Endorsement based on candidate’s qualifications

Sheree McGowan, Robbinsville
   This letter is in response to a story, “Dissension in GOP ranks?” that was printed in The Messenger-Press on April 14.
   ”Politics” were never mentioned when I was interviewed by Messenger-Press reporter Joanne Degnan. I referred to my endorsement of Ron Witt for council based solely on his qualifications and track record on both our planning and zoning boards. Political affiliations never entered the picture, nor should they. My endorsement of Mr. Witt, who is not a politician, is based solely on the benefits that I am certain he will bring to township residents.
   However, it is disappointing that my fellow council member Richard Levesque referred to Councilman Vince Calcagno and me as “politicians” — nothing could be further from the truth. We are longtime members of our community and cherish the relationships we have with township residents. Our township is “non-partisan” and both of us work strongly to ensure that is kept intact. Party politics should not come into play; our priority is the well-being of the community. Mr. Levesque’s statement is particularly disconcerting given that he is a full-time Trenton lobbyist. In addition, Mr. Levesque should have remembered that Robbinsville is non-partisan before he announced his re-election bid on a political website as “The GOP Slate.”
   I hope that Mr. Levesque, Mr. Boyne and Ms. Ciaccio, who are all running for re-election, understand my decision to endorse Mr. Witt. No matter the election results, we have very important work that needs to be accomplished. We can only do that by working together, not by issuing misstatements through the media.
Sheree McGowan
Robbinsville