As sent this morning to the Trenton Times:
To the Editor – The letter titled “Trenton, quit whining” cries out for a response to its gross misrepresentation of facts
The writer states that “between one-third to one-half of Ewing is owned by the state.“ In fact, as of 2005 (the last full year for which the State posts statistics), only 26% of the total assessed property of Ewing is tax-exempt, versus 53% of Trenton’s. Ewing’s total ratables are comparable in value to Trenton’s, with Ewing’s much smaller population.
The bottom line is that for each of Ewing’s roughly 40,000 residents, there is a tax base of approximately $44,000 of taxable property to support local government. For each of Trenton’s roughly 80,000 residents, that figure is nearly half, about $24,000. This is the main truth underlying Trenton’s finances.
Yes, Trenton is in need of leadership to work its way back to financial solvency. Trenton needs to restore competent, efficient government if it hopes to attract the kinds of new ratables – and restore existing vacant parcels to the tax rolls – that will allow it to be financially self-sustaining.
When residents of other towns ask us to “tighten our belts” while misattributing all of our problems to mismanagement and waste, They. Are. Wrong.