The following is the statement made by Margaret Bandrowski at the meet the Candidates forums held in October. 

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Several years ago I made a conscious decision to find out what was going on in Springfield, what decisions were being made and how those decisions were reached. I did it by getting involved, attending Democratic Party meetings and Township Committee meetings. Eventually I served on the Environmental Commission, the Zoning Board and the former Development Review Committee both of which I chaired.

Since January of this year, when the Republicans regained, by the narrowest of margins, control of the Township Committee, I have been dismayed by some of the decisions they have made, by the way those decisions have been made, and the appalling treatment of residents seeking to express their opinions or to obtain information to which they are entitled. They have been dismissed, they have been stonewalled, and misinformation has been given out for political purposes.

The takeover of the Board of Health, a predetermined three-to-two decision, potentially harmful to the welfare of us all, was made in total opposition to every expressed opinion from the pubic and the press. It is the prime example of the march to power being consolidated in Republican hands.

The photo on the recycling bin in front of Bagels Supreme – which has been there since January – tells the story. In their opinion, the 'Team for Springfield' has only three members who count and it is clear that one of them counts more than the others.

The Township Committee has five members, all of whom deserve to be equally informed, to have equal opportunities to be heard, and to have the expectation of working together. That has not been the case – but it is what we will strive for.

We pledge, if elected, to work openly and civilly, to replace steamroller government with true consensus so Springfield can move forward united, not split by bitter dissension.

Effective leadership depends on the ability to connect and motivate people, not on the claims of title or position or the exercise of power alone. That type of cooperative, informed and open partnership, with no pre-determined backroom decisions, is what we promise Springfield as we ask for your support in making this happen.

Thank you."