain.
I suspect that people who move here from New York City look at the house prices and think they're getting a steal relative to what one can get in Brooklyn, Queens or Manhattan, not realizing that New Jersey's property values are constrained by the high property tax burden borne by homeowners.
The New York Times article, highlighted on the front page of the paper, highlights the spiraling burden of property taxes in the New York City area. As cited in the second paragraph of the article, property taxes in Bergen County rose 29% from 2000 to 2004, while total person income rose by only 11%. An accompanying graphic shows that Bergen County residents are paying some 5% of their income in property taxes. Property taxes are clearly a problem countywide in Bergen.
The problem is that they're worse in Teaneck. Based on data from the Bergen County Board of Taxation (see pages 20 and 21), Teaneck has the fourth highest equalized tax ratio -- which adjusts tax rates in different municipalities to reflect current market prices for real estate -- of all 70 municipalities in the county: Only three communities have a larger burden; 66 are lower. A property assessed at the Township average of $200,000, paid $8,760 in property taxes in 2005, reflecting an equalized rate of $2.547 in property taxes per $100 of equalized assessed property. Teaneck trails only Bergenfield ($2.570 per $100 for $9,104 in taxes), Lodi ($2.400 /$100; $9,017) and Ridgefield Park ($2.601/$100; $8,975).
But a comparison to some of our neighboring municipalities demonstrates the relative scope of the burden that Teaneck residents must bear. 7th-highest Bogota ($2.329/$100) collected $8,035. #15 Englewood ($2.181/$100) took in $7,524. Number 19 New Milford ($2.155/$100) had taxes of $7,433. Teaneck has an equalized rate 35% higher than the Bergen County median. Paramus, in the 62nd spot ($1.396/$100) charged $4,816 for 2005 for an equivalent property.
What do all of these communities have in common? They all have municipal buildings and municipal employees, a DPW, police and fire departments and a library. They all have public school systems serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. They all have special ed students and all don't get enough in federal funding to cover No Child Left Behind mandates, or (for that matter) for all of the other federal and state mandates imposed on every school district in Bergen County.
We need to take a detailed look at how our Township and its Public Schools are spending our tax dollars. We need to take a look at the other municipalities and school districts in our County, and try to figure out how they manage to provide an equivalent array of services to their residents and public school students, while imposing a much smaller property tax burden.
As proposed as part of the Teaneck Community Project (the "Visioning Process") and as will be implemented by the Township Council, the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) will go a long way to anwering these questions. There may be some low-hanging fruit that can ease some of the load, but much of this will require hard work.
This is not a finger-pointing exercise. This is not a turf battle. This is a task that will involve sharpening pencils and doing the detailed analysis to figure out how we can work together to bring in additional revenue AND spend Teaneck taxpayer's money more effectively.
(Obviously the remarks of what H.L. Menken would have called a bloviator. All bluster, no facts or guts. DPW perhaps.)
The DPW is a waste of $$. Curbside pickup of recycling once a month when other towns do this every week, snow plowing that is a joke and the list goes on and on!
(Schools, absolutely not. Parks -- I'm not familiar with the details but it does seem to me that if you have small kids (as I do) the town does a great job with kids. And the Rhodda center is a wonderful resource. Perhaps I'm wrong about Parks, but I haven't heard anything to change my mind )
Teaneck schools are HORRIBLE! None of my kids will ever set foot in one! The level of edcuation that is offered is not anywhere as close to what the private schools are offering and the group of kids that my children would be subjected to are not in a class or level that I want to associate with! The parks are a joke...not a shade tree in sight where the kids play, filthy and the equipment is covered in graffitti.. and the Rhoda center stinks of PISS the minute you step into it...UGH!
Who are the fiscal conservatives in Teaneck? Are conservatives the folks who are retiring with a large development going up in their back yard or youngsters who want to force them to live in a project?
Teaneck schools are HORRIBLE! None of my kids will ever set foot in one! The level of edcuation that is offered is not anywhere as close to what the private schools are offering and the group of kids that my children would be subjected to are not in a class or level that I want to associate with!
Typical drivel from an ignorant bigot!
Teaneck schools are HORRIBLE! None of my kids will ever set foot in one! The level of edcuation that is offered is not anywhere as close to what the private schools are offering and the group of kids that my children would be subjected to are not in a class or level that I want to associate with!
Typical drivel from an ignorant bigot!
