At stake: Four-year terms representing each of the six ward seats on Old Bridge’s Township Council will be decided on Nov. 8.
Joanne Schiffres Joanne Schiffres
Republican
Ward 1
Schiffres and her husband, Lloyd, have lived in the Cliffwood Beach section of Old Bridge since 1999 and have two daughters – Brittany, 13, and Samantha, 10, who are attending Old Bridge schools. Schiffres graduated with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, but earns a living selling real estate in Middlesex and Monmouth counties and operates her own Mary Kay business. She volunteers for school functions and has recently become a Red Cross volunteer. She said that through her profession she has become familiar with Old Bridge and its residents.
Robert A. Volkert Robert A. Volkert*
Democrat
Ward 1
Volkert, 70, has a wife, Colette, three adult children, and three grandchildren, ages 12, 9 and 3. He is retired as a drafting technician for Jersey Central Power & Light Co. Volkert has lived in the Laurence Harbor section of Ward 1 for 64 years. He is a graduate of Sayreville High School. Volkert has served as Ward 1 councilman since December 2003 and as a Planning Board member since January. He served as a special police officer for 23 years, coached Laurence Harbor Little League, and coached Catholic Youth Organization basketball at St. Lawrence Church.
William A. Baker * indicates incumbent
William A. Baker* Democrat
Ward 2
Baker, 53, has a wife, Audrey Marie Baker, and three children, Jillian, Meghan and Billy. Baker, an Old Bridge resident for 20 years, is employed as a specialist in large business enterprise for Verizon. He has a bachelor of arts degree in business from Pierce College, Philadelphia. Baker currently serves as Township Council president, council liaison to the Recreation Committee, and co-chairman of the Golf Committee. He is a former elected union delegate for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, former president of the Cheesequake Babe Ruth League, and a current member of the Friendly Sons of Shillelagh.
Brian Cahill Brian Cahill
Republican
Ward 2
Cahill, 46, has a wife, Therese, and four children, ages 20, 12, 9 and 7. He has lived in Old Bridge for 11 years. Cahill is a director for Verizon Communica-tions with 24 years of experience in areas such as regulatory relations, marketing, sales, network services and project management. He is currently serving as director in the receivable management organization, responsible for managing a large organization of approximately 1,000 employees in five locations across the country. He has master’s degree from Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y., and a bachelor of science degree from Empire State College. He is a board member and coach for Cheesequake Baseball.
Reginald Butler Reginald Butler*
Democrat
Ward 3
Butler, 65, has a wife, Donna H. Butler, and one child, Reginald G. Butler II. He has lived in Old Bridge for 29 years and is completing his 16th year on the Township Council. He currently serves as chairman of the township’s Housing Authority.
Ray Wetstein
Republican
Ward 3
Ray Wetstein Wetstein, 39, has a wife, Donna, and two children, Ashley, 10, and Nicholas, 3. He is a project superintendent for Turner Construction, New York, and a lifelong resident of Old Bridge. He is a former chairman and member of the Old Bridge Township Zoning Board of Adjustment and former chairman and member of the township’s Open Space Committee. Wetstein is also a former member of the Cheesequake Volunteer First Aid Squad.
G. Kevin Calogera G. Kevin Calogera*
Democrat
Ward 4
Calogera, 52, has a wife Nancy, and three children, Chris, 28, Matthew, 19, and Kaitlin, 17. A retired New York City police officer, he is the owner of Mandalay, a banquet hall located on Staten Island. Calogera, who has two years of college credits in criminology, has served four years as councilman for Ward 4. He currently serves as council representative on the Parks and Recreation Committee. He is a past member of the Planning Board and served four years on Economic Development, two as its president. He is a former member of the Schirra School PTA and served five years on the Board of Education’s Long Range Planning Committee.
Isaac Crosson Isaac Crosson
Republican
Ward 4
Crosson, 47, and his wife, Donna, and 8-year-old daughter, Natalie, have lived in Old Bridge’s Ward 4 for more than 10 years. Crosson, who came to Old Bridge from Brooklyn, N.Y., attended Brooklyn College and Pace University, where he studied marketing and accounting. With more than 20 years of Wall Street experience, Crosson currently commutes to New York, where he is employed at J.P. Morgan in the structured finance division. Locally, he has been vice president of his homeowners association and men’s softball league. He coaches a girls soccer team and is a member of the township’s Recreation Advisory Board.
