Bad timing for new purchases

It is astonishing how some local politicians refuse at times to face the realities their constituents must face every day.

The economy has been in a steady downturn since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

Despite the fact that a number of area residents have been laid off from their jobs because of the slumping economy and are having tough times trying to make ends meet, the politicians continue to freely spend taxpayer money.

The Keyport Borough Council has approved a $1.2 million measure to furnish and equip its new $4.2 million municipal building.

On one hand, Mayor John Merla said some of the old furniture will be moved into the new building, which is expected to open in July.

It is very admirable that the borough will effectively recycle some of its old office furniture. Merla also said the furniture is "so old that we feel if we move it, it will break."

In addition, Merla said the borough may donate some of its furniture to organizations like 180, Turning Lives Around or the borough’s First Aid Squad.

If the furniture is in such bad shape, why would the borough donate it to any organization?

If it isn’t, why doesn’t the borough save the taxpayers some money and continue using it?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a municipality upgrading its equipment.

One need only look at the borough police department’s furniture and equipment to see that upgrading is seriously needed.

Perhaps the borough should replace the remaining furniture and equipment in phases.

Developing a well-thought-out plan to replace borough office equipment and furniture that would be easier for the taxpayers to swallow would be beneficial to everyone involved.

It’s a little hard to justify spending 25 percent of the entire cost of constructing the new borough hall for office equipment and furniture, especially when some borough residents are facing tough times.

As some borough residents struggle to find the money to put food on the table and pay their bills, it’s a bit of a slap in the face to ask them to put up the money for $1.2 million for furniture and equipment for borough employees whose salaries are paid with their tax dollars.

As many people are learning to go without some things because of the slow economy, it’s hard to believe the borough has to equip and furnish the borough hall with everything new.

Obviously the equipment and furnishings being used by most borough employees today work because the local government certainly has not come to a grinding halt.

Maybe the council members need a reality check and should take a look outside the municipal building’s doors.

The prosperous economic days of the mid to late 1990s are over, and the taxpayers are suffering.