BY DHIREN SHAH
In the city of Orange, New Jersey, so much has taken place during the three-term tenure of Mayor Dwayne Warren. While he has had some noteworthy accomplishments, there are other things that have not been up to par. After 12 years, I feel that it’s time for a change.
I invited all 3 mayoral candidates for an interview. I tried with the best of my ability to be neutral while interviewing each of them. However, Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren declined the interview on the last day for publishing in Local Talk Newspaper.
My intention has always stayed on the betterment of our communities. Since the rents are going up 5% per year, in five years those who are paying $1,200.00 today will pay about $1,527.38 sooner than you think. The price of groceries is skyrocketing and everything is costlier. Can the residents and senior citizens afford the exorbitant rent and high prices for their daily needs, including medicines?
Giving out so many tax abatements are problematic in my opinion for the residents. Those residents who proudly call Orange their home may have to find another city for the sake of affordability. This all happened under Mayor Warren’s tenure. Yes, the city’s new buildings look good, but the emergency services and schools will have problems in the future, as said by April Gaunt-Butler.
In my personal opinion, Quantavia Hilbert wants to do more for the people of Orange, and wants to bring better management to the city.
With that in mind, “Local Talk” is proud to endorse Quantavia Hilbert for Mayor of Orange.
She brings a new energy and a heightened sense of responsibility to the residents of Orange, with no complacency. Also, she is behind the important concept of anti-nepotism, which means she will not hire relatives to city jobs that are paid with taxpayers’ money. Hiring relatives for public employment is wrong, especially with a position like Police Director and other high-level jobs. Even if on the surface they are “qualified,” it is disheartening to the residents, as it gives the sense that things are rigged. Hire the next qualified candidate. Simple.
Also, using the law to help such employees will bring benefits to their family and friends while the taxpayers pay for it. All of the bonds and tax abatements are taken from the residents’ pockets.
That’s Strike 1 against the current Mayor.
We have seen the reports of what happened with Quantavia’s business ventures over the past month. When I interviewed her, she was upfront with what happened, and explained what went down. No one is perfect, and as a business owner, I can attest to how situations can develop over time. Believe me, I pulled no punches in that interview.
On the other hand, Mayor Warren did not even partake in an interview. That is unacceptable.
That’s Strike 2.
Another issue I had was that all of a sudden, some new “publications” surfaced to give an exposé about Quantavia’s business ventures and residency. Where were these publications BEFORE the election? Until Mayor Warren was running for reelection – and Quantavia was his opponent – neither I nor anyone I spoke to had ever heard of these publications. Isn’t this basically what former President Trump is accused of doing, “Election Interference?”
Additionally, in the past 12 years, there have been some unusual controversies, such as the whole Willis Edwards III drama, the YWCA, board of education misdoings, and the FBI storming the library and city hall, not looking for research materials for a case, but the library and city hall was the case!
That’s Strike 3.
This time, there is a choice. This is why we are endorsing Quantavia Hilbert for Mayor of Orange.
Best of luck to all the candidates this spring election season.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to interview the candidates. Your interview questions were valid and transparent. I was stuck between two candidates, and your questions and prayer help me decide which way to go. I learned things from your questions that I didn’t know of before. In the way you wrote that Dwayne dished the interview at the last minute, I do believe that happened. And its ashamed that he turned it down knowing that Local Talk is dispursed in Orange City Hall, and other establishments in Orange. Him turning it down means all sorts of things! When I got the publication about Quantavia’s business lawsuits, it did make me think that if she is having financial issues with her businesses, and 2 other companies are suing her, how will she do in managing budgets and funding of Orange? And why was she being the bookkeeper of her company per the publication? If this was a lie, and Quantavia did have a bookeeper, than thats great. I know hiring a bookkeeper cost money, but perhaps remove or lower a business or personal expense to be able to hire one part time, or a few hours a week. The managing of books of a company is important! There was a publication that then came out against Dwayne that I thought was immature and childish. If this came from Quantavia’s team, she lowered herself in my opinion. There could have been a better, more profesional way to handle it. Anyway, in about 1 hour, I’m casting my vote! Thanks again for your article. God bless you!