SOUTH RIVER — It was billed as a debate, but there were plenty of barbs hurled by both sides.
At the Oct. 16 candidates’ debate, organized by the Luso-American Political Action Committee, mayoral and council candidates exchanged views before the general election on Nov. 3.
The mayoral candidates sparred after Democratic candidate Thomas Roselli, who was council president before being unseated last year, charged that the administration relies too heavily on the opinions of professionals.
“It should be the mayor and council that direct the professionals. … It’s not what I’ve been seeing,” said Roselli.
“We are so far from the day-to-day that we let the professionals run the town,” he said.
Seeking his second term, Mayor John Krenzel, who has served on the Borough Council sporadically since 1991, disputed the claim that the council is supposed to set the long-term goals of the borough while professionals such as the business administrator take care of the day-to-day issues.
“This is how our government is run, and it is run efficiently,” he said.
For Krenzel, some of the major accomplishments of his tenure are: beginning con- struction on the new firehouse; fighting for lower electric rates; and working on a redevelopment plan for sections of the borough ravaged by superstorm Sandy.
He responded to criticism that his administration is damaging the historic fabric of the town with the redevelopment plan.
“Why can’t we do something different? Why be afraid of change? Why can’t we do something new in a traditional way?” said Krenzel, referencing the areas around Reid and Water streets slated for redevelopment.
“It takes time to do big projects and do them right. The first steps we’re taking, we’re going to have a plan, and once that plan is put forth, then the residents, businesses, nonprofits, all are going to have a say.”
Four candidates are also squaring off for two available three-year council terms.
Incumbent Councilman Shawn Haussermann and Democratic candidate Ryan Jones are facing a challenge by Republicans John Sapata and Rupesh Patel.
Throughout the debate, there was one topic that dominated: electric rates.
Haussermann sees the past years of Republican control as a series of wrong decisions.
“Over the past eight years I’ve seen decisions that were made over and over again that I think were the wrong decision,” he said.
He slammed the current administration for buying what he said was an unneeded generator as well as for being behind schedule and over budget on the construction of the new firehouse.
Haussermann, who had served on council in the 1990s, said “the way we did things back then was fantastic.”
That same sentiment was expressed by his running mate.
“I’m really frustrated with the direction the town is headed [in]. I remember a strong, vibrant community, and I feel like some of that is slipping away,” said Jones, who was raised and attended high school is the borough.
For Jones, the electric rates are the leading issue of his campaign.
“I think that the utmost issue [in the borough] is lowering the electric rate,” said Jones, who claimed that the current rate has a negative impact for businesses, and the borough needs to rely less on the surplus monies from the electric utility.
For Republican hopeful Sapata, redevelopment is part of his vision for the borough.
“I decided to run because I have a vision for South River,” he said. “My vision is a community where we work for the redevelopment of downtown. A community through investment in parks and infrastructure and that is safe and affordable for families.”
His running mate sees the need to promote the borough proactively in order to attract businesses.
“I feel we could market South River better. We don’t really need to change South River too much, but we do have to market our strengths. This is what is going to have the most impact on South River and help attract businesses to town.
All the candidates agreed on one point — electric rates in the borough must be controlled.
Democratic council candidate Ryan Jones spoke about the urgent need to lower electric rates, which he claimed are choking small business owners.
The sentiment was echoed by Sapata, who expressed interest in putting a cap on electric rates to ensure they do not jump unexpectedly for residents.
Patel spoke to the need to wean the borough off the electric rate over time.
Another topic of the debate was strengthening the Economic Development Commission to better market the borough and improving relations with the Board of Education.
At the end of the debate the president of the Luso-American Political Action Committee, Rui Baptista, called for both parties to put aside their differences and come together for the good of the town.
“Whoever comes out victorious, understand that there were voters on the other side that didn’t agree with you, and these are the ones that you should reach out to and reach consensus,” said Baptista.
He also pointed out that Patel and Jones mentioned marketing the township as part of their platforms and felt that was grounds for bipartisanship.
“I’m thinking the two of you should get together and develop a marketing plan. That’s not Republican. That’s not Democrat. It’s just a South River marketing plan. Why does one party need to own it?”
The Democrats go into the election with nothing to gain but everything to lose on the council. The two seats being contested are already held by Democrats, Haussermann and Jim Jones.
Jones was not chosen by the party to run on the Democratic line in this year’s election.
According to Jones, he was offered to run for his seat as a Republican but decided instead to serve out the rest of his term before taking a break from borough politics.
If Republicans win the slate, they would seize complete control of the council.
Currently Republicans enjoy a 4-2 majority on council.