Courage to Reconnect Extends Commissioner Application Deadline

The following information was provided by Courage to Reconnect.

Updated: Nov. 14

As residents of both towns continue to clean up from Hurricane Sandy, Courage to Reconnect Scotch Plains and Fanwood has extended the application period for those interested in serving on a municipal consolidation commission.

Courage to Reconnect Scotch Plains and Fanwood, a non-partisan, grassroots group of citizens who have secured state approval for a municipal consolidation study for both towns, has extended the application deadline to November 30.

The group has already received applications from a number of qualified individuals from both towns, but wants to ensure that every resident interested in serving on the commission has the opportunity to apply.

Original Story

Ten Volunteers Needed from Both Towns for Six Months of Service

Courage to Reconnect Scotch Plains and Fanwood, a non-partisan, grassroots group of citizens who have secured state approval for a municipal consolidation
study for both towns, is seeking commissioners to serve on a study
commission.

Four members of the 10-member commission would be appointed by Courage
to Reconnect, who is seeking civic-minded residents from both
communities who can analyze information objectively and without
political bias. Other commission members will be selected through the
citizens group and representatives of the municipal governments of
Scotch Plains and Fanwood.

“The purpose of this municipal consolidation commission is to
implement a fair and balanced assessment about the pros and cons of
merging the government structure of the two towns,” said Fred Lange of
Scotch Plains, a founder of the grassroots group. “The ultimate
findings may show the towns are better together, or better apart.
There are no pre-conceived notions as we approach this.”

Dan Winigrad of Fanwood, another group member, said there have been
disturbing misconceptions that such a commission is designed to force
a merger.  “Nothing could be further from the truth,” he said. “That
is why we are asking elected representatives of both towns to appoint
commissioners. And that is why this process is being closely monitored
by the state Department of Community Affairs. We are simply conducting
a transparent study; voters will ultimately decide – once they are
equipped with unbiased information, presented independently, outside
the lens of our elected representatives or municipal workforce.”

Those interested in serving on the study commission should send a
cover letter explaining their interest, ability to satisfy a time
commitment of one meeting a week for six months and a resume to:

Courage to Reconnect
Scotch Plains and Fanwood,
P.O. Box 481 in Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.

Interested individuals can also email spfreconnect@gmail.com.
Learn more at http://spfreconnect.wordpress.com.