Two of the Mayoral Candidates
Just Lost my Vote
by Jim Gerrish
Two of the four candidates for Mayor of East
Orange have eliminated themselves from receiving my vote. Lester
Taylor and Carol Clark both have Facebook pages on which they
posted their goals and invited comments from voters. I went to
their Facebook pages and asked questions, asking them basically
to explain their goals in less vague and more specific ways.
Their response was to erase my questions and then block me from
asking further questions. To me that means they don't want my
vote, so they shall not have it. My vote is too precious to waste
on politicians who are only interested in raising funds, meeting
with their own friends, and trying to become mayor without having
to explain themselves to people like me, who might dare to
question them.
I'm not sure about Mayor Bowser, since he does not (yet) have a
Facebook page, but four terms is enough.
The one candidate who is currently proving himself to me is Kevin
Taylor who has put forth clear plans, clear goals, good solutions
for city problems, and stands up to my questioning both in person
and on Facebook. I haven't been exactly easy on questioning him,
either. Sometimes his friends think I am attacking him, but I am
just finding out if he will be mayor only for his friends and
admirers (like Lester and Carol), or if he will be a mayor for
all the people.
There are some who think because Kevin has run for mayor in the
past and lost three times against Mayor Bowser, that his losing
should be held against him. I think it has made him a better
candidate. Each time Kevin lost, he learned from the experience.
He has been thinking about what he would do as mayor for the past
twelve years, and he has very definite ideas about what do to
beginning on Day One, if he is elected.
Kevin's biggest advantage over the others is that he is NOT a
politician. He is a successful business man and will bring
business solutuions to solving the city's problems, not political
solutions. He is not beholden to the democratic
"machine" of Essex County. Kevin is not under the
control of Leroy Jones, Democratic chairman for Essex County. Yet
he is very much a Democrat with an independent mind.
Don't vote for Kevin Taylor because I have decided to vote for
him. You do your own homework. Go to his Facebook Page and ask him questions; you will see that he doesn't
ignore you, doesn't block you, and gives you straight answers. I
don't guarantee that you will agree with him all the time, but
you will see that what I have been telling you is true. Kevin is
not afraid to answer you and he gives honest answers from his
heart. Go to his meetings, held weekly at his house, and question
him there. If you see him on the street, say hello and ask him
tough questions, not just the easy ones.
Better yet, take your tough questions to each of the candidates
and see who avoids answering you and who looks you right in the
eye and gives you an answer you can believe. Debates are coming
soon and the dates, times and places will be posted here and on
my Web site when they are announced.
