Intimidation is keeping good people on the sidelines
Iread in the papers that a former mayor/former township attorney is not only suing Manalapan Committeeman (and former mayor) Andrew Lucas, but that he also hired a private investigator to gather information on Mr. Lucas. The allegation is that Mr. Lucas did not live in Manalapan during the time of last year's election so he should be removed from office and his votes on township business removed.

Under this warped logic, if Mr. Lucas hadn't been elected then the lawsuit against this former township attorney that Lucas and two other members of the Township Committee instituted wouldn't have proceeded. My, what desperate people will do to try and escape from a corner they are backed into.

Taking a detached view of this logic, I have to admit that I am impressed with the attempt, as futile as it will turn out.

From a personal standpoint, I am disgusted that this occurred. Mr. Lucas is the victim of a witch hunt that is attacking him personally and professionally, all because he voted to do something that he felt was in the best interest of Manalapan.

This in itself is most unfortunate, and seeing it perpetrated in the press against Mr. Lucas by a former mayor and former township attorney is disgraceful. I understand that Mr. Lucas is a lifelong resident of Manalapan and has a business here.

I have spoken with him on several occasions before and after Township Committee meetings and found him to be a personable and genuine guy who does not deserve the invasion of privacy that is occurring, nor does his new wife.

In her inaugural address this past January our new mayor, Michelle Roth, explained that Congressman Rush Holt remarked that politics in Washington is not nearly as dirty as politics in Manalapan. Strong words from a U.S. Congressman and not something we as a community should be proud of.

There are those in our society who think that intimidation and bully tactics are the way to behave. Bullying and intimidation have taken various forms, from spreading false information in the press, to statements at these meetings and on the Internet.

I've also heard that some of our dedicated Township Committee members received threatening e-mails and letters, in some cases not only at town hall but also at their homes, with the presumed intention of intimidating them to resign.

This harassment keeps talented and qualified people who would otherwise be willing to serve as elected officials feel compelled to instead stay on the sidelines for fear of being attacked with fabricated and severely distorted information. Unfortunately, we all suffer for this behavior.

Larry Sherman

Manalapan