Maximizing resources to ensure Westfield has all of the taxpayer money that it is due. Tax rates do not impact tax bills. The rates of the City, school, library, etc are all added together to create a denominator. Each individual tax rate is then divided by this denominator to determine the approximate amount each will receive, subject to limitations imposed by the Department of Local Government Finance. Whatever is not collected by the individual taxing authorities or is in excess of what the state allows, goes to the County. Thus, if you lower the City tax rate, the City will receive a smaller amount, but the savings does not go back to taxpayers, but goes to the County. Therefore, your tax dollars are not spent by Westfield, but by the County. I believe Westfield tax dollars should be spent in Westfield for the benefit of Westfield citizens. Any candidate for council who says they will lower tax rates to lower bills does not understand municipal finance.

Working with each other, the schools, the library, the township and the county. The City can do things that impact other taxing authorities. Working together doesn't mean agreeing with everything, but working to understand and find the best solution for any challenge. Elected officials need to talk and discuss items in a civil and open manner. The negative publicity Westfield has received from the media about the behavior at council meetings tarnishes our reputation and image, and likely has a horrible impact on corporations who may be looking to expand into Westfield. Working TOGETHER on whatever challenges come our way is how we solve those challenges.