READINGTON TWP. - Solberg Airport was one of the primary issues on the minds of the four candidates vying for the Republican nomination for two seats on the Township Committee.

Running are Committee members Thomas Auriemma and Beatrice Muir, Ed Dudzinski and James Hunter.

Thomas Auriemma

Auriemma, who is finishing his first three-year term on the Township Committee, said a number of issues face Readington Township and that quality of life tops the list.

Any expansion at Solberg Airport would place that quality of life at risk, Auriemma said.

“I’m a candidate who by my actions, not just words, have demonstrated absolute opposition to any expansion of Solberg Airport by publicly supporting a ‘yes’ vote in the May 16 special election,” Auriemma said in a campaign statement. “Any expansion of the airport would negatively impact our environment, decrease our property values and threaten our schools,” he continued.

Auriemma describes himself as a fiscal conservative and said he is seeking re-election to finish the jobs he started in that area. He explained he has championed many initiatives, including the stabilization of property taxes, open space preservation, and support for volunteer services and recreation in the township.

One of Auriemma’s primary tasks has been serving as liaison with the Board of Education. An accomplishment this spring has been to start a strategy for reducing operating expenses through the use of shared services, he said.

For example, in budget discussions concerning the 2006-07 school budget defeated on April 18, Auriemma helped work out a plan for the township to provide snow removal for school facilities, thus reducing the overall cost for the taxpayer.

Shared services between the schools and township is “a win-win” for both entities, “ultimately benefiting the taxpayer.”

As primary liaison to the school board, Auriemma was responsible for leading negotiations on defeated school budgets for both 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Overall, Auriemma said he should be re-elected, because, “I have the experience, record of accomplishment, and common sense to get the job done efficiently and cost effectively.”

As Township Committeeman, Auriemma has been liaison to the township Recreation Committee, code enforcement, libraries, first aid squad, fire departments and Board of Education. He is also a member of the Planning Board.

Firefighters and first aid emergency workers “volunteer an inordinate amount of time to our township,” Auriemma said. “These volunteers are required to have the same training and certifications as firefighters and first aid squads in urban areas where they are compensated for their services.”

Auriemma said he worked to increase the budgets for those organizations to help offset their expenses for training and equipment maintenance, which have increased dramatically over the past several years.

As liaison to the Recreation Committee, Auriemma said he brought about the addition of a much-needed field at Cornhuskers Baseball Field. In addition, he worked with the Recreation Committee to set up a Web site, now part of the township Web site, he said.

“This allows the committee to get up-to-date information to the residents.”

With the belief that the senior population should be an integral part of our community, he said he recommended that a senior citizen be appointed to a seat on the Recreation Committee, and has publicly solicited candidates for that position. “I made a motion to have an experienced township resident work with me and the director of recreation to reach out to seniors to determine their needs.” The representatives met with senior residents at the Four Seasons adult community and senior clubs at Our Lady of Lourdes Church and The Polish American Hall. After those meetings, Auriemma said he was able to increase an allotment they currently receive from the township for trip reimbursements.

The senior residents also showed interest in volunteering their services at the primary schools, and asked to be invited to school plays and shows, he said.

Combining two areas of involvement, Auriemma said he urged school officials to work more closely with the senior clubs, and he wants to stay involved in that area.

Auriemma said he is working to lobby the county for an increased budget allotment for additional books and CDs at local libraries. Those libraries are accommodating the extra volume while the county library has been closed for renovation.

Auriemma, 49, has lived on Weavers Lane in the Whitehouse Station section of the township for 13 years. He and his wife, Susan, have a son and daughter. He holds a master’s of science degree in computer science and a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering. He is employed as a quality assurance engineer.

His other civic and volunteer activities in the township include baseball coach, soccer coach and coordinator of the 2006 Memorial Day parade.

