Maplewood Township Committee Primary
It doesn't seem well publicized, but I plan to watch the Hilton Neighborhood Association's debate of the 3 candidates.
I reached out about the availability of watching online, and the response was that the forum will be livestreamed on Facebook, and in prior years, it was also available on local news websites such as Village Green and Tap Into.
I have been following a number of threads on social media regarding the up coming TC member election and have been dismayed by the amount and degree of negative campaigning along with the lack of discussion of the issues. I look forward to this evening's HNA forum as the one opportunity to hear all three candidates.
I spent about 25 minutes this morning on this thread and the links to two of the candidates' web sites. First of all, they are honorable men and I thank them for what they have done for the community and the time and effort they hope to give to the community if elected.
Why I am "bullet voting" for Vic. It was a day or so after an accident that killed a driver. Vic was at the site to express his sadness about the fatality, A few weeks later, 4 stop signs appeared at the intersection.
He saw the problem.
He addressed the local neighborhood's feelings.
He made conditions better, so as to prevent another fatality.
Experience vs. new people with new ideas. I can give arguments on either side of this one. But for us liberals on this board (I hear they may be a few), would you vote against Bernie if you lived in Vermont?
Formerlyjerseyjack said:
I spent about 25 minutes this morning on this thread and the links to two of the candidates' web sites. First of all, they are honorable men and I thank them for what they have done for the community and the time and effort they hope to give to the community if elected.
Why I am "bullet voting" for Vic. It was a day or so after an accident that killed a driver. Vic was at the site to express his sadness about the fatality, A few weeks later, 4 stop signs appeared at the intersection.
He saw the problem.
He addressed the local neighborhood's feelings.
He made conditions better, so as to prevent another fatality.
Experience vs. new people with new ideas. I can give arguments on either side of this one. But for us liberals on this board (I hear they may be a few), would you vote against Bernie if you lived in Vermont?
Well said jack.
@jamie - just posting what Frank wrote here and not the excellent responses by people is not doing anyone justice. There were some excellent responses including Joan's question on that page as well as many others including myself.
Vic has no campaign webpage or Facebook campaign page. I'll leave that to the voters to interpret.
In my opinion, he doesn't believe he needs to communicate his ideas or positions to his constituents.
He's been around a long time and we should be familiar with him, but there are a lot of new people moving into Maplewood every year.
Most likely Vic will get re-elected, but in my opinion he is way too comfortable in his role on the TC.
wendy said:
Well said jack.
@jamie - just posting what Frank wrote here and not the excellent responses by people is not doing anyone justice. There were some excellent responses including Joan's question on that page as well as many others including myself.
I was only opening the conversation with sharing one opinion - please share responses to it. I guess I mainly found it interesting because I felt Vic and John were closely aligned and was surprised to see the perspective voting for these candidates.
wendy said:
@jamie - just posting what Frank wrote here and not the excellent responses by people is not doing anyone justice. There were some excellent responses including Joan's question on that page as well as many others including myself.
I appreciated jamie’s post, which exposed me to a statement from a former public official. While others are welcome to their comments, and are free to repeat them here, the informational value of an ex-mayor’s endorsement, I’d say, stands on its own.
I replied to Frank directly on FB. For as long as that post is, I found it nearly devoid of substance. It reads to me like a tautology. Maplewood needs change because it needs change.
I doubt that endorsement will change many minds, if any.
DaveSchmidt said:
I appreciated jamie’s post, which exposed me to a statement from a former public official. While others are welcome to their comments, and are free to repeat them here, the informational value of an ex-mayor’s endorsement, I’d say, stands on its own.
yes - since it was from Frank I thought it had more weight than coming from someone I had never heard of. I didn't mean it as an anti-Vic post. The grouping on the endorsement was one I didn't expect - has many others single out voting for Martin and John also? I think Vic has been a great asset to town and will probably vote for him.
jamie said:
DaveSchmidt said:
I appreciated jamie’s post, which exposed me to a statement from a former public official. While others are welcome to their comments, and are free to repeat them here, the informational value of an ex-mayor’s endorsement, I’d say, stands on its own.
yes - since it was from Frank I thought it had more weight than coming from someone I had never heard of. I didn't mean it as an anti-Vic post. The grouping on the endorsement was one I didn't expect - has many others single out voting for Martin and John also? I think Vic has been a great asset to town and will probably vote for him.
