To the editor:
I wanted to respond to last week’s letters (HVN Oct. 28, 2016) from Jim Burd and Kim Johnson incredulously claiming that John Hart and Todd Brant will combat over-development. Really?
Let’s look at the facts. Republicans have twice attempted to foist sewer expansion and the associated uncontrolled development on township residents. This started in the 1990s when then Mayor Hart authorized $2.5 million in legal and engineering fees to support an extension of sewer service from Trenton to our township. Thankfully, residents stopped Hart then and prevented his efforts to sell us out to big developers.
In 2012, Republicans pushed again for sewer expansion, with Burd, Johnson and a fellow Republican committee member voting to increase Hopewell’s debt by $4.1 million just to reserve sewer capacity in the ELSA wastewater treatment plant. When township residents rose up in arms against this proposal and set a public referendum opposing expanded sewers, Republican Brant wrote a letter to the editor (HVN April 26, 2012) urging voters to support sewer expansion.
In 2014, at a Township Committee meeting (Jan. 27), John Hart spoke out publicly against preserving open space.
Just this month at a committee meeting, Hart spoke against development-limiting green building guidelines, and encouraged the committee to allow a large-scale diesel refueling operation for tractor trailers at Pennytown.
By contrast, Democrats have a proud tradition of fighting against over-development, going back to the establishment of a strong, well thought out Master Plan that protects against the extension of sewer lines into currently pristine areas, and carrying forward through more recent days, when Democratic leaders passed ordinances that protect environmentally sensitive stream corridors and steep slopes, and prevent unchecked tree clearing in the township.
This November, voters have a clear choice. We’ve given incumbents Hart and Brant enough time to show their true colors, and each time they have fought to expand sewer service and open up Hopewell Township to the unchecked development that comes with it.
It’s time for fresh voices in Hopewell Township.
Kristin McLaughlin and Michael Ruger have outlined a clear platform for stopping over-development, defending our water and environment. Please join me on Nov. 8 in voting for change; Vote for McLaughlin and Ruger for Hopewell Township Committee.
Bruce Gunther
Hopewell Township
