>I have always voted Democrat and I like Paul Aronsohn. In fact I would like to one day see him in the State Senate or even in the US Congress. That said, I also feel that he is just using Ridgewood to further his career and he doesn’t really have a stake in the community. This has put me in a dilemma for the past few weeks. I am torn between wanting to see him advance, but not wanting a professional politician on the council. I understand what he is doing and in a way support it, but I wish it was not in MY town. Why couldn’t he run for village council in some other town? I would fully support THAT as a stepping stone for him to move onto bigger and better things (in which I would support him).
As much as I like him, I do not like being used. Someone here earlier said (something like) that all of his decisions would be made based on what would better advance his career and not what would be in the best interest of the community. I have to agree with that and it gives me pause. I have been turning this over in my head for weeks now and recently came up with another unsettling thought. If Paul succeeds, will the party see Ridgewood as a good place to launch politicians and promote another outsider when Paul moves on? I don’t want Ridgewood to become the clearing house for professional politicians on their way to bigger and better things. I wouldn’t like that.
So, just this weekend, I came to the conclusion that I cannot vote for Paul. I feel that he is bright enough and young enough and skilled enough to advance his career from some other means than through the Ridgewood village council. And when he does, I will be out there supporting him… but just not this time.
Perhaps this will help some of you, but if not, I just feel better getting it all out.
As for the other candidates, Keith has my vote. I still do not know what I am going to do with the other 4 candidates (all of which don’t look particularly appealing).
