Residents say yes to Dems, and no to open space tax

By sandi carpello
Staff Writer

Residents say yes to Dems,
and no to open space tax
By sandi carpello
Staff Writer

MILLTOWN — Despite the Republicans’ plea for balance in local government, the Democrats took complete control of the Borough Council in Tuesday’s election.

Councilman Mike Skarzynski, a lieutenant at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick, won his third term on the council with 1,488 votes, alongside newcomer Patricia Murray, the owner of a public relations firm, who claimed a seat on the council with 1,224 votes.

The Republicans, former Councilman Thomas Buck and John Collins, received 1,207 and 1,139 votes, respectively.

Also defeated in the election was the establishment of a 1.5 cent tax to preserve open space in the borough. The vote on the ballot question was 1,066 to 1,010 against the proposal. The assessment would have cost the owner of property assessed at the borough average of $141,000 an extra $21 in property taxes per year.

Some 54 percent of the borough’s registered voters cast votes in the election.

With the six-member council’s lone Republican, Gary Walters, not seeking re-election this year, and Republican Mayor Gloria Bradford only getting to vote in the event of a tie, the council has become entirely controlled by the Democratic Party.

"The pendulum always swings back," Collins said after the results were announced.

The Republicans said one-party rule will be detrimental to making decisions and serving the residents.

However, the Democrats, who said they have always worked well with Bradford, argued that political affiliation is not as important as a person’s merit and character.

"The two best people won," said Skarzynski. "We will continue to work for the betterment of Milltown."

In light of important issues in the borough, such as preserving its small-town character and improving the quality of life, both Murray and Skarzynski vowed to listen to the residents’ needs and to protect the community from overdevelopment.

"It’s an honor to have won the election, and I will work very hard for the community," Murray said.

The two Democrats agreed that the future of the Ford Avenue property, a blighted area that was once the industrial hub of Milltown, should be redeveloped in a way that would increase tax ratables and provide beneficial uses.