The November 9 West Windsor Township Council meeting is enlightening to watch, especially in its entirety. Web link https://tinyurl.com/wwc110915 has the full video. In that meeting, Council President Bryan Maher remarks how he read in this newspaper that the Mayor doesn’t like to come to Council meetings due to getting attacked. But there is a broader question: why anyone at all would want to attend a Council meeting run the way Mr. Maher ran this one. A few highlights will illustrate.
Leading off public comments was a Conover area resident, a distinguished gentleman in a suit and tie, who rose, introduced himself by name, and complained, politely if unjustifiably, about leaf collection rules. Instead of a firm and fair response, this hapless fellow received a brow beating from Mr. Maher that clearly suggested the choice to attend was a mistake. It has to be seen to be believed.
Later, a resident inquiring about sidewalks on Cranbury Road asked what more she and neighbors could do to help the effort. The only advice from Mr. Maher, twice given: elect a new mayor. Aside from the unseemly misuse of the legislative pulpit for electioneering, this advice conveniently leaves the Council — the rest of whom sat silent for all this — with no work to do for two years. That’s not too useful.
As well, the recent election was a recurring topic. Its low turnout led Council Member Peter Mendonez Jr. to ludicrous exhortations, “Let’s vote. Let’s vote often. It doesn’t matter who you vote for. Let’s just vote.”
Finally, the meeting was not allowed to conclude without Mr. Maher taking a gratuitous swipe at that rebuffed first commenter, a neighbor who had introduced himself by name: “The leaf guy … he’s probably dumping all his leaves in front of my yard now.” In Mr. Maher’s perception, he is not our neighbor, Mr. So-and-so, but “the leaf guy,” who would have done better not to show up.
So, if you’re brave or bored or foolish enough to sit through a Council meeting — or even attend and offer comments — expect not only the usual contempt for our absent mayor, but also some contempt for you, too. Alternatively, don’t watch or go to these meetings.
John Hinsdale
Quaker Road, Princeton Junction
