COLTS NECK – Two three-year terms and one one-year term on the Colts Neck Township Committee will be on the ballot in the Nov. 7 election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Two incumbents are seeking to retain their seats on the governing body.
Republicans Thomas Orgo and Michael Viola and Democrat Jessica Soden are running for the two available three-year terms.
Republican Frank Rizzuto and Democrat Alison DeNoia are running for the one-year term.
Orgo has served on the committee since 2011. Rizzuto was appointed to an open seat on the committee in January.
Viola chairs the Wildlife Committee and serves on the Shade Tree Commission.
DeNoia is a member of the Colts Neck PTO and served on the Colts Neck K-8 School District’s Green Team.
Viola and DeNoia discussed their reasons for seeking election. Orgo, Rizzuto and Soden could not be reached for comment.
Viola moved to Colts Neck in 2013 and said, “Since that time, I have immersed myself into the fabric of our community as a member of the Colts Neck Business Association and, most recently, the Colts Neck Seniors Club.
“I have attended most Township Committee meetings (for the past four years) and all budget development sessions since relocating. I also attend planning and zoning board meetings and farmland preservation and open space meetings.
“Participating at this level for more than four years has provided me with a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face Colts Neck. I have met a great number of residents and shared my observations. I do not possess all the answers, but as a result of my community engagement, I have been encouraged to run for the committee and offer a different perspective,” Viola said.
DeNoia said, “It has always been important to me to be active and involved in my community. Since college, I have been involved in government, lobbied Congress for students’ rights, as well as patient’s rights for rare diseases, in my work for a nonprofit.
“I can’t think of a better cause than the community where I am raising my family. I love our beautiful town and I want to see it continue to thrive and flourish while preserving its rural character for the future. I will bring a new perspective to our Township Committee as we work together to create a strong community for today and tomorrow,” DeNoia said.
De Noia said her goals as an elected official will be “to preserve Colts Neck’s charm, preserve the environment for future generations and create a strategy to address our future needs. I intend to bring a new voice to the committee and look forward to working with others on new endeavors.
“My background in human resources management provides me with the ability to listen, work with others and incorporate ideas to get results. I plan to work with the small business community to create a more thriving economy in town while still retaining the rural character we all love,” she said.
Viola said, “I am in lock step with the Township Committee on holding the line on taxes and open space preservation. Less than 14 percent of the taxes collected are for municipal government. The committee scrutinizes expenditures to deliver the best services to our residents.”
He said his other goals as an elected official will be to improve the business district; “to identify and implement a comprehensive information technology infrastructure that maximizes how the township uses all resources with the goal of delivering maximum value to our residents for every tax dollar collected;” and to consider shared services with the county.