David Stahl* (D) Stahl, 50, has a wife, Sandi, and three children, ages 16, 15 and 8. He is employed as an attorney, prosecutor and the owner of a retail hardware store. He has lived in East Brunswick for 26 years. He has a bachelor of science degree from the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania, and a juris doctorate for George Washington University Law School. Stahl is completing his fourth year on the Township Council, two of those as council president. He serves on the Recreation Park Advisory Board and the Future Municipal Use Committee. His past service includes the Planning Board, Temple B’nai Shalom and the East Brunswick Soccer Club. What new programs or projects would you endorse and work on as a council member over the next four years?
Suzanne LeBlon Blum
As a councilwoman, I would establish a good working relationship with the Board of Education for the benefit of all our residents so we could reduce costs together whenever possible. I strongly believe in respecting our residents, making sure questions are answered with accuracy, and that all are treated fairly. I support transparency in government and believe in televising planning and zoning board meetings so the public can be informed.
Robert Tagliente (R) Tagliente, 55, has a wife, Grace, and is employed as the director of product complaint investigations for Bristol-Myers Squibb. He has lived in East Brunswick for 30 years. Tagliente has a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from City College of New York. His community involvement includes serving as a volunteer on the United Way of Central Jersey Board of Directors, and with the Centurions, the Italian American Club of East Brunswick.
Dr. Eugene DeMarzo
The school system is our backbone. The Board of Education does a great job and people move into our town because our schools are the best. However, they need help in controlling costs while maintaining excellence. The town council must find a way to join with the Board of Education to find creative ways to do this. Also, the exorbitant fees paid to consultants must be brought under control. This is an area where much attention needs to be directed.
Catherine Diem
East Brunswick is a work in progress. We must balance the concept of new projects with constant re-evaluation of existing projects. Our resources are limited. Safety and security concerns are of paramount importance. Ours is the sixth safest city in the U.S. We must continue to improve our roads. I support renewing our sidewalk program. We should continue to rehabilitate our older neighborhood parks. Our population is diverse and aging. I support projects that work to meet the ever-evolving needs of our residents in all areas, including recreation, literacy, social services and infrastructure.
Ed Luster
As the father of two young children and as a volunteer in the township, my focus has been on our parks and recreation system. As a councilman, I will continue to work hard to maintain the high quality of our parks and recreational opportunities in East Brunswick. However, I would also like the town to continue to pursue shared services and look to expand cost-saving measures whenever possible. I also look forward to working with the Department of Public Safety to continue East Brunswick’s rating as one of the safest towns in the nation.
David Stahl
First, existing programs that I have and will continue to support include the neighborhood road pavement program, renovations to neighborhood parks and the building of a new park in Pine Ridge, financial support to our great library, continued sharing of services to ensure cost savings to our residents, and open space purchases like Heavenly Farms. I would like to see additional financially responsible recreational improvements at Heavenly, and look for additional ways to improve what I believe is the number one senior center in New Jersey. I welcome discussions with our residents on the unlimited possibilities for the new community center.
Robert Tagliente
As a councilman, I would work to have legislation that prevents the abuse of eminent domain. I will vote no for professional contracts which have not been selected through the quote process. I am against zoning changes that facilitate development, and I am against the construction of buildings and parking lots on open space. To further inform the public with respect to the decisions that affect their quality of life, the Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings must be televised.
Why should residents vote for you on Nov. 7?
Suzanne LeBlon Blum
My family has lived in East Brunswick for over 50 years. I have a strong desire to serve our community, which I believe is the best in the state of New Jersey. I would continue to provide outstanding services while watching the town’s purse strings. I have a strong sense of history and community and believe in honesty and integrity.
Dr. Eugene DeMarzo
Residents should vote for me because I am one of them, a common man. My interest is only to do what is fair for the people of East Brunswick. I will seek no other public position. My opponents have tried to smear my name and criticize me for being too negative. They have told my friends of as long as 19 years not to vote for me because I am too new at this game. This is exactly why you should vote for me. They call it negative when I point out flaws, such as suggesting that Planning Board meetings be televised.
Catherine Diem
My goals for my term on council included working to make East Brunswick a better place for all of us – a community of inclusion and innovation, where ideas are actively debated and where participatory democracy is embraced. At the beginning of my term in office, I pledged that I would remain vigilant, independent and fiscally responsible. I have remained focused on these goals and as a result, I am confident in asking each resident of East Brunswick for their vote on Nov. 7.
Ed Luster
I have a long record of community service in the township. I want to be part of the team that has worked to improve our parks and recreation programs. In the past five years they improved a number of neighborhood parks, added a skate park, butterfly park and dog park. I want to continue to help PTAs improve school playgrounds, which are used by entire neighborhoods. I believe with sound planning we can continue to improve our quality of life and still stabilize our municipal property taxes. I want to continue the strong commitment the Democratic team has made in improving local traffic, which included the first major improvements to Route 18 in over a decade.
David Stahl
As an active volunteer in the community and as your councilman, it has been an honor and privilege to work extremely hard on your behalf, fully understanding all the issues facing East Brunswick, consistently looking for ways to improve our great community and being respectful to all. I am proud that so many residents have entrusted me with helping to solve their own personal concerns. I have always tried my best to provide accurate information to the residents and have never lied or misstated the facts to further any political ambition. I respectfully ask for your support on Nov. 7.
Robert Tagliente
Citizens should vote for me on Nov. 7 because I am an independent thinker, I have 31 years of management experience, and I have been a resident of East Brunswick for 30 years. My attendance at Township Council meetings for the last 10 years has given me a good understanding of the issues facing East Brunswick. I have freely voiced my opinions to the council, but to do more will require participation in the township government as a council person.