Public apology owed

I am owed a public apology from Councilman Bob Holowach, Mayor Jonathan Rose and the Sussex Republican Committee Chairman, Jerry Scanlon for their slanderous statements about me and their attack on my right to freedom of speech, as described in the New Jersey Herald on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, “Belated Backlash after Sussex Council president’s comment”.

During a discussion of my proposed resolution requiring a public referendum vote should a future council wish to sell our water/sewer system and specifically, the Water Infrastructure Protection Act, when I stated the FACT that Governor Christie received $50,000 from American Water just prior to his signing the bill, all hell broke loose. Councilman Holowach seized the moment for political theatre. He wanted a recording of the meeting. I was guilty of libel. He cursed repeatedly. I stated that “TO ME, this was a crooked bill”. Which I stand by.

As well as the Herald, Jerry Scanlon had been called to action by Holowach. I had only once spoken to Mr. Scanlon when he phoned me asking if I wanted my name on the political signs with former Mayor Parrott’s group, Marina Krynicky, Ed Meyer and Frank Dykstra for this November. I told Mr. Scanlon “absolutely not”. Why would I associate myself with the very individuals who were in office when I confronted Mayor Parrott for not paying his water/sewer bills for a year (taxes as well.) I recall saying “shame on all of you for allowing this”. The actions of these individuals and the desire to stop this kind of behavior are why I ran for council. Former Council President Krynicky, while acting as Mayor during the potential sale of our water/sewer system, tried to shut me down at every public meeting whenever I had information for the public which was not in favor of the sale. At our special meetings, she did the same to the public. Mr. Scanlon mentioned my letter in the Advertiser News North dated Aug. 3, 2015, entitled,” You Get the Government You Deserve”. Perhaps Councilman Holowach and some of the other members of Mayor Parrott’s team had a problem with that as well.

I decided I was Republican because of my beliefs and strong conservative values. Today, the Republican Party at every level is no longer what it was. The kinds of behaviors described above have eroded the public’s faith in the party and in government in general. I WILL NOT RELINQUISH MY VALUES, MORALS, ETHICS AND SENSE OF FAIRNESS TO ALL PEOPLE IN ORDER TO FALL IN LINE WITH THESE KINDS OF REPUBLICANS! Rather than expecting me to abandon my principles, perhaps the party leadership should take a long look at what has been going on for years in Sussex Borough and elsewhere in the county.

I can no longer vote the party line. Greed and self-interest in both parties have taken the place of virtue. Rather, I look closely at every individual running for office. Today, in Sussex Borough, I am running for a three-year term. I am endorsing Kathy Little for Mayor and Albert Decker for a three-year Council term. And I request that you write in Annette Stendor for the one-year Council term. We are ALL people who want to see Sussex Borough move forward and prosper at a time when there are new opportunities presenting themselves. We do not want to sell out Sussex Borough. We do not want special treatment for the few. Personally, if you are voting the Parrott team (which includes Mario Poggi), please do not vote for me. On the county level, I am endorsing Harvey Roseff for freeholder.

Linda Masson
Sussex Borough