Township Council Election, Five Seats, Eleven Candidates
The League of Ocean Township invited candidates to send a brief biography, and posed three questions:
- For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township and what would you do to address it?
- What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation in critical decisions?
- What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection and energy conservation standards for the Township and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 100 words for the bio, and 100 words for each question.
In order by slate, by last name, here are the candidates' responses.
One Ocean
Robert Acerra
Bio information: I have lived in Ocean Township for over 25 years with my wife Rose and my three boys, Rob, Rich and Raymond. My volunteer career began at Montclair State where I served as Student Government President. I was originally elected to your Board of Education 4 years ago and won reelection last November. I have served on the Board of Little League and founded Ocean Township Youth Baseball. I have been fortunate to manage my son’s football and basketball teams and served as a volunteer on PTA and Cub Scouts. I am an Account Manager for a global technology company.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: As a team, One Ocean has addressed many of the improvements
that Ocean residents have been seeking including stable taxes, tax rebates, public safety,
the needs of our seniors and open government.
I believe the highest priority needs to be given to increased involvement by our residents.
We have made a great start by televising Council Meetings,
introducing Coffee with the Mayor and the revitalized township newsletter.
I am a firm believer that people will support what they help to create.
We must continue to keep our residents informed and seek their involvement in our decision making processes.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: One Ocean has already taken steps to keep our residents involved and informed.
Televising Council Meetings, introducing Coffee with the Mayor and a revitalized township newsletter
are just the start of One Ocean’s commitment to ensuring transparency and public participation.
I believe disclosing information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use
including an enhanced website, better use of social media,
distribution of agenda’s and minutes for council, committee and board meetings
will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in government.
Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: Ocean has been recognized as a “Sustainable Energy Community” but there is more we can do.
I would include coating current and new township building roofs
with a material that reduces interior building temperatures and lessens cooling power needs;
piloting a hybrid gas/electric vehicle for police/DPW vehicles;
ensure that the Shade Tree Commission is involved in planning board applications;
and continue the buyback of homes in flood prone areas through state and federal grants.
These are just some of the ideas that will improve our community now and into the future
as we all work to improve our conservation standards.
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William Garofalo
Bio information: Maria and I are 33 year residents of Ocean. Our two daughters, Carley and Julia are products of the Ocean School System. I was active in their youth activities, coached Little League and Recreation Programs. I have served as President of the Board of Education; as a member of the Town Council, Planning Board and Municipal Drug alliance.
I’m a Certified Municipal Finance Officer employed as Director of Finance and Administrator of Manchester Township and Matawan Borough. Since retiring, I have consulted in over a dozen municipalities specializing in finance, ethics, shared services, negotiations, arbitration, energy procurement and crisis management.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: The highest priority is to keep Ocean Township non-partisan to insure
that we are never burdened by political pressure to hire professionals or employees.
Ocean is a well run government and does not suffer from radical swings in ideology.
“Hot button” issues such as traffic or COAH are not dealt with on an emotional level,
but are solved by research, multi agency cooperation and consideration for our citizens.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: The Township Council has instituted several measures to increase public participation.
Township Council meetings are now televised, additional equipment has been budgeted
and all Township board meetings can also be aired.
Council meeting agendas are available on the web site and are interactive.
The Mayor has standing office hours to talk with the public individually.
The Township newsletter has been resurrected and will be sent out bi-annually.
In addition, in this administration, each council member has been appointed to serve as a liaison to each of the municipal boards and committees to insure that a two way dialogue is established.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: Ocean Township has been recognized as a “Sustainable Energy Community” for several years.
We exceed the state guideline for purchasing energy from sustainable sources,
and have instituted several energy saving programs.
Single stream recycling diverted over 30% of garbage to recycling. We incorporate in every new or redevelopment a light pollution components, landscape, stormwater retention plans and alternative transportation plans.
We have met with 15 Federal, State, County and local entities to solve flooding and run off problems.
