Councilwoman takes issue to resident's letter
Iread with interest Fred Cisson's letter to the editor dated Feb. 11, 2009. I am in full agreement that the public "should know a few things," and in so doing perhaps Fred will finally be educated.

His assertion that in the 1980s I accomplished nothing of significance for the residents of Edison Township is flawed. I was active in PTA at James Madison, John Adams, and J.P. Stevens High School while my children were in school, was a member of and served on the executive board of Martin Luther King School, was a trustee for the Associated PTA Scholarship Committee and served as their treasurer for three of my 10 years. I served with the Shamrocks and NE Baseball/Softball in many capacities, including softball manager/coach and cheering adviser/coordinator. I attended college and received my teaching degree, having graduated with honors. All of these things, plus many others, were accomplished during the 1980s. He can check my Web site — www.ricigliano2009.com — for additional information.

I was elected to council in November 1997 and sworn in on Jan. 1, 1998. This was the first time I ran for a township-wide position and won. I then won in November 2005, defeating [Mayor Jun] Choi's candidate for a council seat, and was sworn in to office on Jan. 1, 2006.

A councilperson's sworn duty is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the state of New Jersey. It is the responsibility of the council to "protect" the residents of the township and guard their tax dollars, not to march in lockstep with any administration.

Mr. Cisson should also realize that there are many ways to serve humanity, not just in the political arena. In the 1980s I chose civic endeavors to benefit the township. I have since incorporated politics in my goal to make Edison a better community for all.

Perhaps the residents of Edison Township would be interested to know what Mr. Cisson has done or plans to do to benefit the township.
Antonia Ricigliano
Councilwoman