Since having announced our candidacy to run for Trustees of the Village of East Hills some members of the opposition’s “Inner Circle” have condemned Jana Goldenberg and I as being “contentious”, “divisive” and “rebellious”. Apparently, the mere fact that we would have the audacity, the unmitigated gall, or the temerity to consider yet alone run against Mr. Zuckerman and Mrs. Pomerantz is simply unacceptable.
“Where do you get off running for trustees?”; “Who do you think you are running against the incumbents?”; “Why do you feel the need to upset the way the village operates?” are the type of sentiments that have been expressed just because we chose to run. Frankly, I must admit that I am bewildered by the verbal assaults levied against us by a select hand picked group who believe that they alone possess the freedom to run for office. At another time in this country the village henchman would have run us out of town on a rail.
As many of you know I was not born in this country so I am ineligible to run for President but not for trustee of the Village of East Hills. When I studied to become a citizen I learned that it was basic tenet of the democratic process that any citizen has the right, the constitutionally protected right, to run and hold political office.
Political leadership should not be inherited. The line of succession should not be based on being a member of the right club, the right group or reverting back to high school, sitting at the right lunch table. It should be based on electing people who can best serve their community. People with vision, goals and ideas.
Jana and I are running to serve the village as trustees because we bring a sense of morality and ethics that our community deserves. Politics or business as usual is no longer acceptable.
I have been appalled of late that our opposition are now prominently displayed in every broadcast or newsletter inquisitively studying a set of plans for the gas lines or posing in photographs with people who actually made a contribution to our community. How about being forthright and honest?
What does it say about the character of individuals who would claim to take credit for bringing the gas lines to East Hills when in truth it was the result of the tireless effort of Jana Goldenberg. Manny Zuckerman and Clara Pomerantz: You can look over all the site plans you want, stand at the podium and grin for the camera, but you know that it was Jana and Jana alone who was the catalyst behind this project. Just let us know when you are ready to debate so that the residents can really hear and see the truth.
For those who may not be closely watching the election you should know that our opposition and their supporters have done everything to malign and impugn our character, which includes the making and publishing of defamatory remarks. It is truly a sad and pathetic way of trying to get re-elected.
On Election Day, March 15, we urge you to vote for the candidates who will make a difference. Vote for the candidates who have been the true leaders of their community. Vote for the candidates who already did the job our village trustees should have done but did not. Vote for Foster and Goldenberg.
Neil Foster
