The slogan, “Eight is Enough”, sounds good on paper, but let's really dissect what that means.
8 years ago, during Cory Storch's first term on the City Council, he was working with my father, the late Mayor Al McWilliams. There was a period during the previous Administration when Plainfield made significant and visible strides, and was even cited by NJ Monthly as being one of the Top 10 most Livable Cities. Cory Storch can take credit for many of those advances during that time period. For example, if you have lived in the City long enough, you know that the center of downtown was once a giant brownfield - neither aesthetically pleasing nor economically useful. Cory was able to work with my father to change that by bringing in the most meaningful commercial development we have had in the City to date.
Now let's fast-forward a few years. With the change of Administration, Cory played a different but crucial role. Although he initially attempted to work with the current Administration, wanting to trust their vision, he eventually became the lone voice of reason in City Hall. For several years, he was the only Councilor to vote against poor financial decisions and short-sighted economic development plans.
With the election of Adrian Mapp, Rebecca Williams and I, the Council has morphed into a different entity - one that is more thoughtful, more intent on planning, and certainly more willing to say NO to bad Administrative decisions. This Council has emphasized the need for quality appointments to a variety of positions, has initiated financial reform, and has demanded economic development improvements. This year, for the first time in a long time, the Council has a majority that can reliably serve as a voice for good in City Hall.
The outcome of this election could change that. Without Cory, there simply will no longer be a majority on the Council who care about the economic future of this City and understand the strength that is needed to move Plainfield forward.
So in thinking about the past 8 years, I know that eight is NOT enough. We should reward strong, proven leaders with the privilege of serving again. And we should certainly not stop the momentum that the Council has finally gained.
A vote against Cory Storch is a vote against a strong Council. When I ran for office 3 years ago and asked for your support, my slogan was Positive Change. I still believe that we can accomplish great things over the next few years and I know that Cory Storch is a crucial piece of that future.
I hope you will join me in voting for Column C tomorrow. Please support Cory Storch and DeLois "Dee" Dameron for City Council.
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