Ron Francioli - I am not running with or against Judy Iradi or Ken Schleifer
Full Description:
Read Hanover Township Committeewoman Judy Iradi’s open comment to me in last week’s Hanover Eagle / Weekly Regional News cover story and Judy is entitled a response.
As [the] article accurately stated, many were circulating petitions throughout Hanover urging me to return to the Township Committee. On Tuesday of this past week, 7 petitions totaling hundreds of signatures were accepted and filed, officially placing my name on the Republican spring primary election ballot for this June.
Judy is correct in that I am very happily retired – but not yet in adult care and quite healthy. As Mark Twain said,”reports of my demise is greatly exaggerated”. Judy is incorrect as to my motivation to return to office. I am neither part of nor running as the token candidate of a faction targeting her. I am not running with or against Judy Iradi or Ken Schleifer, the incumbents. They both bring value to their elected positions. What I do offer to our community is 30 years of experience that can be put back to work in a positive political environment.
In the days ahead I will not engage in a negative re-election campaign, never have, or in the usual pre-election banter of ‘letters-to-the-editor’, beyond this one. Hanover voters now have choices, which are what elections are all about. They’ll make those choices based upon what they already know of the incumbents or me.
It must be said that Judy and I never had the highly contentious issues that I had with others serving on the Committee during my administration as Mayor and Judy was very supportive of my recent appointment to the Hanover Township Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) – thank you. Regardless of election outcomes, I hope to still work to see this committee successful for Hanover.
Deputy Mayor Ken Schleifer, in my opinion, has taken on great responsibility as Hanover’s Director of Finance at a very crucial time of challenging budgets and before that, Director of Emergency Management. Both Judy and Ken will have to run on their records, and as a former committeeman and Mayor I too will be judged on my past accomplishments and ideas for the future of Hanover.
So, while my hat is officially in the ring, many who know me understand that I will not be tied to anyone’s political agenda to remove one candidate or the other. I run on the urging of many who feel my experience can add to helping Hanover address today’s challenging issues and the difficult days that lie ahead.
