Wilkens endorses Brightbill and Fiore

Dear Editor,

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Middletown as a member of the Township Committee for the past three years. I worked very hard to act as a dedicated, productive, honest, and respectful public servant. Also, as a younger resident with a growing family living in an area of the Township not otherwise represented, I tried to be a voice for families who are establishing themselves in this town, and a voice for those who live along the Route 36 corridor.

Even though I am not seeking re-election, I am, and will continue to be, actively interested in the way this town is governed. I want to see Middletown continue to be well managed, remain as one of the “Top 100 Places to Live” in America, and continue to be the type of town that my own children will want to call home. Accordingly, I feel strongly that Deputy Mayor Pam Brightbill should be re-elected to the Township Committee, and that her running mate, Tony Fiore, should be the logical choice to fill the seat that I am vacating.

Pam Brightbill has been great for Middletown … and it was my pleasure to serve with her. Pam works harder than any other person the committee, and does so because of her love for the town. She listens to every comment, reads every letter, and considers every issue in the context of what is best for the town as a whole. With the same amount of enthusiasm, Pam will take on major issues or spend her time working on little details. She stands up for what she believes in, is not concerned about political “spin”, and has honest and genuine intentions when it comes to her position as an elected official. Pam Brightbill is the consummate public servant.

Since I am not running for re-election, it is important to me that the Township Committee continues to have a member who can be a voice for the families that are establishing themselves in this town, and a voice for those who live along the Route 36 corridor. Tony Fiore is just that person, and I am confident that he is best positioned to maintain the voice that I tried to establish for Middletown’s Bayshore Community. He lives in Belford with his wonderful young family, and has been actively involved in the Middletown community for a number of years. As a member of the Planning Board, Tony has cast many votes to save hundreds of acres of open space from overdevelopment … that has helped keep to taxes lower and keep more traffic off of our streets.

This November 4th, the future of Middletown is in our hands … and I hope that you join me in voting for Pam Brightbill and Tony Fiore.

Tom Wilkens
Middletown Township Committeeman