ELECTION '08: South River
At stake: Two three-year terms on the Borough Council

Rui Almeida (D) Almeida is a Portuguese immigrant who first came to South River at age 6 in 1978. He has resided in the borough since his family bought Cavaco Supermarket in 1985. He and his wife, Rosa, have two sons, Rui, 12, and David, 11. He is a computer software analyst and has worked in information technology for 14 years. He is a Rutgers graduate with a bachelor's degree in political science. In 2007 he was a founding member of the Luso-American Political Action Committee in South River. He is also a member of the borough's Memorial Day Parade Commission.

How do you think the borough should address its municipal facilities needs?

Almeida: The public referendum in the election nine years ago led to many of our facilities being refurbished. We do still have needs, but we're not going to solve our parking problem, for example, with a new downtown building. Moreover, addressing the needs of the fire and rescue squads won't require spending upwards of $17,000,000. Finally, the vast majority of the residents are opposed to moving the library. It's clear, therefore, that the best approach to our municipal facility needs is to more efficiently use the buildings we have and avoid new construction unless absolutely necessary.

Suzanne Wisniewski-Buffalino* (R) Buffalino, 44, has a daughter, Victoria, 12, who is a South River Middle School honor student. Buffalino is the owner of Grannd Companies LLC, South River. She is a lifelong resident of the borough. A South River High School graduate, she attended Temple University for civil and construction engineering technology, and Middlesex County College for computer and information systems. She has served on the council for one year, the Board of Education six years, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment three years. She is a former South River PTA member, Girl Scout leader, Municipal Alliance member and treasurer, and Recreation Department volunteer coach, among other civic roles.

Buffalino: The first step has already been completed with a review of facilities, a submitted report in the form of the Needs Assessment and a public meeting to discuss the report. During the town meeting, questions and suggestions were brought from the public that yielded to the current meetings with members of the fire, rescue and Office of Emergency Management departments, the facilities that show the greatest need at this time. Currently, there is a bond ordinance that was acquired by the library board. Prior to borrowing any money, any project will need to go to public referendum. We need a council that will monitor the economy and plan for the long-term future, not just a few years.

Peter S. Guindi (D) Guindi, 36, is a lifelong resident of South River, and has a wife, Maggie. He is a compliance technician for C3 Technologies, Nor th Brunswick. He is a graduate of South River High School and attended Brookdale Community College. He currently serves on the South River Planning Board and the Economic Development Commission. He is a member of the South River Fire Depar tment, Engine Company No. 1, and is a founder and director of South River Cruise Nite. He has been a volunteer for the NJ DARE Association since 2003, and served on the Municipal Alliance Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse from 1990 to 1992.

Guindi: Over the past few years, the previous administration has addressed facilities needs by renovating and updating several buildings in the borough. These buildings have been determined adequate, according to the recent needs-assessment study. If further projects are proposed before considering their implementation, I feel that borough residents should first be consulted in order to understand their opinions regarding future spending in this area. This way, the mayor and council can gain residents' input and allow them to actively participate in the process.

John Krenzel* (R) Krenzel, 50, has lived in South River his entire life. An attorney based in Sayreville, Krenzel graduated from Rutgers College, Rutgers University, and received his juris doctorate at Seton Hall School of Law. He has been a councilman from 1991 to 1999 and from 2004 to the present. Krenzel sits on the board of directors of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association and has served as president of Sayreville Lions Club and financial secretary of Knights of Columbus 3001. He is an Eagle Scout. He is active at St. Mary's Church as a lector, extraordinary minister and a former trustee. * denotes incumbent

Krenzel: The council is addressing its municipal facilities needs by doing a study. This is the way the Republican majority thinks: Look before you leap. By first studying an issue, the council has a better idea of what the problem is. This is a better way of handling South River's business than the way the previous administration handled matters, like purchasing a building on Obert Street only to sell the property at a loss. That will not be repeated under the Republicans. That is why we are now only discussing the town's facilities, not building anything.

What can be done to stabilize municipal taxes?

Almeida: Fiscal responsibility, as mentioned above, is key in stabilizing municipal taxes. Another, indirect way is to have a Borough Council that spends more energy working to bring new business into town and less energy considering pie-in-the-sky development projects. Increased business revenue helps lower the burden on residents, so an aggressive approach to enticing commercial interests into town is important in the long run. Finally, even though it's not the best practice, the reality of the historic surplus in the utility department this year provides the opportunity for short-term tax relief and, more importantly, ongoing utility rate relief.

