Scotch Plains Candidates Differ on Police Merger, Library Funds and More

On Tuesday, voters in Scotch Plains will chose between two candidates for one seat on town council. 

Incumbent Lou Beckerman (D), who was selected to fill the seat left by Kevin Glover when he became mayor in January, faces challenger and newcomer Llewellyn Jones (R).

Beckerman has resided in Scotch Plains with his wife Ann for more than 30 years and has two adult children, who graduated from SPF schools. Beckerman is a member of the Union County Planning Board, a member of the Scotch Plains Planning Board and former Chairman of the Scotch Plains Democratic Committee. Beckerman is president and founder of Beckerman & Company, a full service property and casualty insurance agency with offices in Colonia, Bloomfield, and Forked River.

Beckerman supports a police merger, saying, "After years of hard work and bringing together Fanwood and Scotch Plains, a committee of council members from both towns and Chiefs of Police from both towns have presented a plan that with not lay off the rank and file officers, will save $4.5 million over 5 years and increase police patrols in our community. There are details that need to be worked out but our colleagues in Fanwood are reasonable people and if our council continues to work in good faith, I believe that we can work them out. The Scotch Plains republicans have made it clear they are opposed."

Beckerman points to his work on the budget, including saving the town $60K in health insurance costs. He says the outcry from his opponent regarding shortchanging the library is ill-informed.

"Times are tough and we have had to make tough decisions," says Beckerman. "The people in Scotch Plains elected a Democratic Majority last year because they wanted a change.  We can’t go back to the days of recklessly increasing taxes.  We have to live within our means.  The library is fully funded as is called for by New Jersey State law.  It is time to stop making this a political issue and instead, do what is right for the people of Scotch Plains."

Beckerman has also been outspoken about preserving the town's historic Shady Rest.

Jones and his wife, Bridget, have resided in Scotch Plains since 2009. They have a five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter. He has recently served on the Scotch Plains Zoning Board of Adjustment. Jones has a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University in quantitative finance and works as a capital markets professional.

Jones says he believes in financial accountability and transparency, common sense oversight by the town council of the town’s budget and better communication between the town and residents.

“I think the town can benefit from better financial oversight by the town council," he says. "With my business background and experience with the zoning board and as an involved community resident, I think that if I am elected to the town council I can help all Scotch Plains residents benefit from a town government that works for them and which is more responsive to all of our town residents."

Jones has been critical of the current administration's dismissal of service providers, including what he believes to be the forced resignation of the former township manager.

Jones adds that even Scotch Plains TV was taken off the air. In its absence, he points out, he has provided his own video of township council meetings on his website. 

Jones has also been critical of the administration's cuts to library funding, promise to put the sewer utility back into the budget, and defunding of the Scotch Plains Improvement District. 

"Lou Beckerman and Kevin Glover's budget raided the utility's accounts to help fund the town's regular operating expenses," says Jones. "All so that they could proclaim 'the lowest tax increase in 10 years.'" 

On the recently revealed police merger plans, Jones supports a merger but does not believe the "joint meeting" structure proposed is the right way to merge.