Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Oct 29, 2007 8:22:43 GMT -5
WHY Aren't the incumbents talking in Freehold Boro??? Whats the proud record?
Manalapan candidates sound off on issues
Field of five running for Township Committee
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/27/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU
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MANALAPAN — Voters here will choose from a field of five Township Committee candidates — two Democrats, two Republicans and one independent — when they go to the polls Nov. 6.
Two three-year terms are up for grabs. Three of the candidates have experience on the township's principal governing board, but all of them have served in public service positions of some kind, including education, environmental, planning, recreation and zoning boards.
Candidates noted property taxes, cutting costs, and managing development and open space as the main issues in their campaigns. Stopping partisan bickering, working in the residents' best interests and treating township volunteers with respect were also mentioned.
Andrew Lucas, the current mayor and a Republican, said he started many initiatives, the first of which cut $1 million of wasteful spending in the budget this year. He also has initiated sharing services with neighboring municipalities such as Englishtown, Freehold Township, Marlboro and the regional K-8 and high school districts.
"I think the No. 1 issue facing residents is keeping Manalapan affordable," Lucas said.
Drew Shapiro, a Democrat who previously held office for two three-year terms, both of them as mayor, called the tax increase that Manalapan saw last year "drastic" and the "largest increase this town has ever seen."
"I decided to take a year off, and unfortunately during that year I saw Manalapan get hit with the largest property tax increase in its history, over 26 percent," Shapiro said.
He said he is proud that when he was in office tax increases were stabilized at any given time to 1 or 2 cents per $100 and added that he warned the Republican majority that keeping taxes stable or lowering them was just a political move that "could catch up to them and it did."
Susan Cohen, a Republican who was appointed to the council to replace Joseph Locricchio, also said one of the issues that motivated her to run was the tax increase.
Herbert Barrack, a Democrat, also talked about property taxes and reducing costs as major issues facing the township. Barrack, who worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said using solar energy is one way to cut costs. Cohen also said she favors using solar energy in this way.
"How do we consolidate and combine purchasing and other streamlining initiatives with other towns and communities?" he said.
Lucas said the other main issue is fighting overdevelopment, something he said got him to become involved in local government. He grew up on his family farm and said he still runs it in addition to being a principal in an investment management firm.
He said 300 acres of open space were preserved last year alone, and "we have plans to acquire over 500 acres in the future."
Shapiro said he is proud that while in office he and his counterparts preserved more than 1,000 acres in town and although some land was preserved this year, he said the amount was minimal compared to what was preserved in past years.
Cohen said there are 65 acres in Thompson Grove Park that would be great to be developed for passive recreation, "but it's just sitting there."
She also said she wants more dog-friendly parks for residents to exercise their pets. She also noted that the planned dog park in town just stopped for some reason.
Joseph DePasquale, the only independent running, said partisan bickering is a problem in town. Along with that, he listed some of the other major issues such as taxes, residential overdevelopment, wasteful spending, unnecessary lawsuits, personal vendettas, crowded roads and disrespect toward volunteers.
"I think I can bring a more community oriented approach if elected to the Township Committee," he said, noting the township needs leadership that will put residents' above the "self-centered" needs of the political parties and the political party bosses.
"I really hope to offer an environment for change based on common respect and courtesy for all the residents."
Cohen said she sent out surveys to residents and responses "overwhelmingly" came back that the township leaders do not listen to residents. She also said the township does not treat its volunteers very well.
She said she wants to reform the summer recreation program by implementing a national program that teaches children about protecting themselves against abduction, respecting themselves, and teaches them about the natural environment. In addition to children, Cohen said she wants to reach out to the elderly residents and get them involved in the town.
Shapiro was the only candidate who addressed the proposed and controversial Village Center project, eyed for Route 33 and Millhurst Road.
"Everyone knows I am and always have been against this project," he said. "I believe this will totally cripple our town regarding traffic."
He also said people are under the false impression that this would be a major ratable for the town, but he said the services the township would have to provide would be too costly.
residents is keeping Manalapan affordable," Lucas said.
Drew Shapiro, a Democrat who previously held office for two three-year terms, both of them as mayor, called the tax increase that Manalapan saw last year "drastic" and the "largest increase this town has ever seen."
"I decided to take a year off, and unfortunately during that year I saw Manalapan get hit with the largest property tax increase in its history, over 26 percent," Shapiro said.
He said he is proud that when he was in office tax increases were stabilized at any given time to 1 or 2 cents per $100 and added that he warned the Republican majority that keeping taxes stable or lowering them was just a political move that "could catch up to them and it did."
