Council Candidates Tackle Tough Topics

The pending historic winter storm did not stop the multitude of concerned residents who came to the Summit High School Media Center to support the six candidates for council. Residents scrambled for a seat as the media center was quickly filled to standing room only capacity.  Here is a detailed account of the major questions posed and candidate responses.

The candidates running for Council are as follows. 1st ward: Sandra Bloom (D) and Dr. Robert Rubino (R); 2nd ward: Dennis White (D) and Patrick Hurly (R); Council at Large: Susan Hairston (D) and Gregory Drummond (R).

The candidates each gave an opening statement highlighting their experience. Many had served on other Boards in the town such as the Zoning Board or BOE. The majority of the candidates made a point to mention the Sunshine Law violation and the poor communication displayed by the current Council.

One questioned posed to the candidates stated that all six “are political novices” asking what distinguishes one candidate from another.

The majority of the candidates stated that prior experience in Board and community involvement meant that no candidate was a political novice.

Hurley stated that his experience as working with crisis response and risk management makes him an ideal candidate. Dennis White noted that “his even temperament sets him apart from his opponent Patrick Hurley” and that as a resident of Summit for more than 18 years, he “has a feel for the town.”

Dr. Rubino noted that he knows how to run a large organization while delivering a decision and keeping an open mind. Sandra Bloom also referenced her status on city boards for last 12 years, noting she wants to improve outreach to the community.

Drummond emphasized that as a local business owner he has a strong connection to downtown and can bring a unique perspective to Council. Susan Hairston noted that she has track record of being a trusted official on the BOE and that “anyone who is married understands politics.”

Another crucial question asked the candidates if they could ensure that personal politics would not come into play when dealing with the Board of Education decisions, citing the controversy over Planned Parenthood materials in Summit schools.

Patrick Hurley asserted that “Planned Parenthood doesn’t belong in schools and shouldn’t it should influence kids.” He went on to state that he supports the state curriculum on sex education.

Dr. Rubino noted that although he believes “the materials are perfectly fine,” he questions whether or not Summit should allow a controversial organization to enter schools stating that he is “happy that the Board of Education removed the materials and remained apolitical.”

Dennis White stated that “Planned Parenthood was the right choice for this community,” noting that parents can opt out of sex education but very few do. He also expressed that Council shouldn’t interject in Board decisions.

Sandra Bloom also emphasized that Council needs to be “very respectful” of the differences between the roles of Council and the roles of Board of Education members. Drummond expressed that upon visiting Brighton School to review the materials; he was informed that those materials haven’t been in the school for over two years. Hairston affirmed that Council needs to “leave the Board of Education alone” and refrain from pushing personal views upon the BOE.

was one of the hot button issues presented at the debates. Candidates were asked where they stood on the parking garage issue.

Sandra Bloom stated that “we need to think carefully about how to work through these issues while makings sure that the opinions of the community and the stake holders are heard.”

Gregory Drummond noted that “we need to give shoppers enough time to have a good experience; two hours is not enough time to enjoy a movie and enjoy lunch.” Drummond stated that he knows of a developer who could erect a parking garage without a cost to the city.

Hairston stated that Council needs to “go back to the drawing board” and consult the community. Rubino agreed stating that “this is a decade old problem” that needs a solution.

Hurley stated that he is not in favor of paid parking and that a parking garage would bring too much traffic to Summit. Dennis White expressed that he too hopes that the solution is not a parking garage, encouraging people to walk a little farther and utilize more healthy modes of transportation, adding that he “rides his bike everywhere.”

This debate would not have been complete without the discussion of the . Candidates were asked whether or not they believe the Sunshine Law was truly violated.

Bloom noted that as a member of several different Boards, she understands the rules and ethics of the law and always “errs on the side of caution.” Hairston noted that the law must be taken seriously and that “you have to have the trust of the community in order to communicate ethically.”

Hurley stated that he felt that “the spirit of the law was violated” but that he “doesn’t think it was intentional” noting that it is “easy to cross that line” with modern forms of communication. Drummond expressed that he is “not a fan of email” and that Council should return to a time of personal interactions and not predetermine voting prior to meetings.

Rubino stated that if elected, he won’t employ email or other modern technologies like Facebook or texting as a way of communicating. Rubino declined to state if he believes the law was violated, noting that he “doesn’t have all the facts to say whether it was violated or not.”

In contrast, White stated that “it is clear that this was a violation of the Sunshine Law. Council needs to get retrained and remind everyone that this is a serious issue.”