Ed Dudzinski

Property taxes, openness in government, limiting residential development and preserving open space, and Solberg Airport are some of the key issues facing the township, according to Ed Dudzinski, 48, a 17-year resident of the township.

Dudzinski, current chairman of the Readington Recreation Committee, said he decided to run for committee “to continue giving back to our community which has been so good to us.”

“I believe that I can bring new skill sets, energy and perspectives to our Township Committee that would influence decisions that benefit all Readington residents,” said the candidate.

On Solberg Airport, Dudzinski said he feared the township wouldn’t use restraint in using eminent domain “because of the current atmosphere of animosity and distrust between the Solbergs and the Township Committee. This poisoned atmosphere is not conducive to leading to a negotiated settlement.” If elected, he said he could use his professional negotiating skills to help work out an acceptable agreement that would have the least impact on property taxes.

Dudzinski said he would like to see another Fortune 500 corporate headquarters in the township, possibly at the site of the Belle Mead office project on Route 78. Such a project could generate about $3 million in additional tax revenue to help lessen the residential tax burden, he said. In addition, another Fortune 500 firm could be another “good corporate citizen” and donate to the township’s schools, emergency services and recreational activities, as Merck has been doing for years, Dudzinski pointed out. Another Fortune 500 firm “would last for years in terms of the benefits received so we don’t have to over develop” in the township, argued Dudzinski.

Dudzinski said he “doesn’t support Big Box retail stores along Route 22 as some have said.” Retail development doesn’t bring in as much tax revenue as office development, he noted.

He did, however, say that he would like to see a “limited facelift” along the stretch of Route 22 in Readington Township in which some of the abandoned diners and old motels are converted to a better use. “I believe retail development should be driven by what conveniences and services our residents would like to see,” said the candidate in a campaign statement. “Since the town’s Master Plan is due for revision in 2007, I would like our Township Committee to send out a resident survey seeking input on what people would like to see for the future of our town.”

Dudzinski said he supports the continued preservation of open space, and believes the township should save those properties that have the greatest potential for residential development.

On another issue, Dudzinski said he would like to see more openness in Readington government. He supports seeing two periods of public comment at Township Committee meetings, one at the beginning and another at the end of the meeting. Currently, the public is only allowed to comment at the end of meetings. This can be especially tough on seniors who have to wait to the end of lengthy meetings before they have a chance to comment, said Dudzinski. “We need to encourage involvement by all citizens, making things easier for residents, not harder,” he said.

As another way of improving openness, Dudzinski said the township needs to put more budget and financial information on the township Web site. Also needed on the site, he said, should be available recreational activities, maps of hiking trails, and the township’s open space inventory. “Everyone should know what we have and be able to enjoy it,” he said.

Dudzinski said he was concerned that “it seems decisions are already made before they come to the Township Committee. I don’t see a lot of debate or discussion going on.” He said sometimes he may feel one way about an issue, but will deliberately take an opposing viewpoint “just to make sure the best positions possible are arrived at. I see this lacking on the Township Committee.”

Dudzinski said he has self-financed his campaign and would not allow his company to do business in Readington to avoid any potential for a conflict of interest. He added that would donate his Township Committee salary to community projects and charities.

If elected, Dudzinski said he “would bring a businessman’s approach to help the Township Committee with all the issues it faces.”

Dudzinski is the owner and president of Atlantic Real Estate Services, a commercial real estate brokerage company serving Fortune 500 companies on a national basis. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers College, and a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers Graduate School of Management. He and his wife, Denise, have four children. In addition to serving as chairman of the Readington Recreation Committee, he was the past president of Readington Jr. Baseball, and has coached numerous town teams for both boys and girls in multiple sports.

James Hunter

James Hunter, who waged a vigorous campaign in the 2005 election, said he is running for Township Committee because he wants to restore fiscal responsibility and honest government.

“I believe we can and must do better. I’ll oppose property tax increases and instead look to cut waste and unnecessary spending,” Hunter said in a campaign statement.

