Reporting by Stephen Appezzato, JF Grodeska and Sunayana Prabhu
Election Day is just around the corner. In continuing coverage of upcoming local and county races, The Two River Times reached out to candidates in the Two River area to get a perspective on effective leadership, asking each nominee the same question:
The national political stage is fraught with partisan-based divisive rhetoric and animosity. In some municipalities this is emulated on the local level, as well. Everyone seems to have chosen sides, and this makes it tremendously difficult to get things done. Keeping in mind the local nature of your candidacy, how do you plan to overcome this sort of obstructionism and grandstanding if you are elected this November?
For the past four weeks, we have highlighted candidates’ responses; this week includes those candidates who are running unopposed or those races where not all candidates responded. Included are council races in Atlantic Highlands, Little Silver, Oceanport and Rumson and the mayoral race in Shrewsbury. To learn more about candidates and their views on issues, visit onyourballot.vote411.org. Responses have not been edited.
Atlantic Highlands
Atlantic Highlands voters will go to the polls to choose two individuals from a field of four to represent their interests on the borough council. Candidates are incumbent Republicans Brian Boms and Steve Boraccia and Democrats Eileen Cusack and Vito Colasurdo.
Neither Boms nor Boraccia responded to requests to answer the posed question.
Eileen Cusack (D)
“Your question on how I plan to overcome obstructionism and grandstanding if I am elected to the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council is reflective of one of the essential components of why I want to run in the first place. As a 38-year resident of Atlantic Highlands, I have seen the gamut of Democratic, Republican, and a few Non-partisan controlled Mayors and Councils and, to a large degree, Borough Administrations and Department Offices. Although not always in agreement on policy and practice, the good of the community was the primary focus in most cases. Motivations in more recent times are not as clear to me.
As I included in my statement to the National Association of Social Workers-NJ Chapter in seeking their endorsement of my candidacy (which they have done), I specifically addressed the issues of what I referred to as: “divisiveness and mean-spirited finger pointing.” My plan to address these issues incorporates many of the values and tenets of my profession including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the right to self-determination, and, most poignantly, the importance of human relationships. Whether working with Mayor, Council and Committees, seeking residents’ input, interacting with Borough personnel, assisting in Borough activities, meeting with the Business community, or fostering long term acquaintances, I see emphasizing human relationships as key to regaining the spirit of cooperation and inclusiveness that was and will again be Atlantic Highlands. This will require me to utilize the many skills I have garnered as a clinician, administrator, and educator/consultant. Mostly, though, I plan to maintain a level-headed, non-judgmental, and open approach to all.”
Vito Colasurdo (D)
“Partisan polarization does little to gain residents’ trust – especially locally.
A candidate must be an independent thinker with their own ideas for issues facing a town while also understanding that it is important to crowd-source solutions with those like-minded and those with differing viewpoints. Politics should never be ‘either you’re with me or you’re against me.’ Such an approach stagnates progress on any level of government.
I have every intention to prioritize all residents of Atlantic Highlands and not the policy of any specific political party. As councilperson, I will focus on the day-to-day issues facing Atlantic Highlands while setting the borough up for future prosperity. For example, with inflation causing an increase in costs for individuals, businesses, and municipalities, finding additional sources of revenue for the borough that will not dip further into the residents’ pockets requires all borough council members to work together. With climate change impacting coastal communities all along the east coast, the Atlantic Highlands council must ensure the community is more sustainable tomorrow and resilient for the next fifty years before it’s too late. We must address these issues using an ‘Atlantic Highlands first’ mentality – not a party politics first approach.
Some individuals run for office because they need the validation of holding office. If elected, I want my term as a councilperson not to be defined by the title but by the positive change I effectuated while holding the office. I want to make Atlantic Highlands even better than it already is for current and future residents.”
Little Silver
In the Borough of Little Silver, two candidates are running for two open council seats, Republican Donald Galante, an incumbent, and Republican Douglas Christensen who did not respond to a request for comment.
Donald Galante (R):
“First, thank you for this opportunity. For 21 years now, I’ve had the honor of serving Little Silver as a councilmember on the Borough Council. In this role, the decision-making process is similar to how one runs a business, which I did for 34 years before retiring. You first understand the issue, then educate yourself on the topic, and then finally make an educated decision after weighing multiple options. As a councilperson, my job is to serve everyone in the community and consider all their unique interests, so I keep an open mind when debating the pros and cons of a solution, and I never come to the table with an agenda in mind other than doing what’s right for my constituents.
