Getting the Representation You Deserve

By all accounts, the Aberdeen Democrats are expected to retain monolithic control of the town council following this Tuesday’s election. And, since this is a democracy and the Democrats have an extensive public record, it can only be assumed the township enjoys the following:

Pay-to-Play – The township engineer gets over a million dollars a year after contributing tens of thousands of dollars to the Democrats’ election efforts. A convicted felon was appointed lead developer for the transit developer after depositing $100,000 in a township slush fund. The town’s attorneys, planners, accountants, and many of the developers are regular contributors to the Democrats’ coffers.

Full Non-Disclosure – After the Democrats’ election filings were prominently posted on this blog, including the “consulting fees” to Councilman Vinci, the Democrats engineered the campaigns and fundraising so that not a single contributor would be revealed. This year, alone, the democrats have already declared $35,000 in contributions but not a single donor who gave more than $300.

Do-Nothing Reps –Councilman Cannon has already served two years and, no doubt, his record has earned him another four years. The other three all served on the planning council and supported construction of 132 low-income housing units in Cliffwood. That project was supposed to have been unstoppable until the all-volunteer Cliffwood Housing Association convinced the developers to scale back their plans.

You may remember Democratic candidate, Bob Swindle, at the “emergency” meeting to approve the housing project. Over a hundred residents gathered to protest. The planning board’s attorney claimed those gathered had no right to public comment. When the audience objected, the attorney threatened police force. You can see it all on video. Bob Swindle is the board chairman who just sat there next to the attorney as the townsfolk were threatened with jail time.

Connie Kelley took Montone’s seat on the planning board when Montone got elected. There’s nothing I can say about the former math teacher that her students haven’t already said. “More concerned with School Spirit than teaching advanced mathematics.” “She has no clue what goes on in class.” “[U]naware of everything going on in the class.” “[O]blivious to what goes on around the classroom.” Maybe that’s why she was recruited to run on the Democratic ticket.

High Taxes – Aberdeen is already among the five highest taxed municipalities in the county and there’s no relief in sight. They keep talking about the new ratables (transit village, Anchor Glass, Aberdeen Forge, senior housing) but the only things being built are low-income housing and condos. That may help the municipal tax levy but it won’t help the school tax levy.

Would a Republican presence on the town council make difference? Maybe. What’s the town got to lose?

Then again, seems most residents like things just the way they are. That’s why the Democrats keep getting elected. >>> Read more!