Tsivgas: Change in Direction Needed in Green Brook

As a resident of Green Brook, I’ve experienced the stressful burden rising taxes have placed on all our residents, while each year seeing services being diminished or worse, eliminated. No longer can I sit idle and observe our community decline, there has been no middle ground, no balanced approach – this is why I have decided to run for Township Committee.

I commend each current Township elected official for their civic duty to Green Brook, however, I fundamentally disagree with the direction the Republican majority has chosen for our community. Our current officials are working hard, but their approach is not working – it’s not in our best interest. 

The current Republican majority has proven they are incapable of finding a resolution to the tax problem. Each year taxes rise, but what do we have to show for it? If we continue the habit of diminishing essential services, will we still be able to call Green Brook a great community? We have chosen to live and raise our families here because we have made the decision to invest in our community – this is why Green Brook is a great place to live. We cannot afford to cut what makes Green Brook great.

 On Nov. 6, my running mate, Dave Breen, and I, need your help. If elected, Democrats will gain majority control of the Township Committee. Together, we vow to work as a team with not just the rest of the council but the community as a whole to help move Green Brook in the right direction – we cannot do it alone, we must work together. It is essential for the governing body to work cohesively with the residents, the business community, the school board, and our emergency services – we have the relationships to facilitate this cooperation.

If elected, we will work hard to establish a system that places Green Brook residents at the forefront of municipal job hiring and promotions before looking beyond our town limits. We believe it is important to have workers serving the community that are invested in it. We also vow to be proactive in attracting new business to the Route 22 corridor, which if done properly, will increase our municipal tax revenue.

Our current administration has failed in attracting new revenue streams for Green Brook. Tax increases are not the only option. They have failed in looking at alternative opportunities, and they have failed us, the residents, in finding affordable solutions to advance our community. Every year, Green Brook misses out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding that can benefit many projects, including public safety, environmental programs, and education.

I, Tom Tsivgas, am running for office with Dave Breen to work to bring the change in direction that Green Brook needs. I am devoted to our community, and as your neighbor, will do my best to find the best solutions our government has to offer its residents.

Very truly yours, 

Tom Tsivgas

The writer is a Democratic candidate for a seat on the Township Committee.