OPINION
Newark sits at the intersection of all major roads and transportation hubs in the metro area, and has long been the economic engine of the region. So, it makes sense that the County of Essex chooses to place its courts, colleges, social service buildings and parks and park offices in Newark.
In all, Essex County owns 55 tax-exempt properties in Newark. These buildings and lots have an assessed value of $717.2 million, making the county one of the largest landowners in the City, but it leaves our 323,000 residents unduly burdened with carrying the cost of housing all of these tax-exempt properties…