Two Democrats To Run For Committee Against Cirulli and Melchiondo
Government transparency and attracting ratables some of the issues to be raised in the election
Mayor Al Cirulli and Township Committeeman Jeff Melchiondo will face opposition from two newcomers in this fall's election.
Democrats Elaine Taylor, 53 and Susan Conway, 40, will run together on the platform of bringing more openness to the township government and attracting more ratables to Barnegat, among other issues.
"Our slogan is progress not politics," said Taylor, the stay-at-home mother of two who lived in Barnegat since 1990 and has served for five years on the school board. "If I’m elected, the first thing I’d like to do is make everything more open. We have a beautiful web page that doesn’t get utilized as fully as it should. Also, we’ve got to find a way to make our town more attractive to some of those major businesses that don’t want to come here."
"In Manahawkin, for example, taxes are a bit lower, because they have so many busineses for the community," said Taylor's running mate Conway, who is also a mother of two, and an attorney in northern New Jersey.
Conway lived in Barnegat since the age of 5 and served on a charter commission to re-examine the form of government in town several years ago.
"I believe that there are communication issues that need to be addressed between the township committe and the community," Conway said. "I will also be focusing on infrastructure ... and finally the cost. Where is all the money that's coming in and where is it going?"
Both the Republican incumbents Cirulli and Melchiondo have been on the township committee since 2004, and both have served as mayor and deputy mayor. Cirulli works as a vice principal at the Pinelands Regional High School and Melchiondo owns a cigar shop downtown.
“Since joining the township committee one of the things I have prided myself on is being thoroughly involved in the community,” said Melchiondo, 61. “I’ve served on virtually every board or commission that the town has offered — Historic Preservation, Planning Board, Economic Development, Cox Commission, you name it. I’ve also been a police department liaison for the last seven years.”
"I’m available pretty much 24-7,” Melchiondo added. “Both myself and Mayor Al Cirulli made many strides over the years to improve the township; we brought it back from virtual devastation; we resurrected virtually every department in the town, we’ve strived to stabilize taxes.”
“It’s just a desire to continue to serve,” said Cirulli, 59, of his motivation to run again. “We’ve been working real hard to get the community on solid ground.”
The candidates will not face any opposition within their own parties during the June 5 primaries. Monday was the deadline for candidates to file to run for their party's nomination.
Independent candidates still can enter the race, however. Hopefuls unaffiliated with a party have until primary day, June 5, to file nominating petitions.
Bob Wise
3:56 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
All the Republicans need for added insurance is for Patch Blogger/"Real Democrat"/Independent Effron to run again. He may raise over $800 this time and get 5% of the vote. Just enough votes to make sure the Dems lose again. (The Effron/GOP gang can now remove my post because they don't want you to know this Barnegat)
Ken Bank
5:06 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The only suspense between now and June is whether Jeff and Al can convince Howard Effron to run as an independent again and take away enough anti-incumbent votes to ensure at least a three-to-two GOP majority on the Committee. BTW, what happened to Mike Howard? He only lost by 11 votes last time. He deserved another shot.
tax bill
4:54 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
I would like to know why this committee made such a big deal about cutting costs when they laid off 3 township employees then proceeded to pay $28,000 to deliver used field turf that will inevitably cost the township more $$$. Who approved $28,000 to deliver fake grass? That is a full time salary.
Ken Bank
5:08 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tax bill, In answer to your question the field turf came from the open space fund, which can be used to pay for recreation as well as open space acquisition. The fund cannot be used to pay operating expenses.
tax bill
5:27 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Who approved $28,000 for a 1/2 truck delivery from Maryland? That is an insane amount. Was that pickup job out to bid? Who got paid for the delivery, surely that is public record.
TP
10:44 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Our Country has some serious problems:
Pro-Shariah Group Launches Disinformation Campaign
Disturbing. Read the background notes on this group. http://owl.li/a42mm
http://www.wnd.com/2012/04/islamization-of-america-accelerates/
This! In the USA??
http://youtu.be/coT24Y5QcX4
DHS To Grant Illegal Aliens “Unlawful Presence Waivers” | Judicial Watch http://t.co/8qI8GppA
Ken Bank
12:36 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
So what does this have to do with the Committee? Are you afraid the Committee will hire illegal aliens and convert Barnegat to Islam?
TP
8:47 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILJDudUpct0
Illegal Aliens Caught Voting and Stealing Elections In Florida In Vast Numbers
Peter Cannon
7:43 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The same whinning and complaining from Barnegat's own "Gadfly Society". Let's see what these 2 newcomers and our current incumbents have to offer, and make our votes based on their vision of Barnegat's future. Cut the paritisn crap, and judge the candidates on the content of their ideas and not if they are a "D" an "R" or an "I".
tax bill
9:35 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
A fully loaded tractor trailer costs $995 to pick up in Annapolis and deliver to Barnegat. Who approved this amount for the 'free' turf and who was the lucky recipient? Peter, you ok with this amount?
