RED BANK – Two Democrats and two Republicans are seeking a pair of three-year terms on the Borough Council in Red Bank this year in a race that could decide which party controls the council. Voters will held to the polls on Nov. 7.
The 2017 race for council will see the Democratic ticket of Michael Ballard and incumbent Councilman Ed Zipprich face off against the Republican ticket of Dana McArthur and incumbent Councilwoman Linda Schwabenbauer.
Ballard, according to a press release from the Democrats’ campaign, is a financial analyst at a reinsurance company. He is currently a member of the Red Bank K-8 School District Board of Education, serving as vice president for 2017, a member of the Red Bank Planning Board and vice chairman of the Red Bank Parks and Recreation Committee. His focus is on expanding recreational opportunities for children in Red Bank.
“As a member of the Board of Education and Parks and Recreation Committee, I have fought hard to make sure that all of the children in our community have the opportunities they deserve,” Ballard said in the press release. “If I am successful in this election, I will join the other Democrats on the council in ensuring that a long‐envisioned park comes to fruition.”
McArthur, according to a flyer from the Republicans’ campaign, is a student assistance coordinator who holds a master’s degree in education and is currently working towards a master’s degree in mental health counseling. She is a graduate of Red Bank Regional High School and has performed volunteer work with programs for special needs children.
“[McArthur] is running for council because she wants to raise her children in Red Bank someday and she wants to make Red Bank a place where other families want to grow too,” the flyer reads. “Inspired by her autistic cousin, [her] volunteer work includes programs for special needs children, as well as a behavior modification program for at-risk youth in New Jersey. [McArthur] genuinely wants to give back to her community.”
Schwabenbauer, according to the flyer, currently leads Prudential’s accounting and tax operations for the company’s businesses in the United States and has been a member of the council since 2015. She previously spent 10 years as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers and 10 years with Plymouth Rock of New Jersey, eight as chief financial officer and two as chief accountant.
“[Schwabenbauer] held taxes virtually flat during [her] tenure on [the] finance committee, despite mandated union salary increases, pension increases and 3 percent overall inflation,” the flyer reads. “[Her] vision for Red Bank is simple: reduce taxes for the residents and shift the burden to the businesses by making the businesses more successful. It can be done and it’s a win-win for everyone.”
Zipprich, according to the press release, is a retired operations manager at an AmLaw 100 law firm and has been a member of the council since 2008. He currently serves as council liaison to Red Bank’s Historic Preservation Commission and to the RiverCenter and previously served on the Red Bank Planning Board.
“I hope that the residents of Red Bank will allow me to continue serving and improving our community,” Zipprich said in the press release. “I’m most proud of my work to save the T. Thomas Fortune House, which is a vital part of our town’s history, and rebuilding the Count Basie Fields. It is these types of projects that make our town a better place, and if I am fortunate enough to be re‐elected this year, I will continue to focus on the revitalization of Red Bank’s parks and public spaces.”
The six member Borough Council in Red Bank is split along party lines, with Democrats holding three seats and Republicans holding three seats. A victory by either ticket could give one party a majority control of the council. The mayor’s office is held by Democrat Pasquale Menna.