Edison resident says mayor is not serving the people

Now I’ve heard it all. A recent news story about sparks flying between Mayor Antonia Ricigliano and the Edison Township Council said she offered to rescind her “gag order” on township employees if the council abandons its attempts to compel information from her administration.

This deal speaks volumes about Mayor Ricigliano. First, it tellsme that she and her administration are very worried about what the council might find out if the Ricigliano administration is forced to give up information. It also shows that the mayor was never really concerned about what town hall employees would say to council members in the first place. So, her “gag order” was a sham.

Third, it tells me Toni Riciglianowas not sincerewhen she campaigned as “Toni’s Team” with three council candidates and promised open and transparent government. Mayor Ricigliano has been secretive and unwilling to cooperate with the council.

Instead of working hand in hand with the council to stabilize or lower taxes, to bring in more businesses and new jobs, and to make Edison a better place — as she promised — Mayor Ricigliano has sparked disagreement. She has made Edison look foolish on a weekly basis in the newspapers.

It turns out “Toni’s Team” never included the town council, or her fellow Democrats, or even Edison property owners. Her team is really just her political guru, Bill Stephens, BusinessAdministrator, DennisGonzalez and his $110,000 assistant, Dick Laird. She seems to be only servicing their interests, not ours.

Jared Shukis Edison