Margaret Windrem of Montgomery
I recently read with great interest a recent news story in The Packet where Democratic freeholder candidate Celia Birge criticized her opponents for spending taxpayer dollars on small giveaways for the upcoming Somerset County 4-H Fair in Bridgewater. My understanding is that these small items would be given away at the county government tent while visitors visited the various agency booths.
Candidate Birge was highly critical of the practice and even suggested that this behavior was unethical. Well, she must have been looking in the mirror. After a little research, I learned that Montgomery Township has purchased giveaways for years. Binoculars, chairs, clocks, stress balls, coolers, backpacks, bike water bottles and pedometers are just a few of the items the township has purchased over the years costing taxpayers thousands of dollars. These gifts were presented to employees, volunteers and participants in township programs.
Now, I’m not passing judgment on the practice by either the township or the county. However, voters should be concerned with a candidate who makes accusations and then hopes nobody finds out that she has done the same thing.
Margaret M. Windrem
Route 518
Montgomery
