Letters
Name-calling unnecessary in county freeholder race

It’s not easy being a Republican candidate for a Middlesex County office. At least that appears to be the case for a slate of GOP candidates who last week tried to file an ethics complaint against the Democratic incumbents.

Not only did freeholder candidates Andrew Tidd and Jay Boxwell Jr. and county clerk hopeful Joe Sinagra show up with their complaint at a county ethics board meeting that did not take place (whether it had ever been scheduled is disputed), but their argument was quickly dismissed as “bogus” by the county counsel, who then tagged the candidates themselves with the same label. Granted, this was not the first shot fired by either side of the county campaign, but it seems downright inappropriate, especially coming from an attorney employed by the county.

County Counsel Thomas F. Kelso issued the statement after the GOP filed a complaint that incumbents David B. Crabiel, Camille Fernicola and County Clerk Elaine Flynn had violated an ethics code that prohibits candidates from accepting campaign contributions from those who receive county contracts. While Kelso explained there was no violation due to what appears to be a loophole distinguishing candidates from campaign committees, he went so far as to state that the complaint was lodged “by a bogus team of candidates who have no government experience and no public support.”

Needless to say, the Republicans, who do have government experience, did not appreciate the description. And they have a right to be ticked. The issue of pay-to-play has long been the norm in New Jersey politics, but it has seen massive public opposition and calls for reform. For a candidate to request a probe into whether a code has been violated doesn’t seem that unreasonable.

And despite the fact that they, like the Democrats, have been discussing many issues facing the county, the candidates are described as “bogus” in an official statement from none other than the county’s top lawyer. Kelso had no place making the comment. It’s one thing to see a candidate for office doing the name-calling or the finger-pointing; it’s another when the person in charge of county legal matters stoops to that level.

Just as the Democrats in Middlesex County have the ability to discuss a record of achievement, their opponents can and should be asking questions of those in office. Regardless of anyone’s political affiliation, we should all respect those who step up to the plate and take part in a democratic system that seeks to provide checks and balances.

Chaplain applauds efforts of Edison police

As a citizen of Edison, I support our local Police Department, and I am tired of all the negative publicity in which the media have become the judge and jury. I have faith in both the Edison Police Department and its leadership. Two of the four recent allegations were unsubstantiated, and the other incidents were totally blown out of proportion. Yes, a police officer found guilty should be punished; however, let us not forget to praise the officers for the good work they do every day in protecting the citizens of this large and diverse community.

I am proud to be the chaplain for the department, a position I have held for 16 years. Let those who deserve condemnation receive it, but let us not forget the majority of brave officers who put their lives on the line each and every day for the people of Edison.

Rabbi Dr. Bernhard

H. Rosenberg

chaplain

Edison Police Department

Mayor should keep hands off the Police Department

I have lived in Edison Township for 47 years. I have observed some very good and some very bad police work by our Police Department. The good by far outweighs the bad. The criteria for police officers are high and as long as the political bosses keep their hands off, we get the best people to join our department.

The greatest problem is the cronyism within the department. This is brought about by the mayor appointing himself as the director of public safety. With the exception of a short period of time in the early nineties, the boss has ruled. This has led us to today’s problems. Selection processes have been ignored by Mayor Spadoro and his predecessors so they could appoint their political cronies.

The current chief of police, Edward Costello, is the finest chief I have ever known. He attended law school on his own time and at his own expense so he could have a better knowledge of the law he swore to uphold.

Edison is fortunate that is not a political crony. Chief Costello has done an excellent job working within a systems, which is fraught with problems created by a director whose primary concern has been photo ops and passing blame for his ineptitude.

On Jan. 1, we will install a new mayor. The public should demand that an ordinance be passed, which would preclude the mayor appointing himself as acting director of public safety for a period of more than 30 days and that during that period, no promotions or new police appointments be made. Once appointed, the mayor would not be eligible to serve another interim term.

Political hacks should back off and let the legal system work to either clear or convict the officers currently under investigation.

Mayor Spadoro and his henchmen should quit undermining Chief Costello. He should be permitted to run the department without the interference of political wantabees or troublemakers.

Robert A. Brown

Edison