I Intend to Create a 'Mayor’s Kitchen Cabinet'

There is little doubt that partisan politics as usual simply is not working.  It has failed at every level.  Congress has an approval rating of about 10%.  Politicians are more interested in showmanship than leadership.  And that is precisely why we are in the mess we are.   It is no different here as our residents watch with dismay the Council here, now commonly referred to as the Gang of Five. Dare speak up and you are gaveled down. They want harmony all right, but harmony to them means agreeing with their failed agenda.  Any more harmony and this community will never recover. 

I have no political agenda.  I just want to serve the city I love.

It is time for the residents of this community to take on the leadership role that the current cast cannot. 

People often ask me how as an Independent can you be effective?  Firstly, it is I who has continue to expose them.  I have the courage and conviction to do what is right.  Secondly, the fastest growing “party “ are Independents.  The majority “party” in Summit is now 42% - almost 50% larger than either party.  I speak for you.  They speak for them.

Lastly, and most importantly, I speak with the real leaders of this community constantly.  They talk to themselves. 

The real leaders are as concerned about our future as I am.  I intend to create a “Mayor’s Kitchen Cabinet” of people whose only interest is Summit.  We will meet monthly to discuss the issues of importance to this community.  I want Jordan Glatt and Steve Murphy to be a part of this.  I could care less about party labels.  I have begun to reach out to people and they are excited and eager to serve.  Three years ago people were encourage by the theme of hope and change but all that has been sabotaged by the political parties that really want politics as usual.   We simply cannot afford that anymore.

I will look to a diverse Mayor’s Kitchen Cabinet for open, honest discussion.  I will look for  creativity and criticism.   I will look for candid and frank debate. I will look for consensus on the issues as opposed to consensus on Council.  I will look for harmony with the Community. I will look to this group to speak up and be counted.  I will look to them to outreach to the Community.  I will look to them to elicit your concerns and your hopes for our Community, because in the end, it is not about them, it is about you.

You can start by making November 8th, “Independents” Day

- Michael Vernotico, Independent candidate for Mayor