Last Thursday, I was thrilled to be walking around with a press pass in order to cover the roll out of Marlboro’s revolutionary and pioneering new ‘Shop Marlboro Property Tax Reward Program.’ Here’s the gist of  the program which has been in development for a year by Marlboro’s Economic Development Committee then I’ll throw some praise around, after all I’m a Marlboro resident. When Marlboro residents purchase goods (even gas) and services locally (here in Marlboro) from participating merchants, they receive credits against their residential tax bills. Obviously this incentivizes folks like me to frequent local businesses. I’ve got three letters that come to mind right now as I’m learning more. “Wow.”

In my headline, I alluded to the notion of Marlboro, New Jersey (population 40,000) being (probably) the very first place, town on Earth (therefore the United States as well) offering a reduction of (Marlboro) township property taxes based on a percentage of purchases during the year.

Mayor Jonathan Hornik addressing business owners, Assistant Mayor Larry Rosen and Councilwoman Carol Mazzola looking on.

It’s not within the scope of this article to talk specifics, but certainly to applaud and praise Mayor Jonathan Hornik and the entire Township Council and their Economic Development Committee(David Faust) Jonathan Capp, Business Administrator and Investors Bank for visions and courage way beyond a central Jersey township’s limited reach and place in the universe; a refreshing and uplifting civic prideful thought for our 40,000 residents.

Speaking about refreshing: I love crisp lettuce. I’m enthused about dining in Marlboro so much more often now. You see, I’ve got this theory that lettuce is lettuce no matter where ever you go. I might as well eat lettuce close to home and pay less property taxes. It may be that simple.