Letter to the Editor: One Man's Opinion on Bloomingdale Election

The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted by Bloomingdale resident Ray Fetherman. If you have a letter you'd like to submit, send it to

Dear Editor:

I have lived in Bloomingdale for 56 years, voted in 55 elections, and have been actively involved in the community for much of that time.  I joined the in 1960 and served actively for 22 years. I am now the president of the Bloomingdale Exempt Firemen’s Association, a life member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association, and serve on the Bloomingdale Firemen’s Relief Association.

Because I have always believed that each man is entitled to his own opinion, I have generally kept my opinions to myself. At the present, however, my concern over the direction that Bloomingdale is taking overrides this and my conscience tells me that I must speak my mind regarding our two Republican council candidates.

Mr. Caputo is a very good friend of mine and has been for many years. Honestly, when I heard he was running for council, I was surprised and wondered why he is running. Not only does he spend much of his time out of town at his summer home, but he has told me that he is actively looking for property in another state so he can move out of Bloomingdale. I can’t imagine why anyone would vote for a part-time, possibly soon to be no-time, resident, when the position of council member is a full-time job.

Ms. Huntley and I are not as well acquainted. In fact, we met for the first time last October when she was running for mayor and I had the chance to speak with her at my home. The first thing she asked me was what the problem was between her and the Bloomingdale Fire Department. This question took me by surprise because I knew of no problem at all, and I told her as much. I also told her that for myself, I felt that her votes against so many of the things that I felt would be good for the town gave me the impression that her manner of governing was, more times than not, from a negative position.

I know that Ms. Huntley is a hard working person and I told her that I felt her efforts would be put to better use if she would work towards reducing town costs by consolidation in cost savings.  I still believe this to be true and would like to add that, despite her self-confidence, her lack of vision is costing Bloomingdale’s citizens money and the possibility of a brighter future.

My vote this year will be for John D’Amato and Ray Yazdi. I have known John for many years and have always found him to be a hard-working, thoughtful, and intelligent man who accomplishes what he sets out to do. And, although I haven’t known Ray for as long, I find his honesty and can-do attitude refreshing. I’m sure that these two men will do what is best for the people of Bloomingdale and put progress above narrow-mindedness and negativity.

Sincerely,

Ray Fetherman
Bloomingdale