Dear Editor:
Since another local “hometown” paper decided to not print my letter last week because I had already written one previously and told me by phone the only way I could get this letter in was if I PAID them to run it as an ad, I am hoping you can publish my letter in your paper instead.
I’m happy to report that I have some breaking news for all of my fellow Secaucus residents. It looks like Mike Gonnelli and Rob Constantino finally came back to pay me a visit after my complaint about the two candidates sticking a flyer in my door saying they’ll be back but never showing up. I’m unhappy to report though on the meeting itself. As I approached the door I was anticipating Mike’s vision for the town and Rob’s vision for my ward. I opened the door and it was about as awkward as a heat wave in January. Mike asked if I had any questions for them. Obviously my answer was no because THEY were the ones knocking on MY door. Mike then proceeded to proudly say he was running unopposed, but was at my door to ask for my vote for Rob, who offered no comment whatsoever on any town topics. Of course, being the polite Secaucus resident I am, I shook hands and tried to hear them out, but there was nothing being said.
Something good did come out of this visit though. To hear Mike so convincingly and proudly say that he was running unopposed and not offer me a vision for this town, I was appalled. Based on this, I am encouraging all Secaucus residents to not just vote for the “unopposed candidate” or leave the slot for mayor blank. Let us all vote for a man that has already openly been declared by all parties as someone who is good for the town and can get along with everyone on the council. That man is none other than our current mayor Richard Steffens. We must not forget that just because the HCDO gave us no Democratic mayoral candidate and just because only one man is running unopposed that we are forced to vote for him. We still have something on the ballot called “Personal Choice.” I’m personally writing in Richard Steffens for Mayor. After all, Councilmen Gonnelli, Jeffas and Bueckner have expressed their approval of and willingness to work with him as the mayor now. Why not keep Mayor Steffens and this town moving forward the next four years instead of the “unopposed candidate” who will “take Secaucus back”(wards) with his open lawsuits against this town he wants to be mayor of?
Thank you for publishing my letter and not taking away my First Amendment right with silly restrictions and cheap money-making schemes like that other Secaucus “hometown” paper.
Dave Lopez
Secaucus Resident