South River Borough Council

Anthony Razzano* (D) Razzano, 58, has a wife, Linda, a son, Christopher, 33; daughter, Angela, 14; and stepson, Devyn Osborne, 29. He is retired as a teacher and coach after 35 years with the South River school system. He is a 1966 graduate of South River High School and a 1970 graduate of Jersey City State College. Razzano, who has lived in town a total of 20 years, has been a council member since Sept. 18, filling an unexpired term, and served on the mayor's budget advisory committee. He is a past president of the board at Conklin United Methodist Church; past chairman of the Disaffected Youth Committee; and former teachers' union president.

What is your stance on the borough's efforts to redevelop properties in town, and what would you advocate for future redevelopment?

Anthony Razzano

The goal of the current redevelopment program is noteworthy - to add to the commercial tax base and take some of the tax burden off the homeowner. I believe this can and will be done through negotiation, not eminent domain. I will not vote for eminent domain. I think the downtown area needs revitalization, but redevelopment is only one way to accomplish that. There are others. Offering tax incentives to building/business owners who improve their properties/businesses and upgrade the apartments above the stores. Incentives can be passed on from landlords to tenants who improve the property through proportionate rent adjustments.

Richard J. Reichenbach* (D) Reichenbach, 72, widower of the late Doris M. Saylor, has two grown children, Christine Armstrong, 42, and Richard Reichenbach, 35. He is retired after 34 years as a teacher, vice principal and coach of football and baseball in the Sayreville Secondary Public School System. Reichenbach was born, raised and educated in South River, received a bachelor's degree from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., and a master's degree in supervision/administration from Seton Hall University, South Orange. He served on the Borough Council from 1969 to 1974 and 2000-present. He was chairman of the Planning Board from 1976 to 2000.

Richard J. Reichenbach

I strongly believe that we should provide tax abatement incentives to commercial and residential owners to encourage them to rehabilitate their properties for the enhancement of South River. During my term as council member, I have voted to provide new sidewalks and curbing in the commercial and residential areas of the borough. These enhancements have enabled the borough to retain current business and residential owners as well as attract new businesses and consumers to South River. It is my intention to continue this effort so that South River can wear its motto, "The best little town in Middlesex County," proudly as we move ahead in this new century.

Michael Trenga (R) Trenga, 42, has a wife, Beth, and is employed as senior account manager with Receivable Management Services, New York City. A graduate of the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High School, East Brunswick, Trenga has resided in South River for six years. He is a member of the South River Historical Society and the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Network.

Michael Trenga

I feel that all efforts to redevelop in South River by the current governing body are misguided, poorly planned, and do not serve the current needs of our borough. There have been tens of thousands of dollars paid to a politically affiliated redevelopment attorney. Main Street in South River needs to be revitalized with the help and input of the property and business owners. Efforts need to be made to address the problems of parking, the vacant, unsafe structure on Reid Street, and two boarding houses at the far end of Main Street.

John T. Trzeciak (R) Trzeciak, 32, has a wife, Amelia, and works for a broker-dealer in Jersey City. He is a lifelong resident of South River. Trzeciak has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. He is a District 1 committee person and a member of the South River Knights of Columbus and South River Lions Club.

John T. Trzeciak

The problem with redevelopment in South River is that we are trying to do too much too fast without any public input. In the beginning, the focus was on businesses that were successful. When the Democrat-controlled council realized the public outcry, they changed their minds. The mayor then sent out public works employees to leave brochures on the doorsteps of taxpayers, advocating their way of redevelopment. That in itself is poor planning, with damage control written all over it. Future development should include public and local business input. We can work with existing business owners to improve the look of our downtown.

What is your favorite aspect of South River, and what is your least favorite?

Anthony Razzano* (D)

My favorite aspect of South River is the small-town, hometown atmosphere. Almost always, when I am in a local store or business, I see someone I know from town and chat with them. I enjoy going downtown, parking the car and walking to the hardware store, the bank, the newsstand and so on, seeing friends and neighbors along the way. It's great. And of course Ram pride. I love seeing my former students, some now adults, and hear of their successes. My least favorite aspect is the people who complain but have no positive contributions/suggestions to make.

Richard J. Reichenbach

Historically, South River has been known as a "melting pot" town with its various ethnic groups living and working in harmony. Our residents contently raise their families alongside families of different cultures and religions. The various cultures and religions can be easily evidenced by the diversity of the different houses of worship, as well as the ethnic meeting places populated by our residents. For least favorite aspect, I would say that the increased tax burden placed upon our residents due to state mandates and the escalating cost of services is a major concern. To stabilize our tax increases, we have recently joined with surrounding communities to consolidate services.

