Thomas C. Bodall* (D) Seeking one-year term Bodall, 22, has lived in Jamesburg for the past 17 years. He is employed as a research and curatorial assistant for the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission. He attended the Jamesburg schools, Monroe Township High School and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Rowan University. He has served as a Jamesburg Borough Council member since March. He is the honorary Jamesburg historian and curator of Lakeview mansion, Jamesburg’s town museum. He holds membership in the Jamesburg Historical Association, Jamesburg Civic Association, Jamesburg Patriotic Committee and Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition. He has served as vice president of the Historical Association. Where they stand:
What are your thoughts about the work of the current governing body and its decisions on borough matters?
Thomas C. Bodall* (D) The current governing body in Jamesburg has done and continues to do a spectacular job in managing the borough. It is always difficult to keep taxes low and services high this day and age; however, the borough has been able to receive millions of dollars in local, state and federal grants and aid monies over the past few years, thereby enabling the borough to provide new sidewalks, revamp the downtown streetscape, upgrade our parks, and restore the historic Buckelew mansion.
Barbara Carpenter* (D) (Seeking three-year term) Carpenter, 57, has a husband, Ron, and sons Ron, 37, Brad, 34, and Shawn, 31, and two grandchildren. She is an executive assistant at Monroe Village and a licensed real estate agent. Carpenter has lived in Jamesburg for 24 years. She attended community college in Arizona and Edison. She has been a Jamesburg councilwoman for six years. She is the mayor’s liaison to the library board of trustees, serves as police commissioner, and chairs the special events, patriotic, and Board of Education committees. She is president of the Jamesburg Democratic Club and a member of Friends of the Jamesburg Public Library, Civic Association, and Partners in Education and Middlesex County Transportation committees. Barbara Carpenter* (D) The council works hard to keep taxes stable while providing the best possible services to residents. Since 2000, the council has received state grants and aid totaling $6.6 million. Grants have gone to beautification along East and West Railroad (new sidewalks, curbs, trees, bushes, light posts, flags), Veterans Park (new lighting, sound system, trees, flower bushes, monument, flagpole, brick sidewalks), improvements at Tilley Park, the senior center and library. The council encourages new businesses; examples are the veterinary hospital, Chinese and Italian restaurants, art and frame shop, and day care center. During budget time, the council makes necessary adjustments while trying not to cut services. One example: we went out to bid on the expiring garbage collection contract this year and saved $31,000 with a new vendor.
Anthony LaMantia* (D) (Seeking mayoral term) LaMantia, 55, has a wife, Darlene, and children Scott, 33, and Toni Ann, 30. A Jamesburg resident for the past 37 years, LaMantia is permanently disabled from an injury he sustained in 1990. He served on the Jamesburg Board of Education from 1994 to 1997 and the Borough Council from 1998 to 2000, and has been mayor since 2000. He has been a member of the Jamesburg Fire Department since 1973 and is a past chief. He has been a member of the Jamesburg Fireman’s Relief Association since 1975 and president since 1990. He is a member of the municipal alliance, is volunteer recreation director and has been public safety commissioner since 2005. Anthony LaMantia* (D) The current governing body has, since 2000: A) received over $6.6 million in grants and aid; B) debt service in 2000 was $2.5 million; with hard work, by 2009 the borough will be debt free; C) miles of curbs and sidewalks throughout the borough for the safety of our community; D) upgraded all of the borough parks for all to use and the community to be proud of; E) numerous shared services for the borough to save money and make money; F) ongoing revitalization projects to beautify our community. This is just some of the hard work the present governing body has done in the best interest to the community of Jamesburg.
John Longo Jr.* (D) (Seeking three-year term) Longo, 66, has a wife, Marcia, and three grown children, ages 38, 40, and 42, and five grandchildren who attend Jamesburg schools. He worked in education for 39 years, the last 23 years as director of buildings, grounds and transportation at South Brunswick Public Schools until his retirement four years ago. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Prior to his election to the council in 2001, he was a member of the borough’s Combined Land Use Board. He is now the council’s elected representative to the Land Use Board, and also serves as council president. He also serves on the Jamesburg Civic Association and Jamesburg Historical Association, among other agencies. John Longo Jr.* (D) We have made it one of our goals to secure grants that will provide safe walkways, parks for all ages, and barrier-free park playscapes. To date, we have been able to secure grants in excess of $6 million since 2000. Our decision to continue to look into shared services with neighboring communities that bring in revenue is something we are pursuing, and to date have been successful with Helmetta and Milltown for police coverage and dispatching, respectively. We are looking into leasing space on our cell tower to bring in more revenue. We have set a goal and are working our budgets to have us debt free by 2009.
