An Eatontown resident since 1999; elected to council in 2010; member of the council’s Tenant’s Rights, Shade Tree, Economic Development and Community Block Grants committees as well as the Police Commission; member of Congregation Shaare Tefilah Bene Moshe, Eatontown; girls soccer coach for the Deal Sephardic Network league; owner of a furniture business and a licensed realtor. Democratic Borough Council incumbents Meir Araman and Jennifer Piazza will defend their seats against Republican challengers Kevin Gonzalez and Richard Robinson when voters take to the polls on Nov. 5.
Councilman Meir Araman (D)
Kevin Gonzalez (R)
Councilwoman Jennifer Piazza (D)
Richard Robinson (R)
Q: What do you believe is the main issue facing Eatontown?
Eatontown resident for more than 16 years; Borough Council, 2009- 2012; member of the Recreation Advisory and Economic Development committees; past vice president of the Eatontown Board of Education; youth baseball coach and basketball coach; Cub Scout den leader; secretary of the Woodmere Civic Association; owner of Activity First Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Eatontown. Araman: I understand that everyone’s top concern is the property tax bill. We continue to work hard to provide our residents with tax stability. Eatontown’s tax increase this year was the lowest in Monmouth County, and our increase is far, far less than the state average. I am proud to have served during on the borough’s Finance Committee and to work with the administration to bring conservative budgets forward to our residents.
Gonzalez: There are two main issues facing the town: the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth and property taxes. I want to make sure that Fort Monmouth is developed in a way that brings wanted ratables to town to lower property taxes while at the same time having a positive impact on the quality of life for residents and their families. The issue of the Fort Monmouth Economic Redevelopment Authority (FMERA) blindsiding Eatontown with changes in the master plan cannot happen again. Eatontown has always had a “small-town feel,” and I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure it stays that way.
Piazza: Two of the biggest issues facing our town are the economy and the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth. The empty office buildings and the stores in our town directly affect the tax burden on the residents. As a result of the down economy, our town has devalued significantly at a rate of $50 million dollars. Residents are dependent on our local businesses to help balance the tax burden.
Robinson: The main issue facing Eatontown is the budget and the impact it has on the residential and commercial municipal tax burden borne by our residents and businesses. Aside from the known costs for the services presently provided by the borough, a major driver of future municipal budgets will be the residential and commercial development of Fort Monmouth. Eatontown will grow in land area by nearly 12 percent once the U.S. Army and FMERA complete the sale of the fort properties within our borders. This will bring new residents and new businesses to town. That growth will have a major impact on the municipal budget.
Resident of Eatontown for 25 years; member of the Recreation Advisory, Eatontown Economic Development Advisory and Community Day committees; member of the Board of Directors of the Eatontown Baseball League; past treasurer, manager and coach of the Eatontown Baseball League; lector at St. Dorothea Church; vice president of a heavy-construction company in the greater New Jersey and New York Harbor area. 
Lifelong resident of Eatontown; elected to council in 2010; member of the Fire Commission; liaison to the Environmental Commission, Senior Housing Board and First Aid Squad; former Planning Board chairwoman; member of the Coastal Monmouth County Regional Plan Committee and the Master Plan Re-Examination Sub-Committee. Q: What specific steps would you take to address those issues?
Araman: In addition to conservative spending in our budget, we must also ensure that our local economy is healthy to attract and maintain businesses and ensure a low vacancy rate. The closure of Fort Monmouth and the down economy have eroded our ratable base, which shifts the burden to the homeowners. Also, we need to make sure that Fort Monmouth’s redevelopment not only benefits our local economy with quality ratables, but does not increase unfairly our share of affordable housing. I’m currently working on a Shop Local program, which will encourage residents to shop at participating local businesses and receive tax credit to their property tax bill. Businesses benefit by increased sales and passing a share of this along to the residents.
Gonzalez: I will continue to bring a business minded philosophy to the council. There are many issues facing Eatontown, and the overall state of the economy severely complicates this. We have seniors on fixed incomes and residents who are raising families and are faced with the challenges of unemployment and underemployment. Residents shouldn’t have to worry about their property taxes going up. I pledge that I will continue to watch every penny and make sure Eatontown spends your tax dollars with a “resident’s checkbook” mindset. This is your money, not ours.
Piazza: We need to promote shopping locally and create an environment more attractive to businesses and residents. Creating a competitive, dynamic and balanced community will help attract new businesses and fill our existing empty commercial space. One way to help our local businesses is with a Shop Local campaign to encourage and support our existing businesses. Another small but effective step is to re-examine our current signage ordinance to help promote and identify businesses along our Industrial Way. As FMERA is proceeding with redevelopment plans for Fort Monmouth, it is our duty to ensure the best interests of Eatontown are considered as each amendment and phased project goes out to bid. It is our responsibility to ensure the needs of our residents are understood and considered by the FMERA board.
Robinson: I will take a proactive role in the budgeting process. I’ve been involved in project and long-term budgeting throughout my career. I am actively involved in insurance, labor and financial negotiations as a part of my job. This professional experience would allow me to have relevant and constructive input to those elements of the municipal budgeting process. Given the manner in which Trenton and Freehold exercise their powers of taxation, municipalities have limited authority over the use of the taxes paid by our community members. I have strong relationships with our three District 11 state legislators as well as our county freeholders, and will liaise with them and our borough administration when needed at the state and county level.