Plumsted officials offer criticism, but no real solutions

Shame on (Mayor) Ron Dancer and the Plumsted Township Committee for partisan politics at its worst. Our committee recently chastised our governor, James McGreevey, for eligibility modifications in the PAAD Program — Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled.

What our officials failed to note, however, is that the reason for these changes is that our president, George W. Bush, has not released $220 million in funds that would have prevented the eligibility cutbacks.

Unlike the federal government, state budgets must be balanced each and every year. Faced with a huge budget shortfall as an inheritance of former Gov. Christie Whitman, Gov. McGreevey is doing an admirable job of addressing these shortfalls without increasing taxes. Let’s put the monkey on the back of where it belongs — with President Bush.

The state of New Jersey has been very progressive in aiding low-income seniors and disabled persons. New Jersey has been providing prescription benefits since the 1970s, well before most states even thought of this type of assistance. President Bush has released assistance to other states with Republican leadership, including to his brother’s state of Florida.

Yet President Bush has refused to release this state assistance to New Jersey, as the state has not "expanded benefits." In essence, the state of New Jersey is being punished for its progressive and generous stance of providing prescription benefits to seniors and the disabled. Could the fact that Gov. McGreevey is not of the same political persuasion be a factor?

My concern is that instead of putting their efforts toward a real solution, Mr. Dancer and the Township Committee have resorted to partisan politics at the expense of our seniors and disabled persons.

Our committee has ignored the fact that the reason these cutbacks in eligibility were made was due to President Bush’s refusal to release funds to New Jersey. Our committee has not provided any alternate solutions. They have, instead, chosen to simply criticize for political gain.

I’m disappointed to see this type of inaction and unproductive political maneuvering from Ron Dancer — our mayor and new assemblyman — and our committee.

A number of New Jersey mayors — including Mayor Michael Kafton of Jack-son, Mayor Marta Harrison of Lakewood and Mayor Russell D. Corby of Pine Beach — are spearheading a bipartisan effort to request the federal assistance that has thus far been denied.

So what can we do to help Gov. McGreevey keep the PAAD eligibility program at its current level? We can join in this bipartisan effort and send letters to our state representatives and President Bush supporting the release of funds.

The address for the (president) is The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500. The addresses for our state representatives are: Sen. Robert W. Singer and Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer, 2110 W. County Line Road, Jackson 08527; Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone, 951 Route 206 North, Bordentown 08505.

Make your opinions known. Send your letters to our elected representatives today.

Mitch Geier

Plumsted