Candidate answers recent questions

Heather Cheesman of Bordentown City
To the editor:
   Many residents have started asking questions of the multiple candidates running for Bordentown City Commissioner this year (election day is May 12). I have been stating my position openly on city issues on my Web site (bordentowncity.org), in public meetings and in neighborhood visits. I also continue to urge the necessity of a public debate on the issues, so that these questions can start a dialog among the candidates and residents.
   For example, the topic of our downtown district often arises. Bordentown’s business district has worked hard to become viable over the last 10 years and has achieved a strong measure of success with a combination of restaurants, gift and antique shops, art galleries and book stores, bolstered by community events such as the Cranberry Fest and the Street Fair, as well as the many events of the 325th (anniversary). I co-chaired several Spirit Walks while on the 325th Committee, which aimed to bring visitors into our city and were quite successful.
   We need to establish an Arts and Culture Council for Downtown Bordentown City to continue to inspire, manage and spearhead the types of events which draw people to our downtown district. As a commissioner, I would create this council to maintain a stream of such events to make our town even more of a “destination town” than it already is, and to continue supporting all our downtown businesses.
   As I have urged before, we need a public debate among the candidates, so a real dialog on this and other issues can develop, and residents will be able to make informed decisions at the polls.
   Please remember to cast all three of your votes for Bordentown City Commissioner on May 12. More information about the form of our city government can be found on my campaign Web site: http://bordentowncity.org.