Reader: Sentinel is out of touch with Edison
From the editorial to the lack of accountability to which elected officials are held, the latest edition of the Sentinel left much to be desired.

The newspaper's editorial stated that Mayor Jun Choi has a habit of getting what he wants. I'm not sure what to make of this statement, but I'd like the newspaper to realize the people of Edison have a habit of getting what they want. The people of Edison elected Jun Choi because they wanted to see positive changes to better the community. They elected him because he has a vision for the township's future and they believed in that vision. So maybe, just maybe, when you write that Jun Choi has a habit of getting what he wants, you should know the public is getting what they have wanted.

Don't forget, when the previous council strayed from a vision of a model community for all residents, the public - yes, the public - voted them out in favor of candidates who believed in ending antiquated practices that served the few for a new future for the entire Edison community.

So when a vote is 4-3, people should know it has less to do with the mayor and less to do with the four new council members, but it does have to do with what I, and the majority of others like me, voted for. It has to with changes to better the place we call home.

I am consistently reading comments from the other three council members about how this measure needs to be "tweaked" or this ordinance needs to be "adjusted" or before we vote on this "I must see a language change." But then when the adjustments happen, they still vote against it. I have never read what these three council members - Tony Massaro, Robert Diehl and Toni Ricigliano - think the solution is. Like a broken record, one councilman keeps saying "I mean what I say and I say what I mean," but, Councilman, what are you doing to better Edison? What specific solutions do you or have you ever offered? None. And, it should not be the job of a reader to ask these questions. The Sentinel should be asking the questions.

I'm afraid the Sentinel is out of touch with Edison. Based on the editorial, the Sentinel can no longer see the forest from the trees when it comes to the township. A lack of strong opinion - for or against - the redevelopment agency in the July 2 editorial is pretty much like the three council stallers - "Well, we're just not sure, so we'll make the issue about something other than the agency." So, the editorial became about taking the politics out, but anything this mayor does will be criticized by those who oppose him. The Sentinel must know that. They are the same small group of people who constantly criticize him and at the same time shower praise on each other on these very editorial pages.

It is time for the Sentinel to extend its knowledge of Edison beyond the council chambers and realize there are people struggling economically in this community, there are people who want a better community for their families, there are people who want to maintain a great school district, and these are the majority who wanted to see the change that at least five elected officials are working toward.
Diane King
Edison