The dirty games of Washington have arrived in Upper Saddle River.
Not content with the repeated habit of stealing opponents campaign signs, or driving over them, or just removing them and dumping (which has gone on for years, through various election cycles) or the plastering of signs in multiples throughout town when the borough code states 1 sign per property the Republican candidates have sunk to a new low and done a personal attack.
In a vicious mailer that dropped into homes Republican mayor and council candidates raked up some ‘juicy’ tidbits on mayoral opponent Marshall Grupp. And resorted to name calling. Citing some historical financial issues they fell into the rabbit hole of digging for dirt and publishing it. Clearly they are worried and spent some time dipping into public court records to unearth whatever improprieties they could. To smear an opponent.
All while saying what a wonderful, close and caring community Upper Saddle River is.
All while posting ‘testimonials’ that the mayor is almost ready for sainthood given her lists of public service to the town, community, the disadvantaged. Yet, this same mayor who campaigns on Stigma Free and inclusion ridicules and berates residents – elderly included – at the council meetings. A shameful display of ‘civic duty’ where laughing and shouting down residents is the norm. Want evidence? Check the last 10 minutes of council meetings if you can actually find a video.
But now they have stooped to a new low.
Muck racking about an opponent.
Consider this, throwing mud and hoping it will stick is a dangerous activity. Giving a morsel of information without the full story hoping to shock and destroy a campaign? Who hasn’t got a history that is stain free? And if you are in business you will know this, things do happen. Not every year is financially perfect, this is life, and business.
Businesses go through highs and lows, loans and taxes, partnerships and failures. There are processes when things don’t happen in a timely manner. No shame. The amount of dirt they found makes you wonder was it worth it?
Upper Saddle River is a town of business and financial people who live in the world of money and see how it goes in reality, not fiction. For the small amount of scandal the Republicans have found on their opposing candidate what they have done is reflect it back on themselves. Made themselves look petty, nasty, and pathetic. They have brought an ugly world of politics to Upper Saddle River and no amount of spin on how charming this town is can wipe away the stain they brought.
Integrity?
Honesty?
Hyporcrisy.
I agree with you 100%, people are already tired of the ill-treatment, abusem and downright apathy from this town’s officials. No wonder people are leaving and house prices are falling drastically while other places practically tripled themselves. Houses for sale in Upper Saddle River sit on the market for a long time without a savior….