Democrats say they’re shut out of government
By:Alec Moore
Committeeman Joe Tricarico and Committeewoman Sonya Martin say Hillsborough’s form of government is no longer appropriate for the township.
Both committee members, as well as some Democratic supporters, are now calling for the township to look into establishing a new form of government. The committee’s Republican majority, however, says the Democrats are just unhappy because they’re no longer in power.
"I’m a part of this government, but I haven’t felt like I’m a part of this government since Jan. 1," said Dr. Tricarico. He said he and Ms. Martin have been shut out of the governing process by the committee’s Republican majority.
"In the last several months I’ve begun to believe that the committee form of government isn’t right for our community," said Ms. Martin.
Both committee members have proposed that a referendum be placed on November’s election ballot to ask the public if it favors looking into adopting a mayor and council form of government as opposed to the township committee form of government.
A mayor and council form of government would separate the position of mayor from the council, allowing voters to directly elect the township’s mayor. Currently, the mayor is selected by committee members.
"I’m not saying we’ll never look into this, I’m saying that right now we have more pressing matters to attend to," said Mayor Tony Gwiazdowski, pointing out that completing the municipal budget and focusing on contract negotiations for the Department of Public Works takes precedence.
The issue of adopting a new form of government is one that has been brought up sporadically over the years. Most recently the Democrats rejected a proposal to look into adopting a new form of government. That proposal was made while the Democrats were in control of the committee.
Earlier this month, resident George Ostergren, a former Township Committee member, raised the issue of launching a charter study and provided Municipal Clerk Ann Marie McCarthy with information for the committee to review regarding a possible change of government.
Mayor Tony Gwiazdowski says the Democrats are trying to draw attention away from the township’s current $3.5 million budget shortfall, which he says the Democrats are responsible for.
"They had three years to do this," said the mayor. "If they wanted this so badly then why didn’t they do this when they were in control?"
During the more than hour-long discussion on the issue at the March 25 committee meeting, Ms. Martin harshly criticized the Republicans’ leadership and called for a vote that night to place a referendum on November’s ballot regarding the issue.
"Let the people decide what form of government they want," she said.
Mayor Gwiazdowski and Deputy Mayor Steven Sireci said Ms. Martin’s lengthy speech on the change of government proposal only took time away from the real business on the agenda for the night.
"She’s doing a disservice to the people of Hillsborough," said the mayor. "She’s more concerned with taking up time talking about her Democratic agenda than she is with addressing what’s really important."
"I don’t appreciate being shouted at into voting on something," said Dr. Sireci in response to Ms. Martin’s request for the referendum vote.