Catching Up With Town Council Candidate Frank Becker

Hard Drivin': Council Hopeful, Frank Becker

As I've noted before, Pohatcongers are becoming increasingly interested and involved with matters of local governance and blog posts on these topics tend to attract quite a bit of interest.  Along these lines, recent council elections have become more competitive and turnout has been increasing. There is a good chance that this years council election could see a real surge in voter participation.  One of the candidates running for the vacating council seat is Frank Becker, who has become somewhat of a regular at council meetings over the last couple of years.  Time for some Q&A with our candidate...
 

Pohatcong Blog :  Good morning Frank. One of the things I've remarked on in my past comments is that we have a contracting economy out there and that statistically, family incomes are in decline.  However, against this backdrop, we are still seeing municipalities in New Jersey, Pohatcong included, with annual budgets that are increasing and fueling a seemingly never ending tax spiral for local tax payers. I've noticed that this is an issue that very much concerns you and you have come up with some ideas that can potentially reverse this process . Care to expand?...

Frank Becker:  Property taxes in NJ are the highest in the nation and Pohatcong property taxes are among the highest in NJ.  I started attending township council meetings to find out why.  Amazingly, The township borrowed over $3 million - about $2,500 per household - to pay for an expansion of the municipal building.  Going forward I requested that the township get approval from residents and taxpayers before borrowing and spending on large projects.  Mayor Kern followed up on the idea and introduced an ordinance requiring voter approval through referendum before borrowing and spending more than $400,000.

Since running for council I have been knocking on doors and  introducing myself to residents.  People tell me that they can no longer afford the high taxes in Pohatcong.  As a councilman and former Chief Financial Officer of a business, I will continue to find ways to save taxpayer dollars. 

Pohatcong Blog: It doesn't surprise me that people are finding that Pohatcong has become an increasingly unaffordable place  to live and it is really sad that alongside our  sagging economy, many people are seeing the value of their homes getting crushed. Speaking of the economy, I have frequently felt that not enough has been done to develop and promote our local economy here in  Pohatcong.  We have some wonderful small business' here in town that are quite unique e.g. our vineyards.  What do you think could be done to change and improve that?
 

 
Frank Becker: We can do more to support our current local small businesses and to promote the start of new business.
Pohatcong Township has been very successful in promoting big box stores, fast food restaurants and gas stations along Route 22. These businesses often require more police protection and other township resources than can be supported by the taxes paid by the establishments. Yet there are other businesses which require little support and pay proportionately higher taxes. Warren Glen Market is the kind of small business that is an asset to the community and needs to be supported. The market is a very light user of township resources. Yet when the market wanted to put up a sign, the township placed roadblocks in the way. The township needs reasonable zoning rules which are applied consistently.
Whenever possible and competitive, local contractors should be used by the township. For example, a local architect wasn't even invited to bid on the municipal building expansion even though he lives on Municipal Drive. Now the expansion is not only extravagant at a cost of $3 million but it is also behind schedule. My wife, Trish and I moved here seven years ago, drawn to the historic and natural beauty of the township. When we added a carriage house to our home we used the skills of that local architect as well as a local surveyor and two local excavators. We also purchase our driveway stone from the local quarry. We value local businesses.
Our vineyards and our farms are integral to the rural atmosphere we all enjoy. Wherever and whenever possible we need to support our vintners and farmers. For example, if a vintner needs a new building, the township needs to expedite the approval process. The township also needs to support the farmers' right to farm.

Pohatcong Blog: As readers of this blog may have noted, one of my recurring themes has been on the need for local communities and especially individuals to develop strategies that can make them more self-reliant, i.e. resilient in the face of increasing global economic uncertainty.   As I peer down the road, there is nothing to dissuade me from my argument that harder times lie ahead, certainly not the deteriorating situation we have with global energy resources which feed our industrial economy in every way.  If you believe, as I do, that our world is about to get a whole lot smaller, then it all comes back to our local communities: our families, friends and neighbors helping each other-and less reliance upon government redistribution programs as the people's savior.  I have urged people to get involved with local government, insist on better information flow, support local food banks, do practical stuff like plant vegetable gardens instead of lawns, take some responsibility for their personal safety, etc.  If elected to town council would you support these type of activities / initiatives and do you see anyway that from your newly elected position that they can be enhanced and/or expanded upon?

Frank Becker:In general I believe in less government rather than more government.  I also believe in local control rather than state mandates.  The municipal building expansion is an example of abusive state mandates.  The state mandated a separate bathroom for the judge, a separate office for a part time prosecutor which is only occupied a few hours per week and a separate locker room for female police officers even though there are none on the force.

It has been proposed that Pohatcong contract with a single garbage collector and include the cost in our taxes.  I oppose this idea because it moves  control from the individual to the township and limits competition.

I also believe more in self reliance than government entitlements.  On a personal level, I volunteer my time and talent for the greater good and encourage others to do the same.  I feel better when I give willingly rather than having my income taxed and forcibly redistributed.  I am seeking a seat on Pohatcong Township Council because I have the time, talent and energy to serve my community.

Pohatcong Blog: Well thank-you Frank for taking the time out answer some questions and for your well-detailed responses. You have certainly run a very energized campaign for what I've heard and I wish you the best for Election Day on Tuesday, November 6th.