Council hopeful forced to defend recent comment
BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - An off-the-cuff remark on the subject of cherries has prompted more publicity than Republican Township Council candidate Eugene DeMarzo could have imagined.

During a recent forum at the Halls Corner senior complex on Cranbury Road, DeMarzo likened the United States to a "third world" nation. Though DeMarzo vows the comment was with regard to the country's involvement in the cherry market, it quickly became a topic of conversation in the township, forcing DeMarzo to explain his statement.

Democrats discussed the issue during the Oct. 9 Township Council meeting, when Mark Weiner, who serves as public defender in East Brunswick, said he was surprised to hear the comment and felt it was ludicrous.

That led to a confrontation between Democratic Councilman David Stahl, who is seeking re-election, and DeMarzo, who had come to address the council. Stahl called on him to be up front about what he said.

DeMarzo in turn questioned whether it was Stahl or Councilwoman Catherine Diem, also seeking re-election, who told others about the comment.

DeMarzo told the Sentinel that Weiner and Stahl, who referred to the comment as "anti-American," took it out of context.

Stahl said DeMarzo asked the seniors if they like cherries, and went on to say that it wasn't easy to buy them last summer because Japan was outbidding U.S. markets for the product. The inability to purchase desired goods is common among third world countries.

DeMarzo said he tried to buy cherries from a farmer at the beginning of the summer, but the prices were too high. Another farmer later told him he didn't have any because Japan was outbidding the U.S.

"One of the signs of a third world country is when another country pays more for the goods you want," he said.

"Japan imports our cherries," he said.

DeMarzo said he was not trying to paint the situation with a broad brush. He disputed saying that the U.S. is a third world country, but that in certain cases it resembles one.

He was also upset at the implication that the comment was racist and that he feels East Brunswick is like a third world nation due to the various ethnic groups in the township.

Stahl, who said he had no trouble buying cherries last summer, said DeMarzo's reaction when confronted over the comment was troubling.

"At the council meeting, he almost denied he ever said it," Stahl said, adding that DeMarzo became angered at how people found out about the comment.

In a race that will determine the council majority, emotions had largely been held in check before the Oct. 9 meeting. Stahl and Diem are seeking their second terms, while Democrat Ed Luster is running for his first. Challenging them are DeMarzo, Robert Tagliente and Suzanne Blum, all of whom would serve their first term.

Stahl said DeMarzo should have been "forthright" when handling the forum's aftermath.

"He should own up to it. We're all human beings, and we all make mistakes," he said.

While Stahl said he spoke to many people who were upset by the comment, DeMarzo said no one he's talked to was offended. He said the inability of third world countries to buy goods they desire is known to anyone with a knowledge of economics.

"They're looking to jump on any little thing they can," DeMarzo said.