Franc Gambatese and Charles Morgan, who regularly take opposing sides on council issues, are once again in separate corners over the candidates for the council election and on a key vote concerning redevelopment. Gambatese released a statement on Tuesday, October 31 that accused Morgan of planning to “stop redevelopment dead in its tracks.”
Gambatese said Morgan tried to prolong the passing of a redevelopment-related resolution until after the election on Tuesday, November 7. The resolution, put before council at a special meeting called on Monday, October 30, would give primary responsibility of working with the planner to create the draft plan for redevelopment to the planning board, has been the subject of controversy in recent council meetings.
Gambatese is in favor of letting the planning board work most closely with the planner on the plan, which council later will later approve or reject. Morgan believes council should have primary responsibility. “They want to give this to the planning board so they can take this even further behind closed doors,” said Morgan.
Gambatese accused Morgan of stalling the deliberation on the resolution, written by Township Attorney Michael J. Herbert, so the decision would not be made until after the election. Will Anklowitz, who Morgan supports, has said publicly he believes the authority should rest with council.
Morgan called the resolution a “sneak attack.” Said Morgan: “What’s really happening is I’m being attacked because nobody wants to hear my opinions. There is an effort in this administration to squelch any kind of dissent.”
Morgan continued, “Mr. Gambatese is saying is he doesn’t want to give me the time to express my concerns. If he doesn’t like to spend time doing the work of being on council he shouldn’t be on it anymore.”
Both men occupy council seats which expire in May. The two are expected to run opposing campaigns at that time, and have also lined up on either side of the current council race.
Gambatese, in support of Barbara Pfeifer, said in his statement Tuesday that Anklowitz wants to take West Windsor “Back to the Future.” He detailed his opinions in an eight-page document on Will Anklowitz’ candidacy and relationship with Mr. Morgan.
“I believe the thinking is that if elected, Mr. Anklowitz and Mr. Morgan will have enough of an ability to delay this [redevelopment] project indefinitely,” said Gambatese.
Morgan denies that he or Anklowitz want to delay the process. He says that he will support whatever decisions come out of the charette process, the series of meetings between the public and the planners which will determine what is included in the draft plan for the redevelopment.
“Keep it open, keep it moving,” said Anklowitz of the redevelopment process.
