If you are sick to death of out-of-control property tax hikes in Red Bank, you should consider voting for Fred Ferguson for Red Bank commissioner. Fred is as fine of a man as I have ever known --smart and honest, with limitless energy and a commitment to improving the atmosphere and financial stability of his hometown.

Fred’s perspective is in line with a lot of other Red Bank residents who don’t feel like their voice is being heard or considered. He is concerned about the 75 percent property tax increases that residents have experienced in the past five years in a community where the average per capita income is $45,500 per year and where all of the schools in the community are Title I, which means that at least 40 percent of the students come from low-income families. Many of these families are vulnerable and simply cannot afford such outrageous tax increases; yet four of the five Red Bank commissioners voted for the 75 percent increase and have already voted to increase property taxes another 14 percent for next year. Fred will vote “NO” to more tax increases.

Fred is greatly concerned about the competency of city officials and commissioners who approved the miscalculated million-dollar shortfall that originated in the tax assessor’s office, which was now been passed on to Red Bank residents.

If elected he said that he will listen to all of the citizens. He will stop allowing “stakeholders,” who are people interested in things going on in Red Bank but who do not live there, to vote on issues concerning our development or how our taxes are spent. He will vote to cut wasteful spending, to lower taxes, and to put the issue of bike lanes on a referendum for the citizens to vote on.

I whole-heartedly endorse Fred Ferguson for Red Bank commissioner. His name, however, will not appear on the ballot, so his name will have to be written in the “Write In” section at the bottom of the ballot. I hope that everyone will do that.

Fred is a savvy business person who sees the importance of working together. He told me, "Red Bank has been here a long time and has always been a family oriented, working-class small town. Red Bank does not need to be recreated into what other places are. It needs to be nurtured and protected. We are all citizens of Red Bank, whether we’ve been here 60 days or 60 years. I promise to strive for a more transparent, more fiscally responsible, and more agreeable city environment."

Link Sparks