Dem Candidates Criticize Silence on County Cop Plan

Democratic challengers for Hillsborough Township Committee Mike Goldberg and Jim Farley hand delivered a letter to the committee's current members, criticizing what they are calling a lack of action regarding the . In the letter–addressed to "Mayor Carl Suraci and Other Members of the Hillsborough Township Committee"–the pair tells committee members "your silence is deafening." The following is the letter in its entirety.

Re: Report on Police Consolidation 

Mayor Carl Suraci and Other Members of the Hillsborough Township Committee:

August 1 is the announced deadline for Somerset County municipalities to decide whether or not to adopt the plan outlined in the April, 2012 Report on Police Consolidation. Unfortunately, only one more Township Committee Meeting is scheduled to take place between now and the deadline, yet the members of the Township Committee have made no effort to seek meaningful feedback from Hillsborough residents before the final decision is made. 

We ask you: What are your plans to seek feedback from our fellow residents? 

While the local newspapers have reported that other affected municipalities have been diligently seeking citizen input, your silence is deafening. Montgomery, for example, has established a Citizens Advisory Committee on Police Consolidation and is preparing to provide their recommendations. Bedminster, Peapack-Gladstone, Watchung, Green Brook and Bernardsville Township have all expressed concerns regarding the plan and are seeking citizen input. 

Therefore, we also ask you: When will you hold a public hearing or appoint a citizens committee to give you feedback on the report on the plans to consolidate the township’s police force into the county? 

Respectfully, 
Michael Goldberg and James Farley 
Democratic Candidates for Hillsborough Township