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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Galloway Residents Plan Protest on Latest Tax Increase That Has Left Several Stunned

Galloway residents who just received their tax bill and further disapprove of the tax increase that has left many paying thousands of dollars more a year, have planned a protest. 

The "Concerned Citizens of Galloway Township" are requesting residents to attend the next Council Meeting at the Municipal Complex scheduled on Tuesday, August 19th at 6:30 p.m. to voice their disapproval. 

The group has stated in their flyer that the "politicians pay more attention to taxpayers coming to meetings than they do to petitions". The group is requesting local taxpayers to attend the meeting and voice their disapproval and show that they are tired of taxation without representation and the Townships budget cuts.

Mayor Don Purdy did not return our request for comment. Purdy did however comment to the Current by stating, “The problem is due to all of the tax appeals that we had, everyone was not paying equal."  

“I am asking the town manager to double check the home values and the numbers because something doesn’t seem right,” Purdy said. “I will bring this up at the Council meeting (Aug. 19) because I want to waive the penalties and interest for homeowners who are late on their taxes.”

According to the Current, Purdy also stated, “People have to understand we pay taxes too and we got crushed too. People need to be involved, especially with our schools now. The school taxes are out of my control.”

The Municipal Building is located at 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road at the meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Mayor may have businesses that were affected as well but guess what, we still pay HIS salary on council! We get no representation from him other than his torn up jeans to swear in a police officer. Can't even dress for the occasion. Tax us right out Galloway. Maybe you should worry about the residents before you worry about a Burger King that won't come.

Dan Carew said...

When you use a phrase like "taxation without representation" in this context (incorrectly, I might add) you lose credibility. This is most certainly NOT a case of taxation without representation. You may not agree with the amounts or how they are spent, but we, as Galloway taxpayers DO have representation.

While I applaud & encourage more residents to show up to council meetings, I hope that the ones who do show up have comments/questions that are constructive, on point and most of all...succinct.

While it's every taxpayer's right to attend a council meeting....there is little to be accomplished if the result is just a rabble of people show up just to complain.

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculously stupid. If you want to be taken seriously, stop trying to persuade me with Boston tea party rhetoric. I wonder where they came up with that taxation without representation bit, maybe we should write up a pamphlet about the Common Sense of fighting for our independence from Britain. Galloway is corrupt, all of New Jersey is corrupt, and we have a governor who sucks up to people with all the tax breaks. Our school systems are broke and broken with almost no budget for any extra curricular activities, and Purdy wants to point fingers at school taxes? The only reason these people are gonna show up is because its hitting them in the wallets. If this was any other issue, like education cuts or corrupt politicians, they'd be hosting a meeting to a room full of empty chairs. If you want to complain about your taxes, fine, whatever, but if you want to stage a revolution, at least have the balls to try and fix the things that really matter, first.

Anonymous said...

I will bring multitudes.

Anonymous said...

Appraised value stayed the same but tax rate jumped what, about $.87 per hundred thus raising taxes by some $2500, this is out of control and unacceptable. School taxes are largest part of the tax bill and need to be reined in also.Perhaps some school board members and council members need to stop taking care of their cronies and start taking care of the taxpayers.In my opinion current and former teachers and school administrators should not be allowed to serve on the school board but they do and seem to take care of their school buddies over taxpayers. I'll be there to voice my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Dan, no offense but you show up at council meetings complaining about the noise in your back yard from Stockton Students and the council acted by adopting a ridicules ordinance. Action only takes place when these corrupt politicians are confronted at meeting. Just because some are angry that there taxes go up and take food and other things they need away doesn't mean they have less of an important issue to address. Let's stick to the issue of helping people and not critizing them for finally stepping up and voicing their opinion.

Anonymous said...

