South River Council Candidates

Two, three-year terms
Eric Acs (R)

Two, three-year terms
Eric Acs (R)


Age: 44. Resides on Jackson Street with wife, Kathleen, and son, Thomas; employed as an environmental geologist/engineer; is a volunteer with the borough’s Rescue Squad and Fire Engine Co. No. 1.

What is the greatest challenge facing South River in 2002?

The town budget: balancing the books so that all parties have enough money and personnel to function properly and without raising taxes, if at all possible. It seems that we are cutting back for some town services and spending that money elsewhere. We need to have accountability from another party to question these allotments. The budget has been revamped drastically from what it was five years ago, with no questions asked.

What issues could the governing body have handled better in the last few years? How would you have addressed the issues?


The police station reconstruction: the voters passed the resolution for reconstruction over replacement. The council gave the contract out by bid, but did not check the winning bidder to see if they were capable to complete the job. Also, they did not throw out any ridiculously low bids. Who was overseeing this reconstruction, the borough engineer? The architect? Early construction mistakes that were made in the project should have tipped off the construction supervisor, if there was one, that the contractor could not complete the work on time or on budget.

Should partisanship play a role in local elections? Has it affected the outcome of important issues in South River?

Most definitely yes. All the issues in town they (the council) vote on pass unanimously. They manage the town as they see fit without fear of resistance from an opposing party. We now have higher electric and water bills because they could raise the rates without opposition.

What would you do to increase ratables without negatively affecting the residents of your town? What other ideas do you have for stabilizing or reducing the tax rate?


The town has already sold off property in the south end to increase ratables and yet we still have budget management problems like eliminating town jobs, and not being able to give the police a respectable raise. I would like to know how we are spending those extra tax dollars. We need to bring in small businesses to occupy the small industry factories dotted throughout the town that have been empty for years.

What ideas do you have to help with the revitalization of the downtown business district?

More theme days are a good idea, such as the recent historic car shows. This attracts customers to South River that would normally not come to town.

Telemahos Koukourdelis (D)*


Age: 29. Lives on Petit Avenue with wife, Maria; is managing director of data sales at Broadview Networks, Newark; graduated from the borough’s public schools; earned a degree in business administration from Rider University, Lawrenceville.

What is the greatest challenge facing South River in 2002?

The taxpayer cost of local government services is always a primary concern for voters, as well as for elected officials. That is certainly the case here. It is also the reason whey we are particularly proud of the fact that we live within our means and are always conscious of property taxes.

What issues could the governing body have handled better in the last few years? How would you have addressed the issues?

I am very proud of the record of the Democratic party and my own record as a member of the governing body. I can defend, with enthusiasm, every decision I have made in the public interest.

Should partisanship play a role in local elections? Has it affected the outcome of important issues in South River?

I believe in the two-party system. I believe strongly in the democratic process of elections. That position allows me, as an incumbent, to ask the voters to assess my record and it allows my opponent to prove he can do better. Most important, the process gives the voters the opportunity to decide. All of us run as Republicans or Democrats, and so, of course, partisanship plays a role. More importantly, however, the quality of service plays the major role.

What would you do to increase ratables without negatively affecting the residents of your town? What other ideas do you have for stabilizing or reducing the tax rate?

South River is a desirable community in which to live. We have lovely parks and playgrounds and a balance between commercial, industrial and residential ratables. We compete with other communities for clean, non-residential ratables and we do so successfully.

What ideas do you have to help with the revitalization of the downtown business district?

I am sure it is evident to all our taxpayers that we have an active program of beautification and restoration to make our downtown areas more user-friendly. I am committed to continuing that program.

Arthur Londensky (D)*

Age: 55. Lifelong resident of the borough; resides on Schack Avenue with wife, Andrea; has one daughter, Elyssa; serves as fire protection subcode official for South Brunswick, Helmetta and Rocky Hill; president of South River Engine Co. No. 1; chairman of council’s Human Services Committee and Cable Advisory Board; station manager for South River TV 35; past vice chairman of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment

What is the greatest challenge facing South River in 2002?

