Local government needs Democrats

Valerie Chaucer-Levine, Hillsborough
   A disturbing situation persists in Somerset County where no matter what transpires, one party alone maintains absolute power year in and year out.
   Last year, an excellent Democratic candidate for county freeholder was defeated just weeks after the scandal involving the Parks Commission dominated the news. This year, the incumbents asking to remain in office are the very people who presided over that damaging situation.
   Two candidates running for county freeholder, Cecilia Birge and Doug Singleterry are energetic new faces who will bring much needed balance and oversight to a governing body that has suffered from solo party representation for far too long.
   The same detrimental monopoly of power exists on Hillsborough’s Township Committee. Omitting the watchful eyes inherent in a two party system results in stagnation of ideas, and in the worst cases can lead to abuses of power.
   Many significant issues loom over our township: a second swipe at acceptance from Erickson Retirement Communities, the future development of the GSA Belle Mead depot, the negative impacts from the transload facility brewing at the VA depot on Route 206, dealing with COAH obligations, and finally, actually ridding us of mercury.
   It is time to bring balance to Hillsborough. On Nov. 4th, I will be voting for Matt Dawson and Manny Foranoce for Hillsborough Township Committee, along with Cecilia Birge and Doug Singleterry for Somerset Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The writer is a member of the Democratic County Committee.