I don't give much weight to a person's former titles. As I wrote above I think the endorsement itself was basically weightless. A lot of platitudes like "rolling up their sleeves" and "it's their time" and "it's time for a change."
I suppose some folks think it's classy not to mention Vic or criticize him or the TC. But if "it's time for change" I think the rationale for that change, and what issues should be approached differently is essential. Especially coming from a former mayor.
I get why you posted it. And the rest of us can give our reactions to it. I already voted weeks ago, and I'm sure others have as well. It's a quibble, but someone like Frank should be well aware early voting has been going on for some time now and an endorsement this late in the game isn't nearly going to have as much impact as it would have when the ballots went out.
Here is my response to Frank's endorsement post on Facebook, as referenced by Wendy.
"Frank McGehee Trying to understand: Are you saying that John and Martin are both more qualified to serve on the TC than Vic? Are you saying that their priorities and position on the issues is more in keeping with your own than Vic's has proven to be? Or, are you basing your endorsement solely on a perceived need to bring new members to the TC?"
joan_crystal said:
Here is my response to Frank's endorsement post on Facebook, as referenced by Wendy.
"Frank McGehee Trying to understand: Are you saying that John and Martin are both more qualified to serve on the TC than Vic? Are you saying that their priorities and position on the issues is more in keeping with your own than Vic's has proven to be? Or, are you basing your endorsement solely on a perceived need to bring new members to the TC?"
looks like we're on the same page 
sprout said:
It doesn't seem well publicized, but I plan to watch the Hilton Neighborhood Association's debate of the 3 candidates.
I reached out about the availability of watching online, and the response was that the forum will be livestreamed on Facebook, and in prior years, it was also available on local news websites such as Village Green and Tap Into.
The HNA-hosted candidate debate is today at 7:30 (in one hour) at the DeHart Community Center.
There are comments on the HNA Facebook page asking about a livestream, but no response yet. The Village Green indicates that they will be attending in-person, so they may have a summary of the candidates responses afterwards if there is no livestream.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Hilton-Neighborhood-Association/100064542885875/
Livestream on Facebook now! (Don't need a Facebook acct to watch it):
https://www.facebook.com/maxisnotwell/videos/1150159637265540/
Ceperley and Sullivan have both referenced things that they want to change that are already in existence or planned, which they would have known if they attended meetings that I have attended. (It is unfortunate that they seemed unaware of these recent components).
sprout said:
Ceperley and Sullivan have both referenced things that they want to change that are already in existence or planned, which they would have known if they attended meetings that I have attended. (It is unfortunate that they seemed unaware of these recent components).
my thoughts exactly!!!
Jaytee said:
sprout said:
Ceperley and Sullivan have both referenced things that they want to change that are already in existence or planned, which they would have known if they attended meetings that I have attended*. (It is unfortunate that they seemed unaware of these recent components).
my thoughts exactly!!!
And just to clarify the "attended" a bit: Many of the meetings I don't attend directly, but watched the recording online, and/or read the AI summary (thank you, @jamie for those MOL summaries and links to the videos!!!!), or read the meeting minutes that are linked to from the township site (https://ecode360.com/MA1203/home).
So, it's disheartening that this 'new blood' didn't seem to have done that level of homework/involvement.
For reference, it looks like the recording of this HNA candidate forum/debate can be watched at:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Hilton-Neighborhood-Association/100064542885875/
sprout said:
Livestream on Facebook now! (Don't need a Facebook acct to watch it):
https://www.facebook.com/maxisnotwell/videos/1150159637265540/
Thank you for posting this. How did you find it? The link was not included in HNA advertising or on their Facebook page. From the link, it looks like it was on Max's personal page rather than on HNA,s.
sprout said:
Ceperley and Sullivan have both referenced things that they want to change that are already in existence or planned, which they would have known if they attended meetings that I have attended. (It is unfortunate that they seemed unaware of these recent components).
