So then did Mary endorse Jeff while he ran against Bo? Thats right she did it quietly so Marty and crew didnt know....

I'm Holden MaGroin and I have a lot of respect for Mr. Strauss.
Unfortunately, this endorsement does not change my opinion on candidate depaola.
I believe that she is still out of touch and will again copy quotes from the Patch on her feelings.
"I think citizens should pay for stickers," Councilwoman Mary DePaola said. Instead of paying for a sticker, it was proposed that solicitors be required to buy the list. "It's fine," DePaola responded, "as long as someone is being charged."
In regards to cell towers.
Councilwoman Mary DePaola voiced strong support for approving MetroPCS's proposal. "We should pursue this immediately, look into it as a source of revenue, and not let this opportunity slip away," she said.
After Malool noted that the tower, due to its location, likely would not replace or serve as an alternate to T-Mobile's proposed 120-foot tower at Willow Grove Swim Club, DePaola said, "We would have two? Even better."

Now to be fair, after the uproar on the cell quotes and a whole week later, candidate depaola sent a letter to the Patch saying she was being sarcastic about the 2 being better than 1. But she never addressed the part of missing an opportunity for revenue and I think replied only because of negative reaction.

I don't know where she lives or her wealth, but it seems time and again when she doesn't have a prepared speech or notes from Marks, and lets her real feelings be known, those feelings seem to be "to heck with the little people".

Mr. Strauss served with both mayoral candidates, and even ran with Mr. Glover a few years back. I respect Mr. Strauss as well and wish he was still serving on the Town Council. I guess he knows a lot more about Mr. Glover than he lets on for him to cross party lines for an endorsement.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. I also wish Mr. Strauss was still serving on the council. He always seemed measured in is approach and was at times seemingly the only voice of reason.
I don't think that he crossed party lines tho. If I remeber correctly, he ran last time as an independent.

That is giving me an idea.
Since the dem party leader is named peckerman
and since the repub leader before arrogant mr marks was named mctincock
I think that a MaGroin would be a natural leader for the independents.

Thoughts???

Honestly, I thought Strauss was horrible. Except, I do agree, he is better than Mickey Marcus.

This is for Holden. I think you need to re-read the article. Mr. Strauss says he is and will continue to be a Democrat. He ran as an Independent in the last election probably because the Democrats in town wouldn't have him or vice versa. Better still, maybe he just didn't want to run with Mr. Glover?

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. I deleted this post and am resending cause the spelling even embarrassed me. You are right. I did reread and Mr. Strauss does say he's still a dem.
I don't know why he ran as an independent last time. You may be right, there's still some mystery on that one.
At least we know that on the repub side it is pretty clear that bratty and malool were booted because they changed attorneys and didn't always follow Marks.
I think endorsements can help and am sad that this important one from Mr. Strauss is for the candidate that I don't support. It could probably help her.
I will continue to make sure that people know that repubs, no matter who is running, are controlled by unelected former officials.
I've already found a bunch of SP Times articles that show the repubs when they were in the minority screaming about things that they now defend.
I'll post those closer to the election.
I also found a few with public meeting quotes from Marks that will make glover's past bluster seemed tame by comparison.
One other thing, Strauss was silent on Saridaki.
I did find a few articles on Marks' many runs for senate and assembly. During those campaigns he constantly referred to Trenton politicians as "cowards".
I'm wondering if the Edward Saridaki denied comments where he called SP voters cowards may not have been written by Saridaki.
Maybe Marks wrote them.

This is for Holden. I too would be concerned if my mayor or councilman was being "controlled" by outsiders, or insiders as the case may be. This is relevant to the article in question. Maybe you should speak with Mr. Strauss. I think one of the reason he left the local Democrats was because of the very same outside attempted control you dislike

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. Thank you for replying to me.
I have never spoken with Mr. Strauss and am hesitant to approach him in public as my appearence is hideous.

He may have felt pressure from his party and it appears that he resisted.
That is exactly my point.
I do not believe that if he resisted that he was not going to be nominated by the local dems to still run on their party ticket.