Buffalino: Previously, the budget was set one year at a time with no consideration given to long-term planning. Work started in 2008 needs to continue. State aid should not be considered as a source of revenue. This year expenditures were under the state-mandated cap. However, the loss of one-time grants and aid from past years, combined with decreased revenue within the borough's accounts, made an increase in taxes necessary. We need to continue to plan the budget so that it balances without relying on state aid. Taxes will stabilize and provide South River with a more predictable and healthier fiscal future. State aid and grants then become discretionary funds for expanded programs, special projects and to provide relief to residents in times of need.

Guindi: To help stabilize municipal taxes, I feel that it is important to promote a consistent flow of revenue into the borough. This may be accomplished by attracting new businesses to the borough and encouraging further business growth. In turn, this would help to increase commercial tax-based revenue for the borough and assist in alleviating some of the tax burden on residents.

Krenzel: Real estate taxes can be controlled by relying on stable revenues. For example, South River relies upon money from the Edgeboro Landfill. That money, which comes from the amount of garbage dumped at the landfill, fell this year by $250,000. Just to provide current services, taxes had to be raised to cover the deficit. Expenditures could have been cut, but the people do not want to give up services like the Office on Aging or the Recreation Department. Revenues are being examined to make sure that one-time revenues or unstable revenues are not part of the tax base.

Are there any new laws you would like the Borough Council to consider, or any changes to programs or services in town?

Almeida: This year's historic utility surplus is the extreme example of the flawed practice of operating the utility so that there's money left over each year. This makes it harder for residents to mitigate the impact of increases in the cost of living by way of their tax returns, and harder to follow their dollars once they reach the borough's coffers. Reform is needed. I'm a fan of sidewalk cafes, and I think our current ordinance is unwieldy. I would look to reform it, making it easier for our varied eateries to draw more customers by providing this service.

Buffalino: South River currently has one of the more robust recreation programs and senior programs. I would like to see this continue and allow them to flourish even more. The need for a more reliable first aid/EMT service based in town is evident. While relying upon interlocal agreements with other outside programs may be cost efficient, the lives of our residents take precedence. The Building Department is another area I would like to see brought back in town; however, I feel this department needs to be self-sustaining through the collection of fees and not an additional drain on an already overtaxed budget. Guindi: The Borough of South River was once a self-sufficient entity in which all borough programs and services were coordinated and run within the borough. Over time, various programs and services have been outsourced, including a recent attempt to privatize sanitation. I feel that borough programs and services should once again be run and maintained in the borough, such as electric and water utility billing, and that borough services such as sanitation should also remain within the borough.

Krenzel: I would like to see a new attitude take hold in South River. It is an attitude where we can think and talk about a problem without yelling or becoming hysterical. For example, in response to a building collapse, the Republicans adopted an ordinance to deal with unsafe and unfit buildings. The Democrats are running around town trying to frighten people, saying that the government is going to take people's property. Only if it is unsafe and unfit. We should be able to discuss plans so that what is best for the people can be implemented.

Why should residents vote for you on Nov. 4?

Almeida: Last year, the voters of South River were hungry for change, and as a result, there was what appears at a glance a great turnover in the borough's government. However, closer inspection reveals that even though some of the names have changed, the direction of the borough hasn't. My running mate Peter Guindi and I represent the next generation of South River politics. We represent a new vision for the borough. We represent actual change, the sort of change that the borough's residents wanted last year and have not yet been given.

Buffalino: My mother and father were both volunteers in South River and raised me with a desire to give back to my community. Over the years, I've volunteered, been appointed and elected to various positions throughout the community. With each, I've learned more about the people of South River, their needs, hopes and dreams. I believe that my experience makes me qualified to help lead South River into a future we can all be proud of.

Guindi: I have the drive and motivation to help the borough move forward and progress by offering fresh ideas for improvement. I have lived in this town all my life and have dedicated my time and energy to community events such as Cruise Nite, and served on several boards and committees in an effort to enhance the borough. As a council member, I would want to continually participate in such activities as well as offer my suggestions and seek those of community residents, to help make the borough a great place to live for all residents now and in the future.

Krenzel: I would like the chance to bring a new way of thinking to South River. We need to be able to discuss problems intelligently. To this end, the Republicans have opened government. Council comments are now made before public comments so that the people's questions must be answered. When the council tried to save money by privatizing garbage collection, the people objected. The council listened and kept the town garbage collection. The important thing is that we tried to save money. With the people's input, we will think about new ideas and not be afraid to try new projects.