FREEHOLD — Four residents are running for two three-year terms on the Borough Council in the Nov. 6 election. The terms will run from Jan. 1, 2013 through Dec. 31, 2015.
Democrats Sharon Shutzer and Ron Griffiths and Republicans John Newman and Marianne Earle are seeking the nod from voters to serve on Freehold Borough’s governing body.
The Borough Council currently has a 5- 1 Democratic majority and control of the governing body is not at stake in the Nov. 6 election. If Newman and Earle win both available seats, the Democrats’ majority will be 4-2.
The mayor’s seat, held by Democrat Nolan Higgins, is not up in this year’s election.
The candidates were asked to respond to the following questions and their answers are published as they responded to the News Transcript:
What is your educational and professional background and how will that help you as a member of the governing body?
Griffiths: My work and volunteer background have uniquely prepared me to be a councilman. I have chaired four borough committees and written drafts for two successful grants. I proudly served 20 years in the Freehold Fire Department. I am currently president of the nonprofit corporation that operates Hudson Manor, chairman on the Monmouth County Advisory Council to the Office on Aging, and secretary of the New Jersey State TRIAD Association. TRIAD helps law enforcement agencies keep older adults safe in their communities. In 40 years working for the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of the Navy, I performed audits (program reviews) from Boston to San Diego.
Shutzer: My problem-solving skills, my ability to work with people, my ability to listen to residents’ concerns and to respond appropriately are things experience has taught me. The most valuable asset I have to offer is my ability to actually identify with our residents. I am tenacious in my desire to protect and improve our quality of life.
Earle: I believe my skills and experience working in my family business, the Earle Asphalt Companies, will help me to understand and know the workings of the business end of the borough and its needs. My work experience as a registered nurse, as well as my years of volunteer work on various boards and committees in town are assets I believe will help me interact and work with residents as a councilwoman.
Newman: As a current councilman in Freehold Borough, I have worked on the finance committee, land use committee, and been liaison to code enforcement, the historic preservation commission and the library commission. I have accrued an institutional knowledge of the workings of the borough. This background complements my experience as an owner of a local small law firm and as an attorney. I have practiced in the area of government affairs and civil litigation, and today my concentration is in bankruptcy and assisting people in financial distress. I have the professional and personal experience understanding the needs and concerns of our community.
As a member of the governing body, what one area of the borough’s operation would you personally monitor and address with action if needed?
Shutzer: One of the biggest problems Freehold faces is keeping the tax rate stable without reducing services. We must continue examining every department and exploring opportunities to share services with the county and with neighboring towns.
Griffiths: We hear candidates complain about code enforcement, but they fall silent when it comes to solutions. I would conduct “customer” or “user” surveys. I would get employee input, collect workload data and examine program costs to determine efficiency. I would review the technology available to perform the work and the staffing level of the department. Using this information, not anecdotal complaints, we can make decisions on how to improve any program. By applying the best practices of other towns and creating reasonable benchmarks, we can monitor the improved services.
Newman: Three years ago there were eminent threats to our historic structures. Once elected, I requested to become liaison to the historic preservation commission and I have worked with this commission to preserve our structures, assisting the downtown in rebuilding its historic character and now the commission is currently available to provide grants for work performed on historic buildings. I would like to continue working on downtown development, assisting in economic development and bringing a diversity of businesses to complement our thriving restaurants. I believe the council needs to take a more active role in this task and work more diligently with our successful downtown Special Improvement District.
Earle: I believe we need to enforce our existing codes in order to improve the quality of life for our residents in town. I have a special interest in addressing the Rug Mill Towers apartment complex where I see areas that are in need of improvement. I have serious concerns about safety issues on the family side of the apartment complex and quality of life issues on the senior side of the building.
Could you name one or two areas of the municipality that you believe are not operating at their fullest potential? How do you believe those issues can best be addressed by the governing body?
Earle: I would like to see a more cooperative effort take place between the code enforcement office and the governing body in order to make the code enforcement office more effective and more efficient. I also would like to see job satisfaction for borough employees. I would like to help people to do their jobs in a way that will lead to their being happy about their accomplishments. If elected, we are going to look into new ideas in a nonpartisan manner. We are all part of a small close knit town. Why can’t we work together and make Freehold a great community? I am going to work to see that happen.
Shutzer: Besides the budget and tax rate, there are quality of life issues to address. Although we have come a long way in controlling and conquering overcrowding, it still exists. We must be vigilant in our effort to enforce code issues involving absentee landlords who simply collect rents and leave. We hope that reputable landlords will continue to help us in our aggressive attempts at getting a handle on these prob- lems. In doing so, we minimize the danger to our police, fire and first aid personnel who often have to enter overcrowded houses.
Griffiths: There is one major challenge facing Freehold Borough – taxes. The public is over-burdened with property, business, income, sales taxes, licenses, user fees, tolls, etc. Our financial status must be sound. We must control debt and budget accordingly. The same program and process reviews I have mentioned above can be applied to all departments. The goal is to provide more efficient, yet less costly services to our residents. I am a results oriented person. I believe in Henry Ford’s mantra, “Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain.”
Newman: I believe there needs to be streamlining of how people and businesses interact with the government. The Freehold Borough Land Use Committee is attempting to simplify the process of businesses appearing before multiple boards on applications, (a process) which is costly and time consuming. Not only does the process need to be simplified, but better explained through handouts, which should be accessible online. Payments for bills, fees, permits and taxes at Borough Hall and in municipal court should be able to be processed via the Internet. These improvements will provide a better atmosphere for new businesses and potential cost savings though automation.