Every municipal project must have an environmental component. The repaving of the municipal parking lot will include “porous” asphalt to recharge rainwaterBack to the top ↑
Richard Long
Bio information:
BACKGROUND: Born and raised in Ocean Township;
attended Wanamassa and Dow Avenue Schools and Ocean Township High School
EDUCATION: Ocean Township High School;
Glassboro State College (Rowan University), B.A. - English;
Kean University, M.A., - Education
(Borough of Carteret, Middlesex County)
- Member, Community Development Board
- Member, Planning Board
- Member, Board of The Office of The Disabled
- Member, Borough Council (Two Terms) (Ocean Township, Monmouth County)
- Human Services Council/Drug and Alcohol Alliance
- Community Hope Fund, Board of Directors
- Board of Education (Appointed 2010; Elected 2011; Re-elected 2014; Vice-President 2014)
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: The highest priority for change or improvement in Ocean is an effort to stabilize taxes.
This has been accomplished as the Mayor and Council have fashioned a 2015 budget
that calls for no tax rate increase, new revenue streams through shared services
and a future tennis center, and a tax rebate program called “Own Ocean.”
Refinancing bonds through the Monmouth County Improvement Authority
will result in lower interest rates and lower overall debt service costs.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: Transparency and public participation in critical decisions
have been addressed by the Mayor and Council through:
A) Online display of municipal agendas, including ordinances and resolutions, prior to public meetings.
B) Videotaping of Council meetings, so residents may view them on cable tv.
C) The “Coffee With The Mayor Program” in which residents can bring concerns
or questions directly to the Mayor.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: Ocean’s Environmental Commission reviews all planning and zoning applications.
Every new development or re-development project must contain an environmental component.
The Commission reports are officially read into the planner’s summary for each application.
In addition, over 30% of the town’s garbage has been shifted to recycling.
The Mayor and Council’s environmental efforts have resulted in Ocean’s recognition as a “Green Community.”
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Donna Schepiga
Bio information: I am a graduate of Monmouth University, with a degree in accounting. I am married to Henry and we have one son Kyle who is 24. Henry and I have lived in Wanamassa, Oakhurst, and now in Wayside. We love Ocean Township for its character and charm. I have been a Councilwoman for the past 12 years. I am a member of Clean Communities, the liaison to the Environmental and Shade Tree Commissions, as well as being the President of the Community Celebration Committee, which hosts the Memorial Day Ceremony, the 4th of July Celebration and Fall Fest.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: Traffic still is a problem in Ocean Township;
we are talking with the state and county on a continuing base to try to improve the flow.
We opened up Eagle Avenue and we are working with the state to fix a problem on Allaire Avenue.
We continue to research other ways that we might be able to control the traffic problems.
We feel that opening Armstrong Blvd. going North would help to alleviate traffic
on West Park Avenue when leaving Twinbrook Apartments,
but again we need to convince the state that it is necessary.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: Ocean Township needs to have a non-partisan government,
to ensure that political pressures to hire professionals or employees never burden us.
Towns in Monmouth County have shown us in the past,
that when we have one party running the town nepotism is involved, and we do not have transparency,
shutting the public out.
Since 1963, Ocean Township has been a non-partisan town with no political pressure
to hire “party” favorites, and every year we have become more and more transparent.
The latest example of this is the televising of our council meetings
and soon all township meetings will be televised.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: To continue our family friendly community we have preserved open space,
worked with the Deal Lake Commission to preserve and enhance the lake,
began to work on an Active Transit Network so in the future we will have safe bike trails
all over Ocean Township and beautiful walking paths to transverse Ocean.
The Environmental Commission has worked hard for many years
in getting us denoted as a “Sustainable Energy Community”.
The Shade Tree Commission and our professionals have been responsible
for making sure that trees are replaced at a nice caliber size when we have new construction.
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Christopher Siciliano
Bio information: I am lifelong resident of Ocean, grew up here along with my 6 brothers. I live in Wanamassa with my fiancée Lisa. I have 2 children, Anthony and Regina. I have served my town for over 25 years by way of Little League, Pop Warner football, and recreation wrestling. I have served on the Planning Board, Environmental Commission and on the Council for 12 years, 4 as Deputy Mayor and 3 months as Mayor. As Mayor, I have already shown results such as: televised meetings, coffee with the Mayor, stabilized tax levy and a Property Tax rebate program.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: Taxes!
