After one public Township Council meeting, a press release from Mayor David Spaulding and Councilman Frances "Mack" Womack declares that everyone is getting along wonderfully.
At this meeting, and in a "civil" manner, Mr. Womack admitted that he and his lock-step council cronies voted on ordinances that were incomplete and ill-conceived.
Mr. Spaulding remained totally civil when suggesting that Mr. Carlo Socio "go home" if he were tired and couldn’t handle the pressure of the mayor defaming [former Recreation Director] Darren Snediker publicly.
Councilman Bruce Chandlee, newly appointed open space committee chairman, clearly demonstrated a frightening lack of knowledge, but was civil, when discussing the open space referendum, and the powers of eminent domain.
Councilman Adam Weiss boldly, but civilly, asked to stop chastising a former employee three hours after our mayor started the barrage. Too bad Mr. Weiss did not find it appropriate to stop the mayor’s tongue lashing three hours earlier. What was the point, Mr. Weiss?
This past week, letters were sent from the mayor’s office, some thanking people for their past efforts on township committees (I got one of those), others welcoming new members.
Ironically, many of these letters were met with confusion on both ends. Most people had not been contacted, yet these committees were voted in on Jan. 1.
Mr. Womack, as of Jan. 24, 2002, you still have not completed the work necessary to establish formidable committees?
I know because I have gotten calls from people on these new committees who have no interest in serving, but you or your Democratic council members did not even have the courtesy to ask.
Civil, perhaps, but our new council majority is totally irresponsible. Public-speaking time has been cut in half, and rebroadcasts of council meetings appear to have been canceled. We are back in 1995, with government shutting us out, decisions all being made in back rooms, and another 500 homes coming to North Brunswick, thanks to Mr. Womack and the new civil council. We will be the first municipality in history to give back township-owned land so U.S. Home can keep filling the Democrats’ campaign coffers.
Most interesting in the press release were two quotes from Mr. Chandlee. First he says, "We sit, we vote, we discuss." Bruce, this is the wrong order. You should discuss issues before you vote. Secondly, he claims, "I have no axes to grind. I want to do what is best for me." Forget the other 39,000 residents of North Brunswick.
Keep smiling, Mr. Mayor and council, just like [former Mayor] Paul Matacera did for 20 years because it’s obvious that North Brunswick doesn’t mind getting ripped off, as long as you are nice and civil while doing it.
David Barnhard
North Brunswick