Councilwoman will continue to serve Matawan As a newly elected councilwoman to Matawan Borough, I am disturbed by recent events regarding appointments to the Borough Council committees as well as appointments of our professionals. At the reorganization meeting on Jan. 1, holdover Mayor Mary Aufseeser felt it was her duty to make the political appointments to the various council committees. In my opinion, as a hold- over mayor and until the Jan. 15 election was over, these appointments were not necessary to continue the orderly administration of the borough between elections, but were simply political. As the appointed council person of the Technology Committee, I am very happy to be working with the Historic Sites Commission and the public library; yet, I was saddened to not have been appointed, even as a co-chair to the redevelopment committee, since the train station area can be one of the most valuable changes this town will ever make. This appointment was given to a person who was not even elected, but was placed on the council to replace a resigning Democratic councilwoman. The latest in these events regarding appointments came at the Feb. 11th council meeting when the Democratic council majority not only asked, but insisted that I step down from my appointment on the Unified Planning/ Zoning Board, as they felt they should have their own person in there. I was advised and told that if I did not step down it could be brought to court, so without notice or even given the time given to discuss or prepare a statement, I was forced to resign. I resigned from the Planning/Zoning Board because I did not want the residents of Matawan to go through a long and protracted law suit which would have resulted and caused the borough considerable legal fees. I know that Mayor Buccellato nominated and appointed me based on my qualifications, as were his other appointments to the Planning/Zoning Board. In addition to my many years of volunteering in the borough as well as several charitable organizations, I graduated college with a B.S. in marketing. I have several insurance licenses and have worked for years in our family insurance business on Main Street. I am sure my qualifications meet or exceed the person they placed in my stead. I want to convey to the residents of Matawan, that my efforts will always be in the best interest of the borough, as well as for the residents. I don't feel that what the previous mayor or the current council has done, is in the best interest of the borough of Matawan, and in the future, I would expect a more responsible effort be made on the part of these elected officials. Linda Clifton Councilwoman Borough of Matawan