Voters List Birchwood, Flooding, Taxes As Motivation For Heading To The Polls

Democrats and Republicans in Cranford agree: flooding, development, and property taxes top the list of resident concerns. This has made for a quiet campaign season adding to a national prediction made by political analysts that this could produce the lowest voter turnout in history. 

Four in Cranford are vying for two seats on the Township Committee. Incumbent Mayor Daniel Aschenbach - a Democrat - and his running mate Thoman Hannen Jr. are opposed by Republicans Andis Kalnins and Lisa Adubato Nesi.

Debbie Essing, Adeline Kellett, and Aggie O’Brien arrived at the voting station expecting a sleepy day at the polls. 

“We were surprised to see such a heavy turnout. We have had other, more important elections but for some reason people seem really eager to vote,” Essing stated.

Essing freely expressed her opinions on what really matters in Cranford, citing the Birchwood development plans, flooding, and high taxes as issues she believes local government should tackle first.

“Birchwood is the most important issue; it is number one in my book.  If there was another more important issue on the table this should still be the number one priority,” Essing stated.

Adeline Kellett did not shy away from stating that property taxes are too high, offering her own solution to a problem that plagues many who like Kellett, are now being forced to consider moving away from the town she loves.

“School administrations should share one Superintendent of Schools between three towns. This could cut salaries and lower property taxes,” Kellett advised.
Kellett also stated that while she believes Cranford’s administration “worked very hard and did a good job during Hurricane Irene,” that the city has done a “terrible” job cleaning up tree branches and debris in the wake of October’s historic snow storm.  In addition, Kellett expressed that she believes Cranford should have informed her that she was living in a flood zone prior to Hurricane Irene. Like many, she had lived in her house for 30 years without a drop of floodwater and therefore never saw the need to purchase flood insurance.

While many were motivated to cast a vote after experiencing firsthand how local government works during times of crisis, others returned to the polls to exercise their civic duty.

“What a year this has been for Cranford,” Terry Quinn stated. “Although many of our friends were impacted by flooding, I am here to support my local democratic politicians.”

Carolyn Ruz noted that she votes in every election, emphasizing the importance of being a responsible, active citizen.

“I am frightened by the low percentage of people who vote. As someone who works for the county, I have inside knowledge about the problems within our local government. Casting a vote means that you are making a difference,” Ruz stated.

Ruz also explained that although she has been unable to live in her home for the past two months because of flooding, she doesn’t hold the city of Cranford responsible noting that she believes that the “administration has done the very best they can.”

Mike Normann noted that he is looking for a change in Cranford. 

“The town took too long to the get the power back up during Irene and did a terrible job cleaning up after the snow storm. It is time for a change in leadership in Cranford,” Normann said.

One source that chose to remain anonymous to protect the identity of a close friend who works in the municipal building expressed her unique motivation for voting in today’s election.

“I always vote; you have no right to complain if you don’t vote. I believe that the location of the municipal building should have been changed after the building suffered damage in the storm. The people who work in that building should absolutely have not have been subjected to working in those conditions. Our police shouldn’t have to work in trailers. The administration should have taken the proper steps to ensure that those employees were not at risk instead of sending them back to work the next day,” the source stated.