ELECTION ’08: East Brunswick

At stake: Two four-year terms on the Township Council

Denise Contrino (D) Contrino, 39, has two children, Sydney, 10, and Hailey, 7. She is employed as provider relations network coordinator for AmeriHealth Insurance Co. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Thomas Edison State College and an Associate in Applied Science degree from Middlesex County College, where she graduated with honors. She is a notary public. She has lived in town for nine years and has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for three years. She is involved with the Lawrence Brook School PTA, is a Girl Scout troop leader, and previously served as president and treasurer of the Pine Ridge Neighborhood Association. Denise Contrino (D) Contrino, 39, has two children, Sydney, 10, and Hailey, 7. She is employed as provider relations network coordinator for AmeriHealth Insurance Co. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Thomas Edison State College and an Associate in Applied Science degree from Middlesex County College, where she graduated with honors. She is a notary public. She has lived in town for nine years and has served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment for three years. She is involved with the Lawrence Brook School PTA, is a Girl Scout troop leader, and previously served as president and treasurer of the Pine Ridge Neighborhood Association. What would you do to help stabilize taxes?

Contrino: These are difficult economic times for all of us.As a single parent, I am on a very strict budget, and the increasing taxes are a huge concern for me. We need to come up with a responsible, prudent fiscal plan while still providing wonderful services to those in our community. By having a top-to-bottom review of the programs we offer, we can eliminate any wasteful spending.

Eugene DeMarzo (R) DeMarzo, 52, has a wife, Darlene, and five children, Tara, Nicole, Ben, Michelle and E.J. He is a podiatrist with practices in Woodbridge and Highland Park. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and philosophy from Fordham University and a medical degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He has lived in town for 18 years. He is a former softball coach and division director for youth softball. He ran for council in 2006. Eugene DeMarzo (R) DeMarzo, 52, has a wife, Darlene, and five children, Tara, Nicole, Ben, Michelle and E.J. He is a podiatrist with practices in Woodbridge and Highland Park. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and philosophy from Fordham University and a medical degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He has lived in town for 18 years. He is a former softball coach and division director for youth softball. He ran for council in 2006. DeMarzo: I think there is too much duplication between what the township spends and what the Board of Education spends. For example, the township recently built a 200-seat community theater that cost the taxpayers $2.6 million. At the same time, the Board of Education spent over $100 million on school construction that included a new 500-seat auditorium in Hammarskjold Middle School. I feel like taxpayers are constantly paying out of both pockets. As a councilman, I will sit down with the school board to cut out duplication while preserving the quality of our school system. That is the only way we can keep East Brunswick affordable.

Nancy Pinkin* (D) Pinkin has a husband, Dr. James C. Salwitz, and two children, Kimberly and Gregory. She is a health care and nonprofit consultant. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University, a master's degree in public administration and health from New York University, received a postgraduate fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for health policy and research, and is a Leadership New Jersey graduate. She has lived in town for 21 years. She has served on the Township Council for four years, including two as council president, and has served on the Planning Board, Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Environmental Commission and Cable Commission. Nancy Pinkin* (D) Pinkin has a husband, Dr. James C. Salwitz, and two children, Kimberly and Gregory. She is a health care and nonprofit consultant. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University, a master’s degree in public administration and health from New York University, received a postgraduate fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for health policy and research, and is a Leadership New Jersey graduate. She has lived in town for 21 years. She has served on the Township Council for four years, including two as council president, and has served on the Planning Board, Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Environmental Commission and Cable Commission. Pinkin: We have brought in $15 million of state and county funding, and pursue our fair share of funding, including increased state funding of our schools and special-education needs. I will seek opportunities to secure additional shared services grants, work to streamline permits and approvals, and expand economic development to revitalize the Route 18 corridor, increasing business tax ratables. The current federal crisis requires that we prepare to address the needs of residents as they arise. I support Gov. Corzine’s proposal for increasing the Senior Freeze Program, capping property taxes for the elderly and disabled from $53,000 up to $80,000.

James Wendell (R) Wendell, 41, has a wife, Barbara, and two children, Jimmy, 15, and Matthew, 9. He is a project director for Landmark Companies, Keasbey. He has lived in town for 38 years. He served two terms as fire commissioner for East Brunswick District No. 3. He has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Brookview Volunteer Fire Company and East Brunswick District No. 1 Fire Company, and currently serves as vice president of the St. Bart's Buffalos Pop Warner football program and as vice president of the East Brunswick High School Lacrosse Booster Club. He is a coach of youth lacrosse and previously coached baseball and soccer. James Wendell (R) Wendell, 41, has a wife, Barbara, and two children, Jimmy, 15, and Matthew, 9. He is a project director for Landmark Companies, Keasbey. He has lived in town for 38 years. He served two terms as fire commissioner for East Brunswick District No. 3. He has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Brookview Volunteer Fire Company and East Brunswick District No. 1 Fire Company, and currently serves as vice president of the St. Bart’s Buffalos Pop Warner football program and as vice president of the East Brunswick High School Lacrosse Booster Club. He is a coach of youth lacrosse and previously coached baseball and soccer. Wendell: The first thing that should be done is to approach our school board and surrounding towns to see how we can share more services. Between our school board and the township, there are many areas where we duplicate services and facilities. If we could coordinate our efforts, there could be tremendous savings to our taxpayers. I would also work hard to find a solution to the Golden Triangle debacle; we need to hold the developer’s feet to the fire and end the continual extension of deadlines for its performance, which only extends our ability to collect tax revenue on this project, and digs the taxpayers into a deeper hole.

What new programs or projects would you endorse and work on as a member of the governing body over the next four years?

Contrino: My main goal and sole project, should I become a council member, is to stabilize taxes. We need to come up with a responsible, prudent fiscal plan while still providing wonderful services to those in our community, both young and old. By having a top-to-bottom review of the programs we offer, we can eliminate any wasteful spending and determine if there are any changes that can be made to make things run more efficiently. DeMarzo: I think the current economic situation should prevent the township from engaging in new spending projects. It seems like our current councilmen use their election to council to engage in expensive pet projects that only benefit some people in town. I don’t think that’s fair. When we look at the budget and we look at spending, we need to make sure that services are delivered in a fair and equal manner to everyone. I am running because I believe if you keep re-electing the same people who have voted for expensive projects and tax increases, taxes will only continue to go up.

Pinkin: East Brunswick is top rated for safety, schools and services. We have an ex- cellent police force and emergency services. During the last four years, we have completed the property acquisition of Heavenly Farms, added a community arts center, turf fields, a level (special needs) playing field and a dog park, and expanded library space and services. We acquired 230 acres of the Tamarack Hollow property, stopping overdevelopment. While we have achieved these great accomplishments, the state of the economy demands change. We must explore new ways to share services, and reduce costs to address current economic conditions. Wendell: There are many taxpayer-owned buildings in town that should have solar power. I would work to start a process of converting these buildings to solar power so we could stabilize our electric rates. This could be done by selling the roof space to private investment companies that would then guarantee the township a fixed cost for the power usage for many years to come. I would like to see a community center built that could be of use to all residents, and not just certain groups. But I would only endorse such a project if it could be built as a self-sustaining facility, and not cost the taxpayers.

Why should residents vote for you on Nov. 4?

Contrino: With a strong background in community service and through my volunteer efforts, I have demonstrated my commitment to our community. I promise to work hard to ensure the continuation of the quality of life for which each of us came to East Brunswick. I feel that I possess many qualities that put me in a position to do the right thing if the residents of East Brunswick vote for me in November.

DeMarzo: I am not a politician, I’m a podiatrist. I am not running for council to try and get political jobs in other townships or lucrative county contracts. My wife and I moved our family into East Brunswick because of the exceptional quality of life and outstanding school system. Our opponents have increased taxes 35 percent in the past five years and seem to always vote yes without looking at the long-term costs of what they are voting for. We need a change in leadership in town, and I ask you to vote for our team of Christi Calvano, Jim Wendell, and myself, Gene DeMarzo.

Pinkin: My platform of fiscal responsibility: provide fiscal reform and tax relief. Eliminate outside professionals from pension eligibility, saving taxpayers’ money. Top-to-bottom review of programs to eliminate wasteful spending and justify expenditures. Examine benefits of restructuring township debt. Implement long-term financial solutions. Establish formal finance committee. Continue working with state and county leaders to obtain financial grants for East Brunswick. I deliver open, respectful and responsive government; experienced leadership by leveraging my personal, educational, and professional experience to effectuate efficiency and cost savings. I will continue to be your strong voice, fighting for all residents.

Wendell: I am the best candidate because I have known this town since my childhood. I have seen it grow, and with my volunteer activities I have spoken to many people and know the feelings of the residents. I will continue to volunteer my time and will be available to listen to the concerns of everyone, and will work to make East Brunswick the best it can be for its residents. I struggle with my own taxes here in town, and see the struggle my parents have here in town to maintain their lifestyle. I will work hard to keep taxes stable while maintaining services.