MONDAY OCT. 8 #1

Because I believe that a voter should not blindly cast his ballot for the party candidate especially in a venue which  which is dominated by a single party under the control of an autocratic leader; I am reprinting this  letter to the editors of TAP . It is in today's edition.

 "I am supporting Ron Johnson's independent candidacy for the citywide Councilman-at-Large seat in the general election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
  For many years Plainfield has had to endure a discouraging interaction of two Democratic factions at war with one another.  Four to three majorities on the City Council, standing in opposition to whatever Administration happened to be in power, obstructed progress, and often turned Council meetings into events more noted for their frequent entertainment value than as productive venues to hash-out smart ideas, legislate in a positive manner, and make necessary reforms that benefit the entire Queen City.
  Soon the situation may even be worse, if not wholly pathetic.  Political higher-ups, we know, have their claws on our Mayor Adrian Mapp, and he in turn could soon have his claws on 100% of the City Council.  That's not good!  It's costly and fraught with problems, both actual and conceivable.  It's one thing to get people on the same page to advance an important, well-constructed and communicated program.  It's another thing entirely when the City Council becomes a subsidiary of someone who, various administrative accomplishments aside, some luck, and a healthy economy, has shown us that political ambition trumps principle and sycophancy often overrides competence.             
  While knee-jerk opposition is a proven bugaboo, so too is rubber-stamp acquiescence.  Where is the oversight?  Where are the questions?  (See Washington D.C. as an example.)  It's up to us voters to ensure accountability.
  These are some reasons I'm opposed to Ron's newly-pressed opponent, who has percolated through various political internships to employment at Union County, and has now been plucked for Mapp, Inc.  I don't sense much independent thought coming from that background.  
   Why Ron?  One reason, of course, is independence of mind.  He's not part of the local or county political machines, and owes no one in this regard.  Another is Ron's background in urban planning and  public policy.  He's deeply concerned about the blight conditions that exist throughout the city, and the pressing need to revitalize the downtown business area in ways that will attract new commercial and cultural opportunities for those who reside both in and outside of the Plainfield community.  Ron was Plainfield's Assistant Zoning Officer (he's Cranford's Zoning Officer today, and manages the township's Zoning and Planning Office), so he's got a keen sense of our city's many attributes as well as its challenges.  He knows how the city operates.  He knows the downside of code violations that impair the Plainfield brand and reduce property values throughout the city.  He's gung-ho for marketing our potential to attract visitors, shoppers, investors, and the like, and help offset the residential property tax burden.  He's a millenial, so he's got social media savvy and understands the needs of our youngsters, as well as oldsters like myself.
   I'm impressed with Ron, as I'm certain voters who meet him as makes his way from neighborhood to neighborhood over the course of the next month will be as well.  Vote Column C, Ron Johnson, for a distinguished addition to our Plainfield City Council.  This is an important election year on every level.  Don't pass up this opportunity to make a difference and hold government accountable and on track.
Sincerely,
Alan Goldstein "