County machine ‘politics as usual’ delivers cynicism
The Hamilton Twp. mayoral race has ended — been over ever since incumbent Mayor Kelly Yaede defeated Republican primary challenger
Dave Henderson in a no holds barred smack down.
With that undercard completed and Jeff Martin raised as the Democratic candidate, Hamilton Twp. residents await a November election.
As candidates engage in petty argument or bargaining about one debate, wise people know just about every voter has made up his/her minds. Plus, one debate at such a late date in the election process will not sway one voter. Unless incumbent Yaede or Martin has a cure for cancer or a solution to the opioid crisis, one bull session will settle nothing.
In fact, it’s too bad no way exists to fast forward this fiasco and put all parties out of their misery. Why wait until November when this decision could be rendered in October. And issues have no real impact here as government morphed into muckraked politics.
Whether discussions focus on Mercer County, legislative districts, City of Trenton or Hamilton governmental concerns, it all condenses into power, efforts to keep power, gain more or obtain some then build a large enough trough to feed relatives, friends, neighbors and a litany of bottom feeders.
Pardon the apathy, angst and angina but the Democrats own Mercer County big-tent politics, have constructed machinery with such ginormous dimensions that a dark shadow blocks the sun. Just add a smidgeon of BS to the darkness and the county could start a profitable mushroom business.
Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes has either transformed into Barnabas Collins, keeping only nighttime hours for vampire preservation or has engaged the reclusive habits of his namesake Howard.
A gender rewrite of (Please don’t bother tryin’ to find him — He’s not there) sounds appropriate by a popular 1960s band named The Zombies as political parties produce faithful followers. Republicans fail to expand their base and engage minority groups while Democrats know they can depend on their politically addicted patrons. Blacks are born to be Democrats and despite decades of being bottom-runged, return every election for a vote and one verse of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” or “We Shall Overcome.”
Barring a cataclysmic writein avalanche, Andrew Koontz and Nina Melker have locked up the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders race as Republicans offered no candidates for opposition against the Democrat incumbents.
To his credit, County Executive Hughes did respond to a list of candidate questions asked by Vote 411, a voters’ guide developed to help in the election process. His opponent, Lishian “Lisa” Wu had not responded as of this article while Koontz and Melker had offered no answers — a perk of the unopposed.
Republicans have produced only Jennifer Williams in a 15th Legislative District vote-for-two candidates race as incumbent Democrats Verlina Reynolds Jackson and Anthony Verrelli drink party Powerade.
Williams generally offers informative ideas and strong opinions about local issues. Disappointing forums and debates never materialized for this important government position.
Preacher friends assure me that God remains alive but good government?
Dead.