We in SP have actual recent history that shows that is a fact in our town with the repubs. Their ACTIONS show that if you don't follow their intructions or if you get rid of their boyhood friends that they hired, you're out. (see Malool and Bratti)

This is for Holden. A distinction without a difference I think. Mr. Strauss was chased from the Democrats because he refused to do the boss' bidding. BTW, appearance is skin deep; One man's beast is another's beauty. I believe Mr. Strauss would not be as repulsed as you fear

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. That is very kind of you to try to boost my confidence about my beauty or lack there of.

Unfortunately the petals have fallen off of my rose before I could turn back into the prince I once was.

I wasn't aware that Mr. Strauss was chased from the dems as you say. That could very well be true.

But if it was, I would believe that he would then have switched to the independent party permanently. As you accurately corrected me in a prior comment, he does state that he was and still is a dem.

The only article I could find on him running as an independent (and I did vote for him) was him saying that at the local level it should be about the person and not the party. I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.

It's because of that that I don't support the repubs in this election. I believe as a local party they require more that you tow the line of marks, papen, mctincock, coranatto..etcetera,etcetera.

I don't have letters from him saying he was chased from the party or actions by his party that show he wasn't going to be supported.

A quick search on the Patch for Malool and Bratti will show that both expressed in writing that they bucked their leadership and were tossed aside.

Again, you may be right, but I'm only going on the written word of malool and bratti and the actions of the local repub leadership.

Do you know of those articles and not believe them?

I call for Marty Marks to leave town, and DaPaola's resignation for lack of concern and awareness for her neighbors. She has breached her duty as mayor to all of us. More importantly, this election is supposed to be about the issues, not political slander. Looks like DePaola is all about power for herself, and not the people of scotch plains! She wasn't even there after the sewer water main break incident, yet she wants to tax us! She earns a salary from the township, she should be there.

Mr. Glover was there, he showed up, and answered the call for his neighbors.

All I can say is... We need to stand up and work together to keep Scotch Plains on the map.

GO KEVIN GLOVER!!!! SCOTCH PLAINS NEEDS YOU!!!

Also, I believe Strauss left on his own accord.

This is for Holden. Well, it seems that we now agree that Mr. Strauss is still a Democrat, just not a local one. Whether he left them or they left him is unknown to me. Maybe he smartly never let it get to the point where he would get booted. He's seems to be a pretty smart guy and was able to read the writing on the wall. Like I said before, the over-riding factor was probably that he didn't want to run with Mr. Glover. BTW, I voted for Mr. Strauss both times he ran......once as a Democrat and once as an Independent.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. Thank you for your civil responses. I would only point out in your reply you have had to use "maybes" and "probablys".
That's because we can only guess.
With the repubs we have documented letters and articles that show the true way they act and govern. I've attached those articles before but can again if you would like to see them.
Do you not believe them?

This is for Holden. excuse me for being a wee bit skeptical of anything a politician writes, but I prefer to make judgements on actions i see directly. Obviously you have stated your support Mr. Glover in part because you view Mary Depaola as something of a Marie Antoinette. Well, since very early on, I have viewed Kevin Glover as a little Napolean and I don't mean the sweet dessert. He has showed himself to be boorish and abrasive; always looking to show he is the smartest guy in the room. A real turn-off if you ask me. And as far as actions go, this thing with the health benefits really rubs me the wrong way.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. So if I understand your last response, you're aware of the letters bratti and malool each wrote stating they didn't have party leadership support and therefore were going to run as an independent (bratti) or in the primary (malool) but you don't believe them?
Obviously your prerogative, as is mine that I still don't believe mr saridaki when he denies writing the comments calling voters cowards with no cajones.
I believe glover has been boorish and by clicking my name you can find comments where I say that.
I just believe that his boorishness has been at other politicians in defense of the voters and taxpayers.
Google goleader April 1998 shalom way clifford controversy
You will see quotes from councilman marks calling citizens bigots. You will also find another article of councilmen marks and mctincock lambasting the dem majority for not using budget reserves to keep taxes down that year. Not that long ago, mayor marks accused glover of wanting to use gimmicks when glover suggested pulling from surplus to keep taxes down. Marks also has nasty quotes in that article againstother councilmen and the dem mayor.
So yes, glover is a boor but the republic party leaders have been playing this game
for over 15 years and continue to still do it today. Again see saridaki comments to citizens. I will also remind you of the lestrange lawsuit where marks again pulled the anti Semite attack card. Who knows maybe I'm just an anti dentite.

