The Masquerade

Fourth Ward Registered Voters!

On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, the people of East Orange will take part in the same ritual that it has for many years now. We will go to the polls and participate in the masquerade called municipal general elections.

Who is running? Well in the fourth ward it is the perennial, caustic, abrasive and abusive incumbent, Sharon Fields.

She is running unopposed - like the rest of the "candidates". All of them won their primary races in June, and now, with no other party fielding candidates, Ms. Fields and the rest of the crew just go through the motions of the election masquerade.

Every two years this happens. In alternating elections we allow the mayor and/or half the city council to keep a job for life, as long as they live or are not imprisoned.

We get no choice in East Orange. The election rules require that a potential candidate obtains a minimum number of registered voters' signatures on a petition. It is a very low number, but there is a catch. The petition signers must be of the potential candidate's party.. This means that if there are not enough registered members of his or her party they are barred from running.

In a town where the overwhelming majority is a Democrat, who else can run?

You can only run if you wish to run as a democrat, AND you can get enough signatures AND you can defeat the incumbent. The members of town council have their cliques, gangs of primary voters who make sure they beat back any challenge. So, by taking options away from the people, they keep their jobs for life!

Is it fair that so many of our neighbors really get to choose who runs their town, while we do not? Is it fair that you can only run for office if you are already in office, or are friends with someone who is? Is it fair that only members of one party get a chance to even run? Is it fair that in most of the neighboring towns ANYONE who wants to run can with NO REGARD to party affiliation?

Are you happy with the same people doing the same thing the same way at City Hall? Are you happy with a councilwoman who picks and chooses who will benefit from her services? Are you happy with a councilwoman who does not answer your calls or letters? Are you happy with a councilwoman who publicly slanders constituents? Are you happy with a councilwoman who resents and ignores constituents who ask questions at meetings?

I think East Orange deserves far better. I think the Fourth Ward deserves better, and this is why I write this piece.

On November 8, you do have a choice. You have the choice of a write-in candidate, and I submit my name,
Leon De Vose, II, as the one to write in.

I am a lifelong Essex County resident, born, reared and educated in Newark. I have been married thirty years, I am a father of three (one of which is deceased) and a grandfather of 12, 11 of them residents of and attending public schools in East Orange.

I will be happy to meet with you in your home or church or organization meeting to meet you and to share my plans and vision for the Fourth Ward. My basic conviction is that

People, not Party, Citizens, not Cliques should determine our leaders.

If you agree, then please get the word out:

Stop the Masquerade! There is a better way for East Orange and the Fourth Ward deserves better! Take the power back and make it happen on November 8!

On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, write in Leon De Vose, II, for City Council