Mayoral hopefuls debate the year's hotter topics
Discussion ranges from Ford Avenue to civil unions
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

Gloria Bradford

MILLTOWN - Three mayoral hopefuls shared their views on key issues, with the controversial Ford Avenue redevelopment project predominating, at an annual candidates' forum Oct. 17.

Republican incumbent Mayor Gloria Bradford and her challengers, Democratic Borough Councilman Mike Skarzynski and independent candidate Michael Lewycky, who is a member of the shade tree and environmental commissions, fielded questions from the Sentinel and members of the public at the event.

"If you think Mr. Skarzynski is doing a good job on the council, and Mr. Lewycky is doing a good job on his commissions, I have a perfect solution - leave them right where they are, and re-elect me as mayor," Bradford said as applause erupted from the audience.

As the hot topic on many Milltowners' minds, Ford Avenue and the town's proposed amended affordable housing plan cropped up repeatedly during the candidates' commentary. Facing litigation from the owner of the redevelopment site, which was once home to the Michelin Tire Company, borough officials drafted a plan to fulfill the town's affordable housing obligations and thwart Lawrence Berger, the property owner, in his attempt to instate a builder's remedy at the site.

Michael Lewycky

"I believe this plan is the wrong plan, with the wrong elements, at the wrong time and in the wrong place," Skarzynski said. "Therefore, I am tonight announcing that I can no longer support the COAH [state Council on Affordable Housing] rental aspects of the plan, and I intend to vote no on Oct. 22."

The amended plan, which the council voted down Monday because the court granted a time extension for further review, has met with opposition from a number of residents.

Skarzynski said that after talking to nearly 70 attorneys, he found out that the borough would be able to have the deadline extended in order to rework the amended plan.

Bradford stressed the importance of borough officials submitting a plan to the courts, as the alternative would be Berger's builder's remedy.

"Do not underestimate the seriousness of Berger's lawsuit," Bradford said. "There are too many Mount Laurel decisions in this state to take this anything but seriously. Are we willing to let the courts decide what happens at that site?"

Mike Skarzynski

Bradford pointed out that the amended plan - which maintains the 276 housing units, but changes them from being all age-restricted to include 114 senior townhouses, 112 "aget argeted" condominiums, and 50 rentals for low- to moderate-income tenants - was not created in a hasty manner, as some have stated.

Lewycky, who as a resident has vocally opposed the borough's redevelopment plans, took a completely different approach to the issue.

Saying the Ford Avenue site is eligible for the state and national historic registers, Lewycky said it should be home to commercial development, with the remainder preserved as open space.

"The growth of the town is directly attributable to Michelin," Lewycky said.

With the potential influx of schoolchildren presenting a looming concern for the town, there has been speculation over just how many students the redevelopment could bring.

"The number of children can be debatable, but it's still going to be more than zero, which is what we were promised initially," Lewycky said.

Skarzynski said he will present an alternate plan that would eliminate the proposed rental units, and have as many age-restricted units as possible.

Bradford cited the borough's success in dealing with past developments over the years, and expressed confidence that Ford Avenue can also be handled successfully.

"This site must be developed in a manner that is environmentally sound and financially beneficial to the community," Bradford said. "Some hard decisions must be, and are being, made."

On the subject of this year's zero-taxincrease municipal budget, Bradford and Lewycky both said it was imprudent to use surplus funds from various departments to avoid a tax hike.

"A zero tax increase, at first sounds really, really great," Bradford said. When one looks deeper, however, there arises the issue of what would happen in the case of an emergency,

when those

surplus funds are needed, Bradford said. She also said the borough is no longer eligible for state extraordinary aid as a result of the move.

The majority of the surplus funds came from the utilities accounts, and more specifically, the electric department. Milltown purchases a bulk rate for electricity as part of an association, along with eight other New Jersey towns. Each time its contract ends, the town enters into negotiations for a new rate. In January, a new electrical rate will go into effect.

Lewycky pointed out that electric rates are slated to double, going from 5 to 10 cents per kilowatt hour, and said officials did not consider the future in drafting the municipal budget.

Bradford agreed, saying the electrical surplus funds used in the budget could have lessened the impact of electric rate increases for residents.

Skarzynski said, however, that he feels the money should be given back to taxpayers.

"I've often said, you can't eat surplus, you can't clothe your children with surplus, and if you're a senior citizen, you can't buy medication with surplus," Skarzynski said.

The Borough Council has discussed the issue of whether borough commissions should be done away with and turned into committees, which have less decisionmaking power.

Lewycky, as a member of two commissions, said he thinks they should be left as is. Aside from helping to advise the mayor and council on issues affecting the town, groups like the Shade Tree Commission can also serve to protect the borough from potential litigation, he said.

Bradford also cited the value of borough commissions, saying their suggestions are an asset to the governing body.

"A commission is eligible for grant money. A committee is not," Bradford said.

Skarzynski said, if elected mayor, his first action would be to change the Shade Tree Commission into a committee.

"I believe there's no checks and balances," Skarzynski said. "You can't vote out a commission."

Commission members are appointed by the mayor.

On the often-controversial topic of civil unions for gay couples, religion came into play. Lewycky and Skarzynski cited their personal beliefs as reasons why they would not be willing to perform civil union ceremonies if elected mayor.

Lewycky said he considers such unions blasphemy, while Skarzynski spoke of his Catholic upbringing, and how civil unions go against the laws of the church.

In order to avoid performing civil union ceremonies, a mayor would have to opt out of doing them for all couples, gay or straight.

"As an elected official, you can't just pick out the easy laws to follow, and the hard ones to ignore," Bradford said. "I'm not going to deprive people who are getting married the right to get married in this town."

Along with the assertion that he would work to revise the amended plan for Ford Avenue, Skarzynski said he would attempt to decrease taxes in the coming year if elected. He criticized Bradford's leadership, saying he is better qualified for the post.

Bradford cited her accomplishments in the borough during her nine years as mayor, and stressed the importance of decisions made in the coming year, and their effect on the town's future.

"We must continue to have strong leadership - leadership that sees beyond short-term political fulfillment and looks to the future," Bradford said. "One of the best compliments I have received was the other day, when a resident told me, 'You know, you are not a politician, and I like that.' "

According to Lewycky, Bradford and Skarzynski have not done what is best for residents during their tenures.

"My two opponents will tout their experience as if it is a positive - the same experience which has led us to the current situation with the Ford Avenue redevelopment," Lewycky said. "Both of their blind devotion to this project and its architect have made them deaf to the public's opposition of it. Their refusal to acknowledge the truths of the redevelopment have led us on a path we shouldn't travel.

Lewycky also pointed out that his campaign spending pales in comparison to that of his opponents, and therefore he will not be obligated to pay back contributors with political favors, he said.

"Mine is a no-frills sensibility," Lewycky said.

The forum was sponsored by Channel 15, Milltown's local cable television station. A second forum, for the council candidates, was scheduled for last night.