By the time you open a newspaper this morning or read it online, you'll read the story of one of my opponents in November, Democratic candidate Alex DeSevo and the troubles he now faces.
As the news broke on Middletown Patch yesterday, I received dozens of calls from reporters, residents, and friends to comment on the events that took place. This is an incredibly unfortunate situation and my thoughts and prayers are with Mr. DeSevo and his family.
While no one but he knows exactly what transpired to culminate in his arrest on CDS possession charges, I truly hope if he indeed has a problem, he seeks the help that he needs to put his life back together. At the very least, the fact is that Mr. DeSevo is now dealing with these charges that have been lodged against him and the surrounding circumstances.
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As a "politician", I completely understand the spotlight that comes along with seeking elected office. It's easy to turn on the news and see your daily dose of Anthony Weiner or any other elected official who has made a wrong turn along the way.
The higher the office, the higher the pay and the higher the scrutiny that comes with the job. Very understandable. On the local level (at least here in Middletown) do the job with minimal compensation. Whether it's for the Board of Education or the Township Committee, we mostly volunteer our time and energy to do what we believe is best for the town.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It's easy for the public to lose sight of that and it's easy to understand why. Most of the people I talk to think that I am a full time mayor with a pension and benefits making a six-figure salary, the burden of which is borne by the taxpayers. Wrong on all counts.
It would be really hard to support my family on the $67 per week stipend from the township. I can only assume that it's this perception of what the office is that makes Alex Desevo front page news today. I doubt he would have even made the paper if he wasn't a candidate.
This morning I read a posting from a good friend of mine who I spoke to yesterday who runs a very successful political blog Web site. For those who have never been to it, check out www.moremonmouthmusings.net.
After reading his take on the story, I can conclude that if this happened to me or one of my Republican colleagues, that our opponents would be celebrating. I am also reminded of the negative and personal attacks that I and other members of the Committee have endured despite any regard for our families.
It doesn't have to be that way and it shouldn't be that way. Politics doesn't have to be a blood sport. Sometimes it takes a personal tragedy to reminds us of that.