I agree with Holden. He shows links to prove his facts.
He doesn't guess and is winning this debate with Amy G.

This is for Holden. Boorishness at the defense of citizens and politicians? Time to remove the jaded glasses Holden. His boorishness has been for purposeful divisevess and self aggrandizement. Nothing more. Nothing less. Ask the vast majority of voters who voted against him when he ran for mayor in 2008; and that was a big Democratic year!

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Amy. I think we're beating this particular horse enough so I will post a final response and then give you the last word. I have to think that since not too many others are commenting that we may be boring them. I don't mind annoying others, but I don't want to bore.

That brings me to having to maybe clarify my comment on glovers boorishness.
If I wasn't clear, I was trying to say that yes, I've found glover to be boorish. as I've also said, if you click my name you can find comments from me that have called him out on that.
My glasses are bifocals and while a little scratched, they are clear.
What I tried to convey is that he has kept his boorish comments to other council members and I have found them to be when he was debating positions on policies. Those positions have been consistently to try to get things to bid (already linked), argue about SID (also linked), use of surplus (again linked).
I have not found him to speak that way with citizens.
That is unlike Marks, (some links provided with more to come) who had no problem degrading citizens at meetings.
That is also unlike depaola who does not seem to think of taxpayers first. (an example is the linked article where her first impulse was to charge taxpayers for do not knock stickers, and her first impulse on looking at revenue and not citizens when the cell tower was proposed near a school.
It's been nice chatting with you. I'll await the next republican commitee response.

Holden...I truly appreciate your knowledge and energy regarding Township affairs. Perhaps we can convince you to serve Scotch Plains somehow…in an official capacity.
However, to be fair...Martin Marks is not running for any office this year. I know that it is fun and maybe even strategic to state that we are all under his puppet master thumb...but to be honest, we are not. I think if you look back at my run for Council and for Assembly…you will see that I speak my own mind and state my own positions.
I would love to sit down over a coffee sometime to give you the behind the scenes tour of how some of these decisions, changes within the party and our positions have taken shape. I can assure you that it played out nothing like the way it was portrayed. In fact, nothing even close to being that dramatic.
My comments are intended not to insight…but rather to preserve your reputation for being fair and balanced.

Holden - As a Scotch Plains resident! Thank You!

Bo - The entire republican party is still operating under the influence and control of Marty Marks. Hence, we have DePaola for Mayor, and Malool was kicked out of office. I want the Republican party to be fair and balanced, not run under a dictatorship of Marks.

Kevin Glover for Mayor!!!

Mr Smith...Nancy Malool resigned as Mayor to take a position in State Government. She herself stated this to be the fact. She also stated that she was not given a waiver to continue as Mayor, if she in fact took the job. My question to you is as follows: if you believe her other words to be true...why would you not also believe these words attributed/written to/by her to be true?

Subsequently, Mary DePaola is the Mayor because she was the Deputy Mayor prior to Malool resigning. Our Town's succession plan dictates that the party, of the office holder that can no longer serve, put forward the names of three potential replacements. That was done and the full majority of present members voted to name Mary Mayor. Where do you see a conspiracy?

Holden and Amy sitting in a tree .................

Strauss is a fair honest person. Malool needed to go. DePaola is not able to run a town. Glover does a lot of good but has been around a long time and we need new and different.

Bo no offense but you don't impress me one bit. Matter of fact no one does.

Strauss was the last decent council member we have had.

No offense taken...and I agree with you regarding Jeff Strauss being a fair and honest person. I have a great deal of respect for Jeff and serve with him now on the Planning Board.

I'm Holden maGroin and this is for Bo. I assume by your reply that you are councilman Vastine and if I'm correct, I would like to thank you for your polite response. I would also thank you for owning your comments. No cajones talk or anything.

I don't know all the right answers, but I think I can see the wrong decisions and prefer to point them out.

If you note my responses you will see I only reference you when I've included a vote tally and which people voted yes or no.

Concerning Mr. Marks and puppet strings. As I've noted with multiple links, there is plenty of evidence through actions and consequences that Marks still calls many if not all of the shots.

If I may ask you a question or 2, did you support malool or depaola as they were running against one another in the primary?

Do you believe that the since deleted comments were not made by candidate saridaki?

Can you provide the reason why bratti and malool were not supported by the repub leadership when they sought re-election as sitting repub office holders?

