PaCouncil represents all residents of Matawanrades, ceremonies, parties?
I, along with Mayor Robert Clifton and the other members of the Borough Council, do not select good feeling projects or issues. As elected borough representatives, we do not represent one particular group, as you may want to believe, Mr. Shea. As elected officials, we represent all the people of Matawan, including you.
The current council’s efforts to advance Matawan into the new century can be seen throughout the borough. The phase I renovation to the Lake Lefferts lakefront, which addressed several safety issues, has been completed. Our commitment to rebuild our roads, and sewer and water lines can be seen in various neighborhoods of our community, including the replacement of the 100-year-old Ravine Drive sewer line. This project, when completed, will protect our wetlands while providing the residents of Matawan with a safe dependable sewer system.
Our pledge to move forward with renovations to the community center is on schedule with a completion date of Aug. 15 for the current phase. Bids have recently been received regarding the downtown redevelopment streetscape project. Additionally, there are several other projects we are reviewing that will have a positive and beneficial impact for the borough of Matawan. Are these “good feeling” projects, Mr. Shea.
Another issue that I, as well as the mayor and other council members, take exception to is Mr. Shea’s comments in the May 30 issue of this paper regarding a recent Board of Education meeting. Mr. Shea, your distorted reporting that the mayor and council walked out of that meeting is a far cry from the truth.
Mr. Shea, were we present at the meeting? If you were, did you not see me, along with the other Borough Council members? Perhaps you missed Mayor Clifton discussing and explaining the school budget and the state-mandated review process the borough and township are required to take in this particular situation with several Matawan and Aberdeen residents. It’s obvious you also missed the newspaper articles that reported the above information.
It may come as a surprise to you, but the current mayor and council do not just ” … leave when it gets hot in the kitchen.” We do our duty as elected officials, representing all the residents of Matawan, regardless of their political affiliation. We do not evade the issues we are required or are obligated to address in the borough. Mr. Shea, let’s stick with the issues that are important and vital to Matawan and our community.
Paul Bucellatto is a Matawan councilman and the Matawan Republican chairman