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Ed K

No matter what party he was a member of, Tom Panconi already had my vote based on his prior record and how he represents Cranbury as Job #1- And now this only underscores his commitment again to his community here in Cranbury. I'm sure this was not an easy decision for him to make either - its hard leaving your political party but he's sticking to what he believes is good and just for NJ, Cranbury and himself above the party politics. We all should learn from Tom's example and not make this a partisan issue IN CRANBURY when discussing COAH and protecting Cranbury. All sides need to work together on this - Cranbury Dems, Reps and Indi's.

If we Cranburyians focus our collective efforts on the key politicians that control the fate, all discussion should be about that end game. (and yes let's get off this PNC thing already it is divisive at a time that Cranbury should not be fighting internally at all - I dont know how many times I have wrote about this specific point either on this board- I'm soooo tired of talking about it already. Table it.)

Thanks for making this issue #1 in your agenda Tom, and a great representative for how my family and neighbors feel about COAH dire impact on Cranbury.

Guest

James

I can't say my faith in the TC is restored as it is still a 3 person group making decisions. However, I do find it a breathe of fresh air that someone in office went with his convictions over party.

Frugality In Cranbury

Tom Panconi's bold and smart move has restored some of my faith back with the Cranbury TC. Let's hope he can break out of the vicious party line cycle that has been plaguing our own TC. I glad to see his passion is back and fully support his decision.

Three Cheers for Panconi!!!

Guest

I am really disappointed by the current Democrat-led TC. I think it's a smart move for Mr. Panconi. I won't vote for a Democrat TC candidate in the coming TC election.

Cranbury Press

Committeeman changes to independent
Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:52 PM EDT
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

A Township Committee member changed his party affiliation to protest state legislators’ stance on affordable housing changes.

In late June Committeeman Tom Panconi changed his party affiliation from Democrat and declared himself an independent as the result of a piece of legislation that Democrats supported in the General Assembly and the Senate, he said.

The Legislature adopted Bill A500-S1783 — the Assembly version by a 44-34 margin on June 16 and the state Senate version by a 21-16 margin on June 23. The bills call for several changes in the state’s affordable housing program, including the elimination of regional contribution agreements, an increase in the commercial development fee and expanded eligibility for housing.

Only three Democrats in the Assembly did not vote in favor of the bill, with one assemblywoman voting against it and two others, one of whom was Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, whose district includes Cranbury, Jamesburg and Monroe, abstained from voting.

Mr. Panconi said he was disturbed that some state legislators would vote in favor of a speaker-of-the-house-sponsored bill for no other reason than to vote along party lines, as opposed to voting with their conscience.
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”I was disappointed with the way the Democrats overwhelmingly voted for it,” he said.

Towns throughout the state have voiced concerns about the bill’s new developer fee, which would be increased from 2 percent to 2.5 percent of the equalized assessed value of a building at the time permits are issued. A developer fee is charged by towns to offset affordable housing needs generated as a result of the development.

Local officials and representatives of the League of Municipalities say the fee will not be enough to cover the cost of units that towns will be required to build as a result of commercial development.

Cranbury officials have major concerns over the bill’s elimination of regional contribution agreements, which allow towns to meet their affordable housing obligations by transferring units to other municipalities at an increased cost per unit.

In previous rounds Cranbury has executed RCAs with both Perth Amboy, for 76 units, and Carteret, for 34 units. It currently has a contract with Perth Amboy for 81 units, which could be in jeopardy.

Given the damage that local officials are projecting will result from the bill, Mr. Panconi said, he did a lot of “soul searching” and ultimately decided declare himself an independent.

Mr. Panconi said he doesn’t expect the change to affect future elections.

”Especially on a local level, party doesn’t matter,” Mr. Panconi said. “I have no political aspirations beyond Cranbury.”

Tom Weidner, former mayor and Cranbury resident, said he has never heard of and doesn’t recall seeing an independent on the committee in nearly half a century.

As a result of the change, the makeup of the Township Committee will be three Democrats, one Republican and one independent.

”We don’t vote as Democrats or Republicans,” Mr. Panconi said. “I’m still the same person.”

Some local officials were shocked by the news but respected Mr. Panconi’s decision.

”I was surprised when I first heard it,” said Glenn Johnson, chair of Cranbury’s Democratic Party. “I guess I find it unusual that this whole thing happened over one piece of legislation, but it was his call to make.”