Local Talk has begun interviewing candidates for various upcoming elections. One of the candidates for Essex County Freeholder is Terrance Bankston, who is running against incumbent D. Bilal Beasley.
Dhiren Shah: Welcome to this interview. Why are you running for Essex County Freeholder?
Terrance Bankston: The job is not presently being done. Right now, due to the economy, the government has to do more. The job of a legislator is defined by the legislation, towards meeting the needs of community now. I am running to shore that up. A higher standard of government is needed. How come 7 out of 10 voters don’t know who the representation is? How come we don’t have a real primary at the Freeholder level?
The Democratic Party has discouraged a primary election. Our party does not produce at the level it should. This is a democratic party. Why are we losing to the Republicans? How come he (Beasley) is holding three jobs, as a chairman of the Irvington County Committee, Freeholder and Councilman? On video camera, his colleagues and the community allowed him to sleep during the meeting. Weequahic Park has the largest lake and is the most used park in the county, but there is a low priority to correct contamination at the lake since 1998. The West Orange river is a very small river, but the priority to correct the contamination is high. I have been told by Carl Sharif that Bilal is sleeping at the meetings and he will retire in the next election. An elected official, Irvington Democratic Committee Chairman and Councilman at-large, is often found sleeping at the meetings.
DS: How long have you found him sleeping?
TB: Irvington residents know about his sleeping habits at the municipal level. This is unacceptable. A veteran’s generation should pave the way for the new generation. Bilal cannot do it in 2011, I can’t speak for 1988. In 2011, we have people like Barack Obama, and Anibal Ramos on the horizon; we cannot allow two and three offices at once.
DS: Which is the third position you are talking about?
TB: He is elected as Irvington Democratic Committee Chairman. Like school board members, when they are elected, they have an obligation to fulfill duties when they take an oath of office.
DS: Didn’t you run for Freeholder at-large before? Why did you quit?
TB: No. I pursue, but I never was on the ballot. I launched the campaign to put public pressure (on Democratic Leadership). That was not really an election. I launched an all out campaign. I want to work for it. People got confused, as I launched an all-out campaign. I ran for district leader. I ran for the school board when I was 20 years old. This is the first real race I had. In 2008 I was setting the tone for 2011.
DS: What do you think county government is doing wrong?
TB: What county government is doing wrong is putting up with failed leadership. There are a lot of things they are doing right. However, my advocate is supposed to be my district. I feel neglected, my community feel neglected. My legislator is supposed to be for check and balances. It’s Bilal’s responsibility to push the agenda of district. He did not produce in Irvington and Newark. A blow-up doll is sitting at the Freeholder seat. We need somebody to have action, somebody to have vision.
DS: The county is announcing a new soccer field at Irvington Park. What do you think about Irvington Park?
TB: Irvington Park is the worst park in the county. The suburbs do not allow for bad quality of life issues. The cosmetic enhancement is to make it look good. The urban community is mostly visual people. They are not there to check the quality of what you are putting in there. The little lake in there is contaminated. Kids are going through there without knowing that fact. Joe D. is doing a phenomenal job. Lakes are dangerous here, people jog around it, cook out there, but the water is contaminated. Oak trees have enough oxygen but are not properly maintained. The absentee rate in the school is highest here due to asthma. That’s a common issue here. We deserve more than a soccer field and basketball courts. If people don’t know, then you should step up and teach them.
DS: Have you ever complained to the county government about this?
TB: Yes I have. I had written a letter on the same thing I was talking about in 2008. I have made a big complaint since the last four months. One park enhancement cannot change nine years of neglect. County government is not real. County government is more than welfare, senior services, youth services and funding projects. For the first time, Bilal is being seriously opposed in a primary election.
DS: People don’t know about the county government. How can you inform them?
TB: I am getting members of the state and national Democratic Party. I campaign in the social media network. I have an office in the district and I will keep it open for the district and county level until the November election. Citizens will receive six months of free service. My votes will impact the entire county. I will engage with the community and district leaders.
DS: You have announced to run with a slate in your opening campaign. I heard there are four candidates on your slate, but did not hear anything else. Can you tell me who is running on your team, and why you have not announced a full slate?
TB: My team is Laden Mitchu, an Irvington resident, Latoya Wilson, an Irvington resident. Also, Debra Tompson-Gaddy, a Newark resident, and William Spear, a Newark resident. My strategy to run with slate is to get a line on the ballot. Without a slate, if I go in with Line F, my chances are slim to win the election. I am the only person having an alternative line. The Party created a climate that is not inclusive. This weakens the Democratic Party, and does not help the community.
DS: Do you have any message to the voters?
TB: Line B stands for Better Bankston. Voting Line B-9 will not only shape the culture of how primaries are going forth, but will uplift a higher standard in government. The public truly is the victor. This race represents courage, competence, and leadership which are results-driven. This is not a change for sake of change.
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