At the local level, I don’t believe it is that hard to getthings done. Yes, we must interact with individuals at the county, state, and federal level, and that can certainly complicate things. But I have found that the approach I outlined above works here as well. If you approach them with sound reasoning and a well-thought-out plan, and a clear rationale for how the idea benefits the community, they usually throw their support behind your initiative, regardless of political affiliation.
Another key element is hiring talented professionals. We have done an exceptional job hiring people who work hard to serve the public. We have top-notch personnel in our DPW, Police Force, Administration, Parks, Library, Court, and other departments. We have long-serving volunteers in our Fire Department, EMS, Recreation, and strong support systems for our schools. The Council’s job is to ensure these dedicated individuals have what they need to serve our public.
Perhaps my most relevant experience creating consensus instead of obstruction is in my home life! I consider myself a fiscal Republican with moderate views, and my wife of 40 years is a staunch Democrat and educator. This makes for excellent fodder at the dinner table, as you can imagine, but our conversations are always respectful and thoughtful, even at their most heated. We respect each other’s opinions and listen to the points made. Ultimately, we are grateful to be American, living in this wonderful town, surrounded by our children, grandchildren, and a community that cares.”
Oceanport
In the Borough of Oceanport, only one candidate is on the ballot for two open seats on the borough council, Republican Keith Salnick. Here is his response to the question of partisan politics:
“While party affiliation definitely has an impact on local level elections, I believe Oceanport has been more fortunate than other larger municipalities due to the fact that we are such a small tight-knit community of around 6,000 residents; Things get a little crazy on our Residents Facebook page for about a month or so, then once election season is over, everyone goes back to just being ‘friends & neighbors’ in our wonderful community.
If elected, I intend to take the approach of being a councilman of the Borough of Oceanport as that of being an executive for a private business; it’s all about doing what’s best for the entity to ensure smooth continued operations for the people that business serves; the taxpayers. My desire and willingness to get involved revolves around the fact that I feel I can contribute to make the ‘Business of Oceanport’ run better. That has nothing to do with being a republican, democrat or independent; especially the national level issues party politics constantly fight over that have little or nothing to do with anything we deal with at the local level. It has to do with taking a volunteer position such as this seriously, investing the time to do the job, and having the competence and life experiences it takes to make the right decisions for the Borough. Therefore, I have decided to step up and get involved, because I feel I have the qualities it will take to challenge the status quo, for Oceanport.”
Rumson
In the Borough of Rumson, two incumbent candidates are running for two open seats on the borough council, Republicans Michael F. Lospinuso and James C. Kingsbery. Only Lospinuso responded to the request for comment.
Michael F. Lospinuso (R):
“As we enter this upcoming election it would be easy to turn away from politics, as it has been difficult to embrace either party for many citizens these past few years.
‘Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.’ (Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx, 1890-1977)
I believe the obstacles and challenges facing our town can be solved by coming together and forging compromise.
I look forward to continue to serve our community and my sincerest hope that as a town we all accept responsibility for the future.”
Shrewsbury
In the Borough of Shrewsbury, Republican incumbent Erik Anderson is the only candidate for mayor. Note: Shrewsbury Borough Council candidate responses can be found in the Oct. 27 edition of The Two River Times or online at tworivertimes.com.
Erik Anderson (R):
“There is no question that the national political stage is rife with divisiveness and a lack of basic civility which does not benefit our country. I am proud that Shrewsbury has not been drawn into the political ‘discourse’ witnessed on twenty-four-hour news channels and between politicians themselves. Our community prides itself on working together to solve problems and build a better Shrewsbury. While the community may not always agree on policy, I have found that my fellow residents engage in open and respectful dialogue on issues. This in turn allows for a responsive local government that best serves the needs of the community.
Over the past four years as Mayor, we have been fortunate that the Council and our residents recognize the importance of putting the town before politics. This is the way government is supposed to work and best serve our town. By taking a collaborative approach to governing, the Council has been successful in guiding Shrewsbury through the global pandemic; reducing unnecessary spending while maintaining our town’s special quality of life; undertaking steps to ensure the safety of our children through our Safe Routes to School Program and hiring a Special III Officer for the school; and entering into shared service agreements which saves tax-payers in excess of $100,000 a year.
It is an honor to have the privilege to serve as Mayor of the town in which I grew up (and now raise my three boys). I am hopeful that I will be re-elected Mayor and have the opportunity to continue our work in not only making a better Shrewsbury today, but for the future.”
The article originally appeared in the November 3 – 9, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