Michael Trenga

My favorite aspect of South River is the wonderful close-knit community and people of the borough. It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of such a great small town. The least favorite aspect of living in the borough has been the frustration of watching this current governing body squander and waste millions of dollars on unneeded projects, raising taxes and not paying attention to the real needs of the borough and its residents.

John T. Trzeciak

My favorite aspect is South River's small-town atmosphere and rich history. I remember growing up watching and playing football games and fishing in the ponds in South River. The fact that we have a Main Street is a part of our small-town identity. I recall shopping downtown with my family as a child. We can use this to our advantage if handled properly and revitalize our town without taking away current businesses and homes. My least favorite aspect is the poor planning of our economic resources. We have roads and sidewalks that are deteriorating, and we have started projects without doing proper research, creating costly mistakes.

What are the most important accomplishments of the governing body in recent years, and what, if any, initiatives would you describe as a failure?

Anthony Razzano

A major accomplishment is upgrading the infrastructure, replacing water lines that are over 100 years old and seriously deteriorating. The upgrading of the electrical substation has already proved its worth, and the upgrading and maintaining of the parks is excellent. Grekoski Park is one of the gems of Middlesex County. The new police CAD [computer-aided dispatch] system will allow our fine officers to be among the most technically able in the state. The new Human Resources building is a wonderful facility that will give the Office on Aging, Recreation Department, Emergency Management and TV-35 more room than ever. The Riverwalk did not work out.

Richard J. Reichenbach

We have continued to increase public safety, manpower materials and equipment, infrastructure with residential curb and sidewalk improvements, annual road paving and road improvements, sewer and water improvements, recreational improvements with three lighted athletic facilities, and the Human Resources building for improved and additional recreational and senior programs. Additionally, our electrical substation has been updated and improved in order to meet the significantly increased energy demands of our businesses and households. A look at our record during these recent years clearly indicates that all of our initiatives as proposed and agreed to, have been completed or are presently moving toward the completion stage.

Michael Trenga

The are no accomplishments of this governing body that I could think of. The governing body's failures include redevelopment, roads and streets, skyrocketing electric and water bills, taxes, 55 Reid Street, which was promised to cost $1.7 million. The structure is short 67 parking spaces, and was built in a flood zone and on a hazardous waste route. It is more than $1 million over budget. Our seniors deserved a much better product. The council is in the process of proposing a bike path that the borough does not need, and that not one resident I have spoke with wants. Cost: in the millions.

John T. Trzeciak

The recent accomplishments of the council have been few and far between. About the only signs of improvement have come from two councilmen who have questioned the governing body's recent actions.

Anthony Razzano

I hope to help bring about an economic boom in the borough. Spruce up the downtown area by working with merchants/landlords to improve the buildings and attract new businesses to the borough. I would like to see people driving into town to shop, not going to Route 18. I would like to have a huge hand in lessening the tax burden on the homeowners by attracting buyers who would replace the empty factories/buildings in town with new businesses (retail, office, etc.) that will help increase the ratable. A more business-friendly town. Controlling utility bills is a priority.

Richard J. Reichenbach

If re-elected, I would continue to actively support all efforts to improve the borough's aging infrastructure, sewer and water systems, and electric utility. I would also continue to support our ongoing street and road paving programs, and our police, fire and rescue squad organizations with the necessary tools and equipment to aid and protect our residents in time of need. Additionally, I would encourage programs and activities that would continue to update and energize our town, making it an increasingly attractive town to reside, to work and to prosper. For example, I would support expanded and increased programs and activities for youth recreation and for senior citizens.

Michael Trenga

If elected, I plan to listen and work closely with my peers to get back to basics. Common-sense decisions. Taxes will be stabilized. We are going to create a real program for streets, curbs, sidewalks, revitalizing Main Street and dealing with illegal housing. To bring down the cost of skyrocketing electric and water bills, we will be looking to implement a real plan to attract commercial ratables to South River that will result in and create a more prosperous South River. Creating a South River all residents are proud of will be a reality, not a political sound bite.

John T. Trzeciak

If elected, I promise to establish a stronger government with an eye on proper planning and better use of our taxpayer dollars. This includes taking care of our basic infrastructure, like streets and roads, instead of spending money on projects with improper research. A place where the taxpayers of South River can be heard. We need to work together and come up with ideas that can take us onto the right path.