EDISON, NJ – Mayor Sam Joshi’s recent endorsement from the Edison Paid Fire Officers Association Local 2883 which represents the superior officers has placed his administration’s commitment to public safety in the spotlight. While the endorsement letter lauded improvements within the department, a closer examination of the fire department’s highest salaries, alongside the reported residency of many of these top earners, adds a significant layer to the discussion of cost and motivation.
Township financial records for 2024 reveal substantial compensation with an average salary of $311,041.18 amongst the ten highest within Local 2883. The top ten salaries do not include the salary of the Fire Chief Andy Toth or Deputy Chief Joe Gaul and are as follows:
- $340,450.68
- $329,785.53
- $328,738.56
- $321,526.61
- $306,590.45
- $306,019.26
- $295,955.23
- $295,378.70
- $293,322.82
- $292,644.07
The substantial earnings of Edison Fire Officers Association Local 2883 members spark concerns about fiscal responsibility for taxpayers. This issue is amplified by reports that 7 of these 10 highly compensated individuals live outside Edison, adding complexity to their endorsement of Mayor Joshi in a primary election. Without a direct personal stake in the community’s well-being and the impact of its policies, their perspective may differ from that of residents.
The endorsement is also in direct contrast to that of the Edison Township Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1197 which represents the rank and file firefighters. Bob Yackel, who has served as President for the past 39 years of IAFF Local 1197 said “The mayoral primary is a political matter and it is against our bylaws to endorse in a primary election, we have never done it. Most the superiors don’t even live in town.”
This prompts a crucial inquiry into their motivation for endorsing a mayoral candidate in a primary election. Residents are questioning if their support is driven by professional and financial gain rather than a genuine stake in Edison’s future, making their out-of-town status a crucial factor in evaluating their endorsement.
“Of course, public safety is paramount, and we appreciate their service. But let’s be real, these salaries are top-tier in New Jersey; the fact that they no longer reside here, it seems more appropriate for them to concentrate on their professional responsibilities and allow those who live here to navigate our local political landscape,” stated former Councilwoman Joyce Ship-Freeman who is a candidate for council in June’s primary election. Her concern was evident as she added, “We must also remember that rising costs are pushing our seniors on fixed incomes from their homes. We need to prioritize the needs of our residents.”
While the endorsement from fire officers is an attempt to boost Mayor Joshi’s campaign, it necessitates a thoughtful evaluation that takes into account both the financial landscape and the fact that many of these high-ranking endorsers do not live in Edison.
This situation prompts a more profound inquiry into several key areas: the possible correlation between elevated salary levels and political endorsements within public service, the suitability of substantial political engagement by public officials who do not reside in the community they serve, and whether the emphasis on advancements within the fire department, which could contribute to these higher salaries, potentially diverts resources from other crucial services and the wider needs of Edison residents.
Ultimately, the residents of Edison deserve full transparency regarding the financial commitments made to the fire department and the underlying reasons for such a prominent endorsement from individuals who, in many cases, do not share the daily experience of living in the township. The central question remains: does this endorsement genuinely serve the comprehensive interests of all Edison residents, or does it primarily benefit a select group of highly compensated officials, many of whom reside elsewhere?