That was to be expected. The only candidates going for their first term on the TC who really seemed knowledgeable about what was currently being done were Kathy and Ken. What I look for in these forums is an indication of how the candidates would function were they elected to the TC. I look at the ideas they present, the positions, if any, they take on the issues, the degree to which they do or don't answer the questions as asked, and some indication of their judgment and ability to work as part of a team. Having listened to the forum (actually read the cc provided), I now know who I will be voting for.
Online article from The Village Green with video and transcript (They write in posting on the FB: "Pardon any typos! We wanted to get a transcript up ASAP. Will proofread again when the sun comes up!") -
joan_crystal said:
sprout said:
Livestream on Facebook now! (Don't need a Facebook acct to watch it):
https://www.facebook.com/maxisnotwell/videos/1150159637265540/
Thank you for posting this. How did you find it? The link was not included in HNA advertising or on their Facebook page. From the link, it looks like it was on Max's personal page rather than on HNA,s.
Joan,
There is a small video inset shown on the HNA's facebook page. When I clicked on it/expanded that video inset, then it brought me to Max's page. So, I provided that link.
Jamie, thanks for starting this thread and to all for providing information, and NoHero, thanks for the link to the transcript. I started reading, and I don't understand this comment by Vic, which I bolded:
We have to make sure that we’re doing the most we can to keep taxes
down. But anybody who tells you they’re going to lower your taxes, nah, I
don’t believe them. What we have to do is make sure that taxes don’t
eat us up. So that means going to the state and fighting to get our fair
share, both on the municipal side with the utility tax that the state
has taken from municipalities. And also on the school side. We do the
right thing with integration here, and it costs us a lot of money. And
the state doesn’t reward us. And we have one of the most segregated
school systems in the state of New Jersey. They should be giving us
money as a model. So I want to go down there and argue that with our
colleagues at the school board and with our colleagues and other
municipalities. So we get our fair share here in Maplewood.
We have one of the most segregated school systems in NJ? Really? Is this a typo on the part of the Village Green? Or did he misspeak? Considering the context, it can't be right. I'm not a Facebook member, and Facebook, as per usual for that loathsome company, does not allow me to expand the video so I can't manipulate it easily enough to check.
Elle_Cee said:
Jamie, thanks for starting this thread and to all for providing information, and NoHero, thanks for the link to the transcript. I started reading, and I don't understand this comment by Vic, which I bolded:
We have to make sure that we’re doing the most we can to keep taxes
down. But anybody who tells you they’re going to lower your taxes, nah, I
don’t believe them. What we have to do is make sure that taxes don’t
eat us up. So that means going to the state and fighting to get our fair
share, both on the municipal side with the utility tax that the state
has taken from municipalities. And also on the school side. We do the
right thing with integration here, and it costs us a lot of money. And
the state doesn’t reward us. And we have one of the most segregated
school systems in the state of New Jersey. They should be giving us
money as a model. So I want to go down there and argue that with our
colleagues at the school board and with our colleagues and other
municipalities. So we get our fair share here in Maplewood.We have one of the most segregated school systems in NJ? Really? Is this a typo on the part of the Village Green? Or did he misspeak? Considering the context, it can't be right. I'm not a Facebook member, and Facebook, as per usual for that loathsome company, does not allow me to expand the video so I can't manipulate it easily enough to check.
Our district was sued and lost. Now the BOE is implementing the "intentional integration initiative." This is why parents have been up in arms about busing and kids going to schools across town when they live 100 feet from another school.
South Orange-Maplewood Schools Looking at Zones for Integration Plan
The district’s integration consultant is currently beta testing a two-zone three-school model, with Zone A as Seth Boyden, Tuscan & Delia Bolden elementary schools feeding into Maplewood Middle School, and Zone B as Clinton, Marshall & South Mountain feeding into South Orange Middle School.
