Name: Robert Lombardi (Republican)
Age: 30
Occupation: Architect
Length of Residence in Town: This question implies who cares more based on length of occupancy. That is impossible to know. Vote for the person who holds the principles that are best for this town.
1. What do you see as the top 3 issues in town?
The top three issues in this town are the same as the top three issues nation wide. Across the board we need to reduce spending, which allows us to
reduce taxes. And we need to elect people to government who at their core
believe in limited government.
2. What specifically are you planning to do to address those items?
When an individual attempts to save money, they have to make small cuts in many areas. It is no different with government. A combination of cuts in many areas must be explored to bring down the spending.
3. What will be the challenges in getting those goals accomplished?
The largest obstacle will be that we will still be the minority vote on council. Accomplishing our goals will depend on convincing the Democrat majority to be open minded to new solutions. We have tried it their way for a long
time and it has gotten us currently in over $20 million in debt. We need consider new options.
4. What expenditures, if any, do you see as ripe from trimming in order to keep the budget growth below the two-percent mandated cap?
I don t have enough access to that information yet to say, but I am sure that trimming can be done in many areas.
5. Do you see any potential sources of revenue that need to be tapped?
I do not. Government should not be in the business of constantly searching for new sources of revenue (aka adding new taxes). If that is the case, it means the government is not running properly. We must stop electing people to government who have this destructive attitude, that when government needs more money, it taxes more. I want the townspeople to
keep as much of their personal revenue as possible and for the council to take as little from them as possible. We should run a tight ship and spend only what we need to run the town.
6. What if any municipal services should be consolidated among towns?
I would begin possibly with water and garbage collection.
7. What is one thing voters need to know about you, but may not?
At my core I believe in small government, low spending, and low taxes. That is who I am. And you can be sure I will vote along those lines. Also, I am not a career politician. I believe I can hold firm to my principles and do some good for this town. I am not in this for any kind of power or personal gains.
RED BANK QUESTIONS
1.
Taking into account meter rates, permit fees and fines, do you
agree with the boroughs present approach to parking issues? Explain.
I do not. We should bring back free Saturday parking to encourage more shopping downtown. Also, parking fines should be reasonably inexpensive. $38.00 is just too much. A small fine is still a deterrent, but it is not taking advantage of people who made a simple mistake.
2. What should the borough be doing to stimulate business downtown?
To start, I would lower property taxes on commercial properties and bring back free Saturday parking. I would also lower taxes on the residents so they have a little extra spending money to spend downtown.
3. Have efforts to maintain or cut property taxes been sufficient? Explain.
No they have not, because property taxes keep going up. Efforts to cut property taxes will be sufficient when property taxes are cut.
4. Should Red Bank sell its water utility? Explain.
I don t know the answer to this yet, but I think it will definitely be an option we will have to explore.
5. Should Red Bank continue to host the KaBoom fireworks?
Absolutely. The KaBoom fireworks are a cultural event in Red Bank and a tradition. Issues with clean-up and law enforcement costs can be addressed and paid for with savings in other areas. As town, it is important to offer
festival events.
