In Your Opinion: Open Letter To Democratic Leadership

An open letter to Franklin Township Democratic Municipal Committee Chairman Mr. Ron Jordan And Somerset County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Ms. Peg Schaeffer:

Dear Mr. Jordan and Ms. Schaeffer,

I’m writing to you specifically as a member of the Asian Indian community living in Franklin. I hate to have to bring that up than plainly saying that I am a Franklin resident.

So you can probably guess what I’m writing to you about.

Yes, it is Councilman Rajiv Prasad. And this goes to the heart of his comments at the last Township Council meeting. Let me start by saying that he is not the first one from the Asian Indian community to sit on the Council. We had Upendra Chivukula before and as an Asian Indian I never felt unrepresented in Franklin no matter who sat at the Council.

What I’m trying to say is that Councilman Prasad wasn’t the first to introduce diversity to the Council. Mr. Chivukula is probably forgotten now and it may be a good thing because the only reason Councilman Prasad will be remembered is for his notoriety.

However I can tell you frankly that I’m ashamed as a member of the Asian Indian community that Councilman Prasad keeps playing that card to explain away all the actions of his that have been highly questionable, to say the least.

As an Asian Indian I apologize to all of Franklin for his explanation and want them to know that in no way did I ever think that to question his actions was an attack on the Asian Indian community.

On another note, Mr. Jordan, you are probably overestimating the size of the Asian Indian voting population in Franklin. May I remind you that Councilman Prasad was elected with the least number of votes on the party ticket in 2015?

I believe Mayor Kramer to be an honorable man with the best interests of Franklin township at large. The best way you can tarnish that reputation is to continue to keep Councilman Prasad on the ticket. But if that is your intention and you want to dent everyone else on your party ticket for the sake of Councilman Prasad, so be it. Time will tell.

But I urge you, please don’t destroy the unity of Franklin and the integrity of the Council because you somehow think you are appeasing the Asian Indian community.

With Regards,

Ravikanth Kolla

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