Councilman responds to criticism, takes issue with letter writer

It was with great disgust that I read the letter to the editor titled "Questions Councilman's PositionRegarding Electric Rates" in the June 25 issue of the Sentinel. The letter was signed by Liz Westbrook of Milltown.

Upon reviewing the Middlesex County registered-voter list, I saw that Liz Westbrook could not be found. Coincidentally, the only Westbrook listed resides at the same address as Elizabeth (Liz) Marquez, the newly appointed vice chairwoman for the Milltown Democratic Organization.

Ms. Westbrook (Marquez) authored a letter filled with mistruths and signed it using her married name, Westbrook, rather than the name by which she is more widely known, Marquez. Perhaps she is embarrassed by the conduct of certain party members who have fractured their party and brought shame to a once-mighty organization while tarnishing the name of a Milltown political icon, the late David Crabiel. Another reason might be that, like the majority of the residents of Milltown, she is ashamed that it was her party that bestowed a 70 percent increase in electric rates on the residents of Milltown, while her political party sat by and did nothing for eight months. A review of the election results for the past three years will confirm that a great majority of voters agree with me.

Another fallacy being espoused by Ms. Westbrook (Marquez) is the false claim that only residential users' rates were raised. Every customer, residential and commercial alike, received the same rate increase. If you think it's unfair, go to any business that is served by the electric utility and ask the owner about his or her demand charge. The business community is the cornerstone of our local economy, and without it our utility rates and property taxes would double.

Ms. Westbrook's (Marquez's) assertion that politics plays some part in the Fourth of July celebration is a slap in the face to every volunteer in this community. As chairman of the Milltown Fourth of July Committee for seven years, I know that my committee and I have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep politics out of this celebration. We have treated all parties and participants equally, exhibiting only the highest standards in keeping this a family oriented event for all residents, regardless of political affiliation. To suggest that we accept donations with strings attached is an outright lie. The Fourth of July Committee prints the name of every business donor on the back of our Tshirt every year. We have nothing to hide. Can the Milltown Democratic Organization make the same claim?

Apparently, Ms. Westbrook (Marquez), a former Board of Education member, has never reviewed a budget. Had she done so, she would see that in 2008, $1.6 million of surplus went to provide tax relief to the overburdened taxpayers of Milltown, the same amount the Democratic-controlled Borough Council spent in 2007. The only difference is that under my watch, I cut spending by $108,000 and reduced a $1.2 million deficit that I inherited from the previous administration, largely due to their brilliant zero percent tax-increase sham, without cutting staff and with no noticeable cuts in services.

In closing, I want to thank Ms. Westbrook (Marquez) for reaffirming my view to every resident of Milltown that the political system is broken. This is exactly what is wrong with our local political organizations.

Agenda-driven politics has no place in our town. Liz Westbrook (Marquez) is a shining example of why I choose to be an independent candidate and maintain my position of "People, not politics."

I encourage Ms. Westbrook (Marquez) to appear at our next council meeting, and, in an open public forum, make these outrageous claims. Just remember that when you walk up to the microphone and look into the camera, you have to give your name.
Randy Farkas
Member
Milltown Borough Council
Chairman
Milltown Fourth of July
Committee