The Township controls how much each of the taxes are distributed because the Township is responsible for establishing an assessed value on the properties. Until the Township gets the assessments under control, all taxpayers in the Township will either not pay their fair share or over pay. I'm sure the Mayor wishes the reval never took place but millions of dollars later that you paid companies to fix this problem, severely crippled Galloway's tax base with inaccurate assessments. This is Galloway's fault in my eyes. The Mayor can try to point fingers but all of his fingers are pointing back at him.

Anonymous said...

"Appraised value stayed the same but tax rate jumped what, about $.87 per hundred thus raising taxes by some $2500, this is out of control and unacceptable." -- I'm not an expert on taxes, but it seems to me that when the second assessment was conducted, values on some (or many) homes were lowered (the value of mine was lowered more than $60,000 over the first assessment), which would then change the tax rate for everyone, even if your own assessment didn't change. The township will get the money they need (and yes, you can argue if they really need it or not, but they do have a budget, as do the schools) one way or another. They'll assess all homes very high and charge a lower tax rate, or they'll assess homes lower and then raise the rate for everyone.

Anonymous said...

Why are people blaming the Mayor, he is only a figure head and has no more than power than the rest of them. They are all equally responsible. At least spread the blame.

Giovanni LoPresti said...

I have been in Galloway since 1999 and my taxes to date have increased 59%, that's insane! Our School Board is mainly responsible for our tax increases. City Council increases are minimum. The School Board need's to establish a doctrine to spend within your means, not spend, spend, spend. It wouldn't hurt either if Council did the same. Also, there is no question the values of our home decreased, but yet our taxes increased. Do you honestly believe our residents shouldn't be outraged?

Anonymous said...

Why did we re-elect Purdy and Tow last year? I am all for people voicing their concern at a council meeting but it will do nothing but fall on death ears. Just like all the complaints against the police department don't ring a bell with the senior ranks within that department.

If you want to make a change be careful who you vote for. if you want to address how 60% of your taxes go to the public schools, vote for better members on the school board.

Anonymous said...

If you are going to the council meeting to voice your disapproval, concentrate on the Municipal tax increase. Expect the Mayor and Council to point the finger at the School board and the County. But the Municipal increase is directly related to fiscal irresponsible actions by this Republican controlled administration. Why do they have no handle on legal fees on stupid lawsuits like the one they just lost and were ordered to pay the plaintiff's legal fees totaling over $40,000? And now they will pay more to appeal the decision. Why do they hire administrative personnel at higher starting salaries that are the same or more than the people they are replacing, some without the proper certifications to perform the job. Political nepotism has to stop! Make your voice heard in November.

Anonymous said...

The individuals that voted this council in can now pay the piper. Was it worth it? My taxes have been increased $762.00/yr. Thats a 14% increase for me. What is your increase? You get what you vote for people. This mayor and this council (the ones that are running the show at least not the newbie token "everyman" chaps) do not have your best interest in mind. If you think otherwise you're a fool. They have deeper pockets than you...they have more important friends than you...and they have a heck of a bigger interest in this town than you do with regard to their personal dealings. They own you...now pay up! :) Viva La Galloway my fellow GT'ers....for there is darker days ahead and this increase is just the beginning.

Anonymous said...

Please check the school budget and explain to me how 2 technology people can make $250,000 before benefits. http://www.gtps.k12.nj.us/budget/USER_FRIENDLY_BUDGET14.pdf

Giovanni LoPresti said...

amazing, 250k

Anonymous said...

We can't wait until 2017 to get them out of office ! I am sure there is a lawyer in Galloway who would help the good citizens of this township to start the process free of charge !. These are incompetent officials and have no business in office. I will be at the meeting as well and I want to know if the Mayor & the board taxes went up! And if not why not!!! they better have gone up 30% like mine ! My house value went down over $100,000 and taxes up $1,300. from last year.
Did anyone notice nothing was in the papers regarding this massive increase ? The incompetence and sneakiness of the " leaders" of Galloway Township is a disgrace !!!!!
Currently, the Township is open 4 days a week, I say open 1 day a week. This way it reduces the chances of the citizens of Galloway getting screwed because they aren't meeting. That's all I can say is this is DISGUSTING and we need to vote this incompetent, sneaky administration out, better yet we should ask for their resignations immediately.

























