Crawford, DiBenedetto ready
for challenges of third term
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Two Democrats are running unopposed for two three-year seats on the Borough Council in the Nov. 5 election.
No Republicans filed to run for office this year.
Council President Michael DiBenedetto and Councilman Robert Crawford are both completing their second three-year terms on the governing body.
Crawford has served as the financial head of the council over the last six years. He said it is his job to "get the best buy for the dollar." He’s also interested in acquiring new ratables, although he acknowledged that due to the fact that the borough is almost completely developed that is not an easy task.
"My main objective is to hold down expenses as much as possible," he said. "It’s important to hold the tax rate as low as we can."
Crawford said he is pleased with the progress that has been made over the last six years. He said he remains committed to improving life in the borough.
"Quality of life issues are a priority in town now," he said, "and this involves more than just illegal workers. The borough is only 1.9 square miles. We are all living in close proximity of one another and (must) be tolerant and learn to live together. We chose to make this town our home, let’s work to make it the best that we can."
Taking care of finances is nothing new to Crawford. He’s been doing it most of his life. Before his retirement he worked as Procurement Division Chief for the U.S. Army at Fort Monmouth.
"People are always asking why the taxes are relatively high in the borough. Our taxes are driven by our schools. Council can only control about half of the tax impact," he explained, adding that between the county buildings and numerous churches nearly 20 percent of borough property cannot be taxed.
He said he knows people have concerns about the upcoming revaluation of borough property. Crawford said council members will do whatever is possible to minimize the impact of the revaluation and to see that any resulting impact on taxes distributed fairly.
"I’m also concerned with the town’s infrastructure," Crawford said. "Some of our sewers are between 80 and 90 years old and are seriously being impacted by our tress. Some sewer lines are being affected by uprooting trees and this will be addressed by the Shade Tree Commission."
Crawford said he’s very pleased with several major projects in the borough — the renovation of the former rug mill, now the Rug Mill Towers on Center Street, the new police station, which will have its headquarters at the rug mill along with the new YMCA Community Center, and Brookside, a new assisted living facility on Manalapan Avenue.
"I think the town is doing very well. I’m looking forward to the next three years and I intend to continue to do the best job that I can for the borough," he said. "It’s not just the council, it’s the people of the borough who have responded to us by being so cooperative."
Crawford encouraged residents to continue to attend meetings and to bring their concerns and "challenge them" (the council) if necessary.
"This town belongs to all 10,900-plus people, not just the people who sit up here on the council," he said.
DiBenedetto said quality of life issues are also a major part of his platform this year.
"We want to bring the quality of life back to the borough the way it once was. The program seems to be working quite well," the councilman said, referring to the borough’s new Quality of Life Enforcement Team.
Another priority for the councilman is recreation. He said he is working to bring more recreation to the town’s senior population. He referred to a concert held for seniors this past fall at Vinyard Park on Center Street. He’s hoping to expand that into a series of concerts next summer and fall.
"We’re also working on planning indoor events for the seniors in our community," DiBenedetto said.
Teens are also on the priority list. DiBenedetto said he’s "hoping to touch base with the kids who are ‘on the fence.’ Kids who are looking to go one way or the other," he said. "All kids are not athletes. It’s important to touch on different areas to address their wants and needs."
He said Olde Freehold Day, which was last held in the borough in the late 1980s, is also on the drawing board. Plans are under way to resurrect the family day event at Lake Topanemus. According to the council president, the first Saturday in August has been set aside as a tentative date for the event, as officials hope to allow college students in the community to attend before they head back to their classes. DiBenedetto, who serves the borough as assistant fire commissioner, said he wants to play a role in helping to recruit volunteers for the fire department and the town’s first aid squad.