Our Borough Council traditionally minimizes the local share of property taxation. Our challenge, of course, is to continue that record. A further challenge is to continue to improve the quality of life by improving our parks and playgrounds, continuing our programs of street and road repair, services and programs for our senior citizens and, in general, to do all those things that make life in our borough a pleasant experience for all ages.

What issues could the governing body have handled better in the last few years? How would you have addressed the issues?

I sought elective service as a council member because I believe I contribute in a positive way to the betterment of South River. I have no quarrel with how the governing body has responded to any significant issue.

Should partisanship play a role in local elections? Has it affected the outcome of important issues in South River?

I am proud to be a Democratic candidate for re-election in South River. I am sure my opponents feel the same about their party affiliation. I believe the record of the Democratic party is one of strong accomplishment while protecting the interests of the taxpayers and that explains our success as a party. We are elected as Democrats, but serve without regard to partisanship. Therefore, partisanship does not adversely impact the resolution of important issues.

What would you do to increase ratables without negatively affecting the residents of your town? What other ideas do you have for stabilizing or reducing the tax rate?

We have an excellent record in minimizing the property tax impact upon our citizens. For example, we are currently involved in several major improvements to our aging infrastructure and those improvements will be paid for over the life of the improvements rather than simply by current taxpayers.

What ideas do you have to help with the revitalization of the downtown business district?

We are an aging community with an aging infrastructure but a bright, new and modern downtown. New planters and trees are helping to make downtown South River a more attractive place to visit. It helps all our citizens take greater pride in our borough and that program of beautification and revitalization will continue.

Robert Wisniewski (R)

Age, 62. Retired South River police officer; resides on Leonardine Avenue with wife of 40 years; served in the Navy; has been a volunteer for South River Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years.

What is the greatest challenge facing South River in 2002?

South River needs to keep our small-town heritage while addressing the new "big-city" problems that face us. There is a strong need for young, dedicated volunteers in the fire department and rescue squad. Residents with ideas on making South River a better place are needed on the borough’s committees. The Democrats have held a majority since 1995 and have had absolute control since 2000. Their ideas are stale and do not address the problems in town. South River needs fresh ideas; they need Republicans like myself on the Borough Council along with the Democrats.

What issues could the governing body have handled better in the past few years? How would you have addressed the issues?

The current condition of the police headquarters is a prime example of the problem of partisan rule. Rather than present the town with an equal choice with correct facts, the Democratic Borough Council pushed its choice as being the only true choice. At every council meeting, residents ask when it will be complete and about projected costs. The Democratic council cannot or will not provide the residents with a current project cost. No one was held responsible for any of the problems except the original contractor, whom the council fired to avoid implications or public knowledge of what was happening.

Should partisanship play a role in local elections? Has it affected the outcome of important issues of South River?

Partisanship is what South River currently has; representatives of a single party and set of ideas are in control. South River needs a council that is diverse in its backgrounds, its beliefs and its ideas. By having more than a single party represented, a new viewpoint, representing a different segment of the population of South River, is brought into discussions and debates. This would allow for a much-needed return of checks and balances. Council members need to consider the needs of the people who elected them, not just follow the dictates of their party leader.

What would you do to increase ratables without negatively affecting the residents of your town? What other ideas do you have for stabilizing or reducing the tax rate?

I believe that as a Borough Council member it would be my responsibility to do everything possible to attract private businesses to our town, allowing them to purchase lands that will provide the town with future income through taxes. The Democrats have continuously sold and traded borough property to nonprofit and public entities that do not pay property taxes. They have changed zoning on properties previously zoned to hold business and industry who would provide much needed ratables, so that more residential homes could be built.

What ideas do you have to help with the revitalization of the downtown business district?

There is a need for more suitable parking in the downtown area. There continues to be abandoned lots and boarded buildings damaged by fires long ago that could be utilized more effectively. The new Cruise Night has helped to bring new people into South River and helped some of the businesses along Main Street. However, there have been valid complaints and problems that are not being ad-dressed. The council needs to continue to seek out, possibly through a special grant committee, state and federal programs to help encourage, support and expand local businesses and business districts.

* denotes incumbent