Richard J. Greene Richard J. Greene*
Republican
Ward 5
Greene, 59, and his wife, Pat, have resided in the Sayrewood South section of Old Bridge for over 27 years. They have three children – Richard, Kristen and Erin. Greene worked for more than 30 years as a financial and policy analyst with the City of New York. He was a senior staff member with the New York City Council and retired as chief budget and policy analyst with the New York City Independent Budget Office. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics and was a high school teacher. Greene was appointed to the Township Council in 1999 and subsequently was elected to the Ward 5 seat.
Mike Spina
Democrat
Ward 5
Spina, 58
Mike Spina , has a wife, Mary, and two adult children – Michael, deputy attorney general for the State of New Jersey, and David, a high school teacher. Spina is employed as an elementary school teacher and has lived in the township for 20 years. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1968 with a degree in communication arts with a specialty in journalism. He is certified both as a secondary school English teacher and an elementary K-8 school teacher. He has served two years on the Economic Development Corp. and one year on the Planning Board. He also chaired the Cable Television Advisory Committee for two years.
Lucille Panos*
Republican, Ward 6
Lucille Panos Panos, 49, has lived in Old Bridge for more than 19 years with her husband, John, and their two sons, Andrew, 20, and Nick, 14. She is employed as a legislative aide for state Assemblyman Samuel D. Thompson. She has served on the Environmental Com-mission, 9/11 Memorial Committee, Clean Com-munities Committee and the Voorhees Elementary and Jonas Salk Middle School PTAs. She currently serves on the Open Space Commit-tee & Youth Guidance Council, Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9468, Old Bridge Tenants Association, the Community Emergency Re-sponse Team, & the Mother’s Club at St. Joseph H.S. She has served as Ward 6 councilwoman since being elected in 2001.
Barbara A. York
Democrat
Ward 6
York, 68, has a husband, John, and two adult children – Jeanette and Kathryn. She has been employed as an Old Bridge Township Police Department school crossing guard for 38 years and as a part-time Traffic Safety Office secretary for 23 years. She has lived in town for 53 years. A graduate of Cedar Ridge Adult High School, York has served on several local committees and has been chairwoman of the Old Bridge Township Transportation Advisory Committee since 1990, and president of the Old Bridge Township School Crossing Guard Association since 1979. York is a current member of the township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Barbara A. York
What are the greatest challenges facing Old Bridge today, and how can they be addressed?
Joanne Schiffres
Taxes and urban sprawl are the biggest challenges facing us today. The council must stabilize taxes by scrutinizing the spending more and by allowing outside contractors to bid on township projects to keep it more competitive, and they must cut down on housing density. They should put in place a watchdog panel to make sure that allotted funds are going exactly where they are supposed to go. We can preserve our open space just by saying “no more huge housing projects” in Old Bridge to every developer that comes to town.
Robert A. Volkert
When I walk the streets of Ward 1 and talk to my neighbors, they are always telling me to focus on taxes and fighting overdevelopment. In my time on the Township Council, I have recognized these concerns and have worked on both matters. I have never voted for a municipal tax increase and have worked with my colleagues to preserve our family farms and buy more open space. These issues are related – the more uncontrolled residential growth that we have in the township, the higher our taxes will climb. It is just that simple.
William A. Baker
A top priority in this community is controlling residential development and preserving open space. Overdevelopment affects our tax rate and strains our services. Since Mayor Phillips was elected and I was named council president, we have worked hard to fight overdevelopment. We have preserved two family farms in Old Bridge for the first time in our history. We have also spent nearly $20 million acquiring more open space. We also need to continue maintaining our township services, especially public safety. To date, Mayor Phillips and the council have brought the Police Department back to full strength by hiring 10 police officers.
Brian Cahill
Overdevelopment and excessive municipal spending are the greatest challenges that Old Bridge faces. I have been a resident since 1994 and I want the town to continue to be a great place to live. I owe it to my wife and four children to fight to keep this town from being overdeveloped and overtaxed. I have become increasingly dismayed by the conduct of the majority members of the Township Council and the mayor. This town needs strong, fundamental management principles applied to problems. My years in the private sector have taught me how to address issues head on.
Reginald Butler
The fundamental issue that the township must face is to control overdevelopment. The impact of uncontrolled growth on our tax rate, school system and overall demand for public services is undeniable. While I am proud of the work being done under Mayor Phillips, I think we can also look at the steps other towns are taking. Monroe Township, for example, has been successful in building residential housing that attracts active seniors. This age-restricted housing reduces the amount of school-age children coming into our school system.
