I firmly believe that Marlboro residents may now take an optimistic view of the political landscape evolving in 2005. Herbert Resnick, a former Democratic Marlboro councilman who served under the existing municipal leadership of what has been termed the “old guard,” wrote that the Reformed Demo-cratic Club of Marlboro seeks to save Marlboro from a “fate worse than death” (his quote, not ours). He further sought out an explanation of both Barry Denkensohn’s and my past allegiances to “their Democratic Party organization.” Fair enough Mr. Resnick, we appreciate your support.
First, we seek political reform in an ever-increasing environment of apathy and distrust. We seek a change in the way political campaigns are conducted and the local municipal government is actually administered in Marlboro. We open our party ranks to all those interested and will offer the residents a choice in the next election. As the editor of this publication so aptly noted in his Dec. 22, 2004 editorial, “Marlboro residents will ultimately decide if they want the town’s Democratic Party to go in a new direction.”
If the residents agree with our philosophy, the polls will reflect that agreement.
Second, our press release and statements published in this newspaper on Dec. 22 clearly explained our “allegiances to the Democratic organization” as Mr. Resnick requested. Regardless of the issues facing the existing Marlboro Democratic organization, we are still Democrats. We attempted internal reform but were rebuked under an existing system that stifles change. We decided to make a break and move in a different direction and create a new system designed to open the political process to all interested residents.
Politics does not have to be a questionable business and local governmental officials do not have to be mistrusted by the electorate. If talk is cheap then political rhetoric is worthless. We hope to infuse honest debate on our local issues and will offer the residents a slate of candidates who seek to serve by placing the community first. We will be asking Marlboro residents to give the Reformed Democrats a chance and take a step toward change by joining in a grass roots movement in the upcoming elections. As the editor of the News Transcript observed, it is now up to Marlboro to take the new path and walk in a new direction.
Steven P. Sukel
Marlboro