Bill Cogger and Property Taxes – Spending Our Money

Sometimes it's the simple things, the overlooked things, the things that have been right under our noses for many years that are the most relevant when brought to the fore.

Mayor Cogger’s relationship to Chester Township property taxes is one of those things. 

Here are a few points for you to consider before you cast your vote on November 5th and help determine who will lead our Township government responsibly for the next three years.

First, according to the online records of the County of Morris Tax Board, there is no listing for a Chester Township property owner, a.k.a. property tax payer by the name of William or Bill Cogger.  http://mcweb1.co.morris.nj.us/TaxBoard/SearchTR.jsp. 

Mayor Cogger’s 2012 and 2013 Local Government Ethics Law Financial Disclosure Statements, which he is required to certify as true, confirms this.  http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dlgs/resources/fds_rpts.shtml.

Second, according to official Township of Chester records, William Cogger has held office in Chester Township for 15 years.  From 1998 – 2007 as a councilman and from 2007 to present as Mayor. 

15 years of municipal budgets.

15 years of spending OUR money – not his.

Finally, for the past 10+ years, Chester Township property taxes have increased 76% that includes a 177% increase in municipal taxes – the highest increase in the entire county (as of January 2012).  For the same time period, the average property tax increase for all Morris County municipalities was only 58%.  The Sunday Star-Ledger, January 8, 2012.

That means that during the time our property taxes were being increased to a level exceeding the county average and our municipal taxes were being increased much more than any other Morris County municipality,  Bill Cogger was responsible for the budgeting and spending of OUR property taxes in our town either as a member of the Township Council or as the mayor! 

On November 5th, Chester Township residents should ask themselves why we should re-elect a person who has no personal legal responsibility for paying property taxes in our town, does not feel the same pain as the rest of us when he so cavalierly raises them and then spends OUR tax money freely without any personal responsibility for the debt.

We have a better choice for Mayor.  It’s time to change the tone in our local government.  It’s time for a fellow property tax payer to lead our Township and our residents to more responsible spending, a more transparent government and a kinder, more responsive way of doing business.  Michael Colannino can make that happen – all he needs is your vote.