challenge Dems Kafton, Giblin
4 seek 2 seats
in Jackson race
Republicans Allmann, Schubert
challenge Dems Kafton, Giblin
BY JOYCE BLAY
Staff Writer
More recreational facilities, open space preservation, a slowdown of residential development and a continued decline in the municipal tax rate are key issues in the re-election bids of Democrats Michael Kafton and Sean Giblin to the Jackson Township Committee.
They are being challenged by Republicans William Allmann and Mel Schubert for two three-year terms on the governing body in the Nov. 4 election.
The Democrats said they are running on their record of the past three years.
"It was a joint effort of both Sean and [me], as the two incumbents, to reduce the municipal tax rate in town three years in a row, and keep it stabilized in 2003 during a recession," Kafton said.
"While in office, we’ve preserved more than 1,200 acres and we stopped the construction of more than 3,500 residential homes," he continued. "By preserving that open space, we are able to also preserve Jackson’s great quality of life, as well as the rural charm that so many have moved here to enjoy."
Allmann, a former member of the Township Committee, and Schubert, who was unsuccessful in his election bid last year, cited unfinished business and a need to revamp the building department among reasons for running.
Kafton, 38, grew up in Jackson and has been married for the past 17 years to Barbara, his childhood sweetheart. They have three children, Michael, 10, and twins Benjamin and Nicholas, 7.
Kafton is self-employed in the real estate business. He is a principal of George Realty and Pinnacle Title Trust Co. in Jackson. Kafton, a committee member since January 2001, also served on the committee in 1997, filling an unexpired term.
Giblin, 37, also a lifelong Jackson resident, is married to Kathleen. The couple has two children, Sean Jr., 8, and Makenna, 5. Giblin is employed as a plant foreman at The Star-Ledger newspaper.
Like Kafton, Giblin was elected to the Township Committee for a full three-year term in 2000. He is seeking re-election to a second term.
"We’re proud of having increased the town’s recreational facilities for all age groups," Giblin said.
Facilities built in the last three years include a skate park for in-line skating and skate boarding; a roller hockey rink; two softball fields, and a donation of land to the Pop Warner youth football organization for facility expansion.
"If re-elected, we want to proceed with plans for further expanding Jackson’s recreational facilities, including new baseball fields, new soccer fields and the revitalization of Johnson Park," Giblin said.
Kafton also promised further expansion of the township’s recreational opportunities if he is returned to office for another term.
"We want to proceed with plans for a community center, for which we’ve received an overwhelming response," Kafton said. "We especially want to make such a facility available to hold teen dances, or any other kind of indoor recreation or civic meeting so that we can further build a sense of community."
Meeting rooms that are available now are not large enough to accommodate a growing community such as Jackson, Kafton said.
"A community center would be invaluable," Kafton said. "It would be a much-needed asset at this time."
Both men also said they want to bring more non-manufacturing businesses to Jackson. To that end, Giblin said, they are relying on the advice provided by Barry Lefkowitz, an economic adviser the committee recently hired.
"He’s already made substantial recommendations in marketing Jackson as a place to do business," Giblin said.
Kafton and Giblin said they are confident voters will agree with their assessment that Jackson is a better place since they took office and will elect them for another term on the committee.
The mayor said Allmann, a former mayor and committeeman, had failed to accomplish comparable achievements when given the chance.
"Mr. Allmann has had many opportunities as a past committee member, Planning Board member and environmental commission member," Kafton said. "He’s sat on many influential boards throughout the 1990s to slow residential growth, cut municipal taxes and to preserve open spaces, but he did none of that."
"He’s failed the people of Jackson during his term (in office)," Giblin added.
Kafton and Giblin said neither Republican candidate had addressed the issues facing Jackson or detailed how they would achieve or resolve them.
"The public elects politicians for the promises they make," Giblin said. "They re-elect politicians for the promises they’ve kept. Mike and I have met or exceeded every goal we have established back in 2000. We look forward to continue preserving the quality of life in Jackson."
When contacted the following day, both Schubert and Allmann were campaigning door to door.
Allmann, 43, is self-employed in the septic business. He and his wife, Denise, have two sons, Will, 14, and Zach, 11.
Allmann served on the Township Committee from 1998 to 2000. When asked why he was running for the office again, Allmann repeated what he had told the Tri-Town News prior to the primary election in June.
"The voters talked me into running again," he said. "The job still remains unfinished and I believe Jackson needs a vision for the future. The committee is borrowing against our future here and we’re going to be repaying that debt for years to come."
Schubert, 64, shared his opinion of the township’s building department, and why he felt he deserved a chance to this time be elected to the committee.
"The building department is a shambles; I’d like to revamp it," Schubert said. "All the big builders in town are suing the township. They can’t get the permits they need and everything is backlogged."
That signal sent up a red flag for change, Schubert said.
"It was a close election last year, but I still believe we can do some positive legislation for the town instead of running up the debt," he said.
He summed up the campaign this way: "We believe we can do a better job."
Schubert and his wife, Veronica, have two grown daughters, Tara Ann and Kerri Lynn. Schubert is employed part-time as the sergeant-at-arms of the New Jersey State Senate.