Elle_Cee said:
Jamie, thanks for starting this thread and to all for providing information, and NoHero, thanks for the link to the transcript. I started reading, and I don't understand this comment by Vic, which I bolded:
We have to make sure that we’re doing the most we can to keep taxes
down. But anybody who tells you they’re going to lower your taxes, nah, I
don’t believe them. What we have to do is make sure that taxes don’t
eat us up. So that means going to the state and fighting to get our fair
share, both on the municipal side with the utility tax that the state
has taken from municipalities. And also on the school side. We do the
right thing with integration here, and it costs us a lot of money. And
the state doesn’t reward us. And we have one of the most segregated
school systems in the state of New Jersey. They should be giving us
money as a model. So I want to go down there and argue that with our
colleagues at the school board and with our colleagues and other
municipalities. So we get our fair share here in Maplewood.We have one of the most segregated school systems in NJ? Really? Is this a typo on the part of the Village Green? Or did he misspeak? Considering the context, it can't be right. I'm not a Facebook member, and Facebook, as per usual for that loathsome company, does not allow me to expand the video so I can't manipulate it easily enough to check.
I believe that he is talking about school systems in NJ being segregated and that SOMSD is more integrated than other NJ districts. Thus, he argues that the state should support our efforts and hold us up as a model for other districts on how to accomplish integration within a given school district.
nohero said:
Online article from The Village Green with video and transcript (They write in posting on the FB: "Pardon any typos! We wanted to get a transcript up ASAP. Will proofread again when the sun comes up!") -
Thanks for this link. The transcript helped me catch some nuggets I missed on my first watch. I think I know who I will be voting for.
Steve said:
I believe that he is talking about school systems in NJ being segregated and that SOMSD is more integrated than other NJ districts. Thus, he argues that the state should support our efforts and hold us up as a model for other districts on how to accomplish integration within a given school district.
Thank you, Steve. Your comment made me realize that when he said "And we have one of the most segregated school systems in the state of New Jersey," he was probably referring to Essex County, and that makes sense.
“The district’s integration consultant is currently beta testing a two-zone three-school model, with Zone A as Seth Boyden, Tuscan & Delia Bolden elementary schools feeding into Maplewood Middle School, and Zone B as Clinton, Marshall & South Mountain feeding into South Orange Middle School.”
I think this might be the right thing to do. My eldest son was in Seth Boyden and they took him out and bussed him to Jefferson. My other two kids went to Tuscan. Even though Seth Boyden was within walking distance from home. I didn’t have MOL to gripe about it back then…but it was hectic.
Elle_Cee said:
Steve said:
I believe that he is talking about school systems in NJ being segregated and that SOMSD is more integrated than other NJ districts. Thus, he argues that the state should support our efforts and hold us up as a model for other districts on how to accomplish integration within a given school district.
Thank you, Steve. Your comment made me realize that when he said "And we have one of the most segregated school systems in the state of New Jersey," he was probably referring to Essex County, and that makes sense.
I believe it is the whole state that is typically identified as having among the most segregated schools in the nation. I haven't seen anything in that regard about Essex County one way or the other and SOMSD is certainly more integrated than many as noted.
Elle_Cee said:
We have to make sure that we’re doing the most we can to keep taxes
down. But anybody who tells you they’re going to lower your taxes, nah, I
don’t believe them. What we have to do is make sure that taxes don’t
eat us up. So that means going to the state and fighting to get our fair
share, both on the municipal side with the utility tax that the state
has taken from municipalities. And also on the school side.
Vic has been saying the same thing for 25 years about going to the state to get our fair share of funding.
Everyone can decide for themselves how effective that has been.
Does Vic have a campaign site?
Here's the other candidate's sites:
https://www.martinformaplewood.com/
https://sullivanformaplewood.com/
I've noticed a bit on social media - but I don't go on there too much. But I did see this post today from Frank McGeehee which I found is an interesting take.
Why I’m voting for Martin Ceperley and John Sullivan for Maplewood Township Committee
Vote for the Next Generation of Leadership on the Maplewood Township Committee
This year marks 10 years since I was elected to serve on the Maplewood Township Committee. I was honored to serve two three-year terms, including as Deputy Mayor and Mayor. After six years on the TC, I decided that it was time to step aside and create space for others to serve and lead.
During my tenure, my colleagues and I tackled a wide range of challenges - rebuilding our Maplewood Police Department from the ground up, partnering with South Orange to merge our fire departments, improving pedestrian safety, balancing the town budget, initiating the Master plan which paved the way for the opening of local businesses on Newark Way, rallying the community for the 2020 Census, collaborating with our South Orange Maplewood School district and engaging with our counterparts in Newark and Trenton.
