By Allison Perrine
HIGHLANDS – At a time when the town is looking to make some important redevelopment and infrastructure decisions, getting to know the candidates running for election this November is essential.
There are six individuals running for election to the nonpartisan dais: Melissa Cavaluzzi, Leo Cervantes, Karen Chelak, Melanie Henley Heyn, Richard “Rick” W. O’Neil and Michael J. Warren.The Two River Times reached out to each candidate to learn more about them and their policies. Here’s what they had to say, verbatim, listed in alphabetical order by last name.
TRT: Tell us about your background and how long you’ve lived in town.
Melissa Cavaluzzi: I am a master’s prepared RN and nursing administrator for a local non profit community support service agency. I have lived in Highlands since 2015 and have been enthralled with both the beautiful, quaint little beach town as well as the community as a whole.
Leo Cervantes: I have been a resident and business owner in Highlands for over 20 years. I was born in Mexico and became a US citizen. I am really an American Dream success story where I have made my dream come true. I am the definition of an entrepreneur as I have established successful restaurants and a catering business. I have deep roots in Highlands and am a proud father of five children, 2 graduates and three who are current students in our schools.
Karen Chelak: I have a BS degree in Business Administration along with decades of experience with area companies, including Johnson and Johnson and our own family business that my husband and I have owned and operated for the last 30 years. I am the accounting manager and have a keen eye for cost analysis and ROI – return on investment. If elected to the borough council I will treat all expenditures of precious taxpayer dollars with the same consideration that I give to our family and business budgets.
My husband and I have been coming to Highlands to fish, swim and crab since the 1970s. We rented our first place in the 1980s. We bought our first home there in 2012, four houses away from that rental. Our two daughters loved every part of the Highlands experience – from catching and filleting fluke to picking crab to the great dining at our restaurants. And now we have just built our retirement home on Washington Ave.
Melanie Henley Heyn: I come from a small town in Pennsylvania about the same size as Highlands. I used to come to New Jersey to see my grandfather as a kid and Sandy Hook has been my mom’s favorite beach destination for years. I studied music in Los Angeles and then lived in Vienna, Austria for a decade, working as an opera singer. I moved here five years ago, first renting on Gravelly Point and then buying a house up on South Linden. My husband, Daniel, works in renewable energy and was able to commute to Edison, while I took the boat to the city for rehearsals. We’ve both lived in many places and are confident that Highlands is where we want to put down roots and invest energy.
Rick O’Neil: I am a lifelong resident of Highlands. I am married with 3 children, all residing in Highlands. My one son is a retired Army Ranger, Purple Heart recipient. My experience in Highlands government has been as mayor and council member for over 12 years. I am also a member of the Union 669 sprinkler fitters.
Michael Warren: I am a licensed and insured NJ contractor. I have been married for over 31 years and have 2 daughters. Highlands is where we plan to spend the rest of our lives. I served as a school board member at Ramapo Central School District, which had a $100 million budget. I am a United States Marine Corps Veteran and an officer at the Highlands Post 6902 VFW.
TRT: What made you want to run for office?
Melissa Cavaluzzi: When I read that no one was running for council; Melanie and I decided that we should step up to the plate and do our part. As a nurse and single mother most of my life, I am able to get things done in spite of having to do so within the confines of a fragmented and complex system of care. I believe strongly in the importance of listening to people before talking, the ability to be flexible and open to learning, and enjoy collaborating with different people to work towards a common goal.
Leo Cervantes: I have been active on various business committees both locally and statewide over the past two decades. I have been asked many times before to run for office, but did not feel ready. This time is different because I came to my own decision as I have been watching Highlands change. I want to put words into tangible actions. I have seen some change and heard many promises, but it is not enough, I want to be part of the solution and the positive change.
Karen Chelak: I first got involved in Highlands politics when the former mayor was leading an effort to fill in the town’s 100 year old marina (Captain’s Cove Marina) where we built our new home. My husband and I formed a group and held “Save the Marina” meetings at our house. We prevailed because our group of 50 helped replace 3 council members who wanted to fill in the marina with 3 who wanted to save it. Quite a few neighbors including the mayor prompted me to run. During this time I got to know many people in town that had the same values and vision for the town as me and my husband. I believe I have a valuable skill set that can help Highlands continue to move forward and improve the resources this beautiful walking town has to offer. I have a deep respect for Highland’s history, arts, and culture. I can watch the fleet of clam boats leave for the sea at dawn, go to a local bakery for delicious bagels and go to a clamfest to hear bands play set after set of great music.
Melanie Henley Heyn: Melissa and I met last year working at the voter registration booth at the Farmer’s Market and started walking together every day to get out of the house during quarantine. As we walked the streets and trails around Highlands, much of our time was spent discussing how much we love where we live and what needed to be done to make things work even better.
So, by the time we heard no one was running for council, we had already spent some time looking into issues like flood mitigation and Bay Ave development. Anyway, it was the strangest thing, the moment I read that article, I immediately drove down to the municipal trailer and picked up two applications. We both felt so strongly about it, that there was just no question.
Rick O’Neil: I am running for council member because many of the projects I started as the previous mayor to this administration are languishing and need leadership to see them to a positive resolution. Also, we need to have a real serious conversation on how the proposed redevelopment plan will impact our residents. Are we going to want to see 50-foot-high buildings on Bay Ave?
Michael Warren: Rick O’Neil and I are running for council member positions because the current administration is focused on what they, and the Highlands Business Partnership (HPB) want. Instead, our focus is going to be on what the residents of Highlands need.
