To the editor:
I have lived in the Township of Washington since 1992 and was a councilman 2010–2013. I have to say, being involved was an eye-opener for me, and by the many issues I have shared over the years has opened many more eyes to what goes on behind the scenes.
I spent four years fighting the old regime because I did not like what I was seeing. I was scolded when I suggested having Michael Ullman (who is on council now) getting on the Zoning Board. How dare I go against the old regime and my own Republican party, because Ullman was a Democrat now Independent and had a nice run on the board.
I continued staying involved from the outside, looking in from 2014 to now, and supported current Councilman Robert Bruno, who is also running as an Independent and in my opinion has been a watchdog on our town finances. This council, a mix of both political parties, is the most successful council the township has had in years.
If you have not noticed there are three Republicans running. Two, new to the political arena, are being supported by Mayor Peter Calamari and the Republican County Committee. Take note that councilman Steve Cascio, who is on the line with them, is not on any of their political advertising. Right there shows me that the mayor wants him out. Not sure why, but we will find out.
We can’t take a step back, we have been there before with the former mayor. There has been much progress with Bruno, Ulman, and Cascio on council along with Michael DeSena and Arthur Cumming. The town is starting to see daylight, by just voting the Republican line you will change it back to complete control of the mayor and he will have little opposition from anyone on the council.
I encourage you to consider, to support progress, voting for Bruno and Ullman in Column 3 and Cascio in Column 1. This way the current council will remain the same.
This form of government is a strong mayor/weak council, so this combination as-is gives the council a little bit of control instead of one person making all the decisions and the council just rubber-stamping what the mayor wants.
