Let's Turn the Page on Chatham Township’s Tired Political Arguments

In Chatham Township we’re blessed (or maybe cursed) with a Township Committee election every year. And every year we seem to be talking about the same handful of issues where the two sides don’t actually disagree. This year, I hope we can break out of that rut and really talk about our Township’s future rather than rehashing the same tired arguments.

First the issues that everyone already agrees on.

Taxes: By any objective measure, there isn’t actually an argument there. This year’s Township tax rate is essentially the same as it's been for the past two years. And every Democratic and Republican member of the current Committee and prior Committees has voted for essentially the current tax rate at one point or another. But don't take my word for it. Check your tax statement or find the current budget on the Township website.

Crime: Every year we have the same “argument” about crime in the Township. Yet the current Democratic and the formerly Republican Township Committees have seen the same crime figures and have not made any substantial changes to the Police budget and staffing. Further, all the candidates for Township Committee have clearly stated their support for a professional and well resourced police department. There simply isn’t any substantive daylight between the two local parties on this point.

So let's focus on substantive and positive ways the candidates can make our community even stronger. Here’s my list (likely you have others to add)....,

1. How can we make our local government more transparent and accessible to Township residents?
2. How do we make the most optimal use out of our aging and underutilized municipal building complex?
3. How can we make our Township and community more environmentally friendly and sustainable over the long term?
4. How can we better leverage and preserve our unique relationship with the Great Swamp and the amazing amount of green space we are blessed with in the Township?

My hope is that by moving beyond our usual “arguments”, we’ll be able to get out of our partisan rut here in the Township and local political campaigns might actually be interesting, positive and hopeful again. There is much to be proud of and thankful for. Let's build on that.