This year we worked to stabilize the Tax levy and even introduced a budget that offers a tax decrease.
Going forward, policies we set in place several years ago
will enable us to continue to see a stabilized tax levy.
We have introduced a property Tax Rebate program called “Own Ocean”.
By shopping at participating merchants in Ocean, all residents will receive a credit on each purchase
that will go directly towards reducing their property tax.
This helps the local merchant while reducing property tax.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: Since I have been Mayor, we have taped all council meetings
and they are aired twice a day on Ocean 77 (22 for FIOS) at 10am and 7pm.
Additionally, I have introduced my “Coffee with the Mayor”.
Mayor’s office is open to all residents Monday and Friday afternoons, 1-4.
Residents come in with any township concern and we try to address them right on the spot when possible.
Also, I post my personal cell phone number on my face book page
and folks are encouraged to call me during snow storms for plow updates and pothole locations.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: Ocean has in place a very active environmental commission
which has input on all zoning and planning board projects.
Also, we are a member of a SEM along with over 200 other municipalities to buy our energy at a reduced rate.
We also have one of the only recycling plants in the county that allows residents to drop off
their recycling every day instead of waiting for scheduled collections.
This has helped encourage folks to be even more conscientious.
Once again we’ve been recognized by the state as a “Sustainable Energy Community”.
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Ocean Together
Robert Angelini
Bio information: Robert, a 30-year Ocean resident, is a retired Detective Sergeant from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes and Intelligence Unit. His 27-year law enforcement career focused on criminal investigations, computer forensics and preventing child exploitation. Robert helped write cybercrime policy for the state police. He served as a global consultant for Microsoft and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Being a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, children and the arts, Robert was elected to the Ocean Board of Education in 2012. Robert and his wife Mary Pat, have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: Ocean Township has become a drive through town.
Our thoroughfares are an unsightly mess filled with mismatched facades,
vacant buildings and strip malls void of natural beauty.
Developing an arts district, and township-wide beautification projects
along our business districts will bring revenues and culture to Ocean Township.
When elected, I will convene a volunteer citizen’s arts advisory council consisting of local and regional arts experts and business professionals to make the township a destination instead of a pass-through to Asbury Park, Red Bank and Long Branch restaurants, galleries and culture.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: : Quite often, our local government just meets the minimum requirement for transparency.
We bury public notices in a few newspapers and expect our hard working residents to be informed.
When elected, I will demand public hearings on large-scale projects
and notify all residents, paying special attention to the residents where a project is being considered.
Our government will not enter into any development deals
without exhausting all means of communication with our residents.
Technology such as popular social media, telephone calls and mailings
will assist in reaching residents and obtaining their valuable input.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: When elected, I will abide by the current Federal and State environmental regulations,
and advocate for environmental issues affecting our township.
(i.e., Protecting the Deal Lake Watershed, addressing local flooding caused by over development,
improving water purity standards, noise and air pollution abatement
and the acquisition and preservation of our open spaces.)
While projects such as a new tennis facility are attractive,
the preservation of our passive open space should not be compromised.
I will also seek out state-of-the-art energy conservation methods and shared services
to reduce energy consumption for municipal buildings and public thoroughfares.
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Gail Matarazzo
Bio information: Personal: Married 25 years to Christian Matarazzo, 2 children Harry age 20, Haydn age 17
Homeowner & tax payer in Township of Ocean for 24 years!
Professional: Prior, owner/operator Scents of Colour Florist from 1988-2006
Currently: Owner/Managing Partner-Parkview River HH, LLC & CAM 2030 LLC, Real Estate Investment Companies. Financial Director –Retirement Income Solutions, Oakhurst. NJ Licensed in Life, Health Insurance & Real Estate.