TRT: Why do you think you’re the best fit for a seat on the dais?
Melissa Cavaluzzi: I have experience managing large budgets, reviewing rules/regulations, developing policies and procedures, and communicating with stakeholders via quarterly/annual reports and regular audits. I believe re-establishing a sense of comradery and trust in our local institutions is key and having open-door access to express concerns or find out answers to their questions is imperative.
Leo Cervantes: I believe in the solutions not the problems. All I need to do is hear the problem once and then focus on the solution. I understand my community whether it’s my residential neighbors or my fellow business owners. I will be the best suited for the dais because I am willing to listen to the people and work together to solve the issues in a positive manner.
Karen Chelak: Besides my business degree and decades of business experience, I am known to have a strong work ethic and a reputation for seeing projects through to completion. I am on the executive board of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America where I hold the position of financial secretary. I understand the need to research and investigate all aspects of an issue, to listen to all stakeholders affected by a decision, and to reach a consensus. This is a completely voluntary job and I will work hard for the town I have come to love. My accomplishments at a grass roots level will be expanded to include the interests of the whole town.
Melanie Henley Heyn: When I was a kid, my dad was Township Supervisor, a cross between mayor and administrator. I saw first hand how he balanced the needs of different folks, and how land use was the most important issue, even out in the rural part of our county. Besides my day job as a musician, I have spent much of my life advocating for folks I have lived and worked with, often traveling to meet with local, state and federal representatives. Most of my efforts have been focused in two areas: the economic benefits of the performing arts to restaurant and retail businesses, and environmental causes focusing on local efforts. As it happens, I advocated in high school for the regionalization of a neighboring school district, speaking at board meetings about the benefits students had gained from my own district’s consolidation.
Rick O’Neil: My decision to run with Mike Warren is due to his experience with a large school board coupled with my 12 years in Highlands government makes us best suited to represent residents and their needs.
Michael Warren: Rick and I feel we are the best candidates because of our collective experience. His 12 years in the town government and my experience with a large school board will help us consolidate our 3 school boards into 1, which will save money, share services, and provide more resources to our students.
TRT: If elected, what’s one of your top priorities to address?
Melissa Cavaluzzi: If elected, I would like to make sure that residents have a clear understanding of what/how things are being done, how projects are being funded, and what the next steps are. I believe that it is important to take the time to listen to someone’s concerns and address be able to help them get the answers they are looking for, and feel comfortable with those answers. I enjoy providing people with information about different resources that can improve their quality of life and/or how to complete next steps if there is something they feel passionate about and would like to see happen or change. Top priorities include: #1 Flooding/Infrastructure; #2 Revitalization while maintaining our small sea town charm; and #3 Reducing property taxes through regionalization of the schools, improving Bay Ave business, and working towards having the annual Monmouth County property tax assessment structure changed.
Leo Cervantes: When elected, one of my top priorities to address are the stagnant issues along Bay Avenue. Making progress with regard to flooding, attracting more businesses, and beatification are all equally important. The way I plan to address this is by participation and community involvement with the local various active groups, residents and fellow business owners.
Karen Chelak: Flooding is a major problem, but the current mayor and council have just presented a serious plan that will actually mitigate the problem. The problem is twofold: flooding occurs from rain water coming off of Route 36 and there is tidewater flooding occurring on the lower streets in the business district. This new plan addresses both areas. The plan also advises of grant money that could be available from various governmental agencies at the state and federal level.
Redevelopment is a very important issue. There are structures that still haven’t been repaired or replaced since Hurricane Sandy and the town hall and police department need to be built. We would like to bring more businesses into Highlands but the flooding issue needs to be mitigated before that happens. New businesses and houses will increase ratables and tax revenues.Promoting volunteerism, creating programs for the youth of the town and being good neighbors to all the folks both uptown and down will also be a priority
Melanie Henley Heyn: Infrastructure first, in two ways. First, a comprehensive flood mitigation system: ultimately, we got into this race because there was no plan to update and complete our current piecemeal system. We were relieved when the new Resiliency Plan was released and support its conclusions. Secondly, responsiveness to individual infrastructure needs: the best way to feel like the Borough is working for you is to have a drivable street and a working drainage system. We’re leading Infrastructure Walks from Water Witch Coffee every Saturday at 10am to talk about these issues!
Rick O’Neil: One of the most pressing issues in our borough is flooding, flooding, flooding! As mayor, I was working on getting pumps, and resolving the Monmouth Hills overflow, which the current administration has not followed through on. Mike and I are fully committed to make sure that we will represent the residents of Highlands and their needs.
I believe our leadership and guidance will provide the residents with positive results, particularly from a financial perspective. I don’t make rash decisions, I will respect my fellow council members opinions, I will listen to experts and employees of the borough, and most importantly I want to hear what our residents have to say. As a team, we will make decisions together that benefit the Residents.
Michael Warren: In speaking with many residents, one of the issues they bring up time and time again is a real transparency of the workings of our borough hall. Many large decisions are being made by the current administration without a complete understanding of how those decisions are affecting the residents. Residents First is what we are about.
In a recent debate I had stated we should get people to the table to exchange ideas instead of insults. And look at where we are today and get many of the projects in this borough that are idle, not moving forward and take them across the finish line. Remembering our past while embracing our future: bringing the community together by providing more resident-based events; and cautiously looking at redevelopment without using eminent domain.
This article originally appeared in the Oct. 21-27, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
