Sen. Booker Campaigns For Beckerman in Scotch Plains

Newly sworn-in Senator Cory Booker came to Scotch Plains Saturday to support Councilman Lou Beckerman in his run for reelection. Booker also greeted supporters around Scotch Plains and Fanwood, including at stops to Nick's Pizza and Darby Road.

Beckerman took the mic first, thanking supporters and Booker for coming out.

“Before I welcome our special guest, I want to thank the special lady in my life, my wife Ann," he said. "We will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary on Monday. As important as Tuesday is, Monday is also very important.” 

Beckerman said he is running for council because he loves Scotch Plains. 

"I want Scotch Plains to continue to be a great place to raise a family," he said, "but it can only be great if the cost of living here is affordable."

Beckerman pointed to the police department merger and a proposed assisted-living facility as ways to help balance the budget.

"We  are working diligently on merging our Police Force with our good neighbors in Fanwood," said Beckerman. "We kept the municipal taxes at the lowest level in over 10 years. We are working with the developers of an assisted living facility to add between $500,000 to $750,000 in taxes while creating over 150 new jobs in our community and new business for local retailers and restaurants."

Beckerman also spoke about the town's historic Shady Rest Country Club and the new administration's efforts to preserve it.

"A few years ago, the former Republican Administration prepared plans to demolish the Shady Rest and build a new Community Center," said Beckerman. "Fortunately, that didn't happen. But when the Democrats regained control in January, we inherited years of neglect, a leaky roof and an uncertain future. We changed all that. We allocated a bond issue to hire a historical architect and to pay for the cost to stabilize the building."

Beckerman then told Booker we would need is help to secure the building a place on the National Historic Register and help fundraise to restore it. 

“It is local leaders like Lou Beckerman that define who we are," said Booker when he took the mic. "I grew up in a town similar to Scotch Plains and it mattered that we had good fields to play on and it mattered that we had free public schools to go to, it mattered that we had field trips. This is what we want to preserve."

Hear more of Booker's comments in our video, above.