To be honest, this is not strategy as you say. If you read my comments you will see that I continue to lambast dem mayor Mahr for trying everything in her power to roadblock a public vote for consolidation. I've also been very critical of her for hiring this summer a $5,000 lawyer to tell Fanwoodians that she spends money wisely.

I appreciate the tour, but I'm not special. I ask that you provide it here for all voters.

Thanks

Bo - I applaud your commitment to Marksism philosophies. I only hope that Mr. Glover gets elected so we can lower our taxes, and get this town to where it should be. I want my sewer tax refund!

Look the taxes in town will not be lowered that much. In order to do that you have to tackle the school budget and/or work at the state level and change the way our schools are funded.

One of the best things that can happen in this town is for the downtown to improve. It has been tried time and time again and always failed. The last big push a few years back was pretty much ruined by Malool and Bratti. Interesting how neither of them are around but the town is.

Mr. Smith...you have been getting your refund through the the stable sewer rates the past couple of years, by applying portions of the surplus towards the increase in fees by RVSA. Also, you were refunded through the one time "gimmick" of refunding surplus sewer fees to property taxpayers this past property tax season. I say gimmick, because not all sewer rate payers also pay property taxes. In truth...as a property tax payer you were given a reduced property tax bill at the expense of the “not for profit” organizations in town who are tax exempt. I personally voted against this because it represents the redistribution of money from one group to another. Our houses of worship and others are stretched enough without having their money given to others.

This is for Bo - are you missing a key piece of the timeline? Wasn't DePaola named candidate before Malool was given the State position (in a face-saving gesture by the Republican Party)? Forgive me if my facts are wrong (overworked and overtaxed).

Becks - We can agree to disagree, but without question the taxes will be lower. More importantly, Mr. Glover is the only one pushing to save downtown Scotch Plains. In the end, wasn't he the only one who stepped up to save the Summer Concert Series. The local republicans are running this town into the ground! Together we can stop Marksism!!!

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for Bo.

My questions above are not rhetorical. I was hoping for an answer.

I would like to include a couple more, as you have been gracious to answer other people and have addressed me directly. Both questions relate to the flush tax. (since I'm addressing a member of council I won't say poop)

Was it an unintended consequence or did council think it through when they included the schools? Also, do you know about how much of this tax is charged to the schools?
I ask because it's now a required expense in their budget and if they are also capped, it stands to reason that council pushed off tough cut choices to the schools and didn't save us taxpayers any of that money.

How did you come to decide that it's better to hold $800,000 of sewer tax over-payment instead of giving it back to those who paid it?
I know that you told Mr. Smith that the refund is coming in stable rates, but you're still holding it. I think that also is an "opportunity cost" on us that you and council decided. I ask this question because Pat MaGroin and I pay our taxes directly to the tax office. If we are over 15 days late, we get a penalty because we are holding the town's money too long.
I see this as the gander wins and my goose gets cooked.

I had the opportunity to be involved in the big push with the SID a few years back and I can assure you Mr. Glover did nothing to save the town. It baffled my mind and still does why the majority of the council (except Mr Strauss) was so against what the business community was trying to accomplish.

Summer concert series is great yes but in the grand plan it does nothing to save the town. Stop drinking the Kool Aid served by both parties. Get them all out and start fresh.

Holden, this is me…the Bo who serves as a Councilman in Scotch Plains. And I think we can agree that there is no need to call names and belittle others when having an informative debate about issues and the facts. To answer some of your questions: I supported Mary both in the committee screening and in the primary. I continue to support her today both publically and privately. I do so because I believe she is the one person running for Mayor that is open to differing views, different opinions and different approaches. Mary is someone who takes a position because she believes it is the right thing to do. Her positions might not be popular with “everyone”, but she decides based on the information she has and the desire to have Scotch Plains remain a great place to live. Unlike others, her decisions are not based on aspirations of higher office. She has 6 children, is on the Board at the Y and is involved in many organizations and activities in town…on top of being the current Mayor. Sometimes, when we are at council meetings we joke around…or our comments are misconstrued, but I have zero doubt that Mary DePaola is the best choice for Mayor of Scotch Plains. And…I believe that this is also the Genesis of Jeff Strauss’ endorsement…(although I do not speak for him). As far as Bratti and Malool…part of the answer is within the comments from “becks” above.

