Freeholders Introduce Lean Budget

MIDDLESEX COUNTY – The freeholders introduced a $392 million budget last week which is nearly $5 million lower than the county’s 2008 spending plan.

Due to the slumping economy, the county will need to raise more money through taxes. The freeholders have cut nearly $10 million from the original spending plan unveiled in March, keeping the tax increase to the 2.5 percent allowed by state law.

“Since unveiling a budget plan in January, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and Middlesex County department heads have aggressively cut operating expenses and salaries and wages to ensure taxpayers receive quality programs and services at prices they can afford,” Freeholder Director Stephen Dalina said.

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High School Holds Voter Drive

High School Holds Voter Drive – Earlier this month, Rahway High School sponsored a voter registration drive for students who recently turned 18. The effort, themed “Your Choice, Your Vote” was intended to encourage students to share their voices during the upcoming school elections on April 21. Pictured above, seniors Jennifer Cadestin, Samantha DeVeau and Ashley Scretchen celebrate after registering to vote on Wednesday, March 4. (Photo courtesy of Rahway High School)

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THE UN-COMFORT ZONE with Robert Wilson

Defeating the De-Motivator

The sweet strains of a Puccini aria cut through the Saturday night clatter of the busy Italian restaurant in New York City, but it wasn’t coming from the aging voice of the Sicilian baritone who was hired to belt out favorites like Funiculi-Funicula.  It was a soprano whose crystal clear voice filled the room.  Within moments all the ambient noise came to a halt. Diners stopped eating and talking, busboys stopped clearing tables, the cooks even came out of the
kitchen.

Singing on the tiny stage was the skinny moon-faced waitress from Ohio. The Sicilian heard she studied opera, so he invited her to join him, but what began as a duet ended in solo as he too was mesmerized by the beauty of her voice. When she finished, the place thundered in applause and I saw tears of gratitude glistening in her eyes. She had hit each note perfectly.

If only she had done that when she auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera.  But she choked, flinched, allowed a seed of doubt to creep into her consciousness and thus her voice.

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Six Ways To Stretch Your Dollar

It’s always a good idea to spend your money wisely, but during tough economic times these smart steps are even more important. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) offers these tips on how to get the most out of every dollar that you spend:

1. Hold on to Change

Every night, set aside the change that has collected in your pocket or wallet. After a month, deposit those coins into your savings account. It’s an easy habit to get into and doesn’t eat too deeply into your budget. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the savings add up.

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Tax Tip Of The Day: To Itemize Or Not To Itemize?

By Gregg Semanick-New Jersey‘s IRS Spokesperson

Whether to itemize deductions on your tax return depends on how much you spent on certain expenses last year. Money paid for medical care, mortgage interest, taxes, charitable contributions, casualty losses and miscellaneous deductions can reduce your taxes. If the total amount spent on those categories is more than the standard deduction, you can usually benefit by itemizing. Consider e-filing your tax return to ensure you do not miss out on any deductions.

For more information on IRS tax tips, go to the IRS.gov web site at www.irs.gov.

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