Local Politics Should Focus on Local Issues, Not Partisan Ideology

West Windsor is a unique town. We moved here in January 2020, only a few months before COVID-19 shutdowns. We were spoiled by the peace and quiet of Cranbury and Rabbit Hill roads without traffic. As things got back to normal we noticed the speeds, negligence, and unsafe nature of our streets for pedestrians and bikers and we started getting involved. We began asking about how to lower speed limits and add sidewalks. Councilwoman Sonia Gawas responded immediately and has been a vital advocate for our cause. She and Mayor Marathe came to our home, met with us, and walked the roads to better understand our concerns and requests.

Last year when our town lost one of our youth to a fatal accident on Rabbit Hill Rd., the mayor and all of the council members quickly responded to the outcry of our neighbors and the larger community. More than 50 angry and scared Rabbit Hill and Bennington Rd. residents met with the Mayor, Andrea Mandel, and Linda Geevers, who listened to each voice. They displayed compassion and concern. They promised to review and address the issues as quickly as possible, and they continue to fulfill their commitments to Rabbit Hill and all WW residents.

Through our advocacy we’ve witnessed up close a diverse group of WW elected leaders with diverse viewpoints, ethnic, religious, and political affiliations. We have been struck by the focus on solutions and dialog, rather than adherence to political ideology.

Non-partisan democracy is INCLUSIVE. We love seeing a democrat, republican, and independent running together on the same ticket, committed to addressing local policies and issues rather than strict adherence to a county or state agenda. We love candidates that are chosen by the community, rather than state and county political machines like the 80% of the other NJ communities.

The yes side constantly talks of “transparency,” but what they really mean is changing our election process to match other partisan townships in Mercer county where the dominant party chooses our leaders. They want to add partisan primaries where 44% of township voters would be excluded. They want to set up ballots to ensure that their democrat candidates appear under state and national candidates, ensuring that they get votes from less informed voters. We will no longer be able to vote for slates that include candidates with diverse party affiliations.

Do we really want to be prisoners to blue vs. red partisanship and depart from the diverse voices and backgrounds that have made West Windsor a Forbes “Top 25 towns in the U.S.?” Not us! We love the sense of community we’ve found in West Windsor. We love non-partisan West Windsor.

We VOTE NO to the West Windsor Public Question.

Amber Henrie & Travis Meyerson
West Windsor Residents

Watch our public comments at West Windsor Township Council meetings: