To the editor
I’m writing this opinion letter, to voice my support for Democrats Ron Skirkanish and Lou Fischer for Manville Borough Council this Nov. 4.
Over the last few months, I’ve personally gotten to know the two candidates, and in my view, the two are more than ready to lead Manville into the future. Mr. Skirkanish, a former business owner and now proud member of Carpenter’s Local 455, has worked on many multi-million dollar projects that not only change in planning from day to day, but must be cost effective no matter how drastic these changes may be. Mr. Skirkanish lives in the Lost Valley section of Manville, and has been affected by storms of the past, which has been one of the forces that have driven him to seek office this year.
Lou Fischer, also a lifelong resident of Manville, formerly worked for Merrill Lynch holding a role with the firm that involved customer relations, cost efficiency, and a supervisory role. Currently, he owns his own business in town. Mr. Fischer has also been extremely involved in the community, whether it was helping organize and run fundraisers for various groups, to answering the call to coach or help run the youth sports programs in town, and Lou has always stepped up and answered the call when needed.
Last week, I read an opinion letter about the two Republican incumbents, which stated they are the more experienced team. I’d like to remind the residents of Manville that this experienced team, under a Republican controlled council, have, in my opinion, struck out across the board.
This year, municipal taxes went up 11.8 cents per $100. This is the highest increase in taxes in the borough’s history. Not only did taxes go up, but there was a reduction in services and community events.
Last year, the Republican Party campaigned to expedite the plans for the former Rustic Mall site. To date, the plans have yet to emerge. They also campaigned to ease the parking space situation in town, no new spaces or mention of them has been made to date.
This year Manville was offered $250,000 in state aid. Other towns were also, and most of those towns went to Trenton, immediately, and lobbied for more money. Case in point, Bound Brook lobbied and received $1,000,000, where is Manville’s money?
It was also promised to the people of Manville that there would be a push for the government to finish the Flood Mitigation Study. Has anyone in Manville heard anything about the study? My guess is that if they didn’t lobby for State aid to ease taxes, then they most likely haven’t contacted the government to investigate either.
I think Manville deserves better than that, and I think a change may do us all good in town.
So on Nov. 4, I urge you to go to the polls and support Mr. Fischer and Mr. Skirkanish. For more information, please feel free to visit our Web site at, www.manvillenjdems.org.
Manville
The writer is the Democratic Municipal Chairman for Manville.

