Recently….
A recent post by a resident reader posed the position you should not vote for the party, but for yourself. For what the needs of the town are, not the party.
Interesting, but possibly a little out of the box thinking for this town. But consider this – Upper Saddle River isn’t Washington DC. It is a small suburban town that has its fair share of issues in recent years, ones which have taken quite a toll. So why would you even vote for the party you are registered with, and not actually think of what is best? For you, your family, your home value?
Well, how about this?
Why hasn’t there been a debate?
Or a forum where the sitting occupants of borough hall who are running can face off with the competition? Where the residents can find out where the candidates stand on the issues……one at a time, at the same time, in the same room. To quote one resident:
…citizens are best served when we are given the opportunity to hear from the candidates in some kind of public forum. Elections have to be about substance not election taglines.
But they don’t.
OR WON’T
Nothing new in this. In the election of 2018 efforts were put into place attempting to get a public forum. To get both Democratic and Republican candidates to be in the same place and present themselves. A simple format was suggested – 2 minutes each, written down questions from the audience and a closing statement from each candidate. Non-partisan hosts were offered. Democratic candidates Medina and Beylerian were willing. The Republican candidates Durante and Florio weren’t. They stalled. So alternatives were offered. A video (not even live streamed, but recorded) of each party speaking and presenting their ideas. They didn’t even have to meet.
Again the Republican candidates balked.
And no forum was held.
This year in June the Democratic candidates Grupp, Garbar and Galasso contacted the Republican candidates Minichetti, Ditkoff and Rotella to invite them to take part in a forum. Sent by USPS mail – registered and regular mail.
They ignored it. Repeated monthly requests were also ignored.
What’s up with this? And most importantly residents need to ask – why?
Why do the people who want your vote refuse to meet with the opposition to have an open forum and present ideas? Why pretend it isn’t important? Why not even show you care for the voters. It’s ok to plaster the town with signs, that is easy, but to actually work for your vote, not so much.
Because they are afraid once facing the public the frustration over their incompetence will be aired?
Because they screwed up over the Eruv?
Because they screwed up over Toll Brothers?
Because the town is suffering from a poor image?
or……
Because they might be outmatched?
Because they really don’t care?
Think about it. If they want your vote they should be out making themselves available. Not removed from those whose votes they hope to get.
Do you really think they deserve your vote??