Scotch Plains Mayor Looks Back, Ahead

The following is the text of Mayor Mancy Malool's "Mayor's Message" given at Tuesday night's reorganization meeting:

"I started reading a book last week that my husband gave me for Christmas. It’s called 11/22/63 by Stephen King. It’s about a man who can go back in time to try and change history, to try to prevent the assassination of President Kennedy.

I’ve been thinking about that all week. How many of us would like to be able to go back in time and change something they’ve said or done? Probably every one of us.

As of tonight, I’ve been serving on this Council for exactly nine years and four months, and there are plenty of things I wish I could change over the years.

One of the things I would change happened in the fall of 2008, just after I was elected mayor but before I took office. The economy was sinking and towns had to make changes. That was when Scotch Plains and Fanwood tried to decide how we would best work together to reduce the burden on our taxpayers. We had to determine whether we would consider ramping up shared services or conduct a full consolidation study. Fanwood’s governing body led by Mayor Mahr, was adamant that is  they did not want to consider full consolidation. Scotch Plains Council, led by Mayor Marks, was just as adamant that we should. We were at a standstill and I, as our representative and incoming mayor, reached a compromise with Mayor Mahr. It was agreed that we would study the merger of every department.

Now more than three years later, nothing has really happened. Yes, we have studied everything to death, but how have our taxpayers been impacted? Have they saved money? Has their quality of life been enhanced? Has efficiency of services improved? The answer to all these questions is undoubtedly, no.

We can’t go back  and change history. But we can learn from it. So, later this month, we will be considering a resolution supporting a full consolidation study. And why shouldn’t we? Why shouldn’t our residents be fully informed as to the pros and cons? What is everyone so afraid of?.

Someone once said  “if you have no will to change it you have no right to criticize it.” I urge this governing body and our colleagues in Fanwood to put aside their political and personal interests and move forward.

There are other things I would change if I could, but there is definitely one decision I wouldn’t change even if I could. That is our decision to declare  Shackamaxon an area in need of rehabilitation.  I spent most of last year trying to explain all of the intricacies of the process, the details and thinking behind a decision, but I still think many people don’t understand it, or don’t want to try.

But, know this–if we hadn’t acted, I can practically guarantee there would be 100 homes there within a year. Despite what some people say, the negative impact on the town would far exceed any positive. , they would only buy the property if they could add condos to the course. Because of our declaration, we were able to put conditions on the builder. We were able to control the process, to influence the future. Even if I could change history, this decision, which I consider to be one of the most important during my time here, one where I diverted a potential disaster, is one that I wouldn’t touch.

Last year we saw generosity of all residents in ways we have never seen before, with the building of the 9/11 Memorial and the subsequent Mayors Gala where those volunteers were honored. Businesses again contributed to give our veterans one special night, like they have done on Valentine’s Day for three years.

Residents and businesses made the Scotch Plains Wellness Challenge an exciting and productive effort to highlight the health and well-being of participants. This year we will continue to build on these partnerships, in those with the SPBPA, the Management Corp., and the Ministerium.

We have been through difficult economic times, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Forecasts predict that this year we will see improvements. But we can never count on that and we will continue to remain prudent in our budgeting, work to reduce costs, and find innovative ways to improve services.

Later this month we will consider a resolution supporting the fair distribution of state aid for education, thank Congressman Leonard Lance for his service during his time as our congressman, and decide how to utilize $50,000 to improve our downtown.

2011 was a strange year, with an earthquake, hurricane, flooding, and a Haloween snowstorm. I can’t imagine what 2012 has in store for us, but I know we will face it together and get through it, and leading the way will be our employees.

I want to express my thanks to our township manager, our department heads, clerk Bonnie Lacina,  attorney Jeff  Lehrer,  construction official Bob LaCosta, Police Chief Brian Mahoney, Fire Chief Jon Ellis, CFO Lori Majeski, Rec Director Ray Poerio, DPW Director Kevin Ward and Library Director Meg Kolaya, along with each and every one of our employees for their hard work and dedication throughout the past year. Thank you to my colleagues on the council for their continued commitment, passion and effort.

Throughout all of the decisions we’ve made, the hundreds of votes I’ve taken, all of the things I would change and those I wouldn’t, one thing has remained constant: the people of Scotch Plains are the heart and soul of this community and everything that we’ve done or will do, is with them in mind. I’m honored to lead you into 2012. I wish all of our residents a happy and healthy New Year.

Thank you."