Candidates fail to energize Marlboro voters

October’s colorful falling leaves perennially ushering Marlboro Township’s elections usually illuminates the landscape for the electorate. However, I don’t recall any election cycle which has galvanized such a depressing atmosphere as this year’s election.

The urgency to orchestrate contrived groupings of candidates not perceived as being "old hack" retreads has energized this lack of enthusiasm. Frankly, none of the aspiring candidates’ credentials for mayor or council justify them being given the reigns of command in Marlboro.

The havoc exhibited by the assorted scandals which wrenched Marlboro these past six months have set in motion scenarios where a desperate need has arisen for voters to understand the alliances inbred in Marlboro’s separation of powers of municipal government.

The culprit precipitating this need relates to the lurking "turbulent trio" of appointed boards of zoning/planning/master plan. With a Marlboro mayor sharing the appointment spoils with a majority Township Council, gates open wide for their respective "favorite old boys" choices again taking root.

What then are the options for Marlboro’s electorate? Actually what remains are two simple questions to ask themselves. Does their rage at the Marlboro scandals demand an emotional response or do they support an environment of "checks and balances" for their township?

Herbert Resnick

Marlboro