We appreciate everyone's comments and enjoy you discussing the issues that concern you, but please keep the comments civil and refrain from personal attacks.

As for your questions related to the schools and the sewer fees...they use the facilities which end up at the RVSA facility, and by having them pay the sewer fees...both Fanwood school children and Scotch Plains school children pay for use...not just Scotch Plains taxpayers.

As far as the $800,000...once it was made known to us, we worked through a strategy of working it down while maintaining stability for the rate payers. What needs to be remembered is that your refund or not would have been marginal...compared with the large swings back and forth for commercial rate payers. As the governing body, we have to balance these issues between individual residents and large commercial entities...both taxable and non.

Michael, all good points to be sure. Keep in mind, however, that whenever you have a new process such as the sewer fee, (and collection outside of property taxes)...there is always going to be a learning curve. Both by rate payers and the Township. As we have worked through the curve...we have a learned a great deal about this process. As the percentage of paid fees becomes more steady, the rate at which we accumulate a surplus has and will continue to decline...while at the same time, anticipating large increases from RVSA. Would it be better for our residents on a fixed income to have large swings in the amount they owe? What happens if they are not able to absorb a large increase next year and there is a lien placed on their property? We have to consider...that this issue is very real for everyone in town...your parents, commercial property owners, other individual households and our houses of worship. Striking the balance will never make everyone completely happy all at once...

Here's a question. What has the mayor or council done for the town lately? In the last 5 years? 10 years? All I have seen is a decrease in services and a downtown that is falling apart.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for councilman Vastine.
I would agree on name-calling, but I always reserve the right to rebuttal (see coward calling cajones comments that were cowardly denied and deleted)

Thank you for your reply. I'm not a very bright man and I want to make sure I understand your answers and do not want to put words in your mouth.

Please correct my restatement of your answers if I get them wrong.

You supported and still support depaola because malool and glover aren't open to differing views and approaches. You think sometimes depaola's views might not be popular but she holds those views to make SP a better place to live.
She doesn't want a higher office because she procreated alot.
You all in council joke about things at meetings, but us voters should know which are jokes and which are real.
Malool and bratti weren't supported by repub leadership because the SID is not going well.
You have no comment on believing or not believing mr. saridaki.
It's more important to charge the fanwood kids for their school pooping than for keeping clubs or middle school sports.

I know this is a simplistic view, but please understand, it's a view many of us share.

Becks - Thanks to all the puppets currently under Mary Marks! Agreed and confirmed.

Mike it's not just Marks. It's the dems also. You need a clean slate and you need to start over.

Becks - Let Holden be the voice of reason... He has clearly referenced many points that make this an easy decision. Let's just hope the township people do what is right.

bo un have been collecting taxes for ever u still need a learning curve? maybe that
is the explanation of our taxes

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for councilman Vastine. I don't want to sound accusatory but I'm seeing a pattern that has started a couple of weeks ago when I increased my posts on depaola and included links to her past record. There has been an increase in new users signing in to debate me. We've had the denying Edward saridai, Bret hart, Amy g and now you. The interesting part is, as each new one starts, the prior one stops.
That brings me to the local republican party committee and the statement you made above on the candidate selection process by the local committee. I would like to ask you a question or 2.
Is it still your turn or is someone else next in line to engage me?
I only ask because if your time is up, I will wait to ask the next person on the list.
Please let me know and then I can ask my questions.
Thanks

"W"...you are correct, the Township has been collecting property taxes for many years. However, the sewer fee has only been around for a few. In the first year of its inception, the amount of gross fees collected was dramatically lower due mostly to people not familiar with paying it separately. As a result, the fee amount was increased to make up for the deficit. Once everyone, whom had not paid yet, started getting delinquent notices, the amount collected went up substantially. Which ultimately led to a surplus. As I mentioned previously, we are working down the surplus and the rate which is collected to arrive at a stable rate which affords for a fund balance and buffers increases from the RVSA. I hope this helps clarify...

So Bo what you are saying is those of us that paid had to pay more because some didn't? Is that really what you mean?

I think I get it. I run a business and some people pay my bill and some do not then the following year I can charge more to those that pay to make up for those that do not. Is that what you are saying?

You did not answer my question though. I want to make sure I understand what happened. Sounds to me like those that paid were screwed in the end. Seems to be the same issue over and over again in this country.

