Upper Saddle River went to the polls on June 4 and the weak turnout resulted in the re-selection of the existing mayor, and the loss of the challenger.
Not surprising as the mayor and council are propped up by a party system that has existed for more years than the majority of residents really know, and ensures longevity.
These years have seen much change in Upper Saddle River as the bucolic charm of this suburban community has lost hundreds of trees, acres of land, is about to literally explode with new housing and residents, and has an ongoing environmental toxic disaster that has not been sufficiently dealt with. It has been swept away with indifference by the council, after paying lip service to some residents repeated demands, with questionable tests that mix units and are largely impossible to understand. Who knows what the truth really is?
Additionally portions of the town display new embellishments on the utility poles as a religious accommodation now graces them. This was a screw up of epic proportions. The mayor and council, in their somnolent fashion, allowed a deal to occur that ran away with itself and at least $1,000,000 later the town’s coffers are suffering. And residents really do not know the full financial cost of this exercise.
Go to a council meeting and you will hear the perplexing explanations that never seem to answer the questions. They did nothing wrong is their defensive explanation.
It is the status quo.
An administration that has little transparency. Or accountability.
Where the residents are continually kept in the dark.
Where residents are treated like an inconvenience.
Residents who claim to care for Upper Saddle River, who say they love the place they call home need to be aware of the events occurring in town. How the character is changing, and will change more. How the council have no clue how many children are going to be attending school once all the new hundreds of residents arrive. How they really don’t concern themselves with the water being contaminated by the continual toxic run off – and pumping – from Toll Brothers at the Preserve.
Don’t they know they are drinking it.
It goes into the aquifer.
Where the well water comes from.
Percolates down with every rain.
Don’t be fooled that the soil filters it.
Even Saddle River has woken up to the problem.
But the mayor and council tell the residents that everything is fine. Nothing to worry about.
What about the children drinking it? The most vulnerable are being put at risk.
Nothing to worry about.
Really?
Residents might want to remember that come November.
As the storm water pollution continues, the HAZMAT trucks come and go and oil is dumped in our stream, we hear not one word from borough hall, no Swift 9-1-1. Meanwhile, the Borough budget is approved with the CFO absent from the vote, while the auditor did all the talking. Presenting the budget is NOT HIS JOB. This madness has to stop. With our current government, secrecy is the norm, openness is an anomaly. If you are tired of the way USR has been governed over the past eight years, become a volunteer for Change. We are ready to provide USR with the open and responsive government it needs, but we need everyone’s help.
Grupp, Garbar, Galasso
New Leadership for USR
Dear Citizens For USR
The Stormwater pollution continues..
The hazmat truck was here, Oil in our stream,
Not a word from borough hall-No swift 911
A budget approved with the CFO absent from the vote
The auditor did all the talking-THAT’S NOT HIS JOB!
This madness has to stop!!
Openess is an anomaly, Secrecy is the norm!
Become a Volunteer for Change,
If you are tired of the way Our town has
been run for the past 8 years!
Grupp Garbar Galasso
New Leadership for Upper Saddle RIver