Al Lupiano (R) (Seeking three-year term) Lupiano, 36, has a wife, Michele, and three children, Nicholas, 8, Marisa, 6, and Isabella, 2. A Jamesburg resident for 10 years, he is employed as a safety, environmental, health and security administrator. Lupiano has a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University. He ran for mayor four years ago in Jamesburg and currently serves as a Republican committeeman for the borough. Lupiano has long served as a youth soccer and baseball coach and is heavily involved in volunteer activities at his children’s school, Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood. Al Lupiano (R) The current body lacks vision and creativity. We’re a small town, yet we always seem to be facing a major crisis. A few years back, we had to temporarily cancel after-school programs. Our Jamesburg youth baseball league receives no money or assistance from the town because of budget cuts. Now we are facing closing our library. It’s time to get new people in office who can better anticipate emerging trends and find long-term solutions.
Michele Lupiano (R) (Seeking three-year term) Lupiano, 34, has a husband, Al (also running), and three children, Nicholas 8, Marisa, 6, and Isabella, 2. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and works as senior human resource coordinator for Bristol- Myers Squibb. She has lived in Jamesburg for 10 years and is a lifelong Middlesex County resident. She currently serves as a Republican committeewoman and is heavily involved in volunteer activities at her children’s school, Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood. She also volunteers with charitable organizations like the American Heart Association, American Red Cross and the United Way. Michele Lupiano (R) Unfortunately, the current body continues to make the same mistakes over and over again. Every year we are faced with new
Gregory Newton (R) Seeking mayoral term) Newton, 49, has a wife, Linda, and five children, Kelly, 29, Michael, 28, James (deceased), Seth, 17, and Benjamin, 11. He is an office manager with Facilities Management Group, East Brunswick, and a former opera singer. He has lived in Jamesburg for 14 years. Newton has degrees from California State University and St. Louis Conservatory of Music. His prior civic involvement includes Boy Scouts of America, for which he was cubmaster and scoutmaster, committee member and chartered organization representative. surprises,” to which their only solution is the cutting of services. Our council needs to be reinvigorated to look for new solutions to old problems. It’s not enough to be reactive. They need to begin planning for problems and finding solutions before they occur. Gregory Newton (R) Currently, the Jamesburg mayor and all six council members are Democrats, as are the borough employees. The Democratic Party municipal chair is even a borough employee. One-party government is not in the best interests of Jamesburg. With most borough issues decided by a 6-0 vote, discussion on important subjects is minimal, at best. Council meetings were previously held twice a month, now just once a month (the most recent was just 35 minutes). Is important borough business being conducted outside official channels? Who holds this one-party government’s feet to the fire, for the benefit of the people of Jamesburg?
Given the borough’s recent budgetary difficulties related to state regulations, what approach do you think the town should take toward financial matters?
Thomas C. Bodall* (D) The state will always continue to place mandates and spending regulations on the towns, and the borough must remain proactive. For the past few years, the budget has been very trim, and we must continue to operate that way. Looking into permanent, long-term revenue streams and interlocal agreements are two ways that can potentially help any budgetary situation, regardless of what town it may be. But the best solution to this problem is to lobby our local representatives in Trenton to change antiquated laws and unfunded mandates.
Barbara Carpenter* (D)
State mandates are detrimental to small towns. We work very hard to hold down the budget while dealing with these, and have appealed to the state with the hope of changing them. We need to expand the tax base in Jamesburg. The new Commerce and Chase banks are examples of good ratables and they expand the tax base. The council will continue to apply for state and county grants. The county recently awarded Jamesburg $900,000 for the Buckelew mansion, to construct a new foundation, install a new roof, lighting, heating and cooling system, new porches, and reconstruction of damaged walls. This is being completed without tax dollars. We should encourage more shared-service agreements with surrounding towns, to increase the quality of services while holding down the tax burden.
Given the borough’s recent budgetary difficulties related to state regulations, what approach do you think the town should take toward financial matters?
Anthony LaMantia* (D) Keep on controlling the taxes by living within our means, and getting the state to change old mandates and not to add any new ones that hurt small communities like Jamesburg.
John Longo Jr.* (D) We are examining all expenditures required to maintain a high quality of service and safety for our residents. It is not going to be easy, and will comply with the law. Thus far we have taken bids for solid waste and recycling and removed the biweekly pickup in July and August, and removed the spring and fall cleanup days. This reduced spending by $30,000. Residents can have one bulk item picked up weekly and appliances on Thursdays, as in the past via a phone call to Public Works.