And sadly it's not that easy to collect in the private sector. The laws in the country do not protect businesses enough. It's too easy for people to walk away from debt but that is a whole other debate.

No we can't run a deficit if we want to stay in business. See the difference between the govt and the rest of us is we can't just increase our cost of services or products to our customers when we overspend. The govt can always come to us for more money. Which they are getting very good at lately.

I have to believe Mr Glover's heart is in the right place and I think he truly does care about the town and it's residents. I don't agree with a lot of what he says or does. I'm not impressed with our current mayor nor have I have been with the last few. Our town needs change and we need to be able to compete with surrounding towns. We can't do that if we remain the same year after year.

As a council there is not much you all can do to put more money back in our pocket. The bulk goes to the schools. Sure you can fire a few town employees and maybe turn off some lights but in the end it won't translate into much for the residents.

What can help is getting more of a business base in the town. And that can be accomplished by working with the business community and residents and fix up the downtown. I don't know the last time you walked around but it's far from inviting. The only council member that seemed to care was Mr Strauss. Bo when was the last time you or any other council member walked the businesses in town and talked to them? I have been here a very long time and I have never had a mayor walk into my shop to talk to me. You are all out of touch with the community.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for councilman Vastine.
Let me try to be more clear.
I wasn't saying that more comments won't bring more responses, I was saying that it's interesting that the comments are bringing replies from more new posters. What I was also saying is that there seems to be a "hand off" almost like those WWF tag teams. Especially because I think that it's more of a coordinated effort instead of just a randon coinsidence. But that's ok, I welcome the discourse.
No, I do not believe that people know who I am, nor do I believe that most people care. Because even if they did, as I've stated previously, I'm not someone most people would know other than my few friends and neighbors.
I think the obsessing of who the person is, and calling me an un-American coward with no cajones (candidate saridaki) and now a clown with an act (you, sitting councilman) does you no service. I would hope the words would be more important than the names.

To me, and it sounds like others, we should be discussing the questions and answers (along with the links) that are brought up.
The name Bo Vastine can be construed as a funny name. Should I not take your words seriously because of all the material your name would provide me?
And yes, I do try to bring humor in my observations, partly because many of us would be crying over some of the positions and decisions our leaders hold and make.
Now, as I asked earlier, can we discuss the commitee selection process?

Becks,

For the most part I agree with your sentiments...however, I have attended the past two SPMC Board meetings and believe that they are working towards the solution. I was listening.

We are not there yet, but "A journey of a thousand miles...begins with a single step". The real key to success with the Business District will be giving the business owners more control over their own destiny...and some additional tools and resources to get there. The creation of the SPMC is one tool created for moving forward with our Business District. Getting out of the way is another. The previous Mayor should be applauded for the SPMC's creation...but then she set it back by micro managing the process. Mayor DePaola is completely committed to giving business owners the room they need to improve things as they envision it...and as they know how.

In addition, we negotiated...as part of the settlement with the new owners of Shackamaxon...monies which are specifically earmarked for the Business District. The monies will be used to improve and enhance the district as the business owners decide, along with some input from the governing body.

Having said the above...we have some work ahead of us...but the real question related to this and other issues facing us is: Do we want someone more interested in grabbing the headline? Or, do we want someone like Mary with the project management experience and practical approach to lead us forward? I am supporting Mary, as I have said, because I believe she is the best choice to move Scotch Plains forward.

Bo I know it's probably part of the job to attack the other guy but it's no different than calling someone a jerk face on the playground. It's immature and tiring. We need solutions not finger pointing. Sitting on the board of a SID and going to meetings is not making things happen. The SID has done zero except line a management companies pockets. If I recall that is what the original SID board was afraid of. Both parties where there when this happen and neither did anything productive.

To sum up I see a lot of talk and not a lot of action. We need action Bo. We need solutions. We need someone to take control and be accountable. Show me that person and they will get my vote.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for councilman Vastine.

I will ask my questions, but would first like to address something that keeps coming across in your replies.

You earlier say you want to have an informative "debate", but then you say it's not a debate but a discussion. We can have whatever you prefer to call it.

You say there shouldn't be name calling and we shouldn't belittle others but each of your replies to me has some form of them.