Susan Cohen, a Republican who was appointed to the council to replace Joseph Locricchio, also said one of the issues that motivated her to run was the tax increase.
Herbert Barrack, a Democrat, also talked about property taxes and reducing costs as major issues facing the township. Barrack, who worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said using solar energy is one way to cut costs. Cohen also said she favors using solar energy in this way.
"How do we consolidate and combine purchasing and other streamlining initiatives with other towns and communities?" he said.
Lucas said the other main issue is fighting overdevelopment, something he said got him to become involved in local government. He grew up on his family farm and said he still runs it in addition to being a principal in an investment management firm.
He said 300 acres of open space were preserved last year alone, and "we have plans to acquire over 500 acres in the future."
Shapiro said he is proud that while in office he and his counterparts preserved more than 1,000 acres in town and although some land was preserved this year, he said the amount was minimal compared to what was preserved in past years.
Cohen said there are 65 acres in Thompson Grove Park that would be great to be developed for passive recreation, "but it's just sitting there."
She also said she wants more dog-friendly parks for residents to exercise their pets. She also noted that the planned dog park in town just stopped for some reason.
Joseph DePasquale, the only independent running, said partisan bickering is a problem in town. Along with that, he listed some of the other major issues such as taxes, residential overdevelopment, wasteful spending, unnecessary lawsuits, personal vendettas, crowded roads and disrespect toward volunteers.
"I think I can bring a more community oriented approach if elected to the Township Committee," he said, noting the township needs leadership that will put residents' above the "self-centered" needs of the political parties and the political party bosses.
"I really hope to offer an environment for change based on common respect and courtesy for all the residents."
Cohen said she sent out surveys to residents and responses "overwhelmingly" came back that the township leaders do not listen to residents. She also said the township does not treat its volunteers very well.
She said she wants to reform the summer recreation program by implementing a national program that teaches children about protecting themselves against abduction, respecting themselves, and teaches them about the natural environment. In addition to children, Cohen said she wants to reach out to the elderly residents and get them involved in the town.
Shapiro was the only candidate who addressed the proposed and controversial Village Center project, eyed for Route 33 and Millhurst Road.
"Everyone knows I am and always have been against this project," he said. "I believe this will totally cripple our town regarding traffic."
He also said people are under the false impression that this would be a major ratable for the town, but he said the services the township would have to provide would be too costly.
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710270507
Manalapan candidates sound off on issues
Field of five running for Township Committee
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/27/07
BY NICK PETRUNCIO
FREEHOLD BUREAU
Post Comment
MANALAPAN — Voters here will choose from a field of five Township Committee candidates — two Democrats, two Republicans and one independent — when they go to the polls Nov. 6.
Two three-year terms are up for grabs. Three of the candidates have experience on the township's principal governing board, but all of them have served in public service positions of some kind, including education, environmental, planning, recreation and zoning boards.
Candidates noted property taxes, cutting costs, and managing development and open space as the main issues in their campaigns. Stopping partisan bickering, working in the residents' best interests and treating township volunteers with respect were also mentioned.
Andrew Lucas, the current mayor and a Republican, said he started many initiatives, the first of which cut $1 million of wasteful spending in the budget this year. He also has initiated sharing services with neighboring municipalities such as Englishtown, Freehold Township, Marlboro and the regional K-8 and high school districts.
"I think the No. 1 issue facing residents is keeping Manalapan affordable," Lucas said.
Drew Shapiro, a Democrat who previously held office for two three-year terms, both of them as mayor, called the tax increase that Manalapan saw last year "drastic" and the "largest increase this town has ever seen."
"I decided to take a year off, and unfortunately during that year I saw Manalapan get hit with the largest property tax increase in its history, over 26 percent," Shapiro said.
He said he is proud that when he was in office tax increases were stabilized at any given time to 1 or 2 cents per $100 and added that he warned the Republican majority that keeping taxes stable or lowering them was just a political move that "could catch up to them and it did."
Susan Cohen, a Republican who was appointed to the council to replace Joseph Locricchio, also said one of the issues that motivated her to run was the tax increase.
Herbert Barrack, a Democrat, also talked about property taxes and reducing costs as major issues facing the township. Barrack, who worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said using solar energy is one way to cut costs. Cohen also said she favors using solar energy in this way.
"How do we consolidate and combine purchasing and other streamlining initiatives with other towns and communities?" he said.
Lucas said the other main issue is fighting overdevelopment, something he said got him to become involved in local government. He grew up on his family farm and said he still runs it in addition to being a principal in an investment management firm.
He said 300 acres of open space were preserved last year alone, and "we have plans to acquire over 500 acres in the future."
