I couldn’t believe the letter that was sent to the local newspapers by Council-woman Maureen Little in her attempt to put a positive light on her very negative tone at the township reorganization meeting Jan. 1.
To begin with, Little complained Peggy Scarillo was not put on the open space committee and Leo Ryan was not contacted to be on any committee at all. Wasn’t Scarillo the chairperson of the open space committee last year — the committee that refused to consider any open space options other than condemnation of the Otken farm? Didn’t the voters clearly voice their opinion on that issue, the biggest issue of the last campaign, that saw the Republican candidates backing that plan soundly defeated at the polls?
Why would anyone, Republican or Democrat, put a person whose philosophy was rejected just two months ago back in charge of such an important task? As far as Ryan not being appointed to a committee because he wasn’t called, it would seem from watching the Township Council meetings last year, Ryan is not shy, and if he really wanted to be on one, he would have asked.
Also, Little’s insinuation that every volunteer who wanted to be reappointed to a committee was thrown off is ridiculous, as well as disingenuous.
Not only were there individuals reappointed, but she fails to mention that when she and her Republican colleagues took control in 1999, their zeal for total power led them to not only ask for the resignations of all volunteers — whether or not their terms had expired — but they also stooped so low as to even ask members of the local clergy to resign from the board of ethics solely because Democrats had appointed them.
I hope our township government can rise above Little’s attempt to disrupt council proceedings. Her participation in the bickering between the mayor and council last year certainly didn’t help the township. Wouldn’t it be sad for her to continue that course over the next 12 months as well?
Anthony Tocci
North Brunswick