HART-BARTLETT CAMPAIGN CORNER
By:Marylou Ferrara and Jon Edwards
To the editor:
We write this letter in the expectation that the election between Fran Bartlett and John Hart will now be over and that saner passions may prevail. We wish simply, in a less charged atmosphere, to correct the record left by yet another township election.
In most governments, at most levels, those in power have simply surrounded themselves with their own partisans. When we were elected, we committed ourselves to pursue a less partisan approach to government. We have appointed the best possible people we could find without regard to party. Our new professionals include township attorney John Bennett who many of you know far better as the Republican New Jersey Senate majority leader.
On the Planning Board, we have continually reappointed Bill Connolly, an Independent, and Roger Haight, a Republican. On the Environmental Commission, we reappointed George Kerr and Republican Ted Stiles as chairman after the GOP threw him off. The Historic Preservation Commission and Zoning Board include most of the same members.
We have established new citizen boards for open space and for reviewing the Master Plan. Here, too, we have appointed the most qualified people who applied without regard to their party affiliation.
Mr. Hart’s campaign adopted the theme that there is considerable partisan fervor at Township Committee meetings. We invite you all to observe our meetings in person or on Channel 9. Just two and three years ago, we sat in the audience at township meetings and had our right to ask questions denied or severely curtailed. It was our intent and is our belief that the process of municipal government has become far more open and inclusive.
The explanation for Mr. Hart’s claim is that Mr. Hart himself has become more partisan and rancorous. He has played on the fears of the public, manipulating them with fabrications about septic systems, Brandon Farms sewer rates, tax increases, and decimated budget surpluses.
He alone should answer for his conduct.