Shapiro said he is proud that while in office he and his counterparts preserved more than 1,000 acres in town and although some land was preserved this year, he said the amount was minimal compared to what was preserved in past years.
Cohen said there are 65 acres in Thompson Grove Park that would be great to be developed for passive recreation, "but it's just sitting there."
She also said she wants more dog-friendly parks for residents to exercise their pets. She also noted that the planned dog park in town just stopped for some reason.
Joseph DePasquale, the only independent running, said partisan bickering is a problem in town. Along with that, he listed some of the other major issues such as taxes, residential overdevelopment, wasteful spending, unnecessary lawsuits, personal vendettas, crowded roads and disrespect toward volunteers.
"I think I can bring a more community oriented approach if elected to the Township Committee," he said, noting the township needs leadership that will put residents' above the "self-centered" needs of the political parties and the political party bosses.
"I really hope to offer an environment for change based on common respect and courtesy for all the residents."
Cohen said she sent out surveys to residents and responses "overwhelmingly" came back that the township leaders do not listen to residents. She also said the township does not treat its volunteers very well.
She said she wants to reform the summer recreation program by implementing a national program that teaches children about protecting themselves against abduction, respecting themselves, and teaches them about the natural environment. In addition to children, Cohen said she wants to reach out to the elderly residents and get them involved in the town.
Shapiro was the only candidate who addressed the proposed and controversial Village Center project, eyed for Route 33 and Millhurst Road.
"Everyone knows I am and always have been against this project," he said. "I believe this will totally cripple our town regarding traffic."
He also said people are under the false impression that this would be a major ratable for the town, but he said the services the township would have to provide would be too costly.
residents is keeping Manalapan affordable," Lucas said.
Drew Shapiro, a Democrat who previously held office for two three-year terms, both of them as mayor, called the tax increase that Manalapan saw last year "drastic" and the "largest increase this town has ever seen."
"I decided to take a year off, and unfortunately during that year I saw Manalapan get hit with the largest property tax increase in its history, over 26 percent," Shapiro said.
He said he is proud that when he was in office tax increases were stabilized at any given time to 1 or 2 cents per $100 and added that he warned the Republican majority that keeping taxes stable or lowering them was just a political move that "could catch up to them and it did."
Susan Cohen, a Republican who was appointed to the council to replace Joseph Locricchio, also said one of the issues that motivated her to run was the tax increase.
Herbert Barrack, a Democrat, also talked about property taxes and reducing costs as major issues facing the township. Barrack, who worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said using solar energy is one way to cut costs. Cohen also said she favors using solar energy in this way.
"How do we consolidate and combine purchasing and other streamlining initiatives with other towns and communities?" he said.
Lucas said the other main issue is fighting overdevelopment, something he said got him to become involved in local government. He grew up on his family farm and said he still runs it in addition to being a principal in an investment management firm.
He said 300 acres of open space were preserved last year alone, and "we have plans to acquire over 500 acres in the future."
Shapiro said he is proud that while in office he and his counterparts preserved more than 1,000 acres in town and although some land was preserved this year, he said the amount was minimal compared to what was preserved in past years.
Cohen said there are 65 acres in Thompson Grove Park that would be great to be developed for passive recreation, "but it's just sitting there."
She also said she wants more dog-friendly parks for residents to exercise their pets. She also noted that the planned dog park in town just stopped for some reason.
Joseph DePasquale, the only independent running, said partisan bickering is a problem in town. Along with that, he listed some of the other major issues such as taxes, residential overdevelopment, wasteful spending, unnecessary lawsuits, personal vendettas, crowded roads and disrespect toward volunteers.
"I think I can bring a more community oriented approach if elected to the Township Committee," he said, noting the township needs leadership that will put residents' above the "self-centered" needs of the political parties and the political party bosses.
"I really hope to offer an environment for change based on common respect and courtesy for all the residents."
Cohen said she sent out surveys to residents and responses "overwhelmingly" came back that the township leaders do not listen to residents. She also said the township does not treat its volunteers very well.
She said she wants to reform the summer recreation program by implementing a national program that teaches children about protecting themselves against abduction, respecting themselves, and teaches them about the natural environment. In addition to children, Cohen said she wants to reach out to the elderly residents and get them involved in the town.
Shapiro was the only candidate who addressed the proposed and controversial Village Center project, eyed for Route 33 and Millhurst Road.
"Everyone knows I am and always have been against this project," he said. "I believe this will totally cripple our town regarding traffic."
He also said people are under the false impression that this would be a major ratable for the town, but he said the services the township would have to provide would be too costly.
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710270507