Volunteer Work: President, Ocean Township High School Booster Club
Board of Directors, Asbury Park Rotary Club
Proud contributor to Ocean Adopt-A-Family & Ocean’s Community Hope Fund (via Rotary Club)
Co-Director, Annual Ocean Dye Labor Day, Allenhurst
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A:
- I will succeed here in public service by coordinating programs that target issues within town & bring them to light with the help of community groups and their leaders on the following potential programs
- Aggressive Educational Seminars on Heroin Awareness
- Specific traffic studies on Rt 35 & Investigate the jug handles, cement medians & speed
- Revisit an old proposal of a Walking/Bike Trail connecting Rt35 West Side to East Side to M. University
- Address Deer population in town by investigating birth control for deer
- Implement more environmental projects for the township public & private properties to protect Deal Lake
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: :
- I would provide a newsletter both by regular mail & email to the residents of Ocean detailing current town & potential projects. These would all be on the township website
- Offer an open time to have workshop meetings with the public
- Make sure all meetings & minutes are always listed on the website
- Have an open time so 1 or 2 police officers can communicate directly with the residents over coffee & keep an open dialogue going 3x each month in Wanamassa Wayside & Oakhurst in rotating business
- Have more communication through social media from both Town Manager & the Council
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A:
- Steer all new development away from water supplies
- Establish Rain Gardens & Rain barrels throughout the township public properties & encourage private homeowners to do the same! (Utilize volunteer groups such as Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts to help them with their projects)
- New commercial development must have storm water basins under ground
- Request the County’s help in relocating silt from Deal Lake 1x per year & establish regional storm water basins
Lawrence Mishkin
Bio information: Owner Mysha Day Spa and Salon in Ocean since 2002. 35 new Ocean jobs.
DirectorPerformance Fabrics a $150,000,000.00 division Guilford Mills, Inc.
Experience in franchising, finance, manufacturing, sales, marketing, business development and social media an entrepreneurial spirit when when approaching projects.
Sponsor, manager and coaching Little League, OT Youth Baseball and OT Rec basketball (Coach).
Mysha Day Spa and Salon has donated to many charitable organizations throughout the Township.
VolunteerWayside School Installation Dinner.
VolunteerCommunity Hope Fund’s “2013/2014 Mayor’s Ball”.
Delivers Thanksgiving meals to Ocean residents in need.
Selina wife. SonRyan 14yo.
14 year resident.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: Increase quality of life while concurrently lowering property taxes.
RT. 35 is in dire need of beautification, blossoming businesses, arts and culture
Currently, there is no “center of town”. Improve Ocean’s RT.35 intersections. Seek a better solution to jug handles and concrete divider/barrier. Motorists breeze past Ocean for Red Bank, Pier Village or Asbury.
We are a “drive-through community”. This challenge presents an opportunity for tax revenue that will lower residents’ property taxes.
Compete effectively for and win over new businesses (nice shops, arts, culture & dining). The new property taxes from these businesses will decrease resident’s taxes.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: Provide and promote public access to government data and public information.
Encourage free and open debate and expression on how public resources are used.
Update website so that all important budgets and issues for debate are easily found.
Encourage participation and collaboration. Seek ways to draw our residents into understanding the budget and other important issues. Allow the free flow of ideas and criticism or debate prior to a decision, resolution, or ordinance. Leverage every media resource including social media, email, email surveys, and regular mail (news letter) allowing for maximum public participation and feedback.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A:
It’s critical that Ocean be on the forefront of innovation and execution
in implementing sustainable and renewable resources including but not limited to solar.
I would enable full utilization of all grants and funding where available.
Air, noise, water and ground pollution must be monitored and conform to existing or new regulations
as they may occur.
I would seek to improve any existing regulations as necessary
and see to it that all new development and redevelopment is within the existing protections
and any new protections or conservation mandates that exist or may arise.
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John Stuppi
Bio information: As a 15 year resident of Ocean, John’s community involvement is nearly endless. It includes coaching recreation soccer, recreation basketball, Pop Warner football, and coordinating several youth hockey programs to serving as Manager, Board Member, and finally President for the Ocean Township Little League for two years.