Mr. Sohn makes some cogent points (unlike one of the other commentators who is too narrow-minded to understand what Teaneck is all about in the diversity of its population, its socio-economic levels, etc. The type of analysis Mr. Sohn suggests is a good one, although I disagree about the FAB's ability to include the Board of Ed budget in its efforts. It seems to me the FAB will have enough on its plate with the town budget issues. I have observed that the BOE does a good job of discussing its financial dealings, budget development and management issues in public meetings and if the council is interested in information from the schools' budget, it can always ask for some of the written information to be forwarded to them so they can keep up (although it is sad to note the Council hasn't sent a liaison to the BOE since Marie Warnke was on Council -- perhaps one of the new guys will come to some of the BOE meetings and learn...).
The Board of Education members are statutorially separate and agents of the state, so Council has no authority over them. However, I understand the two bodies have had a good relationship in the past, work together to support the high school FORUM, and they are now talking about specific areas of cooperation.
Tomabbott...
Not dribble and not a bigot...just do not think that the Teaneck education is on the same par with the private schools...as to the class of people...do YOU want your kids hanging out with gang members, druggies or people not motivated to get an education...if you do than I guess Teaneck schools are the place for you..I do not and that is why my kids do not attend them and never will!
It's good to see that Mr. Sohn included the Board of Ed budget as being something that needs to be looked at. It would seems that, after the Board's most recent publicity (SCI report, Morrisgate, lack of cooperation with Council after budget defeat), it would welcome the FAB that Mr. Sohn has pushed for. His involvement in previous BOE election campaigns and as a longtime watchdog of the Board should bring some keen budgetary insight to the examination of ALL budgets that affect out taxes.
There was no "lack of cooperation with Council after budget defeat".
Okay rather than let all the snide innuendoes about our schools lie there, let's consider a few real FACTS: (1) Over 300 seniors graduated this past June, with a huge percentage of them planning on further education (I believe it's above 90% this year). What does that say about motivated and focused youth?, (2) The discipline issues in the high school were down significantly this year, both due to a recoganization of security as well as positive motivation for students to respect each other, their teachers and their school building. (3) As reported in the press, gang presence is in almost every school district, including some private schools. It's just a matter of percentage of participation, and the Teaneck schools plan to address this issue aggressively this coming year in cooperation with the police, Town Council and neighboring communities. (4) My children have always maintained they feel very safe in both middle schools and Teaneck High, and believe me, they would tell me if they didn't. They say 98% of the kids want nothing to do with gangs, they just want to get educated and get on to college...
I suggest this coming fall that you call THS and ask for a tour. Come visit, attend some of our arts events and sports (like night football games) and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I am proud we chose to raise our kids in Teaneck and send them to the Teaneck Public Schools.
Mr. Sohn is indeed putting in his time to do the research and ask cogent questions. As a BOE watcher, he has taken the time to know the budget process (unlike some council members) and the availability of information about our schools. I give him lots of credit.
I have gotten a tour of THS and was not impressed and this was only 2 years ago...I saw the honors classes and normal classes.
I have attended sports events at THS and once again was not impressed as to the arts at THS what arts..dancing??
THS education, enviroment etc. are not on the same par as private schools...Teaneck needs to work alot harder to bring it up to my standard and other parents standards!
This is directed at the anonymous person who thinks that the Teaneck public schools are full of criminals and lowlifes, the parks are underfoliated and the Rodda center smells like urine...
Out of curiousity, which school do you send your kids to?
You seem like a sour and hateful person - perhaps even a bit depressed about having to live in Teaneck - perhaps it's time to adjust your meds.
Swurgle-
Not at all depressed about living here in Teaneck...just wish it was like when I was a kid growing up here.
Little touchy are we?? Heck you want your kids in the Teaneck schools that is your right...I as a tax payer choose not to send my kids their! Perhaps you are upset that you can not afford the private schools or perhaps you honestly have no issue with the level of education being offered, the class of kids your kids are surrounded by etc.
It is pretty well known fact that THS has issues with drugs, violence etc. and from what I saw during my tour it looked like the kids would rather be hanging on the street corners than sitting in the classrooms learning...I have to say that the honors classes held a bit more promise but once again where are the BLACKS in these classes??
My kids attend St. Peter's Prep (J.C.) and Regis High School (NYC).
Where they are Honors students and athletes..these schools are TRULY diversified unlike THS and education is given the top priority not sports or dance or some other garbage like at THS!
As to the Rhoda Center..every single time I have set foot into that building it has smelled like urine...perhaps they need to teach the kids what a toilet is for?!?!
"... these schools are TRULY diversified ..."
and at the same time they do not include
"... the group of kids that my children would be subjected to [who] are not in a class or level that I want to associate with ..."
