Swedesboro
Political Tension Boils Over Into Meeting
by Sam Fran Scavuzzo
SWEDESBORO -- A short drive down Kings Highway through
Swedesboro will reveal a divided town poised for election.
One house proudly displays “FROMM-WEEKS-HALE.”
Next door, a “GAGE-LUSCH-ASCALON” sign begs to differ
with their neighbor’s opinion.
The candidates for mayor themselves are split as well.
A dichotomous council meeting that took place Oct. 15 showed off this split,
in addition to exhibiting the best part of politics and the worst.
Swedesboro Mayor Thomas Fromm (D) and Borough Council
had just finished congratulating the owners of local business, One More
Time, on winning the 2007 Best of Consignment Shops, when a visibly
concerned individual broke into the meeting, announcing that a child outside
needed medical attention.
Despite any political differences, the council rushed
outside to attend to a boy recently attacked by a bully. The display of
human affection towards fellow citizens was evident as Councilwoman and
Republican mayoral candidate Darlene Gage wheeled the boy’s bicycle to
safety, while Fromm attended to the mother of the child and other councilmen
and candidates searched for ice.
After the police and EMTs arrived to settle the
situation (the boy was fine, just a few bruises), any sign of goodwill
became lost as the meeting got under way.
Candidates for Borough Council Diane Hale (D), Frank
Lusch (R) and George Weeks (D) were in attendance, adding an element of
political excitement to the air. Very tangible splits in the room were seen
as Lusch and a local Republican resident sat on one side with Hale and Weeks
opposite.
Once while talking to another person during the
meeting, Lusch was chastised by the mayor.
The council itself seemed tense. After passing a
unanimous ordinance banning the usage of eminent domain for economic
purposes by the mayor and council, Democratic Councilman Michael Murray, who
is not running for relection, gave his committee report on the police.
Discussion then ensued on the outfitting and deployment
of two Dodge Durango’s into the police force and the apparent delay in the
proceedings.
“We look like dufuses, because the cars are not out
there,” Council President David Flaherty (D) said.
Fromm expressed his disappointment in the process and
both men wondered if ulterior – political – motives prevented the vehicles
from being in service. Swedesboro Police Chief William Dupper, nephew of
mayorial candidate Gage, is in charge of putting the vehicles on the
roadway.
Fromm noted that he was tired of hearing complaints
that the mayor was preventing police officers from receiving new equipment
when he knew for a fact they had new vehicles waiting to be outfitted.
Both Flaherty and Fromm reported that some residents
have mentioned to them that police officers have spoke out against the mayor
while in uniform.
Republican Councilman Don Dryden, almost as if playing
referee, quickly noted this was not a political issue. He, as a Republican,
wants the vehicles on the street as fast and safely possible, and that he
knew of no Gage-Dupper plot.
Gage did not offer much comment during the meeting
itself. Afterward, she denied the allegations to the New Town Press
and said she had nothing to do with what they were accusing her of.
Dupper denied the allegations as well, saying no one
had even brought the matter to his attention.
In regards to the Durango’s, Dupper said that one was
already outfitted and out on the street. Outfitting for the vehicles include
installing special lights, partitions and lettering, among other features.
“Hopefully, the other one will be out on the streets
within the next few days,” Dupper said, noting that by print the SUV should
be ready.
One local resident took a particular offense to the
comments and voiced his concern during the meeting.
“No one here is to defend the cops. What your saying is
not true,” Pete Patane of Franklin Street said. “Why are you accusing
Darlene? Because she is a Republican?”
Although the meeting remained tense, discussion on
Recycle Bank, the library and local business ensued. Dryden noted that the
council will be trying very hard in the future to make all local business
know how much they mean to the community.
First elected in 2003, Fromm is being challenged by
Gage because she feels, “the town needs courtesy brought back to
government…the mayor should serve, not rule people.”
On the upcoming election, Gage said, “I have once again
greatly enjoyed talking to so many old and new friends door to door. I
deeply appreciate everyone’s encouragement and support.”
Discussing reasons he feels voters should return him to
office, Fromm said, “I have done the most important job a Mayor can do, and
that is to be a leader. I ask the voters to look at the positive results we
have achieved during the last four years and vote for the best candidate to
lead Swedesboro into the future.”
If elected mayor, Gage’s position on Borough Council
would be filled by a person chosen by the Swedesboro Republicans’ Executive
Committee. In 2008, the seat will be up for reelection, as well as Dryden’s.
Hale, Weeks, Lusch and Republican Andre Ascalon are
running to fill two seats vacated by the departure of Democratic council
members Evelyn Churchville and Murray.
In a statement released to the New Town Press,
Hale and Weeks said, “Local government isn't about politics…It's about your
neighbors and helping to make their lives better. It's about the people you
think will make the best decisions for your home town.
“Think about what Swedesboro is like today. Think about
what our team has said about what else we want to do. Think about what
Swedesboro was like five or six years ago. Decide if you really, truly want
to go back to the way it was,” the statement continued.
Republican candidate Andre Ascalon was not present at
the meeting, but released this statement. “Traveling the streets of
Swedesboro, and hearing so many kind words, energizes me like nothing
else. I am grateful for this opportunity to run.”
Remaining positive, Lusch said, “I’m looking forward to
the election and I am having fun.”
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