Sheri-Rose Rubin Richard Weber Joe Vassallo
Election Day is less than one week away. And, as you know, three dedicated residents are vying for two vacating seats on the Borough Council. The Democratic Candidates are Richard Weber and Sheri-Rose Rubin. Joe Vassallo is running on the Republican ticket. Here are their answers to a few questions that we thought might help provide information on who they are and what they'd like to see for Metuchen:
What is your feeling about downtown development? What would you do in your role on the Council to ensure Metuchen is a business friendly community that promotes smart growth while maintaining a good quality of life?
Joe Vassallo:
I believe that responsible downtown development is, and always has been, a concern of all of our residents. Republican Council members have worked hard to streamline the zoning process and make it easier to attract new businesses by introducing the change of use ordinance. We need to continue to move in a direction which would attract additional suitable businesses to our downtown and encourage local residents to shop here. I have seen great success in other municipalities that have established an affiliation with Main Street USA and we should examine that as an option. We also have to carefully, and completely review any large scale downtown development projects to avoid any potential negative impact on quality of life within Metuchen.
The three most important issues facing the residents of Metuchen, in no particular order, are: Traffic congestion, maintaining the level and quality of municipal services, and responsible development. As a supervisor of a municipal traffic unit I have participated in a number of surveys and projects specifically aimed at reducing traffic congestion and identifying hazardous driving conditions. I will bring that experience to the Council and I plan to introduce several suggestions designed to reduce traffic congestion throughout the Borough. I have participated in budgeting for municipal services for the past 15 years for a similar municipality and I have sought, written, and received numerous grant awards which supplemented the budget for the police department there. I would propose that we continue to seek any grant funding available to alleviate the potential burden of tax increases. We have all experienced the unpleasant result of unfettered development and the burden it places on our municipal services. My experience in reviewing proposed projects and their impact on various quality of life issues will be an asset to residents of Metuchen and ensure responsible development.
Rubin and Weber:
The surge of new business activity on
The Council must continue to address perceived costly and burdensome on business and property owners. In response, the Borough changed an ordinance to allow a business space to change from one permitted use to another without the need for costly plans or a planning board hearing. We also believe that the Borough should engage in a form of outreach as a means to attract diverse and unique business owners who will recognize the vibrant strengths of our downtown and seek to invest in the future of our community.
Do you believe the Council has managed the budget with efficiency and diligence? What, if anything, would you review more critically?
Rubin and Weber:
Yes. The primary role of the Council is to ensure that municipal services are maintained and revenue is collected. In the past year, the Council carefully reviewed the expenses of each department to ensure efficiency. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Borough's budget contains items over which the Council has no discretion. We recognize that the Borough has little control with respect to contractual raises negotiated with unions and various State mandates. Even within such constraints, the Council has taken great steps to make the most of each dollar allocated for local services. For example, the Borough currently has a health care plan that provides excellent coverage to our employees at a cost which is lower than the plan offered by the State. We believe that it is critically important for the Council to review and analyze all municipal expenses on a continual basis and to search for savings while continuing to maximize services for all residents. As all municipalities face the prospect of decreasing State aid in these difficult economic times, this responsibility will become even more demanding. We take this responsibility very seriously and will do everything we can to maximize the Borough's applications for appropriate grants and focus on progressive methods to attract the right kind of development that will increase revenue.
Joe Vassallo:
I believe that we've seen progress, and we are moving in the right direction. Republican Council members have placed emphasis on making department heads accountable for any expenditure within their respective departments. They were additionally responsible for scheduling five separate meeting solely to examine the proposed budget. I have personally been involved in, and fully understand the budgeting process for an agency with an annual budget of approximately 2.9 million dollars. I feel confident that my experience in this field will contribute to our ability to maintain quality services in a fiscally responsible fashion. We should more critically review accepting any grant funds without first investigating the cost to maintain what ever has been funded with the initial award.
What do you believe is Metuchen's greatest strength? How would you protect and promote that asset?
Rubin and Weber:
Metuchen's greatest strength is our sense of community. We have an impressive and inspiring number of residents who contribute time and energy to ensuring that traditions and programs endure the test of time. Additionally, all of our Borough Commissions are staffed by volunteers who devote countless hours to improving life in the "Brainy Borough." Our residents are proud to be raising families in a safe, comfortable, well maintained, and beautiful community. The Council can protect and encourage this important asset by continuing to promote a more open and accessible government. As issues arise, we are committed to encouraging respectful discussion throughout our community. With this approach and the continued support of our residents, we believe that Borough government can assist the Metuchen community as we move toward a prosperous future.
Joe Vassallo:
The greatest assets that Metuchen has are the residents of the Borough and the people who serve us. As a thirty plus year resident, and the parent of three adult children who have grown up here, I can safely say the community has been good to my family. We need to continue to provide a safe atmosphere for our families to raise their children and promote the principles of a small community.
What 'pet project,' if any, would you like to explore if you are elected?
Joe Vassallo:
I am a proponent of a walk-able, bike-able community. We need to encourage other means for our residents to move throughout town without contributing to the traffic congestion that we are already accustomed to. Establishing a committee to make recommendations to the Council regarding walking and biking issues and their solutions would be a priority. Coupled with the anticipated completion of the Greenway Project we may be able to promote walking and biking as our alternative.
Richard Weber
If re-elected, I will continue my efforts to preserve the unique character of Metuchen. To this end, I intend to continue to work toward the establishment of a Historic Preservation Commission, and work to increase public awareness of the unique legacy of historic homes and buildings inherited by our community, and urge residents to be vigilant in protecting this heritage. Additionally, I will continue to honor the efforts of the Shade Tree Commission by working hard to maintain our beautiful tree-lined streets.
I will continue to be an advocate for responsible development that is consistent with the character of the town. During my seven years on the Council, I believe that we have made great strides in promoting the construction of homes and businesses that are consistent with the look and feel of Metuchen.
Sheri-Rose Rubin
If elected, I am interested in encouraging Metuchen to join efforts with a grassroots movement that encourages the support of independent stores and local economies called, The 3/50 Project. I believe that the Borough's involvement in The 3/50 Project could go a long way toward enhancing our local base of business and increase our local economy. The 3/50 Project encourages residents and business owners to join together in taking responsibility for making our
I am also very interested in developing a program called "Awareness and Acceptance Day." I hope to organize and promote an educational symposium to highlight the wide range of public services offered by municipal, county and State government to our residents. Many of these programs provide a significant benefit to our population of seniors and individuals with disabilities. I believe that the Borough can promote these benefits by gathering a variety of speakers to discuss programs and educate residents about accessing existent government services. Additionally, I would like to offer training to local business about ways to increase the physical accessibility of their goods and services in cost effective ways. "Awareness and Acceptance Day" could become an annual program that may attract people from neighboring towns to visit and enhance Metuchen's reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community.
"Unfortunately, a significant portion of the Borough's budget contains items over which the Council has no discretion."
I take issue with this answer. Yes, a high percentage of the budget is contractual, amounts that must be paid according to the contract. There is a legal responsibility to pay these amounts, but who approves the contract? Of course, the Council does.
You can not sign a bad contract and then later say "Hey, its not my fault, its due to the contract."