Page 16 - The Indian EYE 021822

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 18, 2022 | The Indian Eye 16

Mayor Sam Joshi rebukes

ordinance that divides town issues

and calls for township unity

Councilman Richard Brescher’s ward system restructuring proposal would replace Edison’s

current seven at-large council seats with a five-ward, four council-at-large system

OUR BUREAU
EDISON, NJ
dison Mayor Sam Joshi issued
a strong rebuke Wednesday
Eof Councilman Richard Bre-
scher’s ward system restructuring pro-
posal, which would replace Edison’s
current seven at-large council seats
with a five-ward, four council-at-large
system.
Joshi is advocating for maintain-
ing the current structure of council
president, council vice president and
five other council members all elect-
ed at-large by voters throughout the
township.

should the new ordinance
be approved the four at-large

seats would be up for a four-
year term in the 2022 election
and in 2023, the five ward seats

would be open for a two-year er to the expressed will of the voters. politics getting in the way. For those we intend to undertake. We aim for
term. then in 2025, the ward His plan would divide the township reasons I am respectfully relaying to these efforts to benefit every member
into several different sections, cre- our Council members my opposition of our community. This is a critical
seats would be open again with ating areas with distinct boundaries to this ordinance.” time for us to come together and de-
the mayoral seat for full four- and forcing neighborhoods to con- The new structure would divide liver the progress that all of Edison
tinuously compete against each other the township into five districts, each deserves. Pursuing a politically-mo-
year terms. for limited taxpayer resources and with a representative on the Township tivated agenda to cynically cause
services. It would create an unneces- Council. There would be four coun- division in our community directly
Said Mayor Joshi of the propos- sary political distraction, preventing cil members chosen at large to pro- contradicts what residents want —
al, “This past November, after two us from coming together to move vide balance, but the system would unity and progress, not more political
demanding elections, the residents Edison forward in a way that works do little to fundamentally change infighting.
of Edison voted for my team and me for all residents no matter where in the mayor-council relationship. If any Council member feels that
based on a platform of uniting the town they live. Former Councilman Bill Ste- they cannot adequately represent the
township, advancing policies that Even worse, this politically mo- phens petitioned for a ward system interests of the entire town, then they
benefit our entire community and tivated initiative is being pushed in ballot question under former May- should consider resigning and allow-
working collaboratively on shared a year in which Edison has no local or George Spadoro’s administration ing someone else to take up that
goals that will make Edison an even elections. If passed, this ordinance but it was defeated in 2003. challenge. Edison residents elected
better place to live and raise a family. would mandate that we subject our Joshi continued, “Since becom- myself and all Council members to
Unfortunately, at tonight’s Council residents to a needless and expen- ing Mayor just last month, I have represent our entire community, and
meeting an ordinance is expected to sive election that will divert attention been reaching out to many of our we’re 100% committed to unifying
be introduced by Councilman Bre- from working on the real solutions residents, elected officials and oth- Edison and making sure our govern-
scher that if passed, would run count- on behalf of our residents without ers to discuss the numerous projects ment works for all of us.”

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