I'm voting for Democrats Beth Zall & Bill Brazell

Hi, I am Dianne Thall-Eglow, former mayor and lifelong resident of Millburn Township.

I’ve been amused to see a line I wrote four years ago come back to life — again — this election season.One of their candidates even quoted it in the debate held on Sunday by the Millburn-Short Hills Chinese Association, and said it was his inspiration! Wow.

When I ran for Township Committee as an Independent, I wrote that, “The local Democrats have no independence from the Essex County Party machine that funds them.”

Republicans love that line the way some people love a Taylor Swift song. They repeat the refrain again and again.

But here’s the thing: times change, and people change.

I have spent years in local government, and I know what matters when you are elected to represent your town. It is not the party. It is not the county organization. And it certainly should not be the billionaire Republican donors who write the checks.

It is the people of Millburn Township.

That is why I am proudly supporting Beth Zall and Bill Brazell DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES for Township Committee.

I support them because I believe they are independent thinkers. They will ask questions, listen to residents and, when necessary, push back — regardless of who is telling them what they are supposed to do.

And yes, I am a Democrat, and I am proud to support Democrats who share those values.

I want Township Committee members who will put Millburn first — not party politics, not political insiders, and not special interests.

I want people who will stand up for our schools, our neighborhoods, our taxes, our infrastructure and the quality of life that makes this town so special.

Beth and Bill each have three children, all currently in the Millburn Public School System. They are 100% invested in this community. They live here, their children go to school here, and they experience the same community we all do every day.

That matters to me.

I also believe elected officials have an absolute fiduciary responsibility to the people who put them in office. We deserve transparency, honesty, accountability and decisions made in the best interests of ALL Millburn Township residents.

I have become increasingly concerned by what I see as self-serving, partisan policy decisions by Frank Saccomandi and Ben Stoller that have not been sufficiently transparent to the residents they represent.

I want something different for Millburn.

I want leaders who will listen before they act. Leaders who will explain their decisions. Leaders who will welcome disagreement rather than dismiss it. And leaders who understand that their first obligation is to the residents who elected them.

That is why I am supporting Beth and Bill.

I trust them to think for themselves. I trust them to listen. And most importantly, I trust them to fight for Millburn.

That is what local government should be about.

As your former mayor, as a lifelong Millburn Township resident, and as a Democrat, I am asking my neighbors to join me in voting for Beth Zall and Bill Brazell for Township Committee.

I know them. I believe in them. And I believe Millburn will be stronger with them representing us.

Thank you.