Letter to the Editor: Caridad Rodriguez showed her true colors at commissioner meeting

Dear Residents,

Once again, my opponent Caridad Rodriguez in Freeholder District #7, showed her true colors which is obviously “Not of the People.” Her motives are totally aligned with that of WNY Mayor Felix Roque. It became apparent back in 2011 while serving as Commissioner in WNY that her allegiance was in sync with Mayor Roque and became more obvious as time went on. When you look at her voting record, she NEVER spoke or voted against Roque. Whether it was the controversial Sign Ordinance, or the 2013 School Board Referendum, she remained silent NEVER once voicing her support of the people and always in support of Roque’s wishes.

This type of action, an action that is more aligned with what we know as being that of a Robot to do what the creator wants is exactly what all the WNY Commissioners except Commissioner Wiley have been doing for years. The people of WNY expressed their frustration at the February 21, 2014 WNY Commission Meeting which several members of the media and especially Roque attempted to blame on the people as being disruptive, when in reality it was the Commission members all but Commissioner Wiley that refused the public to speak on a very important issue – that of the upcoming BOE election. My opponent Commissioner Caridad Rodriguez supported the Mayor and totally disregarded the already taken vote of the BOE which voted in favor of an April Election and a date the voters wanted as well. A vote Roque and Rodriguez couldn’t live with because it gave power to the people. What kind of elected representation is that? How dare she totally disregard the people that elected her to office? Not only did she disregard her constituency, she bowed her head to the political machine, kissed the leaders ring, and addressed the public in an arrogant and condescending tone. If that wasn’t enough insult to the people, she added to it by walking out of the meeting behind Roque offering further proof as to how connected to the hip she really is to the Roque Administration and that of the Political Machine that cares only about their own well-being!

I was elected Freeholder of District #7 in 2007. A position for which I am proud of and for which I have the true Hudson County Democrats of the District to thank. On honor I have never taken lightly and one in which I have always fought on behalf of the people’s best interests. I have fought to bring sorely needed County Services to those we represent. I have worked tirelessly on County Budgets in an effort to keep our tax rate stable in light of what Trenton has proposed. It’s not a surprise that I have openly advocated that every resident should have their voice heard and their concerns addressed. So many politicians and we all know who they are, forget that as elected officials they are there FOR THE PEOPLE. One such individual is my opponent who supports not the will of the people, but the will of the Political Machine.

I am but one small part of the solution. You the voter carries the weight. You and only you will decide whether you wish this corruption to continue. Only you have it in your power to put an end to the FBI Investigations that overshadow WNY and Hudson County. Only you can bring the Democratic Party back to a Party of Pride and Integrity, a Party that when spoken about by people in the State is one to be envied and duplicated as a Party Of The People and By the People!

As this year’s Freeholder Chairman, I look forward to working with my fellow Freeholders to create a Crusade of efficiency, be it as a cost saving budget within the County by eliminating wasteful spending and service redundancy, or by providing the continued services our residents rely upon and if possible, making these services better than in prior years. I look forward to continuing a truly representative affiliation with the taxpayers of West New York, Guttenberg, and Weehawken of the 7th Freeholder District. The Hudson County Political Machine has given me this opportunity by their non-support and for this I am truly grateful. The days, weeks, and months of anxiety I assumed caused by my knowing what they are doing is NOT representative of the people was too much. At the end of the day, their correct assessment of me as to not being their puppet is correct. My choice to do what IS CORRECT for those I serve is to me what being an elected representative is all about. I believe what I have already done and what my proven track record reveals speaks for itself. You will make the final and most important determination on June 3, 2014. I am accessible to all and will continue the fight regardless of what the Political Machine promises me or throws against me. May God Bless each and every one of us and may we have the strength to make the difficult decisions and endure the struggle to which we know is right to the bitter end. Thank you all.

Jose C. Munoz

Hudson County Freeholder Chairman 7th District

(201)320-1273