By Jacqueline Durett
Correspondent
EDISON — There is one council position up for grabs this year.
Democrat Joseph Coyle, who was appointed to the council in June, is looking to retain his role and keep the council purely Democratic. Gaetano (Guy) Gaspari is a Republican looking to break the single-party lock.
“One-party rule has resulted in disastrous consequences for our community,” Gaspari said. “Absolute power corrupts, and taxpayers have paid the price for failed politicians for far too long.”
As an example, he points to the township’s climb from one of the lowest-taxed municipalities in the county to one of the highest.
“It is time for real change by electing candidates that are accountable, responsible and ethical,” he said.
Furthermore, he said, under the current leadership, Edison’s internal problems have become public debacles. “We are all tired of embarrassing headlines about township employees committing crimes and lawsuits costing taxpayers more,” he said. “These incidents occur because of a void of leadership at the top and lack of policies that protect our taxpayers and hold employees accountable for questionable, or worse, illegal behavior.”
He said he wants municipal employees hired because of what they know, not who they know, and he also wants to the township to start doing more with less money, just as he said many families and small businesses are doing.
He also said he wants to see the township become more business friendly by eliminating unnecessary permits and fees.
“We need to roll out the red carpet to new businesses that provide jobs and offset residential property taxes,” he said. “I want to partner with the small business owners that call Edison home to promote a long-term plan to help us attract new ratables and economic opportunities for our town.”
Gaspari has been an Edison resident since 1963. He came to the U.S. from Italy by way of Canada, arriving in the U.S. as a teenager. He is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a U.S. Army veteran. His engineering career has taken him to roles both in the public and private sector, and he has run his own engineering firm. He is currently the director of public works for Piscataway.
Gaspari is looking to take the council position from Coyle, who is also the Edison Chamber of Commerce’s executive director and a licensed real estate agent.
Coyle is a former business owner and project manager and has held multiple volunteer roles at both the township and county level. He is the founder of Edison and Metuchen beautification organization Operation Get Done and of the Edison’s Neighborhood Preservation Program. He said he has also been a longtime advocate for the township’s Clara Barton neighborhood.
Coyle said his council role, which he called an opportunity to serve Edison, “is the next step in my long history of volunteerism and community service.” He is looking to complete the two remaining years of Robert Karabinchak’s unexpired term. Karabinchak was appointed to the state assembly earlier this year.
Coyle said the biggest challenge facing Edison is not unique to Edison: providing “high-quality municipal services at an affordable cost to taxpayers” in spite of rising costs for health insurance, utilities, equipment and supply purchases, operating programs and contractual obligations.
“But, in the face of increasing costs, our residents must have police and fire protection, sanitation and recycling services, health services and well-paved streets. Our seniors and children deserve enjoyable recreation and sports programs. Paying for those services without overburdening our taxpayers is an enormous challenge,” he said.
He said he would continue to work with other council members on these issues.
“I am part of an experienced team from diverse backgrounds. Each council member brings a variety of skills to the table,” he said.
Coyle said his business background is an asset to the council.
“With over two decades of small business ownership, I understand purchasing, marketing, sales, human resources and the value of good customer service. Unlike Raritan Bakery, taxpayers are Town Hall’s customers. It is important for them to be satisfied with the price they pay for Edison’s services,” he said.
He said he also hopes to inspire more community service in the township.
“Municipal government works better and more efficiently when more residents are engaged, are proactive and participate,” he said. “We can do much more to improve Edison’s neighborhoods and its public parks and open spaces, if people step up and volunteer. I hope to make that happen.”