Politics & Government

Letter to the Editor: Frequent Patch Commenter Provides his take on the History of the Republican Party (PART 3)

Patch commenter, Holden Magroin, supplies background and links to some of the Scotch Plains' Republican Party's history over the last 16 years.


This is the final part of a three part letter, which was broken up due to length.
Find Part One Here and Part Two Here.

Yesterday I shared the history of how opinions on our surplus seem to change depending on who is in power and what happens to candidates who go against the party leadership and their friends.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Today I will share some of the public statements and actions of the current candidate for mayor, as well as the predicted letters that come to the editor each year.

Below are some of the public statements and actions from the current Republican mayoral candidate towards the electorate.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When discussing approving our town’s entering into an agreement on insurance coverage, the following exchange took place;

 

“Council members said they were unsure whether the JIF offered the best deal for the township. But they said that the deal appeared reasonable and, given the deadline, argued in favor of approving JIF membership.”…. Glover, however, said he disagreed. "Let's make this simple," he said, "if you want to buy a car, and you get a price, you don't just accept that price. You do due diligence. If there's a better price out there, you have to get it. We are obligated to get the better price."

 

In the same article, there was a discussion on who should pay for taxpayers to be on the “do not knock” list. Councilwoman DePaola originally advocated for the taxpayers to foot the bill.

 

"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."

http://scotchplains.patch.com/articles/scotch-plains-council-approves-joint-insurance-fund-increased-towing-fees

 

The topic of cell tower placement has also brought reaction from our citizens. Again, when confronted with a choice for citizen advocacy or revenue to the town, Councilwoman DePaola has chosen the latter.

“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."

http://scotchplains.patch.com/articles/another-cell-tower-may-loom-for-scotch-plains

As representatives from NJ American Water attended the council meeting soon after the water main break on Portland Ave., the following is taken from the article on that meeting.

“……members of the public and council members addressed questions and comments to the representatives.

They were ultimately asked by Mayor Mary DePaola to confine their questions and comments to a minimum due to the length of the discourse.

“After repeatedly being asked what more could be done to aid the affected residents, the overall sentiment of the evening, both from NJAW representatives and DePaola, was that it is no one’s responsibility but that of the homeowners’ insurance companies.

“This is a private matter between you and your insurance company, and at this point, we’re not liable,” DePaola said after Barbara Barone of 2081 Portland Avenue, Scotch Plains asked who would pay for damages to her home and belongings.”

http://scotchplains.patch.com/articles/water-main-break-questions-addressed-at-town-council-meeting

In what the Republicans have termed as an act to grab headlines, Councilman Glover was on the scene of the water main break and provided the following quotes;

“I was pleased to be here, having overheard one of these conversations going on, to be able to unwind it for the citizens,” Glover said.

Glover said several firms came through the area asking residents to sign documents that would allow them to clean affected residents’ homes. He said several residents unwittingly signed these documents, thinking the workers might represent official firms from the township or contracted with NJAW.

“The wonderful thing is that the community really–the neighbors–rallied around their neighbors, offering whatever support they could do, offering their homes, consoling them, lending a physical presence where necessary. So it’s something I’m very proud of,” Glover said.

“It speaks to the folks when they come out for no other reason than to want to help,” he continued.

http://scotchplains.patch.com/articles/repairs-continue-on-scotch-plains-water-main-break

This brings me back to how I won my $5 that I mentioned in my first piece. Letters to the editor by Republican Committee people who identify themselves as an “SP resident” or “a senior citizen” without saying they’re involved in the campaign have become standard operations.

 

In the first letter, the author fails to say he is a leader of the DePaola campaign and in the second letter; the author fails to say she is the current Treasurer of the Republican Committee. The third letter is from former Mayor Papen who’s still a current Republican Committeeperson discussing sewer flow, and if you remember, she knows a lot about sewer flow from her time on the RVSA.  

http://scotchplains.patch.com/articles/letter-to-the-editor-sp-resident-against-council-receiving-health-benefits

http://www.goleader.com/12oct11/12oct11.pdf

http://www.goleader.com/12oct18/12oct18.pdf  (page 4 at the top)

 

Former Mayor Papen enjoys writing lots of letters during election time.

This letter by her from 2006 calls for the press to investigate a “rumor”.

http://www.goleader.com/06oct19/06oct19.pdf  (page 4 – letters to editor)

 

Current candidate for mayor, Mary DePaola also writes letters to the editor. The page linked below was written 10 months prior to her first run for council. She not surprisingly slams Councilman Glover and calls for a bi-partisan council and it was probably the kick-off of her campaign.

http://www.goleader.com/08jan17/08jan17.pdf  (letter in bottom right, page 4)

 

There’s more, but I only had an hour to Google a few word combinations from my memory of these events that I’ve shared over the last 3 days.

While we are asked to vote for candidates on the ballot, I believe that we’re voting for the real power that stands behind the candidates. Based on the local history of this group and how incumbents are thrown aside if they do not tow the line, I ask you to consider who you are really voting for and who’s interests they are looking out for.

 


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