Ray Wetstein
Some of the greatest challenges facing Old Bridge today are the current council majority’s inability to stabilize the tax base, improve quality of life for our residents, and overdevelopment. While the majority of our tax dollars are utilized for education, we must reduce our spending at the municipal and county level and insist on good value for each dollar that is spent. The council majority must stop giving out contracts to consultants who donate to political campaigns. We must insist on a master plan that will allow for smart growth, dedicate more land as open space, and appoint only qualified members to the various boards and committees.
G. Kevin Calogera
As Ward 4 representative, I have addressed many of the concerns residents have raised. I have also heard the desire for a government based on integrity and representation of the people. I support strict legislation guiding pay-to-play regulations. Elected officials must meet the challenge to control taxes. A statewide committee of business leaders, residents and elected officials must explore new avenues to control property taxes. In response to residential growth, we must meet the challenge of delivering quality services to our residents, and explore incentives for volunteers so we may expand these services to help meet the demands of residential growth. Transportation needs must be addressed in order to alleviate the nightmare of traffic congestion.
Isaac Crosson
People feel there is no honesty and integrity in Old Bridge government. We need to change that perception. The fastest way to address that is to hold our elected officials accountable. Stop re-electing people who have lied and done nothing to restore honesty and integrity to Old Bridge government. Old Bridge Township is becoming a city. Trying to slow down the residential development is a challenge. We need to work with developers and come up with a plan where they can do business without turning Old Bridge into a city. Also, restoring confidence in local government is a challenge.
Richard J. Greene
The greatest challenge facing Old Bridge today is maintaining the quality of life that the residents have been accustomed to. We must work together to keep Old Bridge the town that attracted us to move here and to raise our families here. We must work together to control growth. We must work together to stop the escalating rise in property taxes that is caused by the excessive reliance on local property taxes to fund the cost of education. We must convince state officials that property tax reform is vital for the financial stability of Old Bridge homeowners and renters.
Mike Spina
The greatest challenge in Old Bridge today is to maintain stable property taxes, combat overdevelopment and increase recreational opportunities and open space for our children. Besides evaluating our budget to trim wasteful spending, we must continue to share services with other agencies like the Board of Education to maintain township services at cost efficiency.
Lucille Panos
Taxes – Scrutinize expenditures, stop unnecessary hiring, limit outside contracts and attract business to empty commercial buildings. Overdevelopment – Planning and zoning boards should hold every application to the most stringent land use laws. Do not rezone from commercial to residential. Do not sell off township-owned open space for development, as proposed with the Crossroads plan. Pay-to-play practices – If a company gives more than $400 to a local, county or state campaign, they should not be allowed to do business in our town. Demand full financial disclosure for all major development applications.
Barbara A. York
Property taxes are a top priority in this community. As an active member of council, I will work to stabilize our taxes and cut wasteful spending. I will also work to preserve our open space. Since residents of the 6th Ward have expressed opposition to a sound wall surrounding Route 18, I will implement a more sensible transportation plan for the 6th Ward. I will also work to alleviate congestion on Englishtown Road and other roads in the township. As well, I will make sure our police, EMS and fire departments have the required resources to keep our community safe.
What are your thoughts on the current administration and governing body in Old Bridge, and how would you rate their work on the major issues such as controlling spending, providing services and improving the community in general?
Joanne Schiffres
I think the current administration has a difficult job to begin with, but I feel they have scored poorly in some regards. Taxes are definitely out of control and they have not kept their promise to preserve open space, and there are still a lot of areas of Old Bridge that are not being provided with services they are entitled to. There are pocket areas that have generally been ignored, and if it were not for the residents making improvements on their own homes, I would not see improvements at all.
Robert A. Volkert
Jim Phillips has done a great job as mayor. He and I along with the rest of the Township Council have been working together to get real results. For example, we are working together with our other partners in government to finish the improvements begun along the Laurence Harbor beachfront. The park at Pirates Cove in the Cliffwood Beach section just opened this year. I know from working with kids in the township schools and as a former special police officer that kids need to have constructive recreational outlets. The mayor and I are working hard to provide just that.
William A. Baker
Since Mayor Phillips has been elected, we have been working together for the people of Ward 2 and for all of Old Bridge. We have preserved family farms and open space and brought the police department back to full strength. The mayor and I have a plan to build a municipal golf course without asking the taxpayers for a dime. We also worked together to bring a $500,000 grant for lighting at the Ticetown Soccer Complex. As former president of the Cheesequake Babe Ruth Little League, I know firsthand how important it is to give children these recreational opportunities.
