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Community Corner

To the Editor: Who do they think they're fooling?

Three Teaneck town council members who are seeking re-election keep repeating broken promises about taxes. They hope voters have no memory.

The municipal tax levy has doubled since 1998, when Elie Katz and Yitz Stern ran unopposed.  As a steward of Teaneck's finances, Katz has presided over 15 annual budgets with average increases of 4.70% each year. Stern, who stepped down for one term (2006-2010), has overseen 11 annual budgets with average increases of 4.76% each year.  Adam Gussen has taken part in 7 budgets since 2006, with average increases just under 4% a year. He often claims that since he votes against them, the raises are not his fault. But that claim doesn’t lower your taxes and it doesn’t stop him from partnering with Katz and Stern.

Real debt has also blossomed under their stewardship.  Fairly stable from 1998 to 2005 at $5,000,000, debt jumped to $23,000,000 by the end of last year. Real debt will grow by more than $5,000,000 in 2014 including $3,000,000 just for the municipal building renovations.

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Katz’s campaign signs say "Stabilize Taxes.” Stern's brochure repeats his 2010 mantra, "A real plan to address the property tax burden on residents."  Who do they think they’re fooling?

Teaneck needs a change! On May 13, vote for Parker, Castle and Sohn.

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