Former mayor's speeches don't deal with current issues
Over the years Manalapan has seen many volunteers and elected officials come and go. Some were voted into office, some were voted out. Some have stayed involved with the town and politically, even after being removed. Some have not been seen or heard from in 20 years.

Until recently. Over the last year or so, Manalapan endured a real life version of "A Christmas Carol," particularly the part about the Ghost of Christmas Past. While this is a wonderful story that made blockbuster movies, it is based on nightmares.

After being voted out of office in 1983, a former mayor was never heard from for more than 20 years. Suddenly though, having never volunteered for anything since 1983, having never served the town in any capacity since 1983, having never benefited this community in any way since 1983, he seems to have emerged like an apparition, making regular visits to town hall, regular visits to court proceedings that don't involve him, attacking people who have given of themselves to serve the town he abandoned with his loss in 1983.

By observing who he has been attacking, it is obvious to all that he is doing this to support certain elected officials and political pals. Even without the use of his golden shovels, he continues to try to dig up dirt on people who are in his way. The cleanest of the clean will appear dirty once mud starts slinging. Who will be his next target?

In any event, Manalapan is faced with a lot of serious problems these days, on which our government needs to focus. As entertaining as the rages of former mayors might be, it is not helpful when meeting after meeting, we are wasting taxpayers dollars while five Township Committee people, two professionals and a group of administrators sit around wasting time while "he" attacks people without rhyme or reason. Entertainment only goes so far.

There is real work to do. While chain rattlers and things that go bump in the night make effective special effects, they are quite boring to watch live from the audience. They are more boring to watch on Channel 77.

If the Ghost of Christmas Past has no lessons of value to teach our residents and elected officials, let him keep his nightmares in his own life and not inflict them on the rest of us. After months of this, no one is impressed and the suspense is gone. We have seen it all in black and white, color and the Disney version. Former mayors can't top that.

Current mayors can use their elected positions to keep meetings respectful and productive. What went on in town hall on Feb. 13 should not have been allowed to happen. The rules of the room apply to everyone.

Susan Heckler

Manalapan