05/28/2026
To: Sparta, NJ Mayor Blumetti and Councilman Clark,
From: Chairman Joe Labarbera, SCRC
Please see below. I publically wrote this for you all, via published in Tap Into, some time ago. Considering the information I OPRA requested, it seems that your attorney's fees have been exorbitant while the town is headed toward bankruptcy. The numbers don't lie. Your balance sheet is showing negative returns and increasing costs. Please consider the philisophical plea I am making below, if not for yours or my sake, but the future generations of Sparta who will be burdened by your failing policies and decisions.
Despite what I believe to be our significant ideological differences pertaining to the practices of our great Republic, I think we may be able to reason with each other, and that an open discussion would be good for the citizens of Sparta. Recognizing that you somehow balance the contradiction of being an officer of the far left, Sussex Democratic Committee and a practicing Mayor of a “Bi-Partisan” town, you are in a unique position to balance the commonly accepted economic principles of left wing thinking with pragmatic benefit to the people of Sparta.
I’m writing you to plead a common ground approach to the economy of Sparta, which is Sussex County’s wealthiest town, and the key economic node for sustainable and intelligent growth in this region.
At this time, I believe that your approach as Mayor will have long term negative economic implications on Sparta and subsequently Sussex County.
Perhaps you will agree to predicate this discussion on a table of indisputable facts: the U.S. Census has clear data on where Sparta derives its prosperity from
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/spartatownshipsussexcountynewjersey/RHI825222 222)
From the census, we see that Sparta’s economy largely draws from macro-economic conditions that stem from over 65% of the Sparta labor force commuting outside the county. Considering the total of 13, 858 people in the Sparta labor force, 9,007 are commuting outside of Sparta, leaving 4,851 people who earn their livings in Sparta, presumably less effected by external economic conditions. THESE are the incomes Sparta relies on the most, against a ratio of 21 taxpayers for every 1 business.
It is obvious that the burden of taxation in Sparta falls on the homeowning working family and not the profit generating businesses. Hence- Sparta exists based on its citizens going away to earn and then coming home to pay your salary and support the town. This means that Sparta depends on external economic conditions and this dependency is growing. Sparta needs more business. Please explain how you are not weaponizing left wing issues to be punitive to the businesses already there and limiting the opportunities for future businesses to establish themselves there. The level of discontent with Sparta business owners and your office is at an unusually high level.
Understanding factual data, in the context of what is truly paying for Sparta, this ratio can be reflected against the “Tax to GDP Ratio” in economic theory. In the case of Sparta, Sparta’s REAL GDP logically stems only 4,851 people who would presumably be unaffected by external economic conditions and are the small sliver of income generators that effectually guarantee Sparta’s viability as a municipality.
A ratio of more business revenue to individual taxpayer is an indisputable goal for any municipality, as it eases the burden on the working citizen and increases the public coffers without constraining people’s economic liberty by draining their bank accounts. Business friendly environments and environmental soundness, rural nature with urban growth can and do run synchronous. It is the art of government to make sure they do.
Sparta’s economic success is linked to the County’s economic success. The current ratio of business to taxpayers is far to low, and Sparta is way to overdependent on commuter income and their property taxes.
Good government means prosperity. It is a good time now for you to make the case that your efforts to stifle business using the environment as the excuse are valid and inconsequential to the future of Sparta. If you believe they are, real data and real economic policy must be presented to the Sparta voters so they can have faith that a far-left Democrat operative, serving as Mayor in a town with overwhelming registered Republicans, does indeed care if their children will be able to afford living in the town, and if the town will be prosperous if business continues to be frustrated by obstruction. If not, the future will be a Sparta that falls into debt, sees a retrograde of inhabitants, and falls into ignominy.
“I, however, place economy among the first and most important of republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.” "... permanent public debt as a canker inevitably fatal." “I consider a permanent public debt as a canker inevitably fatal.” -Thomas Jefferson
We the people, not we the Governed
https://www.sussexcountyrepublicans.com/
Sussex County Republican CommitteeThe Honorable Joe Labarbera, ChairmanProudly Representing The Strongest Republican County In New Jersey! PARTY LEADERSHIPJOSEPH D. LABARBERAChairmanBARBARA J. HOLSTEINVice-ChairRobert D. Kovic, Esq.Executive DirectorEugene WronkoSecretaryPaul Brislin Treasurer Jill....
