| Author |
Message |
    
Jeff Markel
Citizen
Username: Jeffmarkel
Post Number: 161
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 6:58 pm: | 
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The Star-Ledger ran an article in yesterday's paper about tomorrow's primary election in Maplewood. It is available online and was, apparently, in some print editions of the paper. Unfortunately it seems not to have made it into the edition that was delivered to Maplewood! Here's the url for those who'd like to read it -
http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1149396248285000.xml?starledger? nex&coll=1 |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7568
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 7:47 pm: |
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Thanks Jeff. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6464
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 8:02 pm: |
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Hey Jeff,
It is also being discussed over here |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 5642
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 10:38 pm: |
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Jeff,
Thanks for posting a link to the article so that now more folks can see the ridiculousness of the situation. |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 545
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 9:40 am: |
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Wow. As journalism goes, that is really quite an excellent article. For people looking to understand the issues without rancor and with eyes wide open, this really does a good job. The article points out:
"The team that's elected -- whether Pettis-Leventhal or Adams-Lewis-Powder -- could tip the balance of power on Maplewood's five-member township committee, which selects the mayor and steers policies on taxes, development, public safety and recreation."
That's it in a nutshell.
And what the article also gets right is that Ken and Kathy truly believe that Maplewood community service ought to be the deciding factor for voters. Read the quotes from Ken.
But the reality is that 90 percent of Maplewood's problems are due to government policies made OUTSIDE of Maplewood. And 90 percent of the TC's time on the critical issues of redevelopment requires PROFESSIONAL expertise.
If an elected official isn't part of a larger political effort to change the problems affecting Maplewood, he or she isn't working for Maplewood where it most needs the help. Kathy and Ken are downright proud they stay politically aloof, and the Ken and Kathy record of professional-level understanding of redevelopment issues just isn't there.
I read a lot of comments on MOL from people who believe that it isn't necessary for elected officials in Maplewood to have political skills and connections to the outside world, and they are suspicious of people who move here who have actual working experience in government or redevelopment and run for office on a promise to deliver their experience to avoid costly mistakes in policy making. Why is the longago student body president of CHS trying to reinvent the wheel on redevelopment and policing issues, when people who have experience in New Jersey and the wider world are alrady telling us what we're spending money on won't work?
I understand why Ken and Kathy and some voters are forever drawn to an apolitcal ideal for Maplewood. But the vision is a fantasy, and it is simply blinkered for taxpayers and people with kids in the schools to keep imagining they are doing any good by it for themselves or the town in 2006. There is a political movement in Maplewood that works -- really works -- for property tax reform, more funding for education (not less), a smarter approach to gang issues and redevelopment that doesn't change the character of YOUR neighborhood and your town.
If people disdain elections as being in essence a political contest -- which Ken and Kathy do -- then they inevitably try to turn elections into personality contests alone, and finally are at the mercy of opportunists who are most intersted in forming a cult-of-personality form of government with unlimited executive power. I am sorry Ken and Kathy aid Fred in that effort, and I am glad that other politicians in town are asking for help in stopping it.
Nancy and Lester have valuable skills and experience, and are willing to work politically for Maplewood, which is their home town too.
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Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 7366
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 10:15 am: |
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Nancy and Lester both suck crap. They won't get jack •••• done. If that's an upgrade over the current terrible two, we need others to step up and run. |
cecilia david
Citizen
Username: Ceciliadav569
Post Number: 14
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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I think that your view of this election is right on the money.
But I really think that the democratic party has a much bigger problem that needs to be dealt with soon or it will lead to the demise of the party locally. The personalities of the "big" players needs to be toned in and the purpose of the party is not more important than the running of the town government. Whether a candidate is backed by a another candidate is a game that has been used in town for years and the fact that Kathy and Ken had their picture taken with the governor is no big deal. Gov. Corzine has backed people in the past for local elections and I have paid to attend some of these functions. So Mr. Profeta who is a recent Democrat and David Huemer can you not start acting like adults and run the local government as it is meant to be done and leave your personal likes and dislikes at home. cecilia david |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 1559
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 11:08 am: |
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Just checking - to which post are you responding? The one directly above yours or someone else's? |
cecilia david
Citizen
Username: Ceciliadav569
Post Number: 15
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 11:43 am: |
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The one above but more important this is an issue for David Huemer and Fred Profeta. I am really tired of these nasty campaigns and the crap that "she/he said" vs she/he said. cecilia |
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