Good bye, Edison hacks

by: AdamGreen

Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 11:13:34 AM EDT

( - promoted by jmelli)

As a former Edison resident, and former communications director for the New Jersey Democratic Party, I was thrilled to read the Star Ledger’s June 6 article "Choi's Slate Ousts Incumbents In Edison." The Democratic Council had ignored the voters' overwhelming mandate for change in the 2005 Democratic primary – thinking that their status as political insiders insulated them from the will of the people.

When politicians become such hacks that they lose sight of their principles and the people they were elected to represent, it is time for them to go - regardless of their political party. Defeated Council President Charles Tomaro proved this point perfectly. Tomaro was "bitter about his loss to a group of political newcomers," the Ledger reported, and Tomaro said "Three of them I've never seen at council meetings."

Wow, that says a lot. Choi's ticket included a school principal, a school activist, a technologist, and a doctor. How much of a hack does someone have to be to think that the only people fit to run for office are insiders who spend their lives at Council meetings? Perhaps in his new free time, Tomaro should pick up a copy of Crashing the Gate.

Tomaro cemented his status as a no-longer-fit-for-office political insider when he said, "We were there for three terms, let's see if they serve three terms." I am embarrassed to have ever voted for this guy, and if Tomaro ever runs again I promise right now to give money to his opponent.

At his victory party, Choi provided a nice contrast to Tomaro, putting principles and modesty first: "We are humbled by the overwhelming support for our positive-change agenda for Edison Township." I wish Edison's new Democratic leadership team much luck – and hope they continue to stand with the people over political insiders who've lost their way.

AdamGreen :: Good bye, Edison hacks

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Is someone who doesn't attend town council meetings fit to run for local office?

Yes - Ever read a newspaper and get outraged?
No - Elected office is for insiders, stupid.

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Tags: choi, Edison, tomaro, Adam Green, people-powered, political outsiders, (All Tags)

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Good bye, Edison hacks | 2 comments

It is great to see change (0.00 / 0)

Often NOBODY attends the council meetings unless a problem affects them directly. But there are always minutes to all the meetings which are available to the public. Believe me, many folks read these with a fine-toothed comb. Just because Tomaro did not see anyone at the council meetings does not mean the people were not well informed and reading minutes and keeping track of things going on.

Think about this - fear of public speaking is right up there with fear of death. Many folks won't come to a public meeting because of that. If Democrats move so far as not just to complain but to run for office - that is a HUGE statement.

Congratulations for shaking up the officials who believe they are "entitled" to power that can only be granted by the represented.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 16:04:58 PM UTC