When 'Working Together' Means Never Asking the Hard Questions.

Edmund Tom Maciejewski

Recently, I received a comment that I believe may have originated with another candidate: that I would not be able to work with the other members of the Township Council.

I have to admit, I was a little confused by that comment.

Over the years, I have worked with members of the Council. I have had discussions with them, debated issues, asked difficult questions, and maintained an open dialogue even when we disagreed.

I have also worked directly with the Township as a member of the Berkeley Heights Recycling Task Force. Beyond Township government, I have worked with other boards, community organizations, and volunteer groups, including many years of involvement with Boy Scouts Troop 368.

Most recently, I was elected by Berkeley Heights Republican voters to serve on the Berkeley Heights Republican Municipal Committee, after running as the endorsed candidate. I also entered the Republican primary for Township Council as a write-in candidate and earned the nomination.

In light of my work with the Task Force, my community involvement, and years of discussions with Township officials, I was a little puzzled by the suggestion that I would somehow be unable to work with the other members of the Council.

But it raises a much more important question:

What exactly does it mean to “work with the Council”?

Does working with the Council mean agreeing with the majority? Does it mean avoiding disagreement, not asking uncomfortable questions, or going along simply for the sake of getting along?

I don’t believe it does.

Working together should mean listening to one another, having honest discussions, debating ideas, considering different viewpoints, and looking for common ground whenever possible. And I believe the conversations I have had with Council members over the years have, at times, benefited Berkeley Heights residents by bringing additional perspectives and scrutiny to issues facing our Township.

But working with the Council should never mean simply agreeing with the Council.

In fact, one of my concerns about our local government has been what I see as too little visible disagreement and debate on important issues. Residents deserve to see their elected representatives ask questions, challenge assumptions, demand transparency, and thoroughly examine major decisions before casting their votes.

Disagreement is not dysfunction.

A healthy governing body should have debate. It should have different viewpoints. Council members should be able to challenge one another professionally and respectfully—and then work together to move the Township forward.

That is the kind of Council member I intend to be.

I will listen. I will have the conversation. I will consider other viewpoints. I will look for common ground.

But when I believe something is wrong for Berkeley Heights, I will also say so—and I will explain why.

Because ultimately, a Council member’s responsibility is not to agree with the other Council members.

It is to represent the residents of Berkeley Heights.