East Orange Charter Change NOW!

The time is now to start doing something about the charade that is played out every two years in East Orange, where only connected Democratic Party members get to serve on the city council.

 
It has been over 20 years since anything other than a Democrat has served as mayor or as a member of city council of East Orange.  There is no independent voice for the people.  

Most of our surrounding neighbors have either never operated this way or have long ago ditched this form of government for one that better guarantees true representation for city residents. Newark, Irvington, Orange, West Orange,  Montclair and several others all have chosen to be non-partisan, thereby giving every person, regardless of party affiliation or lack thereof the opportunity to earn her neighbors' support to run and then again to serve.  This is the fairest and most democratic way to select our representatives at city hall:

• In these communities who runs and who serves is based on ideas, not party.
• There are no divisive party affiliations. 
• It is an individual voter-driven process.
• There is debate, and debate is on real everyday issues relevant to regular city residents.
• Voters are more engaged, informed and involved between elections.  
• If not satisfied voters find it much easier to replace ineffective mayors and/or councilmembers  
• Candidates know they must earn your vote, and will remember this once elected
• There is much more vigorous campaigning

It is this form of government that facilitated the ouster of a powerful corrupt mayor in Newark and the election and subsequent re-election of a mayor who has brought much-needed new ideas, economic growth and new hope to a long-neglected and exploited old city.  It is this format that empowers the people of Montclair to have never re-elected a mayor and in 2008 to have sent all incumbents packing.  In East Orange, this only happens when a mayor or councilmember retires, dies or is escorted out in handcuffs.

Our councilmembers only show up in the community when it is time to play the charade of partisan elections in East Orange- and this is only in June for the primary!  Since there is one-party rule in this town, come November they don't put up signs, knock on doors or in any way ask for your vote.  Why should they?  They don't need you anymore.  A few hundred of your neighbors already chose for you.

By the way, you are aware that there was a municipal election this past Tuesday (November 8, 2011), aren't you? You do know that half of the council was up for reelection, and since this is a one-party city, they all ran unopposed?  Are you aware that the people of East Orange had no other choice on the ballot?  Is this democracy?  Is this freedom of choice?

It is long past time to change our charter.  Local partisan politics, the same divisive, self-serving politics that dam up progress in Trenton and Washington, D.C., is about as fresh and helpful as last Thursday's sports section.  It is time to reunite East Orange on things that matter to the people of East Orange by joining the 21st century and becoming a non-partisan city. 

I am one voice.  Are there others who believe in free and open elections in East Orange?  Are there others who believe our mayor and council should be selected by all the people,all voters and not by a few hundred party faithfuls?  I believe the system we now have in East Orange pisses on the blood and lives spilled in the name of voting rights for all.  I think we owe the memory of the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement far better.  We must change the charter in East Orange to let them and their children  and grandchildren know that their sacrifice was not a waste, but an investment in the future of "every village and every hamlet,...every state and every city," including East Orange, to fully enjoy the benefits of our republic's democratic process - regardless of their political party affiliation or lack thereof.

Otherwise, we owe them all an apology.

 
It is time to change the charter in East Orange from partisan to non-partisan and return the power to all the people, not just their friends and loyalists who are rewarded with jobs and other perqs for keeping the same elitist crowd in office that cares nothing about the people.

 
Do you agree?

 
Then let's do it!