At the June 17 board of commissioners meeting in Hunterdon County, something became painfully clear: as a public servant, director John Lanza does not understand representation. I don’t mean he doesn’t represent anyone. I mean his view of his responsibility, to represent all county residents, is seriously flawed.
I had gone to the previous meeting to ask about President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill’s” cuts. This massive budget-exploding legislation was not getting nearly enough attention locally, despite how it would harm our neighbors. For example, I focused on the bill’s cuts to Medicaid. According to NJ State data, these cuts will hurt over 10,000 directly-dependent Hunterdon residents, including 4,4000 children. Soon, people you know, rely on and care about will not be able to afford doctors visits and medicine.
Longtime community member and former Hunterdon County Prosecutor, Sharon Ransavage, pointed it out, too. She noted that Lanza and his board made time to acknowledge park rangers who saved a dog, and micro-scholarships for students from mega-corporations like Amazon. Then, she explained how terrified many of our neighbors in Flemington are, especially those facing unlawful disappearance by ICE. She spoke about how that fear has spread. Now, many who have been outspoken about right-wing extremism are afraid to answer the door for people in uniform. She argued that the board needs to care more about such things, publicly.
And how did Director Lanza respond to Sharon and me? With scorn and hypocrisy. Despite local and widely-loved Karim Daoud's detention, he complained that ICE's unconstitutional behavior, and other federal issues, at “his” meetings, are a nuisance. Furthermore, he accused concerned citizens of using public comment time as a stage. Ironic considering how much photo-op time he devotes to every public meeting, for himself, also a campaigning politician. In fact, he vocally encourages the public to leave after “feel-good” proclamation time, you know, before the conversations get too serious.
Lastly, and most oddly, he even suggested we call our representatives. Lanza, you are our representative. And, for the record, [R] NJ-7 Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who Lanza suggested we follow up with, is famous for being unavailable.
Dear reader, understand that Director Lanza is facing genuine concerns, meeting after meeting. Yet, under his leadership, the board has repeatedly ignored the now-local issues: fear of ICE raids, cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP. Sharon pointed out that he endorsed many of the people doing the harm. If his influence works for that, he can call them wrong if they are, too. That's a fair ask.
I believe Lanza can do good work, campaign and also listen to, represent and compromise with us. Thus, I will continue to give him the chance to do the next right thing. So we will keep showing up, educating and engaging. Join us. Together, we can make a difference.