Howell United NJ

AFFORDABILITY.
Yep… apparently that’s the new magic word in politics.
Democrats are using it. Now many municipality candidates are jumping on the “affordability” bandwagon.
"Listen folks", we hear that a lot, nobody is against affordability. We’d all like our taxes, groceries, insurance and everything else to cost less. But here’s the little problem with the slogan: How are you actually going to make Howell more affordable?
Because from where most are sitting…Taxes keep going up. Budgets keep going up. Services aren’t exactly keeping pace. Major road paving projects are hard to find. We keep buying property and taking them off the tax rolls. No new development wanted. No Data centers. No warehouses. Make it difficult for existing businesses. The list can go on.
So let's get this straight…
We spend more, collect more, remove tax ratables, want nothing new and somehow the answer is to use “AFFORDABILITY” as a campaign slogan?
Brilliant. Problem solved. 🤷‍♂️
Maybe before the next "i'm not a politician" tells us they’re for affordability, they should explain affordability for whom?
The senior who can no longer afford to stay in the home they’ve owned for decades?
The young family that can’t afford to buy a home in the town they grew up in?
The taxpayer watching their property tax bill climb every year? And here’s the really interesting part…When a house finally sells and a new "unwanted class" family moves in, are we really going to call that “affordability”? Because if the only thing becoming affordable is the campaign slogan, we have a problem.
We're all for affordability.
But show us the plan, the numbers and the results, not just another catchy word printed in bold letters on a campaign flyer.
Slogans are cheap. Government isn’t. And apparently, neither is “Affordability.”

🇺🇸 🇮🇹 Happy Italian American Heritage Month!
Join us this month of October as we celebrate the contributions of Italians and Italian Americans that continue to help shape the greatest nation in the world.

Governor Sherrill’s plan calls for doubling planned housing on state-owned land from 20,000 to 40,000 homes, faster permitting, and additional funding for affordable housing. For those who insist, “I’m not a politician; I’m just a regular guy,” ( We've heard that sales pitch last election) while delivering long winded lectures at Council meetings on their moral obligation, here’s a useful distinction: Public commentary is not public policy. You can make speeches. You can write and film yourself on Facebook posts.You can organize opposition to development. You can hold meetings devoted to stopping affordable housing, but none of that changes the direction New Jersey is taking. So if you think affordable housing and development is going to stop because a handful of residents object at a Council meeting, keep up the wishful thinking exercise. Anyone hoping to become the next anti-development social-media warrior: by all means, keep posting. Just don’t confuse visibility with facts. Whether someone describes themselves as a politician, a regular resident, a concerned neighbor, or the community’s self-appointed moral compass, New Jersey’s housing policy is not being written at a Howell Township Council meeting. It is being written in Trenton. And with the state’s latest announcement, Trenton democrats are moving forward whether the comment section approves or not.

NJ Department of Community Affairs The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a State agency created to provide administrative guidance, financial support and technical assistance to local governments, community development organizations, businesses and individuals to improve the quality of life in New Jersey.

Happy National Coffee Day.
Coffee chains around New Jersey, including Dunkin’, Paris Baguette & 7-Eleven to name a few are offering free coffee and deals for today. Enjoy your coffee today.

Yes, we’ve survived storms before. No, the world probably isn’t ending although the climate and AI alarmists may already be drafting the apocalypse report. 😂 But seriously: high winds are expected, and with them comes the possibility of downed trees, power outages and some nasty conditions.
So, before Mother Nature decides to remind us who’s really in charge:
🔋 Charge your phones
🔦 Have flashlights ready
🌳 Secure outdoor furniture and anything that can blow around
⛽ Make sure you have what you need
📱 Keep an eye on local weather and emergency alerts. We’ve been through storms before. Just don’t let this one catch you unprepared. Stay safe!

Howell Township residents are encouraged to prepare for the approaching storm and remain weather-aware as conditions develop.

While the most significant impacts from this storm are currently expected in coastal communities, Howell Township may still experience significant winds, downed trees and tree limbs, power outages, and localized flooding.

