Letter to the Editor: Taking Issue with Politics in Trappe Primary Race

To the Editor, 

I am writing you about the upcoming Trappe Borough Council primary election. 

I want to start out with some facts. Both Republican Committeemen, Stu Strauss and Jack Minster, as everyone knows, have endorsed Tammy Lamberi, Karen Westgate and Chuck Rodgers. However, what people seem to not know is those endorsed candidates have never been to a council meeting. They decided to run in this election on a whim, without any knowledge of the issues facing Trappe, let alone the work that goes into being an elected official. These candidates are puppets of Stu Strauss and Jack Minster. What you are hearing out of these candidates' mouth are not independent thoughts; they are the thoughts of Stu Strauss and Jack Minster.

Furthermore, the campaign these candidates are running is one filled with personal acts and lies. In some instances, their attacks are approaching defamation of character. None of this is needed. What is needed is a campaign in which the candidates debate facts and offer solutions to the problems Trappe is facing. 

Why would the Republican Committeemen endorse candidates that have no proven track record? Why wouldn't they endorse candidates Paul Edwards, Lew DiPrete, and Fred Schuetz, who have a proven track record? DiPrete, Schuetz, and Edwards have won an award for their five-year budget, saved Trappe residents by renegotiating the trash hauling contract and cutting health care cost for public works employees by almost $250,000, haven't raised taxes, received and used grants to improve parks, and repaired Trappe's relationships with neighboring communities. While Stu Strauss and Jack Minster continue to put their political interest and power first, DiPrete, Edwards, and Schuetz continue to put Trappe's interest first. 

I also want to respond to comments made on the May 4 article titled "New Trappe Borough Council Member Sworn in by Mayor." One comment, written by Jack Minster, . 

The first priority of government, at all levels, is to protect their citizens. For Jack Minster to claim spending money to protect the employees of Trappe's government is ridiculous on all levels, whether Jack Minster believes it or not, Trappe does have crime, as do all towns. In addition, many government agencies have security measures, such as buzzers on the door. This is not some radical idea. The job of those in Trappe's government is to put the residents of Trappe safety first. However, in this case, Minster is using this to gain political points. 

The other comment (from a user named Philadelphia guy 11) I would like to respond to . 

Seriously? We don't want our borough manager attending conventions to be educated on issues facing boroughs? I have an idea, why don't Stu, Jack and their puppets tell us what their plans are to repair the sidewalks on Main Street and to bring businesses back to Trappe. Have you seen the Trappe shopping center? Instead of attacking the incumbent council members personally, release your plans for Trappe's future. Release your five-year budget plan. Besides making voters believe your lies, what have you—Stu, Jack, and puppets—offered as solutions? All I hear is, well, nothing. 

Fellow Trappe residents, are you willing to vote in candidates who have offered nothing but lies and have no clear plan for the future of your town? Stu, Jack and puppets, show the voters your plan for the future for Trappe. Show the residents of Trappe you put Trappe before politics. 

Lastly, fellow Trappe residents, the campaign tactics the Trappe Republican Committeemen are using, as a Republican in Trappe, are simply disappointing and an insult to my and your intelligence. These tactics have no place in our small community. 

Remember, elections are real and have consequences. Just something to ponder. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Jason Edwards