What Mr. Gambatese said was Rt. one would be widened in two or three years as it was third on the State’s project priority list. That isn’t so about the date as near as we can determine. The publicity in the Rt. 1 widening story of a couple of weeks ago had Southern Union County, and Woodbridge area widening due in 2009. No mention of South Brunswick no date for South Brunswick...

  The Administrator‘s office which has been meeting with DOT on this issue in preliminary discussions has no date for me when asked specifically in today’s conversations. No date has been mentioned he says in the discussions to date.

  Inquiries to the State DOT by me have yielded that this is not yet at project status but is in planning. I am still waiting to hear if there is any end date of the South Brunswick widening. The odds of there being an end date in a planning department at this stage is unlikely.

  In addition, additional inquiries by Senator Inverso’s office aimed at finding out what happened to the 1.5 millions dollars that the Senator was able to get for South Brunswick back in 1993-4 for the Route 1 widening, reveal that the money is still there waiting to be spent. The DOT sources told the Senator’s aide that the current study which is underway is a smart growth study looking at improving the flows on Rt. 1 Corridor. This study is looking more broadly at what can be done in the way of other measures beyond the actual widening. Such measures as bus service and other measures to improve flow. That study will be done in two or three years.

  The seven million dollars from the Federal a government which the Mayor has and Councilman referred to in previous announcements will be spread over five years but wont begin to be spent until the Rt. 1 widening in South Brunswick reaches project status. Right now this remains in the planning section as opposed to being an active project.

  So in short, with no announcement before the debate, no confirmation from the State DOT, no confirmation from any where in south Brunswick administration managers office, no mention of a date for South Brunswick in the DOT Press release on the Rt. one widening we are left with one conclusion. This was the desperate act of a frightened politician up for reelection. Ditto for his running mate’s silence.

  This blatant fabrication effectively shattered the attempt Monday night to put up a facade of competence on their presentation during the debate. It simply says they are just a couple of guys trying to hold on to their positions.

Sincerely,

Roger Craig
Republican Party Chairman