Dear Editor:
Having worked with Tom Troyer as a fellow commissioner on the Secaucus Housing Authority for the better part of two years, the residents who voted in the recent School Board election could not have elected a more qualified candidate. During the almost two years, Tom was one of the, if not the most dedicated commissioners on the Authority.
However, an analysis of the results of the voting in the recent Secaucus School Board Election are very interesting.
Excluding absentee ballot votes, the top vote getter was Tom Troyer with a total of 825 machine votes. Anthony Rinaldi received 822 votes and 770 residents voting for Michael Schlemm at the voting districts. “Also Ran,” Michael Harper received 728 machine votes, 98 fewer than the top vote getter, Troyer.
It is no coincidence that there were 44 absentee ballots cast for Rinaldi, Schlemm and Harper and 44 absentee ballots voting “Yes” for the budget. This precise vote was a result of the efforts of the Impreveduto-Elwell political organization.
The comment by candidate Harper that the defeat of the budget “absolutely” contributed to his defeat at the polls (4/19/01 issue) is ludicrous. Tom Troyer defeated Michael Harper. It is as simple as that. This defeat of Michael Harper came in spite of his two mailings to the voters. The first a sleazy last minute attack upon Troyer and the second mailing disclosing to the voters his 3rd grade report. Incidentally, the report card shows that he was absent 22 1/2 days. One wonders how many days he has been absent from his $1,500 per year job which he holds on Assemblyman Impreveduto’s payroll. Did he learn to be a “no show” in the 3rd grade?
It is disturbing to see that this young man on his first try for public office chose to conduct a mud slinging campaign. Too bad his advisors didn’t urge him to take the “high road.”
Tom Troyer, thank you for being a candidate in this election. Were it not for you, the budget would have passed, and more importantly, the people now have a representative on the school board.
George Broemmer