Residents should call for new form of township government

EDITORIAL

By Ruth Luse
   Just before George Padgett, now former mayor of Hopewell Borough, took flight for Florida last week, he stopped in to say goodbye and to share some thoughts about local government.
   In particular Mr. Padgett wanted to talk about the future possibility of Hopewell Borough giving up its independent status and becoming part of Hopewell Township, primarily for the sake of improving the borough’s tax picture and cutting down even further on duplicated government services.
   It was the mayor’s belief that even if that were to happen in the future, he was glad it hadn’t happened yet. One of his concerns, with which we heartily agreed, was that Hopewell might lose its identity completely, unless the form of government in place in Hopewell Township allowed Hopewell to be represented adequately as the unique entity it is and always has been. We also agreed that, under the present form of government in Hopewell Township — complete with its recent history of political shenanigans — Hopewell is much better off just as it is today.
   It has become increasingly apparent to us that Hopewell Township needs a new form of leadership. It is time, we think, that the five-member committee form, which includes the selection of the mayor (for one or two years perhaps — depending on who likes whom better at the time) by members of the committee (including the person who becomes mayor) should be abolished.
   The township, which now has over 16,000 inhabitants, needs a form of government that allows the people to elect their mayor for a term separate and apart from the members of the council or committee. Both Hopewell, with 2,035 citizens, and Pennington, with 2,696, have elected mayors (four-year terms) and six members (each with three-year terms) on their respective councils.
   Although the mayor votes only in the case of a tie among members of the council, the mayor essentially has the luxury of being able to be a free thinker. The mayor need not be tied by any kinds of strings (political or otherwise) to the whims of those on the council or committee. The mayor also can remain in office long enough to see the bigger picture that a little extra experience makes possible. That experience in the right person is, in our opinion, key to the wellbeing of a community.
   Several members of the current Township Committee, as well as others who have recently held seats, have allowed themselves to get so caught up in political intrigues (such as the recent Jon Edwards e-mail frenzy) that they could not possibly be putting their best efforts into handling the affairs of Hopewell Township. And they, of all the officials in Hopewell Valley should be, because they are the only ones getting paid.
   We know it’s hard to find good people to take the reigns of government today. And no wonder. Those who shun the appearance of evil and despise constant bickering and kindergarten-like game-playing won’t even consider trying to get elected. And — especially on the local government level — an individual who has personal gain in mind and/or might want to use local political office as a stepping stone to some higher position, should not even consider running.
   We say we want independent thinkers on our governing bodies, but when we have them for a while, we castigate them, saying they are not team players when they dare to disagree with the cause célèbre of the moment.
   Two weeks ago, we urged the members of the Hopewell Township committee to begin again to handle the business of the community with maturity and without further ado. With the Edwards e-mail scandal — which precipitated what some call "gavel-gate" — behind them (maybe so, maybe not), the committee members really must try to work together, despite their very obvious personal differences and dislikes.
   And, we urge them, on behalf of the people they vowed to serve, to seek a study of other forms of government that might better serve the Hopewell Township community. We urge Hopewell Township residents to demand of their leaders better behavior, better cooperation and less behind-the scenes machinations, by e-mail or otherwise.
   A few last words about e-mail. As with any other form of written communication, the rule is: If you don’t want to be held accountable for what you say (in writing), don’t write it.