Residents should take reasonable precautions now, including securing outdoor furniture, decorations, trash and recycling containers, and other loose items that could become airborne in strong winds. Keep phones and other essential devices charged and have flashlights and other basic supplies readily available in the event of a power outage.

⚡ DOWNED POWER LINES: Never approach or touch a downed power line or anything that may be in contact with one. Always assume a downed power line is energized and dangerous. Keep away and report any downed power lines to the JCP&L and emergency authorities.

🌧️ FLOODING: Heavy rainfall may result in localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and poor-drainage areas. Never attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Water may be deeper than it appears, and the roadway beneath it may be damaged or washed away.

Residents should continue to monitor a trusted weather source for the latest forecasts, watches, warnings, and updates as the storm approaches. Conditions and expected impacts can change, so please remain alert and prepared.

Please use caution, plan ahead, and stay safe.

So fitting for this article. Not the original author, but it’s funny, textbook and, unfortunately, pretty darn true. 😂
Do you want to run for public office? Here’s how to become a NJ politician:
Step 1: Make sure everyone knows that you are NOT a politician. You’re just a regular person, one of the people, who is tired of watching politicians ruin their town. Step 2: Start complaining about overdevelopment. Post pictures of traffic, trees being cleared and every new building going up, and ask how the politicians could possibly have allowed this to happen. Step 3: Blame the past administration. Make it clear that if they actually cared about the residents, they would have stopped all of this years ago. Step 4: Announce that, even though you never wanted to get involved in politics, you have no choice but to run because somebody needs to stand up for the people. Again, remind everyone that you are NOT a politician. Step 5: Get elected. Step 6: When the bulldozers keep showing up and residents start asking why development hasn’t stopped, explain that these projects are affordable housing and the others were approved years ago by the PREVIOUS administration and unfortunately your hands are tied. Step 7: When another project gets built, repeat Step 6. Previous administration. Step 8: When people ask what YOU have approved since taking office, change the subject back to everything the previous administration did wrong. Step 9: Run for reelection while simultaneously reminding everyone that you’re still not a politician. Step 10: Win a few elections, spend years in office, and continue blaming the politicians who came before you. Step 11: Eventually retire, lose, or get voted out. Step 12: Sit back and watch some regular guy announce that he’s NOT a politician, he’s just one of the people who is sick and tired of overdevelopment and wants to take his town back from the politicians who caused it.

Howell Mayor Says He Has Considered Resigning ‘Multiple Times’ Amid Frustration at Town Hall, Keyboard Warriors: Howell Mayor John Leggio says he has considered resigning “multiple times,” citing legal limits, administrative hurdles and frustration over local government.

https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/howell-mayor-says-he-has-considered-resigning-multiple-times-amid-frustration-at-town-hall-keyboard-warriors/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

To all those observing Yom Kippur, we wish you a meaningful and peaceful day.
May the year ahead comfort, renewed faith, hope and the year ahead bring peace, goodness, and many blessings.
G’mar Chatimah Tovah. 🕊️

HOWELL DAY IS TOMORROW! 🎉🇺🇸
Come out to Soldier Memorial Park and enjoy Howell Day.
It’s a Saturday, so the crowds won’t be too overwhelming for some and more importantly, hopefully the politicians’ speeches will be shorter than the event itself. 😂 Come for the music, stay for the food and fireworks and if you hear a microphone turn on, just remember: there’s always another hot dog waiting. 🌭😂

HOWELL BUDGET SEASON IS COMING. ARE WE READY?
Our neighboring township of Lakewood had been getting some notable attention recently with there budget. In short, major cuts and significant tax increases.
For Howell, the last tax increase wasn’t just a percentage on a spreadsheet. It meant real dollars coming out of the pockets of Howell families, seniors and small businesses.
Now Council has another opportunity to show taxpayers that affordability is a priority not an afterthought.
Before asking residents for more, let’s see the hard work: Where can government operate more efficiently? What can be cut? What can be renegotiated? And what spending can wait? Where can good generating revenue come from? Council needs to make controlling costs the priority this budget season. Health care costs are a big one.
And to Howell taxpayers, watch the budget, ask questions and make your voice heard on this issue rather than lately who's moving into the town. Your tax bill matters.
Lower costs. Smarter spending. Responsible government.