PISCATAWAY, NJ, October 22, 2008 — Piscataway Cares, a non-partisan organization based in Piscataway, had planned a “Meet Your Candidates Night” to afford the townspeople an opportunity to see and hear the people who are seeking the offices of mayor and council in our community. The function was scheduled for Tuesday evening, October 21, in the meeting room of the JFK Library.

Piscataway Cares does not endorse either political party. Its main objective is keeping the community informed. The organization worked diligently to inform the township residents of the upcoming event. What better way to learn of the issues facing the town and how each candidate views the future of Piscataway?

At the eleventh hour, the Democrats refused to participate in the forum. Immediately thereafter, the public library denied access to their meeting room, and returned the check Piscataway Cares had paid for the use of the public facility.

Every effort was made by the organization to find another location. It was their decision to hold the event even though the Democrats were not interested in sharing any plans for the future of our community. To no avail, every door to public and private meeting rooms in the township was slammed in the face of Piscataway Cares. They were told that the Democrat’s party bosses used their considerable influence in dooming the event, no need to ask why. Joseph Schilp, candidate for mayor who, with his running mates, waited outside the library to speak with those who missed the notification of the cancelled meeting said, “Any governing mayor and council that refuses to telecast its public meetings, refuses to adopt an ordinance banning “pay to play,” and recklessly spends taxpayers money does not want to be available for any interaction with the public who pay the bills.”

We know that this is an important election year in our county. We need to feel secure in our vote for president. We must also be confident that the election of town officials shares our views of honesty and integrity, and truly represents the best of what local governance is designed to do.

A Letter-to-the-Editor
During Piscataway mayor Brian Wahler's 8 years in office, the charm of old and natural Piscataway has been gradually and systematically erased.

This has occurred in many ways: 1) by widespread road-widening; 2) by poorly planned new construction; 3) by paving-over of dozens of acres of wetlands and woodlands; and 4) by demolition or alteration of many historical sites. The character of many older neighborhoods and streets has also been forever changed; and traffic and speeding has worsened.

In addition, the large field along Lakeview Ave at it's intersection with New Brunswick Ave (across from Pepsi and Harris Steel), is slated for intensive residential development. The available documentation in Meuly's 'History of Piscataway Township,' suggests that this section of Lakeview Ave is where the "Battle of Quibbletown" occurred, during the American Revolution.

Instead of being erased, the charm of old and historic Piscataway should be studied and preserved. Such an approach is consistent with the Piscataway Ordinance for Historic Preservation, and the Master Plan goals of preserving environmentally sensitive areas and maintaining a safe and even traffic flow.

These are additional reasons why I believe Piscataway residents deserve a new administration this November.

From: Ed Marsh / Piscataway, NJ

The CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT program will air on the following dates:

Wednesday, October 22 8:30pm
Friday, October 24 9pm
Saturday, October 25, 7 pm
Sunday, October 26, noon
Monday, October 27, 9:30pm
Thursday, October 31, 8:30pm
Saturday, November 1, 9 pm
Sunday, November 2, 9 pm
Monday, November 3, 9 pm

Tune in to Piscataway Community Television (Channel 15 on Cablevision) or Channel 40 on Verizon FIOS.

A Letter-to-the-Editor, as published in the Home News & Tribune

At Piscataway Town Council and Planning Board meetings, Mayor Brian Wahler and certain other public representatives, act more like bullies than public servants.

They do this routinely; by saying things to members of the public that are humiliating, demeaning, and antagonistic. For example, at a recent Council meeting - a council-member stated that videotaping of council meetings would cause "every crackpot in town in to attend the meetings just to get on camera."

Such comments are inappropriate and unpatriotic. Americans have given their lives defending the freedom we enjoy in this country. Everyone has a right to speak before the town council.

It is wrong for Piscataway officials to squelch and obstruct opposing viewpoints and inquiry. Instead, citizens should be encouraged to speak-up and participate in the decision-making process. For this reason I believe Piscataway residents deserve a change in administration this November.

From: Ed Marsh / Piscataway, NJ

Please join us Tuesday, October 21st at the JFK Library (500 Hoes Lane) and support your Republican Candidates. The program begins at 7pm.

Your Republican Candidates are:
For Mayor - Joe Schilp
For Council - Gene Bozzo, Sean Moran, Jan Braverman

“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely and who rely on you in return.”