Community Corner

A Letter To The Editor From Gregory Pancza


I am writing in reference to an article which caught my attention about me attending last week's committee meeting.

First, the sole purpose for me attending last week's meeting, was to address an issue about the "Veteran's Tax Exemption." While campaigning last year, a resident had approached me, and explained that she was very upset that she could not take advantage of the benefits of this program.

She went onto say that her husband served in World War II, and was honorably discharged. She and her husband resided in New York at the time of his death. After his death, the woman decided to move to Lacey Township. Shortly after moving back, she picked up an application for the "Veteran's Tax Exemption", and intended to file same as a surviving spouse.

The woman lived on a fixed income, and was looking for tax relief. Under the eligibility section of the  application, section 1 states,  "document that the deceased veteran or service person was a citizen and resident of New Jersey at death who had active wartime service in the United States Armed Forces and who was honorably discharged or who died on active wartime duty."

She had met all the requirements within the application with one exception, her husband passed away in New York, and not New Jersey. This made her ineligible for the exemption.

Personally, this is an outrage. The geographical location of where her husband passed away does not change the fact that her husband fought and sacrificed for this country, and was honorably discharged. She should be given the exemption, and not denied because of some obscure technicality.

I presented the details of the matter diplomatically to Mayor Quinn, and sought his assistance. I am attempting to resolve the matter with him, so that Lacey residents that are also in this woman's situation could partake in the exemption. I thanked the mayor for his time, and began walking away. 

It was Mr. Most that called me back to the dais, after I had walked away. Most instigated the conversation, and questioned me about a post on a website in reference to him possessing a syringe at the last meeting.

My post was to act as a deterrent to the committee and residents about bringing hypodermic syringes to committee meetings. Additionally, since the syringe was not tested, and it can only be assumed that it contained an illegal narcotic.

Mr. Most's possession of the syringe at the meeting may have been well intentioned. However, I believe that he overlooked the fact that his actions could have potentially had a negative impact.

Consequently, it was not my intention to speak about him possessing the syringe at the previous meeting, as I hoped to gain support in changing the eligibility requirements for the Veteran's Tax Exemption.

Unfortunately, by Most initiating that particular conversation, it  detracted from the more important issue, which would benefit our veterans and their spouses.

Editor's note: Gregory Pancza is a Democrat candidate for a seat on the Township Committee.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here