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Residents urge Hunterdon County commissioners to rebuke assemblyman’s remarks; board pointers to direct contact
Summary
Multiple residents asked the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners to publicly rebuke controversial remarks by Assemblyman Eric Peterson; commissioners said the appropriate step is to contact the assemblyman’s office directly and that board members are accountable for their own statements.
Several residents used the meeting’s public-comment period on April 21 to press the Hunterdon County Board of County Commissioners to respond to remarks made by Assemblyman Eric Peterson that commenters described as discriminatory and as election denialism.
Guy Citron (Tewksbury Township) asked whether the board had viewed a video of Peterson and whether the commissioners agreed with implications that some Americans are "more superior than others," calling the comments hate speech. Citron said the board’s silence "sends a message." The director responded that the assemblyman is not a board member and suggested providing the assemblyman’s office phone number so citizens could address their concerns directly.
Manish Patel (Bridgewater), who identified himself as long‑time local resident and community volunteer, described being hurt by Peterson’s remarks that used phrases such as "send them back" and "third world mentality," which Patel said demean immigrants and created fear among families in the county. "I'm terrified for my children," Patel said.
Other speakers, including Karen Pecklox Stockton and a speaker who asked for a formal rebuke, urged the commissioners to 'put on record' a statement rejecting discriminatory comments by representatives of the county. "The silence does give a message," one commenter said.
Commissioners said they are accountable for their own words and recommended that residents contact the assemblyman’s office directly. Deputy Director Cool and Commissioner Cool (remarks recorded) said they did not believe board members had made derogatory public statements about immigrants. The director also encouraged direct contact with the assemblyman's office and said he would not generally comment on every statement made by others outside this board.
What to expect next: Commissioners did not adopt a formal resolution or public rebuke at the meeting; citizens were given the assemblyman’s contact information to pursue their concerns directly.
