Yes, November is a ways away, but it's already shaping up to be a potentially
Frank McGehee |
McGehee, who serves on the Maplewood Library Foundation Board and the Community Coalition on Race, had one of the strongest showings ever in the Maplewood Democratic Committee endorsement vote, garnering 26 of 28 votes. He also has the support of Mayor Vic Deluca and former Mayor Fred Profeta, who rarely agree on anything.
Mike Summersgill |
The 35-year-old father of two appears to be taking the campaign more seriously than most recent GOP candidates. Last year the Republicans nominated just one candidate even though two seats were up for grabs. That candidate, Phyllis Scalera, eventually missed a debate because of health issues.
"The national parties don't have a lot of relevance in local politics," Summersgill said. "We are all neighbors in our community. On social issues, I try to take a look at the individual level and think about the people that I love, respect, trust and how it would impact them."
This is also a time of change on the Township Committee with two seats already switching hands earlier this year when Greg Lembrich and Nancy Adams replaced Jerry Ryan and Kathy Leventhal. Marlon Brownlee, whose seat McGehee and Summersgill are vying for, will be the third person to leave when he steps down in January after choosing not to seek re-election.
"My observation is that the town could benefit from a little more rigor," Summersgill said. "Each department should set objectives at the beginning of the year, report back to the committee and then they should follow that into the budget process."
But the current political affiliation remains strongly Democratic and McGehee, who is already attending Township Committee meetings and meeting voters around town, appears ready to campaign heavily as well and not take any vote for granted.
"I want to be a voice for all of Maplewood and work on some core issues: pedestrian safety, taxes and shared services," said McGehee. "I think I can be a unifying candidate."
Stay tuned!
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