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Serving the Taxpayers and Residents of Ocean City, New Jersey
You decide for yourself...
At your place of work, aren't your expenses paid separately from your hours worked? Click the button below to read the testimony presented before the Honorable W. Todd Miller in the case of Mark McCulley. Read direct testimony of the former Fire Chief. How should the new leadership of the Department be held responsible? Do we need an outside view to examine practices and make changes?
You decide for yourself!
Ocean City Police Warn of Weekly Enforcement Crackdowns
The Ocean City Police Department is starting its annual Safe for the Holidays Campaign (see the Ocean City Patch article in the sidebar to the right) by letting local citizens know when and where to slow down, buckle up, and stay off the cell phone for the next six weeks. Two questions come immediately to mind: (1) why a special emphasis now--aren't these laws vigorously enforced all year, and (2) why warn the public in advance?
Mayor to Hold Community Meetings
Mayor Jay Gillian has announced that he will hold community meetings in each of the four wards of the City.
The purpose of the meetings is to exchange information about current and upcoming City projects, plans and other issues, including issues of particular interest to these wards.
FIT is alive and well using social media
A presentation was delivered at the FIT Annual Meeting on using Facebook as a communication device. See us on Facebook at Fairness in Taxes OCNJ. Please friend/like us.
FIT is Now Live on Facebook
Fairness in Taxes OCNJ is now live on Facebook. Please visit our Facebook page and be sure to "like" us. Click here to visit our page.
Newsletters Via E-mail
Visit the FIT Newsletters page to sign up for delivery of the Fairness In Taxes Newsletter by e-mail. This will reduce our printing and postage costs and provide more timely delivery of the FIT Newsletter.
Who We Are
Fairness In Taxes is a non profit civic association for fiscal responsibility serving the taxpaying residents and property owners of Ocean City - come join us!!!
Our organization, totaling over 3000 members, was originally formed in 1988 by Bill McCarthy, for the purpose of serving as an advisory and fact-finding group in areas of city budget, school board budget, county budget, taxes and any other related civic activity that could affect this community.
Prior to Fairness In Taxes, proposed budgets tended to become actual budgets with little discussion. Because of the efforts of Fairness In Taxes, the proposed budgets now more closely reflect the city's needs. Since 1990, every budget and tax proposal has been reviewed by Fairness In Taxes and when needed, recommendations have been made to the city council and the administration. As a result, Fairness In Taxes has been instrumental in reducing the proposed tax increases.
Fairness In Taxes continues to work to ensure cost effective and responsible management of public funds translated into an efficient and effective delivery of public services in an environment that is consistent both with our identity as "America's Greatest Family Resort" and a great community. We believe this can be accomplished without the current tax and spend mind set.
Areas of concern that Fairness In Taxes continues to scrutinize
The high cost of labor, healthcare in particular, is the fastest growing item in the Ocean City budget. We continue to fight for greater employee participation in their healthcare costs and more balanced contracts overall.
We continue to work for a reduction in your tax bill! Ocean City’s tax base continues to increase every year producing more revenue for the city. Our government has chosen to increase spending rather than use these increases to reduce our taxes!
We wholeheartedly support quality education for students attending Ocean City schools. We will continue to work for educational excellence and fiscally sound school budgets for the taxpayers of Ocean City.
We support sensible and healthy development. We oppose over development as well as development that is not consistent with and within the boundaries of our established zoning ordinances.
The beauty and integrity of our city is being destroyed by over-development and weak monitoring of new construction by city officials and appointed boards. Density impacts everyone and now may be the greatest threat to our fragile community. Responsible property owners who have a heart for the community of Ocean City are less able to enjoy their homes because of traffic gridlock. Dramatic overpopulation of multiplied and “mega”-developed rental units, and the resulting parking nightmare strain our infrastructure and public services.
Fairness In Taxes can give YOU the vehicle for your voice and insight to be heard and respected, and we can, with other civic groups, provide the foundation for developing new leaders, but only if YOU give us the opportunity.
Someone has said we get the government we deserve. We demonstrate what we deserve in government by our willingness to sacrifice at least a little for the sake of how the community is governed.
Step up -- step out! Contact any one of our Board Members or just call the Hotline and say you want to help. Thank you for your ongoing support of Fairness In Taxes.
The Fairness In Taxes Mission
To serve taxpayers and residents of Ocean City, NJ in a fact finding and advisory capacity providing officials and citizens the resources needed to actively promote effective and efficient governance and education.
What's Inside
Current Newsletter
Winter 2011 Fairness In Taxes Newsletter.
Fireman/EMT
The Council workshop on the Fireman/EMT issue was fascinating because we heard various....
Fireman Murphy
Your story about the efforts of Ocean City Councilmen Keith Hartzell and Scott Ping's proposal....
School Choice Program
The Ocean City school district was approved for the School Choice program....
An Update on Current Matters
As you'll recall the City spent $2.1 million for the boardwalk lot purchase in June....
Ocean City Police Warn of Weekly Enforcement Crackdowns
The Ocean City Police Department's "Safe for the Holidays....
By Douglas Bergen, OceanCityPatch, November 24, 2011
City Council Balks at Spending on Lifeguard Boats and Ethics Board
Council tabled two resolutions on Thursday: one for the purchase of surfboats, the other for Ethics...
By Douglas Bergen, OceanCityPatch, October 5, 2011
Ocean City Pays Lifeguard $50,000 in Secret Lawsuit Settlement
The payment ends an age-discrimination lawsuit by former Ocean City Beach Patrol member Michael Hamilton....
By Douglas Bergen, OceanCityPatch, November 11, 2011
Tea Party Has Been Successful, But...
Some people like to ridicule the Tea Party but I suspect....
Council Members Look for Fire Department Savings
Councilman Keith Hartzell suggests making replacement hires with lower-paid EMTs....
By Douglas Bergen, OceanCityPatch, September 22, 2011
