Lack of freedom of speech at council meeting upsets resident

At the Feb. 3 North Brunswick Township Council meeting, a few residents made some positive suggestions to the mayor and council.

Marion Gilliland, a resident who is an active member of the American Legion in North Brunswick, said having a street named after a North Brunswick veteran was a great idea, but she thought having Heritage Day changed to North Brunswick Veterans Heritage Day would honor all the veterans in North Brunswick who fought in all the wars for this great country.

She also mentioned a North Brunswick veteran who was a prisoner of war and also lost an eye in combat duty.

I am sure all North Brunswick veterans and their families would be pleased to have Heritage Day changed to honor all our veterans.

I am also sure the mayor and council would agree we should honor our veterans in this manner.

Another resident questioned why the mayor and council does not attempt to get the money Joe Rauch proved was owed to the township.

The revelation by Rauch that certain developers got out of paying water and sewer assessments and tax liens against properties should not be ignored.

(I wonder if all the tax liens that were forgiven were for members of the Democratic Party or contributors to the Democratic Party.)

The Rauch report showed the amount owed to the township could amount to $1 million or $2 million.

I don’t think you have to go back 20 years — if the mayor and council would check back 10 or 12 years, the township would benefit financially.

Those that don’t remember the sins of the past are condemned to repeat them.

Last, but not least, when Tony Nastus, an outspoken resident and Vietnam veteran, raised some questions that seemed to upset the mayor, the mayor threatened he would not allow Mr. Nastus to speak at the podium at any more open meetings.

Tony, like all our veterans, fought for the right to be heard at township meetings.

What happened to freedom of speech in North Brunswick?

You, mayor, as a vet yourself, should know better than to uphold Mr. Nastus’ freedom of speech, whether you like his opinion or not!

Mary Salva

North Brunswick