Al Lupiano (R) Responding to problems with short-term solutions is why we are in this mess. You wouldn’t run a business or household this way. I’d like to see proactive solutions. We need to prepare for problems before they occur. The days of the “quick fix” need to end now. Michele Lupiano (R) We can’t control new programs forced upon us. But we can put pressure on our elected officials who are making these decisions. Jamesburg was successful in delaying the closing of our library because we banded together and collectively told the state, “No, we won’t accept this.” Jamesburg needs to use this Election Day to send a clear message to the people we put in office: If you are not representing my beliefs, I’ll find someone who will.
Gregory Newton (R) Do a detailed audit on the budget and expenditures. Review all borough departments for efficiency of operations and legal or illegal waste of public funds. Work with the state Legislature and the governor’s office to make the mandated spending cap align with mandated expenditures. More must be done to attract businesses to town in order to spur our local economy. The downtown business section needs to be made more pedestrian-friendly to make it an attractive shopping area – through offstreet parking and lakefront beautification and development.
What goals would you like to accomplish, if elected?
Thomas C. Bodall* (D) If I am re-elected, I will continue to see that the same high levels of services are provided to residents at the lowest cost possible. I would like to continue to improve pedestrian safety throughout the borough. I would also like to create new channels of communication with residents and community stakeholders via the revamped borough Web site. Lastly, Jamesburg is a community steeped in tradition and history. I would like to strengthen community unity in the borough by improving upon and adding additional events throughout the community to bring residents together.
Barbara Carpenter* (D)
I have been working with the Department of Transportation and bus company in getting mass transit bus service that would enable residents the option of leaving their cars at home and walking to a bus stop to go to work. It would help with congestion, add to quality of life and increase property values. Apply for more grants to restore curbs and sidewalks throughout town. Encourage more sit-down-style restaurants in town, and more mom-andpop businesses. Continue to get the businesses involved in local issues. The Jamesburg revitalization project is one example. Many committees were formed, like the health and wellness, which hosted the 5K race in Thompson Park. The event was sponsored by local businesses and was extremely successful.
Anthony LaMantia* (D) Keep working for the borough of Jamesburg, and to maintain small-town dignity, charm, and preserve its history.
John Longo Jr.* (D) Continue to provide a safe environment for our residents with a strong police force, well staffed, having the technology and communications systems needed to provide a high level of safety and security for our residents. Work with local businesses and the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition to provide more lighting downtown, landscaping along East/West Railroad avenues, promote our community, and provide opportunities to those who want to revitalize existing buildings and start new businesses that will increase our ratables. Protect and rebuild our history. Jamesburg has received grant money from the county to refurbish the Buckelew mansion, and we are working to begin this great project. The mayor has granted my request that I oversee this project.
Al Lupiano (R) Jamesburg’s future depends on finding ways to generate revenue through creative means. New Jersey offers incredible incentives to utilize energy savings through solar power. With two schools in town, I’d like to work with the state to explore the possibility of utilizing these structures for solar panel installations. Middlesex County leads the way in environmental programs. Let’s take advantage of the processes in place and make them work for us. We need to find creative ways to attract business. Jamesburg was fortunate to receive a revitalization plan from Rutgers students. It’s up to us to get the program off to a great start by offering tax incentives to new businesses, making it easier for new owners to be prosperous.
Michele Lupiano (R) Like my husband, I feel Jamesburg needs to think long-term and find new solutions to our ever-growing financial issues. Many years ago, Adam Bushman passed an ordinance to encourage people to make improvements on their homes. Unfortunately, the program was saddled with a property tax increase exemption on only the first $25,000 for five years. I propose extending the exemption to seven years, and removing the limit altogether. In this way, homeowners can make unlimited improvements to their homes and not be penalized for the improvements they make. In the long run, this will encourage more people to improve their properties, and not have to worry about paying off the loan for the improvements and the heavy property tax increase all at the same time.
Maria Verticchio (R) (Seeking one-year term to the Borough Council)
Verticchio, who did not respond to this Q&A, has said her priorities include keeping the borough library operation intact, and working to ensure that schoolchildren in the borough get the necessary funding to play sports and take advantage of other opportunities. Another goal, she said, is to reduce the tax burden. Gregory Newton (R) Encourage implementation of important elements of the recently presented revitalization plan for the downtown business area. This will, in turn, make Jamesburg an attractive business location. There is a great deal of retail opportunity in Jamesburg – several of the surrounding communities (lacking sufficient retail businesses of their own) do the majority of their retail spending outside their own towns, going to East Brunswick and elsewhere. If even a small portion of the plan’s elements were implemented, Jamesburg (with its natural charm) could be a significant small retail center.