Three challengers to the Democratic stranglehold on the township government want to change the ‘hush-hush’ way they say things are done now.
By: Michael Arges
EAST WINDSOR The three Republican candidates for the Township Council said they believe the present township government is not accessible or open enough to the public.
Carol Higgins, Ash Patel and Nick Di Dia are challenging two Democratic incumbents as well as vying for a council chair left open by departing Democrat Barry Clark.
"They’re very, very hush-hush about everything," Ms. Higgins said in her criticism of the present administration. "The municipal workers are very unhappy. I have a pipeline to a lot of them and they’re very unhappy."
Ms. Higgins alleges that township workers would largely favor an end to Democratic hegemony on the Township Council so that there will be a freer and more open discussion of issues. At present, all seven council members are Democrats.
Ms. Higgins would like to fight for legislation at the state level to reduce the property tax burden, especially for seniors.
"They’re paying really high taxes here and they can’t afford it," Ms. Higgins said. She does not know at present what can be done to fight for lower taxes, but that inquiry will be of first priority if she is elected.
She would also like to see the township provide expanded transportation opportunities for local seniors who are handicapped or cannot drive for other purposes. At present the township has only one bus with a lift for those with mobility problems.
Ms. Higgins would like to see more trips available for seniors to go to the doctor and also for shopping. She said that at present township seniors may be able to find bus service for only one shopping trip in a given week.
"That’s not enough for them; they just sit around and do nothing," she said.
She does not know precisely how the bus will be paid for.
"I would have to look into that; I don’t know probably a grant," Ms. Higgins said.
"I’d like to clean up this community make it more like a community garden," Ms. Higgins said. "This inspires the pride of the neighborhood; it discourages crime."
She would like the township to approach the county to beautify the median on Route 130: "It’s starting to look like Route 18."
Ms. Higgins noted that she has had significant experience working with government and institutional contracts. She has studied construction engineering and interior design on the college level and has worked with companies providing acoustical building materials to large institutions.
Because the township is becoming increasingly diverse ethnically, Ash Patel would like to see that diversity represented more in township government. He feels that as a Township Council member he can facilitate communication between the township and those residents who are of ethnic minorities. The enhanced communication can include such simple things as communicating to residents which office to contact about a given problem.
Mr. Patel is a civil engineer working for the state Department of Transportation. He handles research inquiries regarding blacktop roadways.
Nick Di Dia is a World War II veteran, a winner of the Purple Heart and other service medals. He said that he has found the township to be inadequately responsive to requests for public work assistance. He claimed, for example, that the township has delayed in fulfilling a promise to enclose the rest of a drainage ditch behind homes on Westfield Road, Allison Road and Winchester Drive.
He also noted delays by the township in providing grass-cutting services for neglected lawns. Like other Republican candidates, Mr. Di Dia claimed that Mayor Janice Mironov has usurped the responsibilities of other township officials.
"Nothing gets done without the mayor," he said.
With new residential and commercial development bringing more ratables, Mr. Di Dia claims the township should be able to afford lowering the municipal portion of property taxes. That would offset rises in the school portion caused in part by increasing enrollments, he said.

