State of 100 Oligarchy Blvd. - Remains a Passive-Aggressive Oligarchy!?!

Well, normally I'd wait to comment until after Mayor Tom 'Now 13.7%' ChoiLankey gives his State of the Township address (this Thursday) but what's the point in waiting just to hear some more inspiring Springsteen quotes, some more blah..blah..blah from El Jefe on the state of the 'DemBadLands' of Downtown Edison?

Now, don't get me wrong - I have no problem with politicians putting the facts in a light most favorable to themselves but this guy spins stuff so much, he makes himself dizzy. Just a reminder - spin is all well and good, just as long as you don't believe it.

We have an all-Dem Oligarchy government that gives new meaning to the term 'Checks & Balances' - that being we'll tell you what we want you to know and only when we want you to know it. A council that acts more like clerks shuffling Lankey's paperwork around than watchdogs for the People of Downtown Edison.

Don't think so? Then ask yourself why Señor Lankey was able to tax the daylights out of you over the last three years with the muni-tax, garbage tax and sewer taxes (not to mention the bonding and law suit settlements) and the Council was no where to be found. All that tax money and the council couldn't find anything to cut to reduce the burden?

Take the Muni-tax, which Lankey has increased by 13.7% over his short reign and compare that to the council's review of those budgets and the effect of their proposed amendments in the final budgets they adopted, and what do you get - zilch, nada, nothing, the same 13.7%.

Here, take a peek down memory lane:

So, do we really need a Council under Lankey's stewardship? We can save a lot of time and money if we just let Lankey do what he wants and skip the dog and pony show we get from his 7 council clerks.

You know, our form of government is also known as a Strong Mayor, Weak Council form of government. Well, that's half true here in the 'DemBadLands' of Downtown Edison - we have a Weak Council.

And speaking of the council, with Diehl, Gomez and Shah up for reelection this year along with Lankey, looks like they're trying to dump Shah. Seems their choice (in their dysfunctional world of Edison Dem-party politics) for Shah's seat is Sam Joshi.

Now, it really doesn't matter to me who they pick since anyone they pick out of the Dem-party recycle bin would be someone who agrees to play by their rules to get their support. So, if it's not Joshi, it'll be someone else just like him.

Which brings me to Shah. Was never much of a fan of hers dating back to her stint on the Edison Board of Education. My take on her was she was more in the it's all about 'ME' mold of Rob 'Mr. Temper-a-Ment' Karabinchak and not so much for the People of Edison, but only much Smarter.

Having said that, let me tell you why it's a mistake to let the powers that be over there at 100 Oligarchy Boulevard to try and replace her.

First of all, she's really smart and articulate, has a substantive knowledge of the issues before the town and the council, she speaks up and out against the oligarchy when she has to, challenged that least qualified choice of Karabinchak for the 18th District seat, and, let's not forget, she was the only one who voted against Lankey's 9% ambush tax hike in his first year.

Seems to me we are better off having someone on the council who is not afraid to speak truth to power, than not.

So, if any of those 156 or so committee people are listening, don't be lead around by your nose - stick with Ms. Shah and for that matter, consider all the other qualified women who may be screening before you next month. It's time we had more women representing us on the council.

Anyhoo, at least we're comforted by the knowledge that if you don't play nice in the sandbox and buck the status quo, you have to go - here in the 'DemBadLands' of Downtown Edison.