early start in Millstone
Mudslinging off to an
early start in Millstone
Although it is only July, it seems to be that time of year already in Millstone. Even though Nov. 3 is still months away, local politicians are off to an early start with pre-election mudslinging over petty issues.
At the center of the first round of partisan antics is GOP Committeeman John Pfefferkorn’s objection to naming a planned park after Charles Abate, the Township Committee’s senior Democrat, who has held elected office in the township for 30 years. Abate is up for re-election this year.
Whether he agrees with Abate’s political record — Pfefferkorn and Abate are often far apart on most issues — the man has served Millstone since the 1970s.
Judging by the comments of the (unpaid) volunteer members of the township’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Abate is a dedicated member of their team who has done a lot to build the community’s recreation program over the years. Some of the commission members who spoke at last week’s committee meeting are in a position to know exactly what Abate has done to enhance recreation in Millstone, since they have served with him for more than a decade.
If the Republicans and Democrats want to hammer away at each other on the issues, they should go for it.
That kind of political back-and-forth could only serve to enhance Millstone politics since the residents would learn exactly where their politicians stand. If Pfefferkorn wants to challenge Abate based on his record, he should. However, objecting to naming a park after someone who has devoted what have to be countless hours to the community came off as a cheap partisan stunt.
There is one bright spot so far. This year’s GOP candidates had better sense than to involve themselves in this mess, so hopefully this incident will not set the tone for this year’s campaign season.
The township deserves better from all those who represent it, or want to represent it, than the ugliness, backbiting and over-the-top personal attacks that left the community’s political infrastructure bruised and battered last year.