What would you do to help stabilize taxes?
G. Kevin Calogera* (D) Calogera, who has resided in Old Bridge for 19 years, grew up in Brooklyn and lived for many years in Staten Island, N.Y. He has served on the Township Council since 2002 and previously served on the Planning Board and the Economic Development Corp. He and his wife, Nancy, have three children. He is retired from the New York City Police Depar tment and spent many years as the owner of Mandalay Caterers, Staten Island. He now works as an environmental investigator using his law enforcement experience and studies in criminal justice at John Jay College. Barker: The use of one-shot revenues has been the preferred tool of the Democrats on the council. My opponent advocates selling open space to plug budget gaps, yet he publicly says he is committed to preserving open space. He voted to sell land to the county for $2 million to plug a budget gap in our last budget — that is shortsighted and wrong. I will not use one-shot revenues; rather, I will provide real leadership on the budget, going line by line and cutting waste to provide real tax relief, not gimmicks.
Jackie Barker (R) Barker has resided in Old Bridge since 1995. A business applicat ions analyst/data base manager, she is matriculating toward an associate degree. She has served as a Republican county committeewoman since 2006. Calogera: Stabilizing taxes is the goal of any responsible public official.
supported the tax freeze budget for this fiscal year and hope that is somethingwe can achieve in the coming years. I can tell you from experience that we watch every dollar that we spend; in particular I am vigilant about reducing our overtime personnel costs, and just in the past year there has been a reduction overall in overtime. Smarter management and responsible budgeting are the keys to stabilizing taxes.
Has Old Bridge done enough to control development?
Barker: Clearly no. My opponent would have you believe he is committed to preserving open space. Yet for the eight years he was on council, neither he nor the other Democrats made any attempt to purchase Cottrell Farm for open space. Now that the property is worth between $17 million and $25 million, the Democrats want to purchase it — coincidentally, around election time to make themselves look like heroes. If he had some vision and leadership, he could have potentially saved millions of dollars and acted in the interest of the taxpayers.
Calogera: In my opinion, you can never do enough to control development, but we have made a good start. Preserving open space and stopping overdevelopment are two strong commitments that I have held for many years. For example, I opposed the development of the Cottrell Farm. I also worked on the council to preserve over 400 acres of open space and 75 acres of farmland. I also opposed the construction of over 2,200 homes during my time on the Planning Board. We must do more, and I will continue to do more to oppose overdevelopment in Old Bridge.
What new programs or projects would you endorse as a council member?
Barker: I think we have had our fair share of pet projects and programs since my opponent has been in office. As I walk door to door, the overarching theme is tax relief. I think in these difficult times, the taxpayers want government to tighten their belts as they are doing with their own family budgets. I am committed to providing tax relief that is real and sustainable, not gimmicks that have no long-term solution. Leadership is tough; I will make the tough decisions on taxes.
Calogera: I want to continue to provide more recreational opportunities for the residents of Ward 4. Just within the past year, we have opened a new park, Mannino Park, along with a dog park, a new YMCA and a large-scale renovation of Lombardi Field. All of these projects will enhance the quality of life of residents of Ward 4. These are significant achievements in the
Calogera: (Cont.) history of our town. It takes a team with many different players to help bring these large projects to completion. I look forward to working in this same manner to bring future parks online.
Why should residents vote for you on Nov. 3?
Barker: I can provide leadership, not cronyism. We’ve had the same results from the same team with no benefit to the taxpayers. I am not a career politician, I bring no baggage, and I come in with a clean slate. Unlike my opponent, I am not beholden to anyone because I currently hold a county position while serving on the Township Council. I will vote on each issue based on its merit, not because I was instructed to do so by my party in return for political favors. I will work hard every single day because I want to see this town flourish.
Calogera: I have made a commitment to protecting the quality of life in Ward 4. That commitment comes in many forms; working to preserve open space, fighting against overdevelopment, working to rehabilitate Lombardi Field, partnering with others to build a new YMCA and Mannino Park. I also understand the huge impact that local taxes can have on a family income. I place a great value on preserving the quality of life here in this community, and keeping Old Bridge affordable is a key goal in that quest. If you share these values for our community, please support me on Nov. 3.