By Tony Perry

An editorial was published recently by a millennial, who does not own a home in New Jersey, yet felt poised to lecture New Jersey homeowners on why they should stay in the state during retirement, despite the exorbitant cost of living and a property tax dilemma, which year after year ranks our state as highest in the nation.

From this incredibly narrow viewpoint, it can be easily understood why the author believes what he wrote. He has not yet experienced the relevant life lessons like buying a home, understanding the physical and financial upkeep and maintenance, along with all the extra costs that come along with it.

His opinions are based on inexperience, assumptions and anger toward success, the last of which has become a favorite talking point of some political leaders. The author questions retirees by stating “Do you not understand that your wealth has been accrued through the support of millions of your fellow New Jerseyans?” The retirement savings of our seniors was not built by some heinous act, it was built on hard work, risk and planning.

Furthermore, he completely fails to appreciate the fact that the people fleeing New Jersey are not just the uber wealthy. They are the school teacher who taught for 30 years and can no longer afford to live in the very state they worked in. The police officer or firefighter who served his or her community for decades. The small business owner who employed people within their community and decides to move to a state that does not crush them in taxes after years of hard work. Businesses that contribute billions of dollars in corporate taxes, employ our residents and provide philanthropy to the thousands of nonprofits across the state are demonized.

We need to look for ways to prevent the mass out-migration of residents rather than vilifying them. Blaming people who choose to leave New Jersey is simply a smokescreen for policies that continually increase the size of government and adds fuel to the ever-growing partisan divide.

As mayor of Middletown, we continually look for new and innovative ways to reduce not only the cost of government, but the size of government. This year our budget reduces the tax rate by 2.66 percent, despite the rising costs of healthcare, pension obligations and unfunded state mandates. Each year we have added new shared service agreements to save money -- not just for our residents but for residents of other communities as well. The affordability crisis won’t be fixed solely by forward-thinking municipalities, we also need real reforms from Trenton to address this statewide issue.

The author ends his tirade with a back-handed apology stating and adding “you may have to cut a trip you had planned or some other luxury from your retirement budget. But I’m not sorry that you are paying your fair share…” Until state leaders make New Jersey an affordable place to retire, how can we cast any blame on those who are financially forced to leave their families, friends and community?

In a culture of people being offended by everything, I’m offended by opinion pieces like this, which understandably makes my generation appear entitled, dependent on others, and incredibly fragile.

So, in a state that ranked 47th for millennials calling New Jersey home, 48th in housing costs for millennials, and dead last for millennials living with their parents (according to a recent Wallethub survey), it is mind-boggling that a member of my generation can put pen to paper and slam individuals for managing their savings. Perhaps, certain leaders should stop hiding from the real issues of our state because that isn’t leadership – it’s ignorance.

There is no doubt our state has its challenges, but as leaders, we must see these challenges and accept them as opportunities.

Tony Perry is the mayor of Middletown Township. At 28 years old, he is the youngest mayor in the town’s 355-year history.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.