The approved utility rate increase last year negatively impacted many households in our community. It brought along higher utility rates community wide and was detrimental to thousands of households that are not in a position to afford these rate increases. With that increase there were a few you may not have been aware that it benefited, and those are our First Responders. Unfortunately, when the utility rate was increased, it was combined with a wage increase for First Responders to be provided in two increments. Truly this could have been handled in a much more efficient manner, but here we are.

Stating that we want to rescind this utility rate increase is understandably VERY upsetting and worrisome to our First Responders. The narrative is that it would adversely affect their second scheduled pay raise that will be happening in the middle of this year. (The first of the two pay raises was fulfilled in the middle of last year.)

How do we go about rescinding the utility rate increase while still acknowledging the importance of those in the community that keep us safe? By getting the right people in office this election who CARE about our community as a whole.

I am Harold Bayonne and I am currently running for the seat of Councilman-at-Large. I am here to share with you how rescinding the utility rate increase does not in fact, affect the wage increase for our First Responders. The original release of funds collected with the utility rate increase last May has paid our First Responders their first increment of wage increases. In addition, the account still has enough funds to pay them their promised second, and final, round as well. Thus, the intention to rescind the second utility rate increase scheduled for this May will ONLY benefit our community by reducing utilities city wide and will NOT affect the, well-deserved, final round of wage increases promised to our First Responders.

I genuinely hope this clarifies that ‘rescinding the utility rate increase scheduled for this May’ will relieve the financial burden it has placed on the community and have no bearing on our First Responders (with the exception of perhaps removing the financial burden they too have experienced with utility rate increases). Moving forward, we must reevaluate how we can best compensate our First Responders in a way that does not create a financial hardship on those in our community. I assure you, this can be corrected and I intend on being a voice that communicates for each and every one of us should I be elected.

I urge you to share this information and support candidates committed to our community’s well-being in this critical election. Vote for change. We can do better.

Paid by Harold Bayonne for Councilman-at-Large