Dear Committee Members Ryan and Morano:

It is my belief that the inclusion of a "Mayor's Report" on the Barnegat Township website is an objective manifestation of partisan politics at the expense of the taxpayers who fund the operation of the website. I believe that this report should be stricken from the site unless an opportunity is afforded for a dissenting opinion and/or rebuttal by a member of an opposing party to best inform the public and insure a level playing field.

All Committee Members are afforded an equal opportunity to "report" to the public at township committee meetings. If the aforementioned Mayor's Report is argued to be a mere printed version of the incumbent Mayor's remarks, then the remarks of all other Committee Members must also appear in verbatim form to insure the fairness that the residents of our town deserve; especially when they are funding the costs of the website. Since Committee Member's remarks are culled from meeting minutes, I also submit that these remarks are unofficial and should not be published until approved by the majority of the township committee in an open public forum.

My opinion is the same as the basis as to why a response to all Presidential addresses ("reports") is afforded to the political party not currently in office at that level. So too, is the same equity given at other levels of government. Barnegat deserves no less.

I respectfully request you enter this message into the record of the township committee as you might deem appropriate. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Thank you.

FREDRIC G. RUBENSTEIN