I'm Running Here
by Joe Renna
There was an article in the Westfield Leader this week about the
upcoming freeholder elections. The incumbent Democrats and the
challenging Republicans were mentioned but there was no mention
of me running as an Independent! I knew I was going to have it
tough as an Independent against the incumbent machine but I at
least would like to be recognized as a candidate by the press.
A few people who posted on this forum brought up the point that there are articles that promote the incumbents and the byline is not theirs. The complaint was that it seems bias and the articles should be identified as an advertisement or a press release for the candidate. Other posters suggested that those who complain should write and submit their own articles. This would be fair except....
On June 23, I wrote to every newspaper that is circulated in Union County. (My letter appears on my website: joerenna.com.) I offered to write on specific topics concerning the county and steering clear of anything political. I was politely rejected. It seems that "Since you are running for office you can't submit any articles because then all the candidates would want to". Some papers said that they have specific guidelines when it comes to printing articles concerning campaign issues and that I will be sent a packet in September explaining the rules. When I questioned the content of some of the articles that I have been reading and the affiliation of the authors with the candidates, the editor saw no conflict with their policy.
One of the biggest problems with the county is that the majority of work done and money spent goes to keeping the incumbents in power. They have over $340,000,000 to dole out to companies in the form of contracts, and patronage jobs in the form of salaries. Giving grant money to organizations and individuals has a huge effect on making sure that the recipients work to keep the hand that feeds them in power.
The incumbents have a public information department that is churning out press releases on behalf of the county that feature the three incumbent freeholders in the photos and headlines. Of course the freeholder chairman changes each year to one of the incumbents up for reelection so they get the most ink.
The advantages of being an incumbent up for reelection is almost insurmountable. The Democrats spent over a million dollars county wide last year to keep their power. That money came from somewhere and if you compare the list of campaign contributors to the list of companies with county contracts they mirror each other.
More disturbing than the business contributions is the employee contributions. The list of individual contributors is like a county employee directory. It seems that the going rate for a raise, promotion or preferred position is $250. The civil service system was supposed to separate the public service aspect of government from the political so that the government employees did not have to fear pressure from elected officials.
Though I am a registered Independent I still support my elected officials regardless of their political party or whether or not I voted for them. I believe we must work with our elected officials. The people have a voice in government only if they speak up. I see a lot of problems with how the County of Union is operating. They mostly stem from the fact that there has been only one political party in power for too long. Three Republicans can offer a balance though they would be just a minority voice on the nine member board. I too can be effective even as a lone dissenter on decisions I don't agree with. I will be the voice speaking up. But it looks like I may have to join the Republican party to do so.