Councilman-Elect Christopher Goss begins his first term as a Point Pleasant Councilperson in January. Point Pleasant’s newly-minted elected official was gracious enough to be our first interviewee. We exchanged the following via email…
BoroIndependent: What do you attribute your Election Day victory to?
Councilman-Elect Goss: I feel my own success in the election was due to four things: 1. We very intentionally ran a campaign that didn’t even mention party. I think our untraditional style resonated with folks tired of the ridiculous partisanship that has poisoned the local atmosphere. 2. We ran a door-to-door, person-to-person grassroots campaign. We connected with people on a personal level and laid the groundwork for what we hope will continue to develop into a connected and empowered community. 3. The Rogers’ supporters personal attacks, particularly of my wife, reinforced what so many were saying about her way of doing things and turned off a lot of voters. The attacks also made me a more visible figure than I would have been otherwise. 4. I don’t think Bob or Al campaigned very hard and I think Al’s post election comments in the Asbury Park Press support an arrogance that undermined them.
BoroIndpendent: What’s your #1 priority heading into office?
Councilman-Elect Goss: Reigning in spending and waste so that departments can be reviewed for restructuring or prepped for merger. Unfortunately much of the waste comes from a long history of mismanagement i.e. the water/sewer for an easy example, so a proper audit and assessment will need to be made to make the town leaner and more efficient. I feel that by the end of year 1 folks will find us to be far more conservative than our opponents and last administration.
Boro Independent: What’s the greatest challenge facing Point Pleasant?
Councilman-Elect Goss: The greatest challenge will be alieviating the highly charged and toxic atmosphere in boro hall, all the departments, boards, and even amongst the residents. The modus operandi for the last three years has been confrontation and intimidation. It has created mistrust in every facet of our community. The changes needed in the operation of the town’s business need a cooperative atmosphere. This election was certainly a reaction to pervasive negativity. I’m very glad to have an evenly divided council that will be forced down a path of compromise. I also look forward to the formation of the New Republican Club and hope to organize a summerfest akin to Toms Riverfest, the highlight of which will be an annual Dems vs. Rep’s softball game!
So let me see if I got this straight: your saying(Chris) that if you think Sue Rogers was tough on budget number crunching. . .you ain’t seen nothin yet. . . Wait till I get hold of it(the budget) or is it just water and sewer mismanagement that’s causing all those ever growing higher property taxes . .MUmm
And I liked the part: “The changes needed…a cooperative atmosphere…in the operation of the town’s business…” Right On Chris! Bally Ho!
Well I’m going to hold my fingers. . . and see if you put your foot in your mouth. . .or whether you shoot yourself in the foot. Would that be self inflicted or is it conflicted?. . .Just Wondering
Thank you Spooner. Actually I should have been more clear that the work Bill Dikun has done to get the water/sewer numbers to their true value should be an example for what needs to be done elsewhere. I think after the first year or two you’ll be pleased.
Chris you nailed it. Bill shined a light on a problem that needs to be fixed. Bill Dikun is an honest man with honest numbers. We were lucky to have him.
Chris and Alex – Thanks for your comments. Alex, I assume you’re not referring to this Bill Dikun, correct?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbkEi5Q2gUg
I think you may be upset at the wrong people. The time to get up and say something was when we all sat at the Republican club with Brian and Roger Tim and the rest with the years of over 9% increase on the municipal side of this. Lets not forget how the last year Brian was in office how he patted himself on the back with ONLY a 4% tax hike. He leaves out the part that year 4% was the Democratic Governor cap. That ship has long sailed. If we can hold the 2% Governor cap, stop bonding watch the school spending we will be on the right track. I would like to see the school administrators take a cut. That budget is over 30 million. Its funny I don’t hear that line anymore if they worked on wall street they would be making more money.
Spooner and Alex – Thanks so much for your comments.
With regard to property taxes, until Corzine came along with a 4% cap, then Christie with a 2.5% cap, the politicians of both parties from Trenton to Toms River to the Boro were willing accomplices to guaranteeing New Jersey’s spot atop the list of states with the highest tax burden.
This state, its counties and its municipalities have spent wildly beyond their means, and every 90 days, we pay the price.