Bob Wise
9:45 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Your buddy the former Mayor approved it "tax bill" and you won't do nothing but re-elect him again.
Michael G.
10:07 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Why don't the tax payers of Barnegat have a say in how the open space funds are used. Ther should be a meeting with the taxpayers before these funds are spent. Breeden and the good old boys should'nt have the only say in these matters.
$28,000 doesn't sound FREE to me. It's time to shake the good old boys tree this Nov.
Susan Conway
4:09 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Michael, I could not agree more. For as long as I can remember, the residents of Barnegat are cut out of these important decisions, having no say in how funds should be utilized. No, its not because they can't go to a township meeting and voice concerns . . . its because they didn't know the issue existed or was up for debate. This has been, and continues to be, a significant issue in Barnegat and needs to be addressed, no matter who is elected to the board. I call on all candidates, affiliations aside, to provide to the Barnegat public one of the most valuable commodities in modern society today - knowledge. Use the Barnegat website, the cheapest method to get information out to the public, and let the citizens of Barnegat know what is going on so that they can decide whether to attend a township meeting and voice their discontent, if any. Details, not just one sentence statements. Clear language, not purposely cloudied.
Thank you Michael - you are, of course, correct and I hope to be able to address this very issue for you and the citizens of Barnegat.
Regards,
Susan Conway
Eric Thomas
3:20 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Question, please. Did not Ms. Taylor resign from the Board of Education recently? If so, how then can she assure possible supporters that she has sufficient time and a bona fide commitment to devote to being a member of the township committee?
Quite important since the township committee position - - unlike the school board - - pays a salary and benefit package.
Why don't we deal with this most baseline question upfront.
Elaine Taylor
4:22 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Mr. Thomas, I had personal issues that I had to deal with and I did not feel that I should remain on the BOE at that time since I could not devote the time nor energy it deserved. Those issues have been resolved. As for salary and benefits, I'm not taking any.
Eric Thomas
3:23 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Has Mr. Morano publicly endorsed Ms. Taylor and Ms. Conway?
How about Mr. Howard?
Mike Howard
3:51 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
I have talked with both Elaine Taylor and Susan Conway and like what they stand for. I support both of them and will do all I can to help them win seats on the Township Committee. I'm tired of the TWO X Mayors and the Tax and Spend ideas they have. They never met a dollar they wouldn't waste.
I believe the fields of dreams are now over $200,000.00 dollars and still headed UP. I've always questioned the free, $28,000.00 turf and the money it is costing us. Open space money was used and abused for these projects. Also, tax money was used in these project even though one of the X mayors said none was.
Eric Thomas
4:21 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Ms. Taylor, your reply to my concerns is forthright. Your integrity is exactly what is needed on the township desperately needs.
Hope to see you in the winners's circle in November.
Thank you, Ms. Taylor.
Capt Jacobsen Mey
4:38 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Susan and Elaine - best of luck. Hopefully things like improving communication with the townsfolk and transparency of events and/or concerns that should involve tax payer input be part of the new delegation if elected.
Ratables are surely needed, as the town needs to invest in itself, rather than pushing potential business and job opportunities away.
Promoting progress, incorporating change and accepting new ideas should be first and foremost.
I wish luck to anyone in the running, but improvements are needed to keep forward momentum and a progressive future for all - regardless of party affiliation.
Also, financially yes, the books need to be reviewed as well to get down to "where IS all the money going" and to appoint some type of fiscal responsibilities.
Elaine Taylor
6:55 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Thank you Capt. Mey
Susan Conway
4:00 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Thank you Capt. Mey! We will do all that we can and are always open to suggestions to continue to move Barnegat forward in a positive direction!
-Susan Conway
MORRIS FLORY
4:41 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Susan, I agree with your comments on transparency and informing the residents, especially for the Committee meetings. I have found it very frustrating to hear from the Committeemen regarding specific questions. That is why I started recording on video’s a number of months ago that are being posted so E1 can see and hear what is happening at those meetings. The Barnegat web site should be used for informing the residents about all actions and why they are taken as not E1 can be at every meeting. Do you plan to start your own blog or web site? I look forward to hearing more of your proposals and specific actions for Barnegat.
Susan Conway
4:56 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Thank you Morris Flory. Elaine and I are exploring our options in this regard, and will announce shortly how we can be reached and a more detailed analysis of what we would hope to accomplish should the good citizens of Barnegat choose to elevate us to the posts of Township Committee-women. Stay tuned!
-Susan Conway