He added that “government must be accountable to the people it represents.”

Hunter won the Republican primary last June, but was defeated in November after a write-in campaign by veteran Township Committeewoman Julia Allen.

However, at the time he filed to be placed on the ballot in the primary election this June, Hunter said he had received encouragement from residents who were tired of “the same old political practices” going on in Readington.

In a campaign statement issued on Monday, Hunter stated, “Our biggest challenges are balancing the budget, holding the line on taxes and preserving the pristine character of our town. Addressing these challenges means saying no to spending.” He added he would “vigorously oppose” airport expansion and over-development.

“If you want fiscally conservative government that will uphold the highest ethical standards, then you should support my campaign for Township Committee,” Hunter said in his statement.

Beatrice Muir

Beatrice Muir, who has served on the Township Committee for three terms, is a longtime resident who said she wants to “continue my efforts to keep Readington the quality community that residents embrace, while keeping taxes as low as possible.”

Muir, a resident of Readington since 1970, has many years of municipal experience. On the Township Committee, she has been liaison to the township Social Services Board and the Department of Engineering, Roads and Public Works. She described herself as a fiscal conservative, and said she has experience “preparing one of the leanest municipal budgets in the state.”

Muir has also served as a member of the Readington Planning Board, the Sewer Advisory Board, the Environmental Commission and the Board of Health.

Muir also said she is a believer in “municipal self-determination.” She explained that the New Jersey State Constitution gives municipalities the right to decide their destiny and determine their quality of life.

With that view, “I support the township negotiations to purchase the 650 (approximate) acres around Solberg Airport and the easement over the airport facility which will curtail expanded jet traffic over Readington.” She said she has attended “countless hours” of meetings regarding the airport since 1970 and would “work tirelessly to bring closure to the threat of expansion and subsequent negative impacts upon every aspect of life in Readington” if re-elected.

“As a parent and a former teacher, I share the concern of parents about jet flights near school properties,” Muir said in a campaign statement. She said she would continue her many years of efforts to curtail such intrusions, “hopefully with a negotiated settlement whereby the Solbergs and the community will share positive results.”

Muir added, “I believe an expanded Solberg Airport is a huge issue which will affect everything from the education of our children to the value of homes. Greatly increased municipal taxes would be needed to provide the infrastructure necessary to support airport expansion.”

Muir said she believes that acceptable tax ratables along the Route 22-78 highway corridor are desirable for Readington. Such large, high quality tax ratables, such as zoning that permits the Belle Mead office buildings that was ongoing during her tenure on the township boards, help balance tax revenues.

“It is in the best interest of Readington and its residents to have a balanced approach to build-out,” Muir said. “I support those residents who point to communities to the east of Readington which are now grid-locked with traffic and devoid of farms as examples of what they, the residents, have expressed that they do not want to happen in Readington.”

“It is proven that farmland and open space preservation prevent rampant growth and an increased tax burden,” Muir said.

Muir added she would continue to support recreational opportunities in the township. “Recreational activities are extremely important to all ages. The youth programs are ever-changing and growing with varied interests (while) senior programs offering both exercise and social contacts are extremely important to our seniors.” She said other available recreational activities such as hiking appeal to a large number of residents, and she would like to seek new recreational opportunities offered.

Muir concluded she would work hard to maintain the quality of life in Readington. “I believe Readington is a wonderful community and a great place to live. It still has farms and open spaces which many other communities have lost. It offers excellent schools and recreational opportunities. Its residents are motivated and informed, supportive of the Township Committee as witnessed by the recent (Solberg referendum) election, and they deserve my support in return.”

Muir, of Farmersville Road, is a retired teacher who taught for many years at Hunterdon Central High School. She has grown children and several grandchildren.

© Recorder Newspapers 2006

Date: May 24, 2006 Source: Hunterdon Review
URL: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16686838&BRD=1918&PAG=461&dept_id=506546&rfi=6