I was also proud to celebrate and elevate the diversity that makes Maplewood so special. For example: I brought the idea of celebrating Haitian Flag Day to the Maplewood Township Committee in 2019, a tradition that continues today.
And leading our community through the unprecedented global COVID pandemic only two months after I was sworn in as Mayor was not only harrowing, it was historic, monumental and one of the great honors of my lifetime.
It’s Time for a Change in Leadership on the Maplewood Township Committee
Rooted in my experience on the Maplewood Township Committee, here’s what I know for sure in the simplest of terms: a school, a business, or a town cannot move forward if it’s stuck operating with the same leadership from nearly 30 years ago. Period.
Experience matters, but so does evolution. We expect changes in leadership in our state and federal government, and we are long overdue for a change in leadership on the Maplewood Township Committee. One leader does not and should not define a town. No Kings!
Young families, seniors and frankly all residents across our municipality deserve a community that feels connected, responsive, transparent and is in service to them. Communities grow stronger when new voices step up with fresh ideas, modern perspectives, and a real understanding of what residents and local businesses need AND how to engage.
Change is not about disrespecting the past. And I will not sugar coat it, public service is hard on the easy days and brutal on the tough ones. But it’s also deeply rewarding because it pushes us to move beyond our comfort zone, push past our differences, find common ground based on respect and do what’s best for the greater good.
While we thank those who have and continue to serve our town, we do not lose anything with change. We gain the opportunity to grow, evolve and move forward together. But that will not happen if we continue to elect the same leader over and over again.
This moment is calling for a change in leadership that reflects where Maplewood is going, a new era - not an era stuck in the lore of yesterday. Holding onto the past is not progress.
And that’s why I’m voting for Martin Ceperley and John Sullivan for Maplewood Township Committee.
Martin and John are community builders — leaders who listen, collaborate, and create opportunities for others to thrive. They are both change agents who will move Maplewood forward.
I’ve had the opportunity of serving alongside John Sullivan as a Trustee on The Maplewood Foundation. He’s thoughtful, steady, and actively engaged. He gets things done. And as a longtime resident of our Hilton neighborhood, he will provide an important and necessary through-line to this historic community.
Martin Ceperley has brought real energy and optimism to this race. He has connected with young families across Maplewood and captured their hearts and imaginations in ways we haven’t seen in a long time on the Maplewood Township Committee to bring attention to important issues. He reminds so many about why they moved to Maplewood in the first place.
Both Martin and John have the vision, drive, commitment, and dedication backed by a proven track record of leadership and community service.
For the first time in 11 years we have two new voices ready to serve on the Maplewood Township Committee giving our vibrant community the opportunity to usher in the next generation of leadership that reflects the community that Maplewood is today so we can build for the future. I am so excited about the opportunity to see these leaders, Martin and John, roll up their sleeves and get to work for us.
That’s what I did when my daughter was in 5th grade at Tuscan and that’s exactly what these two very qualified individuals will do.
In Maplewood, young families are the backbone of every block and block party, every school black top, every softball or baseball game or every musical or music concert.
And with the experience and leadership of our town administrator and resident Pat Wherry and his strong staff from our Police Chief to Engineering to Health and the Library our town is not only in great hands, Maplewood will also grow with new service-based leadership.
As for Newark, Trenton and Washington DC, Maplewood has earned its stellar reputation. Elected leaders know that they must actively engage Maplewood constituents in a meaningful way if they want to get anything done. The Maplewood Township Committee will continue to cultivate these important relationships with county, state and federal leaders along with our local neighboring towns as the governing body has always done regardless of who the Mayor is. Again No Kings! The system is bigger than one individual.
John and Martin have earned the opportunity to serve on the Maplewood Township Committee. It’s their time and it’s our time as a community to move forward so we can engage the next generation and continue to thrive.
I look forward to giving them both a shot.
I hope you’ll join me by voting for Martin Ceperley and John Sullivan for Maplewood Township Committee.
With gratitude,
Frank McGehee