PRESS RELEASES
Rakhit and DiGrande Promise Greater Transparency
September 22
An informed and engaged electorate is key to effective governance. Unfortunately, the Warren Township Committee has a long history of operating in a virtual vacuum. The Committee does not proactively seek input from residents, and when they receive feedback, they are often quick to dismiss it. If given the honor of representing you, our neighbors, on the Township Committee in 2025, we pledge to advocate for greater transparency and accountability in local government.
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The recent controversy surrounding Zoom access to Township Committee meetings is a perfect example of current leadership’s reluctance to engage with the public. Despite many residents’ requests to continue the current practice of allowing the public to attend and participate in Township Committee meetings via Zoom, Mayor Sordillo and his allies on the committee have not committed to ensuring remote participation beyond the most recent September meeting.
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“Ashok and I believe it's absolutely essential that Warren residents maintain the ability to access public meetings via Zoom,” said DiGrande. “There are many cases where residents may not be able to attend meetings in person, and this should not exclude them from the conversation. We are committed to ensuring permanent access so that all are informed and have the ability to share their comments or feedback before important decisions are made.”
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Although Zoom access is the most recent and glaring example of Township Committee attempts to marginalize voters’ voices, this is nothing new. During the public comments section of Township Committee meetings, residents have been demeaned, silenced, and threatened with removal. After many years of minimal questioning from the public, some of our elected officials have become frustrated with legitimate concerns and criticisms raised towards them.
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A vote for Rakhit and DiGrande is a vote for transparency and inclusiveness in Warren. We will build a stronger community when we work together and all have a voice in the future of our town.
Rakhit and DiGrande call for Warren to create Youth Advisory Council
September 13
Ashok Rakhit and Will DiGrande have announced their proposal for the creation of a Youth Advisory Council in Warren to be made up of students at the high school and college levels looking to use their voice to bring about positive change in their community.
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As the Democratic Candidates for Warren Township Committee, Rakhit and DiGrande recognize the growing number of young people looking to participate in local government. It is for this reason that a dedicated Youth Advisory Council in Warren would encourage such collaboration between young leaders and the governing body of the town.
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Such a council would have the ability to convene and discuss issues of importance to younger generations, and would be welcome to share feedback and proposals to Warren's Township Committee at the group's meetings. The proposal echoes Rakhit and DiGrande's campaign pillar of unity by bringing students and elected officials together across generations for a common goal.
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"Just last month I had the honor of speaking to several hundred students and young leaders about becoming involved in civic service, and it's really about putting yourself out there and making your voice heard," said DiGrande. "Creating a Youth Advisory Council in Warren would be a great step towards helping our intelligent and passionate students become more active in the community they call home, and it's an opportunity I would have liked to have when I attended school here."
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In addition to a number of towns that have launched similar initiatives, Somerset County has a particularly active Youth Council and can serve as a model to the program's rollout in town. If elected, Rakhit and DiGrande will continue to advocate for participation of all residents, regardless of age or background.
Rakhit and DiGrande have questions on proposed community center
September 6
When Warren residents head to the polls this November, they will be voting on a ballot question asking whether they support the construction of a community center on Mountain Boulevard. While we are in favor of the idea of a dedicated recreational space in town, there are a few points of concern with this process that leave us asking questions.
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First, what will the true cost be? We know the proposed budget for the center that will appear on the ballot is $19.5 million. Given the rising cost of construction materials and the amenities the roughly 36,000 square foot building will hold - a basketball court, kitchen, stage, and more - we would expect the total cost to far surpass the estimate provided. We have a recent example of significant cost overruns with the town pavilion, originally slated to cost $1.8 million. Mismanagement of this project resulted in a final price tag of $2.3 million, nearly 30% over budget. With this track record, and the vague pricing projections shared by the Township Committee, we are wary of going any further at this point in time.
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Second, who will fund it? Members of the Township Committee have repeatedly emphasized that private donors are prepared to contribute to the project, but we have no proof this is the case. No donors have stepped forward publicly to underwrite the project, and no mention has been made of any grants that could be secured to help finance this significant expenditure. Again, we look to the pavilion project as an example of financial mismanagement. When it became clear that pavilion construction costs were going to exceed the original budget, the Township Committee attempted to offset the $500,000 increase by selling commemorative bricks. A mere $8,000 was raised. As with the pavilion, we expect the majority of the cost for this much larger project to fall upon the wallets of Warren's residents.
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Third, how did we get to this point? At recent public meetings, residents have spoken out against the fast-track this issue received and urged more thoughtful action. One supposed benefit of the center would be creating a location for students and young adults to socialize and participate in activities. However, the idea of accessibility for all, especially those without private transportation, was not addressed.
The speedy process by which this ballot question was introduced and approved illustrates the lack of transparency behind decision-making in the town's governing body. The November ballot referendum is non-binding, and Township Committee members have already indicated that they intend to move forward with the project regardless of voters’ wishes.
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When voters head to the polls this November, they would be right to ask if the Township Committee has been fully forthcoming on questions regarding this proposed community center. Warren residents should expect more from their elected officials in Warren. We invite them to join Ashok Rakhit and Will DiGrande in fighting for the answers we need and deserve.