One Down, One to go or I for Incumbent / I for Independant

Now that Freeholder Little has left the process, the relative silence from the screening committee has been broken. I guess some of the rumors Director Barham was spreading were not rumors at all ".... She doesn't have the support of the committee members..." and "... It was my Idea, a way for us to get Anna off the ticket, and get her out of freehold..." (I am paraphrasing here).

It seems that if you are an incumbent or an independent thinker the leadership requires replacement. "One down and one to go!!" This committee had another dark purpose. This purpose was to also eliminate Freeholder Clifton. Yes, another Incumbent that thought Independently out the door. I think our chairman needs a lesson in how to run a political organization(Incumbents are good). He does have experience, right. Read Bill's blog to get a brief history lesson. He did the same thing in Aberdeen with that organization and according to some left it broken and in shambles. (Hmm this sounds familiar)

"I made many hard decisions, and numerous mistakes. One of those mistakes cost me an important friendship. I chose to use my power as Chairman to punish dissent, instead of healing, bringing people together, and fostering debate without resentment."

Freeholder Clifton, get out now while you have the chance. It may be the only way to save our organization. If you refuse to go though the screening committee, it will be discredited further. Perhaps it will completely collapse. You and Freeholder Little can run off the line and keep your seats. You worked hard 3 years ago when you ran. You deserve respect. You have towed the line and worked with all sides to maintain peace. You are not a yes man and now you are now the next target. You have the support of the committee.

I have talked with fellow republicans and committee people from all over the county. The are ashamed that they put our chairman in power. Some have suggested a impeachment, some are so disgusted they just want to walk away. I beg you please stay with us. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the bunch.

Although I don't agree with the chairman on many his political decisions. He is a decent fella and he has done many good things with his life... his non-profit for example. He should consider stepping aside or changing direction. A course correction does not make you a weak Captain but it will save your ship. With ideas and personalities as diverse as our organization is, we really need someone to heal wounds and unite. Not someone to say "Do what I say or else".

A final thought, the chairman is "Croatian". He has bragged about this fact publicly and made jokes about it privately. I see some similarities between our internal battle and the war that took place in "Croatia".

Another brief history lesson (from Wikipedia):

....The civil wars ended with much of the former Yugoslavia reduced to poverty, massive economic disruption and persistent instability across the territories where the worst fighting occurred. The wars were the bloodiest conflicts on European soil since the end of World War II....

CMR