Three of five council seats sought in heated campaign

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer


Catherine DiemCatherine Diem

EAST BRUNSWICK — It has been an often contentious campaign season for six candidates seeking three, four-year terms on the Township Council, but voters will soon be the ones voicing their thoughts when they take to the polls Nov. 5.

The election will decide whether the Democrats can retain control of the five-member council, or if the Republican Party should have representation for the first time since December 1997.

The only incumbent seeking re-election is Saul Fink, a Democrat seeking his second term on a ticket with David Stahl and Catherine Diem. Democrats Jeff Simon and Meryle Asaro are not seeking re-election.

The ticket is challenged by Republicans Christi Calvano, Anthony Riccobono and Robert Tagliente.


David StahlDavid Stahl

Like Fink, Riccobono also has council experience, having served from 1991-96.

Though only two of the six candidates have prior experience in East Brunswick politics, the four other candidates have made their cases that they are ready to serve this township of nearly 50,000.

Stahl, 46, is head of the East Brunswick Soccer Club, while Diem, 39, serves on the Lawrence Brook School PTA and is a board member for both the Raritan Valley YMCA and the Village Recreation and Swim Club.

On the Republican side, Calvano, 27, has been involved as a member of the Sierra Club and the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership.


Saul FinkSaul Fink

Regardless of their experience, the candidates on both sides have discussed issues including development, open space and partisanship during a recent televised debate, at public meetings and through other channels.

While saying the current council and administration have failed the township on preservation of open space, the Republicans also charge that the Democrats have not been receptive to all residents’ concerns and have not run a completely open government.

In addition, the GOP candidates charged that the council members walk too much in lock-step with Democratic Mayor William Neary, who they say gives one person too much control over township issues.

But Democrats say their control has allowed far less residential development, made township-wide infrastructure improvements and kept municipal taxes stable. They point to 150 acres of open space purchased by the township, as well as the open space program created by Democrats. The party’s commitment to preserving open space has made it possible to keep sprawl in check and to lessen the burden on the township’s infrastructure and taxes.


Christi CalvanoChristi Calvano

Democrats also pointed to the open space issue as an example of one of the ways they have kept property taxes in check.

During the debates, the GOP brought up the issue of the controversial failed school budget of 2001, which the Democratic council approved without making cuts. Many residents were outraged that the council let the budget stand, and the Republicans have argued since that the governing body did not listen to residents’ wishes.

When the current school year’s budget was also defeated this April, however, the council ordered nearly $3 million in reductions.

Democrats have noted the council and administration’s ability to keep tax increases for municipal purposes low during its six years of control.


Anthony RiccobonoAnthony Riccobono

Republicans have countered that the Democrats’ method of borrowing money for projects amounts to mortgaging the future for short-term prosperity. They argue the low tax increases now just mean tax hikes will be larger in the future.

Stahl, the owner of B&N Hardware in New York City, said he approves of the financial work done by the mayor and council and wants to continue it.

"Being a small businessman, I understand the importance of being fiscally responsible," he said in a previous interview, adding the township has achieved a very favorable bond rating.

Fink, co-chairman of the Open Space Commission, said East Brunswick’s "smart growth" policies have allowed it to keep taxes under control.


Robert TaglienteRobert Tagliente

"We’ll continue to look for open space to reduce the impact (of development) on the town and the infrastructure," he said.

As for open government, Diem, a corporate events planner, has said it would be wrong to view her as a "yes" person for the mayor or anyone else. During the televised debate Oct. 17, she joked that anyone who thinks she is such should talk to her husband.

She said her background in community service will enable her to be a strong leader and that she will look to find innovative solutions to issues.

Despite the recent focus on open space and the schools, there has been much debate about senior citizens in the township, particularly those living on fixed incomes in the face of property tax increases. Some have said that many seniors have been forced to relocate from the township to find more affordable conditions because of a lack of retirement communities in East Brunswick.

Calvano, a paralegal for Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer in Woodbridge, has said that providing affordable senior housing is one of her main goals. Seniors, she said, need more options.

"They’re a valuable part of our community," she said.

The Democrats, however, have pointed to a Main Street area that formerly housed the yeast plant, which the council recently rezoned to allow for age-restricted housing.

Fink, 40, a director of research for Bristol-Myers Squibb, said he wants to find more opportunities for seniors in the township, noting that senior housing does not put the strain on schools and taxes that regular residential housing does.

He said he stands behind the work he and the council have done over the past four years, and wants to continue with an eye toward bringing more tax ratables that will help defray residents’ taxes.

Tagliente, 51, an investigator of consumer complaints with Bristol-Myers Squibb, said he wants to be a councilman who keeps the mayor in check.

"I would challenge the mayor more (than the current council does)," he said.

Tagliente also said one thing he wants to do is return decorum and respect to council meetings.

Riccobono, 52, an employee of the East Brunswick Sewerage Authority, said Republicans have shown they care about open space and would better protect the township against development.

"I’d be in favor of more open space purchases, if people want it and the money is there," he said.

Riccobono has also been an advocate of reform in the way New Jersey funds its schools.