5

Anonymous said...

Its all smoke and mirrors...

Anonymous said...

Its the high school taxes killing Galloway. I think parents who have kids should pay for there kids. Why should people who dont have kids or never did have kids have to pay for your kids to go to school? This is out of control. If the taxes keep going up people are going to leave, foreclose and then the short sales start. Then Galloway residents are going to pay even more for all the people who left. We dont get crap for our tax dollars in the twp. We have to pay for trash pick up, really? No more bulk pick up. We have to pay for that to. Our money is going to these dam schools. You want kids, you pay for it.

Anonymous said...

Shut your stupid mouths, and pay your taxes like good little tax payers should. I never seen so many morons always complaining about tax increases. Who cares where the money goes, who cares if govern over spending is the cause, who cares if you and your family has to do without while the government continues to take your money? Who cares? That's just it, no body cares!! Don't waste your time because Joe Schmuck is walking around with his head up his you know what, and if you asked his opinion, he'd just ask you, "what are you talking about?" Suck it up and move on; life is just to short.
The rich get richer, and the dumb get dumber!!!

Anonymous said...

I lived in Absecon for years, then moved to Galloway. We had high taxes in Absecon, but we also got services for our money. We dont get anything in Galloway. We even have to pay for trash pick-up. I should have stayed in Absecon. Galloway is out of control.

Anonymous said...

There is an enormous amount of money being paid to individuals whose positions are unnessary and the credentials they have is that they are personal friends of the superintendent. Positions such as TLC who sit in rooms all day and have approximately four workshops a year to " assist teachers" they are teacher learning consultants. they were chosen by the superintendent and some personal friends even had postions created for them. We even have a supervisor of nurses. Principals are given positons not on expereince but on person relationships; case in point a prechool principal given a middle school position are you kidding. They complain about money the superintendent has the board of ed in her pocket which she brags about. Thankfully she doesnt have the entire community there also. These are just a few of the wasteful practices that go on in this district there should be an full investigation and you will be shocked by what you find. Check the job discription, salary, need and experience of all the supervisory position and the teacher learning consultants daily activity you will find money that can be used in a more responsible way. Check full time paid teachers who spend half of the instruction day doing lunch duty. There is money there and it should be monitored by an outside source.

Anonymous said...

Have the state's Office of Compliance" do an investigation on how and on" who" the money is being spent. ( it won't be students")The candy store for friends and groupies should be closed. Many may be on the unemployment line as many don't have the credentials or experience and other schools don't even offer their high paying jobs.

Anonymous said...

I am paying a 71% increase this tear & I factored in not getting the homestead rebate! how is this legal?

Anonymous said...

Abuse of power by the administration of Galloway schools she has no boss;and can do what she wants. Need a new school board and investigation of the abuse of power

Anonymous said...

Abuse of power in more ways than one. Need a new school board she has no one to answer to

Anonymous said...

This tax increase will really impact those who are trying to sell their house. Buyers are still hard to come by and the high taxes in Galloway turn them away. With all the layoffs coming in the next few weeks from the casino closings, many people will not be able to afford their homes and will have a hard time selling them. I was thinking of relocating from Ocean County but after shopping some homes and seeing the high taxes I was turned off. I can't see paying these high taxes when you seem to get very little in the way of services and the high school is only rated a 5. Staying put for now.

Anonymous said...

Looking for more information about the "Concerned Citizens of Galloway Township"
How can they be reached? Do they have a Facebook page or anything?
Would like to help the cause. There is power in numbers. We need to band together and while the fact that someone bothered to put this group together, it seems to me that the lack of contact information makes it hard for it to gain traction.
I would like to see this group get organized and am more than happy to help.
Galloway is out of control! (As is the entire state!!!!)

Anonymous said...

Well someone has to pay for the new high school

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