You're "concerned about my increased sense of conspiracy",
you want me to "drop my clown act",
you think I have "thin skin" (not sure what in my reply you saw that would cause that),
and you call me "sarcastic and condescending".

Those were just the ones addressed to me. I see too that you refer to glover as one who just seeks headlines, but I'm not here to defend him

But don't worry, I'm ok with you using those terms because I guess most people won't find them as name-calling or belittling.

And if they do, maybe Nicole can call you and you can deny that it's really you.
(sorry about that, but the coward-calling saridaki still has not made any public mention of that). Nor has your party leader who will make a public statement on the sky being blue.

Anyway, concerning the repub party decision on who gets on the ticket.

How many people are on this selection committee?
Are we allowed to know who they are?
What is the criteria to be on the selection committee?

I will ask more after your answers

Holden why don't you just go to a council meeting if you have questions?

Holden,

The Republican and Democratic Parties here in town are comprised of committee members elected by their neighbors. They appear on the ballot every other year during the primary (Democrats one year Republicans the next). There are now 23 districts in town with a male and female member representing each district. So, ideally, you have 46 committee members who vote on which candidate(s) get the official line for office.

So yes, you know who they are...they are on the ballot when you vote in the primary...if it is your affiliated party's year. This year was Republican, next year will be Democrat.

Getting on the ballot requires signatures on a petition. Which means if you want to be on the committee you must solicit enough signatures to be placed on the ballot just like any other office seeker.

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for councilman Vastine.
Thank you for the information. It's helpful and enlightening.
So, you're saying that 46 people voted and ms depaola got the majority of the votes over mayor malool to be on the republican ticket?

I am not sure we had 46...but it was full room and we had a quorum...but yes, the results were as you stated...Mary won the majority of votes.

Jeff Strauss should be mayor

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for councilman Vastine.
Thanks for your answer.

I just want to fully understand. The people that we vote in are the ones who vote for the ticket?
Is that the way it is for the Dems?

It might or might not be that way for them. I guess their chairman has the power to pick the line...like they do in Plainfield, but we vote.

It's obvious that Holden has a reason for these questions

I'm Holden MaGroin and this is for becks.
I don't like to go to the public meetings because I'm often mocked in public due to appearence issues.

I do have reasons for these questions on the selection of the ticket and I think it's important and here's why.

I'm struggling with how the people we elect, in the committee structure, would so quickly change their opinion on the sitting mayor to switch their support. And this was after the majority seemed to have had an epithany on Bratti, another sitting councilman a year earlier.

Councilman Vastine in comments above makes it sound that each year anyone interested makes their case and the majority rules after a vote.

He says:
"It is really that simple...It is the way the process works."
"Not really a great conspiracy here...members of the committee voted their conscious...just as they did when Bratti was seeking the line."

He goes on to say:
"However, to be fair...Martin Marks is not running for any office this year. I know that it is fun and maybe even strategic to state that we are all under his puppet master thumb...but to be honest, we are not."

What I'm saying, and once again trying to support it with quotes is that the behavior and actual results forces one to make many leaps of faith to believe this just happens without the "old guard" influence, led by Marks.

I will repeat again that those who buck Marks get booted.

Put any fragrance you want on the pig,.... it still squeels.

Well done Holden!!! Once again showing it like it really is. Using their owns quotes to prove your point. Please take Bo's advice and run for council!!

we forgot about our sewer windfall truck purchase. maybe we should have contracted with fanwoood sewer truck. looks nice and new to me.

For all of you that say our downtown isn't nice? I love the downtown, its beautiful will the little park like setting next to the Cityhall. We have the Tavern which is always crowded and we all love the outside courtyard. A new restraunt is opened in town and another place is opening soon (a sushi place). To me, the town is starting to get more places to eat or just to have a drink. The downtown is clean and friendly. It will never be a Westfield ~ or Cranford, but it still is a pretty town. I love living in Scotch Plains.
I've worked with Mary during our daughters recital in town and she was wonderful. I hope she gets in. She seems very understanding of the town issues and I think she needs time to take care of some of them. She hasn't been the mayor for that long. Give her a chance, go see her, talk to her. I wish her luck!!!
As for Glover being at the water main break, yes he was there.. but don't you think its political.. and thats why he was there? He seemed to be in everyones face that day... Making sure we all knew who he was.