Stop backroom deals with Lambertville

Stephen Bergenfeld of West Amwell
    Ron Shapella is trying to have it both ways regarding a plan hatched by him and Lambertville Mayor Dave Del Vecchio to combine the Lambertville and West Amwell police forces.
   Several months ago, they held a big press conference with the governor in Lambertville to announce the plan, and Mr. Shapella endorsed a study to look at the combined police force serving Lambertville and West Amwell and also East Amwell since it appears East Amwell is losing their free state police coverage.
   A telling fact is that the study does not consider using the existing West Amwell police to assist East Amwell, which makes much more sense in that the two townships have similar demographics and needs.
   After endorsing the study, commissioned by Lambertville but paid for by a state grant, Mr. Shapella now says he will only support the combination if “it is good for West Amwell.”
   Translated, that means he will move to combine the police forces if this study shows any savings to West Amwell at all. Whether any savings will materialize or not, how many of our local police will lose their jobs and how our very good and friendly police coverage will be affected is anyone’s guess at this point.
   However, Mr. Shapella did, in fact, start down this road without considering the opinions of his constituents. The majority seem to be against it.
   Given the dramatically different security problems in the two towns, it just doesn’t make sense.
   Now he’s backtracking, but I still haven’t heard him even mention the possibility an East and West Amwell cooperative effort that would benefit both communities.
   This is a classic example of the need for more balance on the Township Committee. Tom Molnar is not in favor of combining police forces with Lambertville. He is willing to investigate an agreement with our rural neighbors.
   Let’s put a stop to the backroom deal-making with Lambertville.
   Vote for Tom.
Stephen Bergenfeld
West Amwell