Tony Soprano would have been proud. Politics can be rough and tough, and small town politics are not exempt. My personal experience with payback New Jersey style came in the form of a letter from Mayor Botbyl "thanking" me for my service after a decade on the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). The Thank You meant "you're fired". Although no reason was given for not appointing me to another term, the true reason was abundantly clear. While a member of the BZA I had the audacity to vote against a request by then Alderman Stevenson for a variance to build a home that did not meet the building code for setbacks. Bada Boom! Bill McGovern was placed on the BZA as a replacement...turns out McGovern gave a glowing endorsement during public comments at the variance request the first time around (if you don't believe me you can get a transcript of the hearing).
So, when another request for variance by Stevenson made the BZA, McGovern voted aye and eventually Stevenson got what he wanted. You might ask, gee, that is cozy, almost not ethical? Nah, nothing personal, strictly business...or maybe in this case, nothing business, strictly personal?
Last Friday (23rd) McGovern filed for Alderman on the East Side as a write in candidate. His campaign flyer cites "Member of Board of Zoning Adjustment". His campaign slogan? "You won't have to hire a lawyer to get me to do the "right thing" Well said by the pal of Stevenson and Botbyl. You don't have to go to NJ, or watch the Sopranos...just pay attention to what is going on in WL.
So, when another request for variance by Stevenson made the BZA, McGovern voted aye and eventually Stevenson got what he wanted. You might ask, gee, that is cozy, almost not ethical? Nah, nothing personal, strictly business...or maybe in this case, nothing business, strictly personal?
Last Friday (23rd) McGovern filed for Alderman on the East Side as a write in candidate. His campaign flyer cites "Member of Board of Zoning Adjustment". His campaign slogan? "You won't have to hire a lawyer to get me to do the "right thing" Well said by the pal of Stevenson and Botbyl. You don't have to go to NJ, or watch the Sopranos...just pay attention to what is going on in WL.
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