Mayor-Bashing Council-Wide Sport at Feb 8 meeting!
I had to wait a day or so to cool off after attending the FT meeting on Feb. 8 to write about this one. I have never seen such a group of disrespectful people.
Timeline Feb 6: When I attended my Township Council meeting in NB , I asked my Township Council to look into the Bennetts Lane situation. They agreed to come to the Franklin meeting Feb. 8. Also, Mayor Levine was greeted by the Council and asked to come to say a few words. He had just come from his radio show and missed my speech. He also expressed concern over the Bennetts Lane situation. I thought the meeting was respectful and productive. Mayor Levine was an honored guest and I was a concerned citizen. Move up to Feb. 8 at the Franklin Township Meeting. Never in my life did I expect to see the Council in such a highly defensive mode; this is what I found:
- No less than six policemen were stationed at the meeting - what were they expecting, anyway? Whadda 'FRAID of, Franklin?
- The majority of the Council did not want to have more than 30 minutes of public commentary on the Bennetts Lane proposal. Mayor Levine spoke for a few minutes with some interruptions from the Council about letting people have their say, but the rest of them overrode and motioned for the 30 min/2 min rule.
- Ah, sure, the Council limited speakers, including the NB Councilman who was chosen to represent the group, to two minutes. No special treatment for anyone, even guests. At least, that's what they SAID. However they let Mr. Republican-basher speak for at least four minutes before the crowd finally said "Enough!" and "Time!"
- After public comment, more Mayor-bashing when Levine was trying to express himself. Finally he was exasperated enough to state that he personally wouldn't be in any political contributor's debt. That got the Council on a roll. They couldn't believe their ears! Again, Mayor Levine did not point fingers and said this was his personal policy.
- Councilman Sumter assumed wrongly that Mayor Levine was the driving force behind the NB Council attending the meeting and berated the Mayor for inviting NB. NB was attending because their citizens wrote, emailed and called about the Bennetts Lane situation. Mr. Sumter basically said that he didn't give a damn about NB or any other township. Must be nice to live in your own little country called Rickeydom, Mr. Sumter!
- Feedback from the NB Council showed they were really annoyed about way they were treated and the way the FT Council disrespects their Mayor. The Franklin Township Council has hit new lows in public decorum and deserves to be called out on the carpet by their constituents.
Points made during the meeting by residents:
- Affordable housing is needed, however, not in such a densely-built area.
- Traffic is bad now and will be worse if this development is built.
- The numbers just don't add up!
- No one wants a Home Depot and more retail at this site.
- The Council's behavior has been atrocious.
- Franklin: used to be land of farms, now land of developers.
I want to know if Edgewood has filed their plans yet? I bet they were at the door of the Municipal Center Feb. 9 at 8:30am. Keep me posted!
Comments
Mr Bernie Schrum aka "Republican basher" if I recall was a New Brunswick employee closely affiliated with John Lynch and company. He was obviously put up to that cheap shot. in fact he had his speech typed up so he could read it. I wonder who wrote it?
Posted by: Pete Maimone | February 10, 2006 07:31 PM
I spoke with Mayor Womack personally and asked him for his help in protecting our side of North Brunswick from further traffic woes and density. He and his representative were at the meetings at the request of North Brunswick residents and Franklin Township is showing its true unethical politics.
Posted by: Carol Ann Lombardo | February 11, 2006 07:04 AM
Excellent article. I live on Amwell Road and have been here since '51. I have seen Franklin deteriorate since the present Council and Grippo have taken over. I attend meetings and write letters.
Posted by: Lucretia Cortelyou | February 11, 2006 09:36 AM
Not only were the police at the council meeting, I heard they escorted all the councilmembers to their cars after the meeting-all except our mayor-what does that tell you.
Another problem we have in Franklin are the voters who don't pay attention to what is going on in town. The lady that is leading the fight against Morris and the Home Depot and has all the qualifications and dedication to be an exceptional councilwoman, lost the election last November to Sumter. Need I say more-Go Figure
Posted by: Ray Kulberda | February 11, 2006 05:12 PM
If the escort story is accurate, probably Mayor Levine had nothing to worry about, and all those other Council members did given the feelings of the townspeople.
Check out the agenda for the Feb. 14, 2006 meeting, folks! Attend and demand an apology for the behavior of the Council on Feb. 8!
FYI: Mayor Mac Womack was not at the Feb. 8 meeting due to a client meeting, but four of the NB Council did come.
Another FYI: Feb 14 Bernie Schrum is up for a post on the Sewerage Authority as an Alternate #2 Member. Oh, how very appropriate!
Posted by: Karen Ramsden-Zahler | February 11, 2006 06:20 PM
The fact that Bernie Schrum is being recommended for the position a week after his statements (they don't even wait one month) just demonstrates the BLATANT ARROGANCE OF THE DEMOCRATS. This is nothing new. Get used to it, until enough people pay attention and get fed up enough to take back the power.
Posted by: Pete Maimone | February 12, 2006 02:13 PM