Redevelopment

West Windsor has a "strong Mayor-Council" form of government that is "nonpartisan." Under our form of government, we elect a Mayor and 5 Members of Council for four year terms. The Mayor and two Members of Council are elected at one time while three Members of Council are elected in alternate years, with the elections being two years apart.

The last municipal election was held in May, 2007 for three Members of Council. The next municipal election will be held in May, 2009 for two Members of Council and Mayor.

The election is held in May rather than November because it is a "nonpartisan" election. If we were to change our elections to Elephant and donkey boxing

November without a change in the law, the election would become "partisan" with a more prominent role being played by the Republican, Democratic, and other political parties. I say "more prominent role" because the Republican and Democratic parties play a significant role in our nonpartisan elections. Those roles are not quite as "public" as they would otherwise be in the case of a partisan election.

I support a change in state law that would allow nonpartisan elections in November. I do not favor a change to partisan elections for the reasons outlined below.

The Mayor in West Windsor is akin to the President at the Federal level. The Council is akin to Congress.

The Mayor, as head of the Administration, runs the day to day affairs of the Township, proposes a budget, and makes appointments subject, in some cases, to Council "advise and consent."
Council enacts ordinances (legislation) and adopts the budget. It also provides its "advise and consent" to certain appointments

My views:

I think that "nonpartisan politics" is an oxymoron. Every issue, small or large, has its partisan proponents and opponents. Under our "nonpartisan" approach, it has been argued that too much happens behind the scenes with the public unaware of the partisan maneuvering that otherwise would be much more in the open. Those arguments ignore the reality that much happens behind the scenes with the public unaware of that maneuvering even in a partisan jurisdiction.

There is considerable expense in having an election. The May election costs between $35,000 and $50,000. Moreover, its close proximity to the School Board elections leads to voter confusion and low turnouts.

Opinion: we should return our elections to November but keep our nonpartisan approach that reflects shared community values regardless of political affiliation.

Way too much power and de facto control resides with the Township Administrator (a person who is not elected).
If the Mayor is absent as much as a part time job implies, the Administrator will tend to make policy decisions that should be made by the Mayor.
If the Mayor is present all the time, then the job is full time and should be recognized as such.

Our Mayor's job officially is part time. In practice, the job requires a commitment that is more like a full time job than a part time job.

Opinion: It is time to consider seriously the possibility that our Mayor's job officially should be full time.

Strong Mayor-Council form of government. This form of government is institutionally predisposed to create conflict. It tends to Us vs Them

exacerbate conflict between the Administration and Council.

But conflict is good because it maximizes the likelihood that we will hear all sides of an issue before making our decisions. Conflict and robust discussions are the essence of democracy. As painful as it may be for the participants to experience, as well as the people watching the process, it is the best way to go.

The West Windsor Form of Government

My views: