"Local" vs "State" and "Federal" Issues

My position:

The Issue:

It has been suggested by some people that it is Council's job to deal only with West Windsor issues, i.e., "local" issues affecting West Windsor residents directly such as pot holes and community services. Those people suggest that it is not within Council's "job description" to deal with national issues being addressed at the Federal level by Congress, the President, or the Courts.

An example is the recent debate over the USA PATRIOT Act. The terrorist threat is unquestionably local and personal for many West Windsor residents. When you work for Prudential Financial as I once did, the terrorist threat is palpable, it is very real, and it is personal (Prudential having been on the Al Qaeda target list). It is truly local for all West Windsor residents who work at Prudential.

Just exactly, what "are" the issues with which Council should concern itself? It seems to me that any issue is a local issue if it affects some (even if not all) residents of our community directly or even indirectly. And it is often the case, if not always the case, that State and Federal issues affect West Windsor residents at least indirectly, if not directly.

But Council has no power to engage directly in the process at the State or Federal level. So why would Council take any actions with respect to issues that can be addressed only by the New Jersey legislature or Congress?

While Council may have no power to engage directly in the State and Federal processes, Council does have a voice (through formal resolutions) that can affect those processes. Should Council use its voice to affect those processes?

My opinion:

I think so. But why? Because Council's views are influential.

Council's views might not be as influential as the views of voting members in the New Jersey Legislature or in Congress, but I do think that our views carry noticeable weight. They carry the influence associated with the reality that it is a formal action taken by a governing body reflecting what Council believes to be at least the majority sentiment of a community.

In summary, therefore, I believe that it is legitimate for Council to raise its voice and attempt to influence the process at the State and Federal levels with respect to issues of significant, widespread community interest. Council raises its voice when it passes any resolution declaring the sense of Council.