Scotch Plains Mayor Calls On Murphy To Reopen More Businesses

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The Mayors for "Main Street" Alliance, which includes Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith and 21 other New Jersey mayors, joined together to express their frustration with Gov. Phil Murphy over his lack of interest in safely reopening gyms, movie theaters and indoor dining on a statewide or regional basis.

"The business owners who have not shuddered already, cannot last forever," said Smith. "They need an effort and a partnership from their State leaders to allow them to fully open safely or the cases of some business open for the first time. It is in their best interest to follow safe reopening guidelines and fight to maintain some semblance of their livelihood. These people demand relief."

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"The Governor has made it clear that he trusts local officials by allowing them to make the decision whether to reopen schools for our children," said Bridgewater Mayor Matthew Moench. "Why then can he not trust those same officials in respect to their local economies? The cuts to these businesses will take a long time to heal but continued inaction of the part of this Governor will leave more lasting, irreversible scars."

The alliance launched in May initially began with five Somerset County Mayors including Moench, Bernards Mayor James Baldassare, Bedminster Mayor Larry Jacobs, Bernardsville Mayor Mary Jane Canose, and Far Hills Mayor Paul Vallone. Read More: 5 Somerset County Mayors Join Forces To Reopen Businesses

It has since expanded to more than 20 mayors across the state. The group mission is to advocate for the swift and safe reopening of businesses within their communities. Businesses that that alliance says have been drastically and negativity impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also serves as a platform for local elected officials to share experiences, ideas and best practices.

"Every mayor in this group prioritizes the health and safety of our residents but we continue to see the Governor pick and choose economic winners and losers with very little to no health justifications," said Bedminster Mayor Larry Jacobs. “We need to level the playing field before it’s too late and all our Main Streets are vacant. Businesses that can open safely should be allowed to do so."

"New Jersey is one of the most geographically and economically diverse states in the country," said Washington Township Mayor Matthew Murello. "From cities to shores and some areas where social distancing is just the way of life; New Jersey is unique and it is disappointing that this Governor has chosen to paint us all with one brush. We may wake up when this is over, only to realize that our economic diversity has all but vanished."

This alliance, consists of the following New Jersey Mayors (mostly Republican):

• Mayor Marcia Asdal, Chester Township, Morris County
• Mayor James Baldassare, Bernards Township, Somerset County
• Mayor Zachery Bray, Raritan Borough, Somerset County
• Mayor Mary Jane Canose, Borough of Bernardsville, Somerset County
• Mayor Jason Cilento, Dunellen Borough, Middlesex County
• Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, Mendham Borough, Morris County
• Mayor Jeff Herb, White Township, Warren County
• Mayor Janet Hoven, Chester Borough, Morris County
• Mayor Larry Jacobs, Township of Bedminster, Somerset County
• Mayor Jim Mengucci, Lopatcong Township. Warren County
• Mayor Matthew Moench, Bridgewater Township
• Mayor Michael "Mick" Marion, Warren Township, Somerset County
• Mayor Matthew Murello, Washington Township, Morris County
• Mayor Sarah Neibart, Mendham Township, Morris County
• Mayor Richard Onderko, Manville Borough, Somerset County
• Mayor Gregory Skinner, Borough of Peapack & Gladstone, Somerset County
• Mayor Al Smith, Scotch Plains, Union County
• Mayor Todd Tersigni, Phillipsburg, Warren County
• Mayor Brian Tipton, Harmony Township, Warren County
• Mayor Doug Tomson, Hillsborough Township, Somerset County
• Mayor Paul Vallone, Far Hills Borough, Somerset County

For more information on membership, visit facebook.com/MayorsforMainStreet or contact MayorsforMainStreet@gmail.com.

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