John has also tirelessly volunteered in the schools by helping at the Wanamassa library, playing in Parent/Teacher basketball games, conducting mock job interviews for the Language Arts department at TOIS, serving on the committee for the Intermediate School Honor Roll breakfast, and running the TOIS school store several times throughout the school year.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A:
- Enhancement of the recreational opportunities and facilities available to the citizens of the Township, focusing on opportunities for the youth of the Township. Ideas include reviewing program offerings, identifying additional offerings, and exploring the possibility of adding a roller/ice rink and basketball courts in Joe Palaia Park.
- Although paving of roads is an unenviable and endless task there are streets within the Township that have NOT been paved in years. I’d like to understand the overall plan to pave roads throughout the Township with the realization that emergencies always arise and the budget for paving is not limitless.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A:
- In an effort to both enhance the transparency of the Town Council’s actions
and stimulate public contributions to the decision-making process
utilized by the Council I would explore the following possibilities:
- Posting critical information on the Township website
- Creating an e-newsletter to increase Township government communications
- Providing an email “suggestion box” that can be utilized by the citizens
- Leveraging Social Media (Twitter, Facebook) for communications
- Scheduling regular “office hours” with the Mayor/Council to provide open, face-to-face conversation opportunities for our citizens
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A:
- Having little to no experience in environmental protection and energy conservation standards I would perform research of what’s been done to address environmental protection and energy conservation in other towns across the state and nation which are similar to the Township of Ocean in terms of size, demographics, and geography. I would look for solutions that have been successful and are a potential fit for the Township within our budget and form of government.
Sylvia Sylvia
Bio information:
- Sylvia, the Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Human Services, has successfully written grants resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars for Ocean Township.
- A Board of Education member since 2010, she was elected as its President in 2014.
- Sylvia is a volunteer of the Community Emergency Response Team, Office of Emergency Management, and Emergency Operations Center. She delivers for the Meals on Wheels program and is a past President of Wayside School PTA.
- Sylvia is the wife of FDNY Firefighter Michael Cioffi. She is the mother of three wonderful children, as well proud stepmother to three extraordinary children.
Q: For you personally, what is the highest priority for change or improvement in the Township
and what would you do to address it?
A: Among the many issues to be addressed in Ocean,
is the exorbitant property tax cost.
Over the last decade, the municipal portion of the property tax bill
has risen at an inconsistent rate with the county and state.
Increasing the success of our local businesses would not only help current businesses,
but will encourage potential businesses.
Thus, bringing more tax stabilizing ratables to Ocean.
Among the causes of the failure rate of Ocean commerce,
are poor traffic patterns and inaccessibility.
This must be addressed with the state and county for immediate study and relief.
Q: What specific steps would you take to ensure and strengthen transparency and public participation
in critical decisions?
A: Transparency has long been an issue for many residents in Ocean.
Our residents deserve to have a governing body that is visible and forthcoming
with all developing matters.
Better publicized work meetings and increased technological communications
(i.e. e-newsletter, improved web site, and direct email chains)
are among the easy initiatives that will help include all stakeholders
in discussions of township matters.
In addition, to these initiatives, outreach programs to neighborhoods and organizations
should be created.
A community liaison advisory program with regular meetings of council representatives
would also increase awareness and spark discussion about community concerns and ideas.
Q: What measures would you take to establish effective environmental protection
and energy conservation standards for the Township
and to ensure they are met in all future development and redevelopment?
A: In addition to adherence to federal/state mandates, other initiatives can be taken.
One would be for new/redeveloping properties to be required
to include rain water collection systems for non-potable use,
(i.e. sprinkler systems, filling pools, fire suppression, etc.).
This has a two-fold impact; the rain water no longer enters our sewer system
during the height of storms preventing the need for release of untreated run-off into waterways.
And secondly, rainwater resource is being utilized rather than wasted.
Developers should be required to integrate solar power into their plans
as well as increase the R-value of home insulation.
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