Brian Cahill
I think the Democratic majority including the mayor have done a lousy job, quite frankly. Their actions on these issues are the reason I got involved and why I’m running for councilman. I’m fed up, like many residents of Old Bridge. Municipal spending is out of control, overdevelopment is out of control, yet the township hasn’t realized any improvements in services. In fact, the mayor is proposing a budget increase of 3 cents of every $100 assessed this year to cover the bloating in the municipal government. I will scrutinize every expenditure that I am asked to vote on.
Reginald Butler
I believe the governing body is working quite well together. We have kept our taxes stable. We have brought the police department back to the full force of 104 officers and have increased the number of our police vehicles necessary to effectively patrol Old Bridge. Working with the mayor, we have delivered on purchasing $20 million worth of open space and preserving two family farms. The mayor and council are now working together to preserve the Cottrell family farm from being developed.
Ray Wetstein
The current administration and council majority are not representing their constituents. Each election season, they promise a better Old Bridge, and never deliver. The council has to reinstate the pay-to-play ordinance that was repealed by our mayor. The administration must insist that each department head reduce spending. This will allow more monies to be utilized for services offered to the residents. Residents have told me that they need to work two jobs to make ends meet. It is sad that families in this town are being taxed right out of their homes. It is the responsibility of elected leaders to fight for a better way of life.
G. Kevin Calogera
The administration and I differ on what we see as best for the residents of Old Bridge. I firmly believe in the need for pay-to-play legislation and will continue to ask the administration to sponsor legislation with strict guidelines curbing this practice. I also feel more could be done to curb residential development. The administration firmly supports the Crossroads project and the 800-plus homes projected to be built. I believe the property should be used for commercial development to bring in revenue and jobs, which would better serve the community and eliminate the demand for services required by residential development. Leaving it as open space is also a viable option.
Isaac Crosson
Old Bridge has over 60,000 residents, all of whom have opinions on how Old Bridge should be governed. The current administration has lost touch with the residents. Spending has gone up and services haven’t improved. There are areas that are still without sidewalks, while other areas need traffic lights.
Richard J. Greene
The residential development that is proposed or supported by the current administration, coupled with the proposed commercial rezoning of 1,500 acres of land, will have a detrimental effect on Old Bridge. In just a few short years we will be transformed into an urban community. This transition will quickly necessitate additional spending for services and programs for the increased population. It will also require new infrastructure and improvements to existing roads because of increased traffic. Until the administration focuses long-term on the impact of future development, we will have uncontrolled spending and a lack of services for the community in general.
Mike Spina
Mayor Phillips’ administration has brought vision to the township and acts with both direction and foresight. This administration has controlled spending by maintaining a zero increase municipal budget for three consecutive years without having to cut services. This administration has fought to increase open space and has worked to limit development to 32 single-family homes and 30 age-restricted homes in addition to Maher Manor and the Costello Home for the Independently Disabled. Under Phillips’ leadership, the township has moved forward on building a YMCA and golf course at no expense to the taxpayers.
Lucille Panos
Controlling spending; poor – Created redevelopment agency with large budget that answers to no one. Gives too many outside contracts, without going out to bid, to professionals who contributed to Democrat campaigns. Gave large raises to chosen few. Providing services; mediocre – Services have not been increased to meet increased population. Improving the community in general; poor – Tries to take credit for things set in motion from prior administration and personal family decisions. For example: YMCA, golf course, county parks in south Old Bridge and Laurence Harbor waterfront, and Farmland Preservation acquisitions.
Barbara A. York
In the two years Jim Philips has been mayor, he has worked hard to stabilize our property taxes. He and the Township Council are always working to find ways to run our township more effectively and more efficiently. Since Democrats took control of the township government, they have taken steps to control growth and sprawl. They have made sweeping changes in the town, such as hiring a new administrator and a new attorney. After years of Republican leadership just talking about projects, Democrats are getting things done.
Has enough been done to curb residential development in Old Bridge, and is there some way to control future growth?
Joanne Schiffres
Definitely not. The current administration promised one thing and delivered another. Ward 1 is now dealing with Metro Park and 83 more houses, and with the passing of Crossroads, there is no confidence that the administration will deny development. We only have about 25 percent of Old Bridge left untouched. I believe the residential construction that should take place is when old, unsafe structures are taken down and replaced with modern safer ones. Then the general look of that neighborhood is improved, this increases property values and quality of life, and the taxes of surrounding neighbors are not affected.
Robert A. Volkert
This problem took a long time to create and will not be solved overnight. We are working hard to limit new residential development in Old Bridge. For example, since Jim Phillips became mayor, there have only been 30 approvals for new single-family hom