Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES Mahwah IV • July 18, 2012 Governor visits township, seeks support for tax cut by Frank J. McMahon At a recent town hall meeting in Mahwah, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie called for a 10 percent across the board income tax cut for the state’s residents. Christie claimed the tax cut would help make the state more competitive in job creation, and forced the legislature to return to Trenton for a special session earlier this month. Democrats in the state legislature are opposing such a tax cut until they are convinced there is enough revenue coming in to pay for it. During the town hall meeting held in Mahwah in June, more than 600 people filled a portion of the Ramapo Ridge Middle School gym. The audience applauded Christie’s commentary about his philosophy and objectives as governor and his blunt comments about his Democratic opponents in the state legislature. Christie explained that his life changed when he was elected governor. He found that he is never alone, except when he is in the shower. He also no longer has Saturday mornings to run errands by himself because there are always three state troopers by his side. “That’s the bubble I now live in,” he said, “and that’s why I decided to hold town meetings all over the state so I can get in touch with all of you.” Commenting on the tax cut proposal, Christie said he put his hand out to compromise with his opponents, but his hand was slapped back. “You people have a great sense of humor. You elected me governor and then gave me a Democrat controlled legislature,” Christie joked. Christie supported his tax cut, pointing out that New Jersey is the most overtaxed state in America with the highest property tax, an income tax in the top five, and in the top 10 percent in corporate tax and sales taxes, and he said it has been going on too long. “It’s time for us to give you guys some of your money back,” Christie said. “I believe you know how to spend your money better than Trenton but the Democrats say they know better and that government is the answer to all problems.” He promised to wage a fight this summer to give money back to the taxpayers and to demand to know why his tax cut proposal is being held hostage. “You may not agree with me all the time,” Christie told the crowd, “but you don’t have a problem knowing where I stand. I’m not interested in a popularity contest. The bottom line is I’m happy to compromise when it’s reasonable. But when they ask me to take money out of your pocket and not give it back, that’s a line in the sand.” “I need your help and that’s why I am here,” he added. “The only way to win this battle is to fight. I need your help to move these guys and ladies in the legislature who are still stuck in the past. “It’s not complicated. We can’t spend more than we take in. That’s the fight for this summer.” The governor answered several questions from the audience, including one about a bill to ban the disposal of waste from hydraulic fracking in the state. (Fracking is a method used in Pennsylvania to extract natural gas from bedrock.) He also fielded a question about his position on the Opportunity Scholarship Act, which would establish a pilot program in the Department of Treasury to provide tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low income children. Christie responded that he had not yet had chance to read the law to ban fracking, but if it made sense when he did, he would sign it. On the Opportunity Scholarship Act, Christie said, “I support it, but the Speaker of the Assembly does not support it. I’d sign it if it came to me, but it’s not going to happen this year. I’ll continue to push for it.” On the plight of homeless veterans, Christie described some actions that have been taken to provide housing for veterans with drug and alcohol problems. He said, “Those people who wore the uniform of the United States and served us should receive preferred treatment. We have to do better. No one who has served the United States should be homeless.” In response to a question about how to help the 417,000 unemployed in the state, Christie said, “The only way to fix the problem is to have the private sector create jobs. The best social program is to get people back to work.” There were no questions about local issues. Christie did point out, however, that his 2013 budget calls for a $213 million increase in aid to education that would bring Mahwah’s school district a $402,046 increase in state aid in 2013. He also pointed out that his budget provides for an overall pension contribution of $1.1 billion, an increase from $484 million paid into the fund during fiscal year 2012, which he claims is the largest payment in the state’s history. The governor jokingly criticized the audience for taking about an hour to ask him if he would be the vice presidential candidate this year. When asked, he responded that he does not expect to get a call to be Mitt Romney’s vice presidential candidate. “I have a great job that I love and I want to continue to do,” he said. The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce will be honoring Ridgewood philanthropist David F. Bolger as the Humanitarian of the Year at the Chamber’s 21st Annual Golf Outing & Dinner. The founder and chairman of a Ridgewood real estate and investment firm, Bolger is a regional business leader and well-known community philanthropist. Bolger has chosen The Valley Hospital Foundation as his designated charity. This affair will take place at the Tuxedo Club in Tuxedo, New York on Monday, Sept. 10. Bolger is the president of the Bolger Foundation, which has made more than $75 million in philanthropic donations since 2000, and has supported those working on behalf of healthcare, disadvantaged youths, churches, seniors, mental health programs, conservation activities, and educational opportunities. The Valley Hospital Foundation provides philanthropic support to the Valley Hospital. For more than 60 years, Valley Hospital has existed to care for the people of the community when they need it most. The doctors, nurses, and employees provide healing, ease suffering, and work to improve the quality of life for patients. Chamber to honor Bolger From the tiniest premature newborn to the grandmother at the end of life, Valley provides compassionate care, regardless of ability to pay. Modern facilities, cutting edge technology, and innovative programs are costly, but thanks to charitable donations, they are available for all who need them. For more information about the MRCC Golf Outing and Dinner, or to register to participate, visit www.mahwah.com/golf. Founded in 1957, the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization that represents members from over 90 communities in the region. The Chamber’s membership includes retail, professional, service, and corporate businesses, both large and small. Its primary objective is to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the greater Mahwah region so citizens and the business community may prosper. Particular attention is given to the business, social, civic, cultural, and educational interests of the region. For more information, contact Executive Director Sharon Rounds at (201) 5295566. The Chamber is based at 65 Ramapo Valley Road, Suite 211, in Mahwah. Visit www.mahwah.com.