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[quote="anon-0n35"]I was going to take the above with a grain of salt until I saw the Cranbury Press article below.  I think the residents of Cranbury need to come out and make our voices heard at the TC that we love Cranbury, we love our character, our neighbors, and appreciate our volunteers and police.  We have a very dangerous group of people and a Committeeman in Matt Scott that are attacking everyone without any knowledge of our town.  I am concerned that if we don't try and stop this nonsense born of ignorance that we're going to tear the town apart.

http://www.centraljersey.com/news/the_cranbury_press/cranbury-township-committee-urged-to-create-civil-rights-panel/article_76b2f0d4-3db7-11e8-9918-17b5b03e5d9b.html

From the article:

"Jessica Ware, a black resident of Cranbury since 2012, said that 27 percent of the town is made up racial minorities like her. But there are only six minorities serving on government boards and commissions, according to the handout.

“When we see ourselves in offices, when we see ourselves represented in the highest levels of governance, it makes children feel like this is a job that they can do,” said Ware, a Rutgers professor. “It makes people feel like this is something that’s going to be speaking to me and speaking for me.”"

[b]My reply:[/b]  Ms. Ware I fully agree that we should highlight minorities.  But, that means starting at home.  Perhaps you should read about Agnes Wilson our first African American Board of Ed member and the work she did to help our schools.  How many of the African American families who have been here for generations have contributed and continue to contribute to our town on various boards, commissions and are active leaders in our First Aid Squad.  We have minorities shaping our school policy, board of health, and firs aid squad among many other things in town.  Perhaps instead of complaining, you should have in 6 years living here submitted an application to volunteer.

Ms. Johnson commented-  The handout said women make up 51 percent of the town’s population, but 45 percent of town governance positions.

[b]My reply-[/b]  Are we using gender discrimination now to hire?  Our employment in office positions from looking at the town website is largely women with women in the most key positions - School Business Administrator, Township Administrator, President of the School Board, Zoning Chair, Board of Health Chair, Cable TV Chair, Library Director, Library Board Chair, Enviornmental Commission Chair,  Town Historian, Shade Tree (all members are women), Clerk, Deputy Clerk, QPA.  We had an individual run for TC and yet I am sure you voted against her.

All of these individuals are in their roles not because of gender, but because they are dedicated and experienced individuals.  Your comments are not only based on a non-understanding of the town and how volunteers work, but they diminish the value all these individuals are making by lumping a statistic.

And Ms. Johnson what boards have you and your wife joined?  Looking at the town website- Municipal Alliance, EC, Recreation, and HPC all have openings.  If you want to boil down to a stat then you and your wife can grow the demographic by two more individuals.

Ms. Johnson again commented- She said the blue line is a symbol of “Blue Lives Matter,” a pro-police organization that she said is against “Black Lives Matter.”

“It’s a slap in the face to every African-American,” she said of the blue line in town. “It was hurtful.”

[b]My response[/b]:  First I am glad the Mayor challenged her.  But what is Ms. Johnson teaching her children?  Our police officers came to my house when I had a break in.  They have engaged my family on national night out, at the Drug Free Fair and Strawberry Festival.  They have told my child to be safe and rewarded them with a coupon for free ice cream when wearing a bike helmet.

Perhaps instead of criticizing our police Ms. Johnson you should take the time to meet with them and engage with them.  I guarantee you will not be treated in a negative manner.

[b]However... [/b]Perhaps I am most outraged at Matt Scott and his comments brandishing his fellow TC members and our residents as prejudiced and racist.

His comments:   “And I know from some of my brothers on the committee and my fellow citizens, they see others as change and as a threat. And I think that, fundamentally, that’s wrong.”

My response:  Mr. Scott you have served on the TC for 3 months and missed one meeting already.  You have advocated for Marijuana sales in our down town area and are now cutting through the politeness calling our town residents and your committee members as biased individuals by saying these see those as different from them as a threat.  I go to many social functions in town where people mix together not as a race, gender or sexual identity, but as Cranbury residents, as parents.  I don't know anyone in town who sees it otherwise.

I can assure you most residents know and can attest for the character of your fellow TC members Mr. Mulligan, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Cook with their long term ties to the community and proven actions.  And as a member of the Methodist Church I have seen Mr. Johnson volunteer and support others and am sure those parishioners and his fellow Lions will attest to his character as well.

What I am not sure of Mr. Scott is how many of our residents will attest to your character after having you essentially call not just your colleagues, but the residents of Cranbury who are your neighbors prejudiced or racist.  And if actions speak louder than words a prime example would be as a qualified EMT why didn't you volunteer on the First Aid Squad?

I know my post is long, but accusations of prejudice, racism and bias are serious.  When thrown around they can have dangerous consequences on friendships and the community.

Please do not let this happen to Cranbury.[/quote]

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