ALBIO SIRES FOR CONGRESS

Another Day, Another Broken Promise
Vas Goes Back on Pledge to Provide Relevant Perth Amboy Financial Data to the State

(West New York) – In what is becoming a consistent pattern of saying one thing and doing another, Perth Amboy Mayor Joe Vas has yet again gone back on his word to provide the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs with relevant financial data needed for the state to approve Perth Amboy’s 2006 budget. As recently as April 24th, Vas pledged to provide DCA with missing revenue figures within fifteen days, as ordered by the state. More than three weeks later, Vas has still not turned over the necessary data, leading the state to demand that he remove $8 million of proposed revenue from his budget. Perth Amboy’s budget, which is now eleven months late, will contain an average tax increases of up to $300 per household as a result of his fiscal mismanagement.

Vas, who is currently seeking the Democratic nomination in New Jersey’s 13th Congressional District, has apparently been too busy slinging negative attacks to fulfill his promises to the constituents in Perth Amboy who elected him.

Below, A Short List of Vas’ Budgetary Broken Promises:

VAS BREAKS PROMISE ON FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Fiction:

“Joe Vas set a pattern for initiatives that has earned him national accolades for his stewardship of Perth Amboy.� [Vas for Congress website]

FACT:

“It has been almost seven months since Perth Amboy introduced its budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 and ends June 30, but the state has yet to give the city permission to adopt the $58 million spending plan.

In a letter dated April 20, the director of the Division of Local Government Services told Mayor Joseph Vas that "the city has not yet supplied the necessary documentation on the revenue items previously requested" and, therefore, the division could not grant the city its request for approval to adopt its budget.� [Star -Ledger, 4/27/06]

VAS BREAKS PROMISE ON SUPPLYING REAL FISCAL DATA:

Fiction:
“[Division of Local Government Services Susan] Jacobucci gave Vas and the city 15 days to supply the requested documentation.

Vas on Monday sent Jacobucci a letter in response, telling her ‘the city intends to have the additional documentation on the remaining outstanding items of revenue submitted within the time frame set forth in your letter.’" [Star-Ledger, 4/27/06]

FACT:

“Jacobucci said she requested the required documentation be submitted to her office within 15 business days of her letter.

"’We have not heard nor received anything from the city in response to the letter and the time for submission of contracts and other documentation requested by our examiner has lapsed,’ Jacobucci said. ‘The time for adoption of your 2006 budget has exceeded any reasonable delay.’" [Star-Ledger, 5/18/06]

VAS BREAKS PROMISE ON NO NEW TAXES:

Fiction:

When the budget was introduced in late September, Perlee and Vas said there would be no tax increase this year, unlike the previous year that saw the average property owner's bill increase by $207, the first significant tax increase in the city for a decade. [Star-Ledger, 5/18/06]

FACT:

“The owner of a home assessed at the city average of $115,000 is already facing a $126 tax hike, but Councilman David Szylagyi said that is a best-case scenario at this point. Szilagyi said last month if the revenues weren't allowed, homeowners may be looking at a $300 tax increase.

"If this is approved by the end of the year (the budget), we're going to have to live with a hefty tax increase," Szylagyi said.� [Star-Ledger, 5/18/06]

VAS BREAKS PROMISE ON WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE:

Fiction:

“When Perth Amboy’s former mayor resigned to avoid a recall, the city council turned to the energetic and community minded President of the Chamber of Commerce – Joseph Vas.� [Vas for Congress website]

FACT:

“With the end of Perth Amboy's fiscal year quickly approaching, the state has ordered the city to remove $8 million in proposed revenues from its budget before it adopts the $58 million spending plan.

The order from Susan Jacobucci, director of the Division of Local Government Services, could force a massive tax hike to cover the shortfall in revenue, one city councilman said.

Perth Amboy's business administrator, Don Perlee, was not available for comment yesterday and Mayor Joseph Vas, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 13th Congressional District seat in the June 6 primary, could not be reached for comment.� [Star Ledger, 518/06]

“This pattern of deception and broken promises puts into doubt anything that comes out of Mayor Vas’ mouth,� said Sires for Congress spokeswoman Julie Roginsky. “If he cannot tell the truth to the voters of Perth Amboy, to the state of New Jersey and to members of the media, how can anyone believe anything he will claim to do for the voters of the 13th Congressional District?�

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