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.

I saw Republican leaders of Old Bridge attempt to use OB assets to support National Republican policies. This was when the Republican leaders in OB sought to sue Governor Murphy. OB leaders wanted Murphy to use NJ police to enforce national immigration policy. OB should stick to enforcing OB laws. I believe…., “if you can’t sue City Hall”. So how can OB Republicans expect to sue the State of NJ? OB Republicans claimed this lawsuit would not cost OB anything. I don’t believe in “something for nothing”. 

OB Republicans have tried to use OB assets to support Trump. Trump is attacking many things that make America great, Rule of Law, US Constitution. (emoluments and balance of powers) Free Speech. Freedom of Religion. 

I do see some benefits of Trump policies. Europe should pay it’s fair share to NATO. However, the loss of rule of law and loss of democracy far outweigh a few momentary monetary benefits.

Tariffs would work if applied slowly with precision, not haphazardly with a “chainsaw”. I find it hard to expect many manufacturers will dare to build on short notice. Factories need to know the tariff will continue to protect their investment.

I believe legal immigration brings workers with the 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 need care from the US. It was good LEGAL immigration policy.

Immigrants should never be treated like NAZI’s would. I believe the US will need less immigration as modern manufacturing relies more on robotics, and AI replaces some 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. Daily, I see more dubious emails and phone call.

Perhaps, tariffs that dis-advantage Chinese polluting factories could help if the tariffs were enacted slowly and “surgically”.

Although I believe in climate change. I do not believe the US can compete with China if China has far less regard to clean water or air pollution. I believe solar and wind power helps in 3 ways. They cut dependence on imports, as well as balance of payments. Less imported oil means less possible spills. They provide local maintenance jobs, The power generated is cleaner. 

Why would Trump be 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, while developers in OB reap rich rewards.

Likewise, Trump’s big bill cut taxes for the rich and increased taxes on “regular” people. Ronald Reagans’ tax bill cut taxes for everyone. This is a re-distribution of wealth from the regular people to the wealthy Why would OB Republicans support Trump? So why would we support OB Republicans?

The Republican 30 year PILOT program provides more evidence that the OB school budget shortage should not be blamed solely on governor Murphy.

I blame the Republican controlled OB council for the creation of a 30 year PILOT program for all those new warehouses : PILOT being……Payment In Lieu Of Taxes.

Since PILOT income is not taxes, 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 saved the developer a great deal of money.

Republicans made the PILOT deal, they blame Governor Murphy and the BOE! Why do Republicans 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 the already over-burdened 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 enforce. 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 of fraud for cheating on the stated values of his properties. Only the amount of the judgement against him was questioned. Cheating does not make him a successful businessman.

Trump is a convicted felon. He falsified 35 business records in order to hide his peccadillo with Stormy Daniels. It is very difficult to prove intent, it was proved.

In spite of cheating Trump has led his operations in too many bankruptcies. One year Trump had the biggest tax loss in the entire country Almost one billion dollars. It seems that his policies are not working. They are certainly not working on day 1, as he said. 

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 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. 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 prisoners would swear to just about anything to get into a safer prison, or perhaps be pardoned. Moving Ghislaine to “Club-Fed” seems to me to be a bribe. There is 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 Trump. The founding fathers created the Constitution with checks and balances, not 3 branches of yes…I believe the Republican OB council criticizes Murphy to help Cittarelli. 

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 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 so 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.

I’m from Old Bridge since 1985

Married since 1980 to a high school algebra II 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.