The role of our Town Council is to make the best decisions for Clark, NJ. But how can they do that if they don’t bother to do their own research? Recently, Angel Albanese, a member of the Clark Town Council, admitted something shocking. She said, “We are a legislative body. We don’t go in and research. I don’t go to department heads and ask them questions about how the operation works. I go to the business administrator and the mayor. Okay?”

Let’s be clear: this is not okay. Albanese and her colleagues have confessed that they don’t bother doing their jobs. They don’t dig into the facts. They don’t ask the tough questions. They’re content to be spoon-fed whatever the mayor and business administrator tell them, then rubber-stamp it without a second thought. This is laziness, plain and simple.

Here’s Why That’s a Problem:

1. They’re Not Asking the Right Questions: A good council member should be asking questions. Why are certain decisions being made? How will they affect us? Without talking to department heads or doing any research, how can they understand the full picture? A council member’s job isn’t to sit back and nod along. They’re supposed to investigate, challenge decisions, and get answers. Albanese doesn’t even pretend to care about that. She’s flat-out refusing to put in the effort.
2. They’re Supposed to Represent Us: Council members are elected by the people of Clark, not by the mayor or business administrator. That means they should be doing everything they can to make informed decisions for us, not just listening to a few people at the top. When you’re not willing to go beyond what the administration spoon-feeds you, you’re failing the people who put you in office.
3. We Need Strong Leaders, Not Followers: Our town council should be filled with leaders who aren’t afraid to dig deep, ask tough questions, and do the hard work. If they’re just rubber-stamping whatever the mayor says, what’s the point of having them there at all? We don’t need council members who just follow orders and say “yes” to everything the mayor proposes.

The Council Doesn’t Get It

When Albanese says, “I don’t go in and research,” she’s telling us that they are not doing their job. Researching how the town works, understanding how decisions are made, and finding out what’s best for Clark – that’s her job! They’re just coasting by, and we’re all paying the price for it.

The Entire Town Council Is Failing Us

But it’s not just Albanese. The entire Clark Town Council seems more than happy to follow the same pattern – sitting back and letting the mayor and business administrator tell them what to do, instead of doing the work they were elected to do. Where is the accountability? Where is the independent thought? The council as a whole has become complacent, choosing the easy path of rubber-stamping decisions instead of digging in, researching, and standing up for the residents of Clark. They’ve completely surrendered their responsibilities. No research. No questions. No accountability. They’re letting us down, and we deserve better.

Clark deserves council members who take their role seriously, who dig into the details, and who don’t just rely on the mayor to tell them what to do. We need people who will stand up for us and make decisions based on facts and research, not just hearsay. Clark needs strong voices that will ask the tough questions and make informed decisions. That’s how we protect our town and ensure a better future for all of us. If they’re not willing to do the work, we need to show them the door.

This November, remember that our town deserves better than a council that refuses to do the hard work. It’s time to vote out those who don’t take their responsibility seriously and elect leaders who will.

Clark deserves leaders who are actually willing to work. We deserve council members who will dig deep, ask tough questions, and make decisions that benefit the people—not just go along with whatever they’re told. This current group of council members isn’t doing that. They’re asleep at the wheel, and it’s time we throw them out.

This November, it’s time to clean house. It’s time to vote out the weak, lazy council members who refuse to do their jobs. We need new leaders who will step up, get the facts, and fight for the future of Clark. If they’re not willing to do the work, we need to show them the door.