About Me

• Public school K-12, graduated with a BS from 4 year college added some science courses post grad

• Continued on with a program as an electronics technician. 

My general political stance is socially liberal and fiscally conservative.

On so many issues I like what Pope Francis said, “Who am I to judge.” So many things are none of anyone’s business.

Why run for office?

It bothers me that the OB Republicans have used OB assets to support Trump. Trump is attacking so many of the things that make America great.....Rule of Law, The US Constitution. (emoluments and balance of powers) Free Speech. Freedom of Religion.

I do see some benefits of Trump policies such as getting Europe to pay it’s fair share into NATO. However, the loss of rule of law and loss of democracy far outweigh the few momentary monetary benefits. Tariffs would work if applied slowly with precision, not haphazardly with a “chainsaw”.

I find it hard to expect a US steel plant can built on short notice. Any developer would also need to know the tariff will continue to protect the investment.

I believe legal immigration brings workers with skills that are needed to the US. My parents and grandparents when entering the US, had to prove they were healthy, had a sponsor, and would not be dependent on the US. It was good LEGAL immigration policy.

Immigrants should never be treated like NAZI’s did. I believe the US will need less immigration as new manufacturing relies more on robotics and AI replaces more white collar jobs.

When I see the Inspector Generals and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau being disbanded, I believe more scams will go un-checked. The NY Times quoted that the number of attempted scams on seniors is increasing. 

Perhaps, tariffs that pinpoint Chinese polluting factories could help if enacted slowly and “surgically”.

Although I believe in climate change. I do not believe the US can compete with China if they manufacture with far less regard to clean water or air pollution.
I believe solar and wind power helps in 3 ways.

1. They cut dependence on imports.
2. They provide local maintenance jobs, 

3. The power generated is cleaner. 


Trump is against solar and wind power.  

Republican leaders in OB seem to have prioritized developers over the residents of Old Bridge. This is one likely reason citizens in OB suffer increases in taxes .  Developers in OB reap rich rewards.
Likewise, Trump’s big bill benefitted the rich and increased taxes on “regular” people. Ronald Reagans tax cut bill cut taxes for everyone. So, who re-distributes wealth? Why would OB Republicans support Trump?

Republican leaders of Old Bridge have attempted to use OB assets to support National Republican policies. Not long ago Republican leaders in OB sought to sue Governor Murphy. to use NJ police to enforce national immigration policy. I see jurisdictional problems.  I see extra burden on local police. 

The saying goes...., “you can’t sue City Hall”. So how can OB Republicans expect to sue the State of NJ?
OB Republicans claimed this would not cost OB anything. I don’t believe in “something for nothing”. Even if the law fees were fixed, the extra burden on NJ State troopers or local police would increase. 

The Republicans in office  created a 30 year PILOT program.  This seems to mean the OB school budget shortage should not be blamed solely on governor Murphy.

Still I hear (at town council meetings) ....It makes no sense, it makes no sense. 

I blame the Republican controlled OB council for the creation of a 30 year PILOT program for 5 huge new warehouses : PILOT being an acronym for......Payment In Lieu Of Taxes.  The way this works is.....
PILOT income is not taxes,  so, the board of education does not automatically get its “fair” share. Current Republican council members repetitively blame Murphy for education shortfall. I am told the PILOT income agreement forces an increase in OB school taxes by almost 60 cents! This deal probably saved the developer a great deal of money.

Republicans made the PILOT deal, they blame Governor Murphy and the BOE! I wonder why do Republians usually have more campaign money than Democrats?

I do not see any concrete attempt to get warehouse developers to correct problems the extra traffic will make on Route 9. The planning board agreement stated that after each phase of construction, a traffic study would be updated. I do not know of any specific point where an overpass would be required of the developers. I do remember the persistent traffic problem on Rte 9 at Ernston Road prior to the overpass being built. Pushing the “fix” for Rte. 9 traffic into the future makes it more expensive, harder to build and harder to obtain. . When I developed my building, South Amboy was in charge.. I did not get any 30 year tax deal.

I worry about the OB water system. If the township sells our water system to American Water, a for-profit organization, It is reasonable to expect ever-increasing prices.

To me, small “d” democracy matters most. Small “d” democracy is accountability.

I find it hard to support OB Republicans when they support Trump. Cheating does not make him a successful businessman.

Trump was convicted for fraud.  The stated values of his properties were manipulated. Only the amount of the judgement against him was questioned. Cheating does not make him a successful businessman.  

In spite of the enormous wealth Donald Trump was given, and the cheating he has been convicted of he has a surpriseing number of bankrupcies.  Why support an UN successful person. 

Trump became a convicted felon when he falsified 35 business records to hide his peccadillo with Stormy Daniels. That case was very difficult to prove because the intent had to be proven.

Trump seems repeatedly breaks the emoluments clause of the US Constitution as he and his family make billions of dollars from his being in office. Avoiding impeachment by the Senate was, to me a political move not, a just one. The lack of a conviction on impeachment has lead to more violation of the emoluments clause. I can only wonder if the OB Republicans got anything from their PILOT deal with the warehouse developers. I believe Trump makes billions of dollars on Crypto currencies

I believe Trump is using the US justice department as a weapon. John Bolton had a federal court approve the info he put in his book. Bolton is now being investigated. Many of Trump’s law suits or investigations turned out baseless.  I see Comey, a prior FBI direcdtor being indicted on a case that was previously determined to be un-winable. 

The President of the US should have a moral foundation. Trump, as a young man, was Jeffrey Epstein’s best friend for 15 years. Epstein is a convicted pedophile. As they say, “birds of a feather”
Ghislane Maxwells exculpatory testimony is too fraught with self interest to even be considered. Most people would swear to just about anything to get into a nicer prison, or perhaps be pardoned. Moving her to “Club-Fed” seems to be a bribe since it has no precedent for a sex offender.

I believe every possible bit of support to Trump by OB goes against the ideals of the American Revolution and all the Allied Veterans that died or survived WWII.

Jack Cittarelli seems to want to be a total yes-man to any Trump policy. The founding fathers created the Constitution with the idea of checks and balances, not 3 branches of yes...I believe the Republican OB council criticizes Murphy to help Cittarelli.

I’m from Old Bridge since 1985

As a small business owner. I am from “Main Street”.

My products and services had to be on time, at price, and to the customers satisfaction. Wall-streeters get their money, regardless of the outcome of their recommendations.

My wife and I retired from our own business in 2021.

I am now on the Boards of Directors of 3 long standing sports clubs. I participate in weekly races, and organize or join worldwide bareboat-sailing-touring trips as a skipper.

I’ve been on the OB Democratic Committee for several years.

Being on 3 BOD’s taught me to at LEAST listen to other people’s

opinions. Having had many jobs, I learned how things get

done.

Born in 1949 to 2 immigrants. My father earned a bronze star in the WWII ETO.

I earned a 4 year Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. I extended my learning with some post grad courses, and added a degree program as an electronic tech.

Married since 1980 to a high school math teacher. In 1987 she quit teaching and helped the family business from home. My wife’s most important job was parenting our daughter from K to 12 in OB public school.

Peter Shearer
OB democratic committee-man.