Welcome to the Milltown Democratic Organization Website
All of our members, both elected and volunteer, represent honest leadership, open government, economic responsibility and educational excellence.
We seek those who consider serving the Borough as a Mayor, Councilperson or Committeeperson, an honor which is not to be entered into lightly. We seek those who have fresh ideas based upon sound reasoning; and who are willing to implement those ideas to improve the Borough of Milltown.
We will not waste time with “Blame Game Politics”. Rather, we are interested in achieving sound solutions to the issues faced by Borough residents through a joint effort for the greater good. While we understand that many times there is more than one solution to an issue, we seek a common ground and meaningful discussion to guide this great municipality toward the better days ahead.
We will listen when we should listen, speak when we should speak and act when we should act.
A Letter From Milltown Democratic Candidates George Murray & Richard Ryan
Over the July 4th Holiday weekend, the residents of Milltown experienced yet another crisis caused by the Mayor and Council’s failure to properly operate and maintain the Borough’s electrical utility. One of the four transformers used by the utility failed, causing residents to lose power for over 20 hours during an unprecedented heat wave. Even after power was restored, all residents and businesses were called upon to minimize their power consumption until a new transformer could be located and installed.
However, the night power was lost, the baseball fields at Borough Park were lit and the Borough pool was open and operating. While the reduction in power use by consumers deprived the utility of revenue needed for the operation of the Borough, the insensitive consumption of power by the ball fields and pool increased the loss of revenue to the electrical utility. This poor judgment is typical of the mismanagement of the electrical utility by the Mayor and Council.
During the 2007 campaign, the two candidates, Mr. Harto and Ms. Waters criticized the council for utilizing the prior year’s electrical surplus to offset a municipal tax increase. It was indicated that the municipal budget should be examined and areas identified to control spending. They also chastised the council for failing to reserve funds necessary to address the maintenance and repairs required to operate the electrical utility. While we wholeheartedly agree with each of these sentiments, it is apparent that neither candidate has implemented any of these ideas after being elected.
The most recent crisis experienced by the Borough is just another example of their failure to live up to the campaign promises made prior to their election. Rather than take steps to maintain and repair the aging electrical utility, Council President Harto and Councilwoman Waters have repeatedly voted in favor of budgets which transfer all available funds from the electrical utility to the Borough budget. Similarly, the Council has made a political decision to use all of the income from the utility to keep Borough tax rates artificially low, instead of properly operating the electrical utility as a business. Such a decision reveals their inability to address the long term requirements of both the electrical utility and the residents of the Borough of Milltown.
It is clear that there are no monies available for repairs, nor have essential parts been maintained for the repair of the system. While the purchase of a new transformer for $400,000 is a step in the right direction, this expenditure should have been budgeted for as part of the operating costs of the utility. It should not have needed to be made on an emergency basis. We can only assume that the cost of the new transformer will result in yet another “surcharge” to our electrical bills.
Clearly, the current council has not taken the necessary steps to curtail municipal spending. Additionally, it has failed to operate the Borough’s electrical utility as a business. The council cannot continue to balance the budget on the back of the electrical utility. The unfulfilled promises of Council President Harto and Councilwoman Waters cannot be overlooked this time. The residents of Milltown deserve better.
George Murray & Richard Ryan
Democratic Candidates for Milltown Borough Council
Democratic Candidate - George Murray Democratic Candidate - Richard Ryan
"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Senator Edward Kennedy
