Bayonne mayoral candidate Jason O’Donnell and Council President Sharon Nadrowski are sparring over a “driveway tax” introduced by the governing body last night that would potentially cost city homeowners $50 to park cars in front of their own driveways.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Rather than propose a creative solution that uses existing resources to address the crippling parking issue in Bayonne, Jimmy’s Council once again did what they do best – hit the taxpayer in the pocket,” O’Donnell said in a statement.
“The only thing more absurd than the proposal is the fact that Jimmy’s Council passed it. Once again, the Davis Administration’s idea of getting creative and addressing quality of life issues is to charge taxpayers more than they already pay.”
Ordinance number five at last evening’s council meeting was revising a traffic ordinance to park in front of driveways, which would now be a $50 fee in the event that it was eventually approved at a second reading.
However, Council President Sharon Nadrowski said in her own statement that officials are reconsidering the measure after hearing residents’ concerns.
“Under the new proposal there will be no fee charged to local property owners and a 6-month review will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the program,” Nadrowski said, noting that 1st Ward Councilman Tom Cotter has suggested the change and Davis had already been consulted.
“The intention of the new regulation was to allow property owners to legally park in front of their driveway. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication with our legal department and the final resolution voted upon does not accurately reflect our intentions.”
However, O’Donnell is not impressed with the new plan either, stating that election season politics are at a play and a review isn’t necessary to figure out another city tax isn’t helpful.
“Honestly, what are these people doing? First, they vote to push through a $50 driveway tax on already overtaxed Bayonne residents and then, after they face city-wide backlash, they release a statement that blames other people for their bad decision but still move forward with this horrible idea?,” O’Donnell responded.
“‘Considering an amendment’ and doing a ‘six-month review’ on ‘effectiveness’ is Team Davis-speak for, ‘If we win this election we are moving forward with our driveway tax.’”
Calling the move “an insult to our intelligence,” O’Donnell called on Davis to veto the ordinance before it has a chance to make it to second reading.
In a Facebook post, Davis said he would do just that if the ordinance called for a payment
