We're petitioning to put Council-Manager government on the November ballot. Professional leadership. Lower costs. Real accountability.
Our current Mayor-Council system puts elected politicians — not trained professionals — in charge of a multi-million dollar operation serving 22,000+ residents.
Priorities shift with every election cycle. Long-term planning suffers when leadership changes constantly.
No credentials or training in municipal management required. Would you hire an untrained person to run a $50M business?
Key positions filled based on political connections rather than qualifications and merit.
Without professional fiscal oversight, taxpayer money is spent less efficiently than it should be.
Experience and expertise walk out the door every time leadership changes after an election.
Policy-making and daily operations are mixed together, reducing effectiveness of both.
The most widely used form of government for municipalities our size — proven effective for over 100 years.
Voters still choose their local representatives. The council sets policy, passes ordinances, approves the budget, and represents you.
The council hires a professional Town Manager — credentialed in municipal administration, hired for expertise, not politics.
The manager handles day-to-day operations, budgeting, and staff management. They're accountable to the council and can be fired at any time.
Think of it like a business:
The Council = Board of Directors (elected by shareholders — YOU)
The Town Manager = CEO (hired by the board for their expertise)
You wouldn't elect a random person to run a $50 million company. Why run your town that way?
of U.S. cities our size use Council-Manager government
more efficient than strong-mayor cities (IBM Report)
years this model has been successfully proven
Less corruption with professional management (ICMA)
Under New Jersey law, residents can petition to place a change of government question on the November ballot. Help us bring Council-Manager government to Vernon.
Your signature places a question on the November ballot to change Vernon Township's government from Mayor-Council to Council-Manager. If voters approve, Vernon will hire a professional Town Manager to run daily operations — accountable to the elected council.
Any registered voter in Vernon Township. You must be registered to vote at a Vernon Township address.
We'll be at farmers markets, community gatherings, and local events throughout Vernon Township this summer. Follow us on Facebook for our schedule of signing locations.
Important: Your signature does NOT commit you to voting for the change. It simply means you believe the question deserves to be on the ballot and that voters should decide.
We need registered Vernon voters to sign. Every signature brings us closer to putting this question where it belongs — on the ballot.
Find a Signing LocationSigning locations will be announced soon.
Follow us on social media for updates.
We're petitioning to place a question on the November ballot to change Vernon Township's form of government from Mayor-Council to Council-Manager. If voters say YES, Vernon will adopt professional municipal management — a hired Town Manager accountable to the elected council.
No. Signing the petition simply puts the question on the ballot. You're saying the voters deserve a say. How you vote in November is entirely up to you.
No. In most Council-Manager towns, there is still a mayor — typically a member of the council who serves as the public-facing leader and presides over meetings. The difference is that daily operations are handled by a hired professional, not the mayor.
A professional Town Manager brings expertise in budgeting, contract negotiation, grant writing, and operational efficiency. Studies consistently show that Council-Manager governments operate more efficiently. The manager is also motivated to perform — unlike elected officials, they can be terminated immediately for poor results.
Town managers typically save far more than their salary through efficient operations, better contract negotiations, and successful grant applications. Many comparable NJ towns with professional managers operate with lower per-capita costs.
The elected Council. They hire the manager, set performance expectations, evaluate results, and can terminate the manager at any time with a majority vote. The manager answers to YOUR elected representatives.
No. The Vernon Taxpayers Association is a non-partisan civic group. Good government isn't a Republican or Democratic issue — it's a Vernon issue. Council-Manager government is used successfully in communities across the political spectrum.
Yes! This goes directly to the voters on the November ballot. The people of Vernon decide — not politicians. Full transparency, complete voter control.
We are a non-partisan civic organization made up of Vernon Township residents who believe our community deserves professional, accountable government.
We are your neighbors — homeowners, parents, retirees, and business owners who care about how our tax dollars are spent and how our town is managed.
Our mission is to bring professional municipal management to Vernon Township by petitioning for a Charter Study Commission, educating residents, and advocating for a more efficient, accountable local government.
Residents deserve to know how their money is spent
Leadership judged on results, not politics
A major operation deserves trained management
Good government transcends party lines