Peter J. Maher Jr.(I) Biography: Resident of Fair Haven for six years; serving third consecutive year on the Zoning Board of Adjustment; former coach of Fair Haven boys Peninsula Lacrosse League; investigating launching a new boys lacrosse league at the Knollwood School; supports historic preservation efforts, including Fisk Chapel. Occupation: President/CEO of Crossroads Networks Solutions, a consultative management company serving the small- to medium-sized enterprise market place for converged voice/data/fax IP solutions, document imaging, storage and retrieval, as well as network and facility security. Peter J. Maher Jr.
Jonathan R. Peters (R) Biography: Resident of Fair Haven for six years; currently filling the unexpired term of Wendy Jones, who resigned from the Borough Council earlier this year. Occupation: Assistant professor of finance, College of Staten Island, City University of New York; previously worked in the international division of AT&T as an analyst in the area of international forecasting, market analysis, immigration and the foreign-born population of the United States. Major issues are cell tower placement, budgetary issues, new garbage system effectiveness, and the possibility of council relocating the town disposal center to Fair Haven fields. Council cannot answer many relevant questions pertaining to the cell tower, such as how much revenue will the tower generate annually, maintenance and cost of this tower? How will these revenues be utilized to effectively offset the growing financial burden to our citizens? Our council repeatedly shows they have not done the appropriate due diligence on many of these critical areas. I will utilize effective due diligence and explore all options before making critical decisions affecting our town, as well as increasing communications by informing people and inviting their involvement for feedback.
Thomas A. Schlissler (R) Biography: Resident of Fair Haven for six years; lifelong resident of Monmouth County, raised in Shrewsbury; member of Borough Council for one year; currently liaison to the environmental committee, the school boards (local and high school) and the recreation commission; involved in the Fair Haven recreation program as a coach for basketball, baseball and soccer. Occupation: Senior Vice President — National Sales Director with American Property Financing, a commercial mortgage banking firm. Jonathan R. Peters
The borough must develop a long-term capital plan to maintain and improve the public facilities in the community. We need to develop a progressive program for the redevelopment of the downtown business district. We must plan for the future so that Fair Haven retains its quaint charm and people can live in the community their whole lives if they wish. I do not want to see Fair Haven become just a town of young families or just seniors. In my short time on the Borough Council, I have been very proactive to move forward plans to improve our public infrastructure, capital planning and downtown redevelopment.
Thomas A. Schlissler
The major issue facing Fair Haven is our ever-increasing property taxes. As a council we have worked very hard in the last year to develop ways to make the borough run more efficiently and effectively. We have implemented a new trash collection system, which will save about 250 man hours a week. These man hours can be redirected to other pressing needs. We are also looking for other sources of nontaxpayer revenue such as a cell tower, which is in the planning stages and projected to be operational in the next 12 to 18 months. We are also developing a long-term capital plan with all of our departments in order to better anticipate capital costs and the payment for the same in a manner that does not cause unexpected tax increases.
How would you address criticisms made concerning the inefficiency of the Borough Council?
Peter J. Maher Jr.
Council has repeatedly not performed the necessary due diligence. Council admittedly did not investigate other municipalities in New Jersey to see how they were addressing the issues of garbage disposal, rising costs associated to employee benefits, and the cell tower. Many believe that there is an existing attitude on our council “if you’re not willing to go along with the majority, then you’ll be shutout of the process.” This is not a good representation of government for the people and of the people. This is not what Fair Haven needs. I will look to immediately change this. I will encourage innovative thinking to stimulate debate to provide the best solutions possible.
Jonathan R. Peters
I would prefer to focus on the future as opposed to the problems of the past. I believe that the current Borough Council and mayor are working aggressively on the challenges that face the borough. Unfortunately, some of the changes that are necessary for the long-term stability of the community are hard choices. These choices have to be made for the good of the people in Fair Haven. It would do no one any good — not the borough workers or the residents of Fair Haven — to have the town in financial distress. We could wait for that to occur, or we can deal with our challenges now and not pass the buck.
Thomas A. Schlissler
I would only respond that our record over the last year speaks for itself. Among other things, we have successfully implemented a new trash collection system. We passed a budget, which limited the town’s tax increase to 2.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. We are moving forward on a cell tower; and we are about to roll out a new and improved Web site for better communication within town. In addition, we dedicated a site for a Sept. 11 memorial. The mayor and council have and will continue to work together to improve Fair Haven.
During the budget process this year, cutting benefits for borough employees was discussed as a way to hold down the tax increase. The employees opposed this. What alternatives would you suggest?
Peter J. Maher Jr.
There was tremendous vocal output against this. I requested council not approve the budget and urged them to do their due diligence and look for an alternative. The savings is $28,000 in the budget. This represents $2 per home/month. I would have suggested we seek an alternative at least for the upcoming year to provide time to formulate a plan to generate ratables or revenues in other ways. Alternatives available; generate revenues from businesses for garbage disposal, better manage our capital expenditures on the new garbage system, as well as better streamline overall line items budgetary expenses of the town’s administration cost.
Jonathan R. Peters
Fair Haven is and wants to stay a nice place for municipal workers to be employed. Our employees are important to the council and the mayor. Much as we would like to maintain all of the salary and benefits that we currently offer, the cost is escalating at an alarming rate. Our borough health care costs have been particularly problematic, and the finance committee suggested a change in our benefits policies to make them more in line with other municipalities and private industry. We currently offer our employees a very competitive wage and benefits package. Our employee turnover rate is very low.
Thomas A. Schlissler
There was never a discussion of cutting employee benefits as a way to lower the tax increase. The newly created ad hoc finance committee, after many months of meetings, made a number of recommendations to council in order to assist in managing the costs of operating the borough. Recommendations regarding employee benefits were among a number of recommendations that the council is still reviewing. As with all changes of this nature, there were rumors and misinformation, which we addressed in the August Fair Haven Focus and will continue to address with the employees.
Why should residents vote for you Nov. 2?
Peter J. Maher Jr.
Fair Haven needs a candidate for council who will be able to address the issues at hand, use due diligence in securing solutions, as well as provide feedback and encourage involvement of the citizens. I will make sure that there is a forum for open communication on areas of importance such as the cell tower. I will also ensure the public is aware of other plans/ideas being considered such as; lights on Fair Haven fields, potential relocation of our town garbage facility to Fair Haven fields and any plans related to the River Road business development. My commitment will be to the people, the taxpayers of Fair Haven to ensure that their voices are heard and are represented. This is why I created the new Fair Haven Nonpartisan party to provide a more responsive and more representative government that is beholden solely to the citizens of Fair Haven and not to any one political group.
Jonathan R. Peters
The Borough Council is moving in the right direction in terms of financial plans and management improvements. I think that Tom Schlissler and I can be an important part of the team that will provide Fair Haven with a sound municipal system that will serve us for the future.
Thomas A. Schlissler
I believe residents should vote for me because we still have a lot of work to do to improve our town. I believe our current mayor and council have an excellent working relationship and are on the right track to solve many of the issues facing Fair Haven. I also believe in being fiscally responsible and I’ll always be mindful of how hard people work to earn a living and pay their taxes. I will always vote against wasteful spending. I’ll work hard to make sure your money; your tax dollar is taken care of as if it were mine.