By vincent todaro
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Residents took the opportunity at Monday night’s Township Council meeting to vent their feelings on a number of issues, particularly open space and open government.
Shawn Taylor, chairman of the township’s Planning Board, said he wanted to set the record straight regarding open space. He said he has heard Republicans contend that both parties have been supportive of open space preservation, and that it would occur regardless of which party held power.
"That’s simply just not true," he said.
He then held up a postage stamp, saying the area of the stamp was larger than the amount of open space for which prior Republican council members and administrations were responsible for preserving in East Brunswick.
"Open space does not just happen," he said. "It takes tough choices."
"Neary has the vision; the Republicans do not," he said.
His comments complement what Council Vice President Saul Fink has maintained throughout the campaign — that the Neary administration and Democratic council were responsible for purchasing about 150 acres of open space.
Republicans have said that the township could have spent its money more wisely by protecting important tracts, and that construction variances have been given out to developers too frequently.
During the meeting, Taylor also made reference to prior Republican efforts regarding open space. He said the party did not make a full-fledged attempt to get an open space tax referendum passed because it failed to explain the need for it and to educate the population.
He said open space preservation requires more than just an open space fund.
"It’s about making bold and daring zoning changes," he said.
Taylor said it is important that the township keep moving in the direction it has been.
"The only way to do that is by voting for the Democratic team," he said.
Former Councilman Anthony Riccobono, who is presently running for council as a Republican, said during the same public portion Monday that Republicans did in fact purchase open space while they had power in the 1990s. He pointed to the land where the police firearms training facility is now located as a parcel that the GOP purchased.
Riccobono argued that the township has allowed the stream there to become polluted and that the trees have been cut down.
Democratic Mayor William Neary responded that the area was already polluted. Riccobono agreed, but argued that the township let the situation worsen.
Also at the meeting, Riccobono took issue with some residents who had said that politicians should not use council meetings as a forum to campaign. One resident also said people who do not vote should not complain.
"Anybody has a right to speak here whether they vote or not, or whether they’re an American citizen or not," Riccobono said.
Council President Donald Klemp said state law requires that people who speak during the public portions of council meetings be allowed to say anything they wish.
Klemp also made mention of a recently passed state law which requires that all council meetings include portions for the public to speak. In the past, some towns had not allowed any public participation.
He praised the council for being ahead of the curve and for holding public portions before required to do so by state law.
Some residents even used the meeting, the last before the election, to speak out on who they supported for the three available council seats and why. Some voters said they were splitting their ballot by voting for members of both parties to sit on council.

