BRIDGEWATER CANDIDATES THANK REP. MALINOWSKI

FOR ARRANGING $4 MILLION FOR TOWNSHIP FROM AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, URGE TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT TO JOIN THEM

Dear Editor,

We recently learned from Congressman Tom Malinowski that Bridgewater Township will be receiving more than $4 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan bill just adopted by Congress and signed by President Biden – funds that will go directly into the township’s budget to make up for the economic impacts of the COVID crisis. Somerset County will receive more than $63 million, on top of the money each of our municipalities are receiving. The American Rescue Plan also provides money for the local schools to open safely, for our small businesses to get back on their feet and for an extension of unemployment benefits for those who cannot go back to work just yet.

We are reminded of this time last year when Bridgewater was one of the first towns in Somerset County to be hit with the coronavirus. At that time, a letter led by Congressman Malinowski was published in the paper. It was signed by both Republican and Democratic Mayors and Freeholders from our area and sent to congressional leadership of both parties urging that local aid be included in Covid relief packages.

But instead of joining that bipartisan effort, the Bridgewater Council, led by Councilman Kirsh and with the full support of Mayor Moench, chose to pass a partisan resolution criticizing Congressman Malinowski’s efforts to secure local government aid. Sadly, it was later revealed that the resolution our Council adopted had been essentially copied from a politically charged template written by the campaign of State Senator Tom Kean, who was running against Malinowski.

Two things should now be clear to every Bridgewater resident. First, the federal aid we desperately need to keep local services going without increasing taxes is on its way. Second, every single Republican in Congress voted against that aid. The aid is coming solely because of the efforts of Congressman Malinowski, Congressional Democrats, and President Biden. Had Senator Kean won his race for Congress last year, there is little doubt he would have voted against it, too.

We call on the Bridgewater Township Council to immediately pass a new resolution, thanking Congressman Malinowski for his efforts.  After all, he has more than delivered for Bridgewater.  For now, Congressman Malinowski has our thanks, and we know that many of our fellow residents join us.

Signed,

Jill Gladstone*

Jennifer Ernst Feigley

Saad Toor

Candidates for Bridgewater Township Council in 2021

* This statement is made in my capacity as a private citizen and candidate for Bridgewater Township Council and not in my capacity as a member of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education. The views stated are my own and do not represent those of the BRRSD BOE or any of its members. – Jill Gladstone