Writer discusses last week’s council meeting and the ordinances passed
By Jack Scheidell
For The Sun
As a resident of Washington Township since 1976, I have encountered the erosion of the vitality and stability of representative democracy. In a civics class, I was taught that in our representative form of government it was essential that the conduct of public officials should hold the respect and confidence of the people who elected them. My trust in our council officials has created the impression that such trust was being violated.
On Feb. 22, our town council members stomped on the oppositional throats and voices in attendance regarding an ordinance that established minimum and maximum salaries for some employees. My confidence in the integrity of our elected representatives has been eroded.
Only two, recently elected Dana Pasqulane and President Nick Fazzio, listened to the public.
A property tax increase is on the horizon and the budget, due in January from our mayor, hasn’t been presented as required by code. We now are providing raises to individuals without a yearly review and on the job for 28 days. The new, inexperienced Democratic mayor came up with this idea as her first action — not any of the worthwhile projects she promised that returns us back to a “premier community.” Do we have a puppet master running a “shadow government” at this level?
For this ordinance to pass, newly elected Republican Joe Perry voted with the Democrats rather than abstain or recuse himself. This has the appearance of impropriety because he then voted for attaining a full time zoning job for his running mate who lost his bid for mayor’s office. Did Mr. Perry exploit his position and vote to secure his friend a job? Conflict of interest? Quid pro quo?
If Mr. Perry isn’t ethically challenged, then I find him morally conflicted, generating loss of public trust.
