To the Editor:
As November 2nd draws near, Oakland voters are once again being inundated with promises of better days ahead……if we keep the band together. The same band that has promised to finish the library, renovate the DPW building, stabilize taxes, etc. is making the same promises and if they fail, well it’s Trenton’s fault.
Despite promises each year, the library is unfinished and remains mired in litigation and finger pointing. Despite promises each year, the borough’s DPW building remains a dilapidated mess unworthy of occupancy. Despite promises each year, taxes continue to rise and the only victory is that the annual increase has been less and less each year. Despite promises each year, the downtown redevelopment project remains nothing more than a dream. And the song remains the same………….it’s Trenton’s fault.
This year, it’s the same thing. Promises of a finished library. Promises of a new DPW building. Promises of stable taxes. The only difference in the band this year is that they cut out one member and replaced him with a new voice to sing the same lines as before.
It’s time for the Oakland voters to break up the band. It’s time for leaders with plans and ideas instead of song and dance routines. It’s time to stop blaming Trenton for all of Oakland’s problems and start finding ways to address these problems especially the ones that are of our own doing.
I urge every taxpaying voter in Oakland to seriously think before voting this year. You’ve seen what this band has done and you see what they’re promising to do which sounds just like what they promised last year and the year before and the year before. Not a single promise has been kept but the song has been played over and over again.
Don’t just vote down the party line. That’s been done and we’ve been stuck with the same band and same song.
Promising to keep blaming Trenton will not get us anywhere. How far has it gotten us today?
Keith Ahearn