MARLBORO – The position of mayor heads up the Nov. 3 ballot in Marlboro.
Democrat Jonathan Hornik is completing his second four-year term as mayor in 2015 and is seeking his third term. Hornik is facing a challenge from Republican Ira Goldberg, who is seeking his first term as mayor.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3.
Hornik was asked why he is running for a third term and said, “I have been very fortunate to serve as mayor of my hometown and am extremely proud of the fact that we have been able to do a number of things that have helped make Marlboro a tremendous place to live, raise a family, work, play and start a business.
“In my time as mayor, we fought through adversity presented by superstorm Sandy, unprecedented winter snowstorms and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
“Through it all we upgraded municipal services, kept municipal taxes stable and made Marlboro one of the most desirable and safest towns in New Jersey. This year we were even able to provide no municipal tax increase. We have been able to get a lot accomplished and I know we have even more we can get done,” Hornik said.
Goldberg said he is running for mayor “to restore responsible, honest leadership to our government. I do not believe in political legacy or an entitlement approach to governing. I am not a politician. I am an honest, hard-working citizen, a 36-year resident of Marlboro and an accomplished educator and business owner.
“My background has given me a unique perspective to lead Marlboro. My wife of over 45 years and I have raised our family in Marlboro. I now feel privileged to give back to the community that has served our family so well,” he said.
In looking toward the next few years, both candidates were asked what issues they believe the community face that will need oversight and action by Marlboro’s elected officials.
Goldberg said, “We know the township lost (an affordable housing) lawsuit and that the courts have ruled the Marlboro administration has dealt in ‘bad faith’ regarding our affordable housing obligations. That is the Appellate Court’s characterization, not ours. … We are in a hostile environment with developers who now have the upper hand legally.
“Now we are over the barrel and at risk of having over 300 acres developed in the short term. The impact of this on our infrastructure, including roads and our schools, cannot be overstated.
“When Mayor Hornik took office he inherited an affordable housing plan that was compliant (with the state). Marlboro had immunity from builders remedy lawsuits. After eight years of what the court called ‘bad faith’ and ‘dilatory tactics,’ Marlboro has lost control of its own destiny and zoning powers.
“We will be honest and transparent with the people of Marlboro regarding this issue. We will bring the developers back to the table and negotiate in good faith. Only a change in administrations can improve the toxic legal negotiating environment we have been put in by the current administration.
“The current administration has deployed the same type of fiscal gimmickry we have become accustomed to out of Trenton, with one-shot fixes and deferring necessary infrastructure improvements. They took over the water authority and squandered its surplus. Now we have to borrow for repairs and maintenance, raise taxes, or do without, which is not a viable option.
“We will restore sound and fiscally conservative policies to Marlboro. We will reign in legal bills. (My running mates and I) all have strong business management and budgeting backgrounds that we will bring to the governing body,” Goldberg said.
Hornik said, “The next few years will continue to be challenging times for Marlboro. Whether it is weather events like Sandy or record snowfalls, the still-sluggish economy or our continued efforts to protect the quality of life for our residents, my Township Council running mates, Randi Marder and Mike Scalea, and I are prepared to meet the challenges for Marlboro.
“I believe the next four years, like the last eight years, will continue to raise serious challenges for Marlboro. That being said, I am confident we will meet those challenges and keep Marlboro the best place to live,” he said.
— Contact Peter Elacqua at [email protected]