Republicans might not make hay of BAPS controversy

By: Dick Brinster
   EAST WINDSOR — You might think an atmosphere of controversy could be a vehicle for long-suffering Republicans to make some inroads on the local political scene.
   But recent GOP candidates for the Township Council aren’t optimistic their disjointed party can do so, and two of three contacted by the Herald actually favor the project that is at the center of attention.
   And in the eyes of some of the Republicans, it apparently makes no difference that some people opposed to a plan to build the Indian American tourist attraction are targeting Democrats as silent comrades of BAPS Inc. That Edison-based organization of Hindus wants to build a $142 million cultural complex near Twin Rivers.
   "One would think any controversy would make one side vulnerable," said Elana Meiri, one of three unsuccessful former Republican council candidates contacted by the Herald. "Unfortunately, in this township the Democrats seems to be immune."
   David Bock, a candidate in 2005, isn’t optimistic about a turn of political fortunes based on opposition to the plan to build the complex, which would be located on 152 acres off Milford Road.
   "I am unsure whether the GOP will be able to use the BAPS issue to their advantage," he said. "The Republicans have had so little support over the years, both from the residents and local party officials."
   The Republicans have apparently made no political inroads with just 15 months remaining before four council seats are contested. And no Republican has sat on the seven-member panel since 1997.
   Ms. Meiri, who ran in 2003, said Republicans should use the issue to demonstrate the need for change in the makeup of the local government. She is not sure why the GOP has not been vocal.
   No mainstream Republicans made any noise at public meetings in May and July at which the BAPS concept was presented to residents.
   "Perhaps they are just frustrated with the totalitarian government in East Windsor or the apathy of the local residents," Ms. Meiri said. "Total control by the Democrats is detrimental to the viability of East Windsor, yet residents tend to vote party lines rather than in the best interests of the township.
   "If someone is against the current administration on a national level, they let it influence their local politics. Based on my past experience, the current council made it impossible to debate such issues and give them any public attention."
   Nicholas Di Dia isn’t even sure the perception of national coattails has much to do with the outcome of elections in this municipality of 25,000.
   "In this town, forget about it," said Mr. Di Dia, also on the GOP slate in 2003. "It’s all Democrats in this town, so there’s no use saying anything."
   He holds hope that some Republican will soon take a seat at the dais in the municipal building, but says low voter turnout could thwart them, especially because powerhouse Mayor Janice Mironov — among those whose seat is at stake next year— always has things so well-organized on the other side of the aisle.
   But neither Mr. Di Dia nor Mr. Bock can make much of an issue of the BAPS plan, as they favor it. Ms. Meiri, a Twin Rivers resident, opposes it.
   To her, the benefits of the proposed project do not outweigh the burden. She says because of the nonprofit nature of BAPS — which has pledged $500,000 to the township’s general budget under a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program — no financial windfall would result.
   "The burden of development is also disproportionately imposed," she said. "The majority of the burden would fall on the Twin Rivers community, not East Windsor as a whole."
   Mr. Bock says the quality of life in Twins Rivers, the development closest to the BAPS property, has been declining for the last 10 years, and the project would help.
   "Seeing what is happening to Twin Rivers, its residents and the entire township should welcome the projected influx of Indian families that the cultural center would no doubt bring," he said. "Seems liberals aren’t very liberal when it hits close to home."
   Mr. Di Dia likes the approach the Indian community has taken.
   "They asked me if I would review their literature," he explained. "They showed it only in the interest of the project, and it looked pretty good to me."
   Both men criticized Scott Pohl, president of the Twin Rivers board of directors. He has led opposition to BAPS and has heavily criticized the plan to build a 120-foot-tall memorial, one of 17 buildings proposed for a park that will largely remain undisturbed.
   "Evidently, the spokesman for Twin Rivers would rather see some beautiful warehouses with their attendant traffic instead of the BAPS project with 120 green acres," Mr. Bock said.
   Mr. Di Dia wondered if Mr. Pohl was going to sit in his backyard and look in the sky to see how high the memorial building was.
   "And he should wake up about property values," Mr. Di Dia said. "They change every 10 years and are now heading down, real down. Don’t blame BAPS for that."
   Mr. Bock suggested that those who oppose BAPS should consider the character of the people coming in and that some of those who might move into Twins Rivers would be an asset to the community.
   "Twin Rivers has a large number of Section 8 tenants, renters and illegal aliens," he said. "Why would Scott Pohl object to an influx of people who are, among other things, family-value oriented, highly educated, hard-working, have high incomes and, by their religious beliefs, are dedicated to serving the community at large?
   "Ever see an Indian name in the police blotter?"