Hear Listening to the 27 minute meeting of the Highlands Borough Council this month indicated how polite and courteous the Mayor is to people who speak up in the public portion. She listened carefully to what one gentleman had to say, thanked him for speaking up. Then, just as courteously and politely, she suggested he check his information sources more carefully before going forward, pointing out where she said he was in error. He even thanked her before sitting down again.
That was one indication that whether you voted for her or not, she indeed wants to hear the opinions of her residents, and furthermore, gives them a polite platform on which to express them. And she and the entire council even appear to listen carefully to the residents.
But there is even stronger evidence the mayor wants to hear from the people . Simply looking at the Highlands ballot for the November election proves that.
Unlike its neighboring town, where the mayor thought it was frivolous, Mayor Broullon insisted regionalization be on the ballot, not as a done deal, but simply to find out what the people want to do.
The school regionalization question has been around so years. Yes it is costing taxpayers money while feuds which include other towns go on. But now that Oceanport and Shore Regional have included the Monmouth County Clerk of Elections in their battle, it’s even costlier. More money for more lawyers, yes. Hardly frivolous, no. Not when not one, but two Superior Court Judges are involved, the matter is pushed to the top of the file for immediate decision and action and more attorneys are called in to represent officials.
Mayor Broullon and Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly are right. All three towns MUST agree on regionalization or it can’t happen. Rather than spend a bundle more money, a huge waste of time and angst and disagreement among neighbors, why not simply put the questions to the people? It doesn’t cost a cent. If a non-binding ballot shows any one of the three towns does not think regionalization with Sea Bright is a good idea, then the towns can quit wasting time and money. But the Atlantic Highlands Mayor said no. Frivolous was the word she used in a late night call to a journalist. Frivolous to listen to the people for their thoughts.
Irony here once again. The regionalization question is frivolous, the Mayor said. Yet, Atlantic Highlands DOES have another question on the ballot. That question is asking them whether they want to increase their taxes by one cent per $100 assessed valuation to add to the fund they already have to use to preserve open space. Why isn’t that opinion seeking frivolous?
In Highlands, however, the Mayor wants to hear opinions on two questions, regionalization for one, then a second one on whether residents want the Army Corps to build a storm wall around the town to save it from future flooding.
Both seem to be huge questions that will impact taxpayers and residents for the rest of their lives living in Highlands.
So perhaps that is why Mayor Broullon is not only insisting on two questions on the ballot, she wants to be certain voters have every opportunity to learn everything they possibly can about them before they vote. That’s why the Highands Council is having not one, but TWO hall meetings and inviting, even urging everyone to attend. Council even rented the gym at Henry Hudson for the flood wall info session because the officials want to be sure there would be plenty of room for everyone to see and hear, ask questions, get answers, and learn as much as possible. It appears that there will be enough room at Borough Hall to accommodate those who still want to know more about regionalization, since that’s a subject that has had plenty of publicity in both school districts and municipal meetings.
Go to the Highlands webpage and see the times dates and locations of both town halls. Then put them on your calendar and be sure to attend. The Mayor and council are doing all they can to be sure the public is as knowledgeable as possible and asks as many questions as they want before casting ballots which could change their lives.
