...Enjoy the Ride!

In part of his statement to MyCentraljersey.com, Woodbridge Councilman Kyle Anderson said:... "Let’s slow down and enjoy the ride.’’

Having just reviewed the DVD of Mr. Anderson's arrest and transport to Woodbridge department's HQ, it can be seen, sadly, that Mr. Anderson did not enjoy the ride!

It was Patch Woodbridge that first broke the story of the councilman's arrest.  And despite the councilman’s stated believe in his post on Patch. com (and surely to his chagrin) that neither the Star-Ledger nor the Home News Tribune would run a story regarding his arrest, both news outlets did. Kudos to both news services for their follow up on the story.

For those who may have missed it, on December 4, 2012, Councilman Anderson, at the Woodbridge Town Council meeting, announced to those in attendance and to the TV 35 camera, that he had been arrested by the Woodbridge police.  That arrest, for Contempt of Court- MV Violations, occurred on November 13, 2012.  As the records indicate, the councilmen failed to pay a speeding ticket he received from another municipality in July 2012. After being arrested, the councilman was released after posting bail in the amount of $195.00.

While some may feel the councilman’s public admission of his arrest was an “upfront” thing to do, one can also wonder why the councilman did not make that announcement at the November 20th council meeting; just seven days after his arrest.  Perhaps, once he became aware that news of his arrest was being looked into by those outside the McCormac administration, his December 4th forthcoming was a pre-emptive political ploy.

The genesis of the councilman’s legal entanglement and public embarrassment may have been a speeding ticket, but as the councilman stated to the press, he should be held to a higher standard.  In his position as town councilman, a position that affords him the privilege of voting on local laws, regulations, administration expenditures, including the township’s $125,000,000 municipal budget, he is absolutely correct in that statement. Accordingly, the public has ever right to wonder if a person, in his high position, cannot handle his legal and financial affairs in a timely manner, how can he be trusted to handle theirs!

For the record, the DVD showing Mr. Anderson’s stop and arrest (which I will not make public) by members of the Woodbridge PD, shows that while those officers knew Mr. Anderson is a member of the Woodbridge Town Council, they, however reluctantly, did their sworn duty.  In that connection, the residents of Woodbridge Township can and should take great pride in that part of their local government. This community has a PD to be proud of!