Tomabbott-
Diversified as in RACE (DUH) ...of course they are not going to take kids that do not want to learn...that is not the enviroment that they have there..that is what THS is for :-)
Diversity is not just about race.
Diversity is not just about race.
Absolutely correct, but while there may be some value in promoting racial or ethnic diversity, there is none to be found in seeking to balance hard working, motivated, and ambitious students with those who have disruptive behavioral problems, a lack of motivation, or a strong propensity toward criminal activity.
By the way, I am not suggesting that these personality types exist in abundance at THS, only clarifying what I think the anonymous poster was saying...
I know many people in town, including African American friends, who refuse to send their kids to Teaneck public schools because they perceive that their children might be tainted by an anti-education ethos that often prevails at majority minority schools. While I understand this fear completely and I certainly don't my kids internalizing some type of ghetto ethos that glorifies ignorance, sex, money and violence, my experience thus far in the schools has been positive. The kids are generally polite, studious and well-behaved. It fills me with hope that Teaneck's schools can help kids overcome all these foul cultural influences. This is borne out by the test scores in Teaneck, where minority kids are significantly outperforming their peers statewide.
Of course, my kids are pretty much shielded at home from all that cultural debris and fed a steady diet of old movies and swing jazz recordings, so they're guaranteed to be pariahs and social outcasts by the time they get to high school.
Take heart, swurgle -- Teaneck High has a fantastic Jazz Band that wins awards in various competitions every year, not to mention a student-initiated swing-dance club!
Cool. Can't wait.
Take heart, swurgle -- Teaneck High has a fantastic Jazz Band that wins awards in various competitions every year, not to mention a student-initiated swing-dance club!
Jazz??!! Puh!!! Why that's about as useless as dancing!!! Sure am glad my superior children don't have to go to school with those low-class life-lifes. Bet they piss in the hallway!!!!
Bet they piss in the hallway!!!!
wouldnt doubt it...you know they are no better than animals at the zoo (sarcasm)...or perhaps they save their piss for the Rhoda Center since it smells like a sewer there...oh well that is what happens when Black City folks invade the burbs...soon it wont "Little Israel" but the Ghetto we will all be walking around in
wouldnt doubt it...you know they are no better than animals at the zoo (sarcasm)...or perhaps they save their piss for the Rhoda Center since it smells like a sewer there...oh well that is what happens when Black City folks invade the burbs...soon it wont "Little Israel" but the Ghetto we will all be walking around in
I know this is an attempt at humor and mocking those who hold less enlightened opinions than the author of the comment supposedly does, but I think it crosses the line. Please try to keep your comments substantive and on topic. Thanks.
Jazz??!! Puh!!! Why that's about as useless as dancing!!! Sure am glad my superior children don't have to go to school with those low-class life-lifes. Bet they piss in the hallway!!!!
but you don't think this crosses the line?
Hmm...got a point there...
I for find it offensive..but only the part about pissing in the hallways
If I knew the identity of these people who disparage public school students, I would send my kids over to their houses to throw toilet paper in their bushes and deflate their tires.
tomabbott, that other "crossing the line" message was also sarcasm, an attempt at humor, and mocking someone who holds less enlightened opinions. It probably did cross the line, but what the hey. If it wasn't broad enough to be recognized as satire, well...heh heh heh! Says a lot about the target of my parody, doesn't it?
The comment was directed at Teaneck Blog. I was curious how he differentiated and chose the other as crossing the line. I suspect it's the term "Little Israel" but it's hard to tell.
Actually I found the whole exchange, including the line about "pissing in the hallway" to be lacking in class. But if you want to single out a particular phrase, "Black City folks" (capitalization intended?) held some uncomfortable associations. "Little Israel" is perfectly fine for future use on this blog, so long as it does not provoke a rocket salvo from Little Lebanon.
"Little Israel"????? Where did this one come from? And just when I was starting to get accustomed to "Hebrew Hills" as the preferred slur for the neighborhood. I can't even give the bigots credit for attempts at creativity for this one.
Alan Sohn
Alan-
T-Neck has always been know as Little Israel...at least sine the late 80's...
Never heard of Hebrew Hills though..have to remember that one :-)
Can we agree on using "Hebrew Hills" as the slur of choice? I like the alliteration, the use of "Hills" to describe the geography, and the old school use of the word "Hebrew". "Little Israel" just doesn't cut it, for me at least. If we can't agree on anything else, can't we come up an ethnic slur we can all use?
Alan Sohn
How about Hymieville?
I don't think the Little Israelites would go for that one...
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