Bruce Gunther, Hopewell Township
In my previous work as a school psychologist , I sometimes encountered teenagers who suddenly went back on their word, let commitments drop, and charged off in a new direction with no plan of action.
That is the kind of problematic behavior you might forgive in a teenager, but not in a grown adult who is seeking the responsibility of a public office in which the well-being, sometimes even the lives, of others is a central concern. Yet that is what the voters of Hopewell Township are being offered in the flawed Republican candidate for re-election, Harvey Lester.
Mr. Lester originally sought office as a Democrat and was elected with the support of the local Democratic Committee. After two years in office, with no prior consultation and barely a word of explanation, he went back on his word, dropped his commitments, and flipped to the Republican Party (apparently to nominate and vote for himself as mayor.) His performance has been dreadful, allowing spending in the budget to skyrocket, ignoring the looming issue of state affordable housing mandates, all the while taking credit for the work of those who preceded him.
If Mr. Lester were still a teenager, there might be things that could be done to help him. But he really should get no serious consideration for a position of public trust such as mayor or member of the Hopewell Township Committee.
This letter is not written as a reflection of my position on the Planning Board or school board but a s a resident of Hopewell Township.
Bruce Gunther
Hopewell Township
