Govt. for the people, not local party bosses

I am an independent Red Bank voter who believes in a government of the people, for the people and by the people, and not for verbal abuse, intimidation, deals behind the scenes, and local party bosses.

I do not attend many council meetings because I am tired of the war of words by Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. and Councilman John P. Curley.

I feel that if Mayor McKenna could, he would blame John Curley for the original sin. I feel that all council members are responsible for the $400,000 loss by the CFO, including Sharon Lee, our new chairwoman, as she was a member of the committee.

Did you notice that John Curley was ousted as the Finance Committee chairman just before the mayoral election, after being reappointed to this office for the second time?

I think they knew there was a problem and they were looking for a fall guy. The last time this happened was in October 2005, when John Curley was running for the council seat when Mr. Neil Burnip filed a $1 million lawsuit against John Curley and Jennifer Beck, the only two Republicans on the council, for alleged discrimination, and here we go again!

Now Mr. Neil Burnip, parking director, and the town have received notice of intent to sue for $5 million, this time by an unknown female employee for alleging sexual assault. I hope he is on leave without pay, but I doubt it.

I also feel that enough is enough and it's time for a change.

James W. Harris Sr.

Red Bank