Candidates get last jabs: Eatontown hopefuls debate before November 8 election

By Jonathan Weber
Last week’s candidate debate was the last time Eatontown voters could see all four candidates at one time, as this coming Tuesday, November 8, the two Republican incumbents on Borough Council face a challenge from two newcomer Democratic candidates in the general election.

The first salvo of the night came from Republican Councilman Dennis Connelly, who charged Mayor Gerald Tarantolo with a failure to communicate with Council, particularly on matters regarding the now closed Fort Monmouth.
The basic area of disagreement is still Mallette Hall, where the mayor hopes to get the building for one dollar and turn it into the new Borough Hall. The Democrats want to study the proposal and the Republicans just say no way, never.  Mallette Hall contains about 55,000 square feet compared 15,000 square feet in the current.  Two studies, one in 2001 and the other in 2010, both claimed the current municipal building is too small and the town needs about twice the amount of space.  Tarantolo would like to lease the extra space at Mallette and the GOP candidates doubt it could be done.
Connelly also questioned the redevelopment plan for the now closed military facility, which calls for a hotel and retail complex, and compared it to Fantasy Land in Disney World.
Democratic Challenger Janice Kroposky compared Mallette Hall to an old car, which may or may not be a good deal and that you can’t tell without having someone examining it.
During the course of the debate, all three microphones in the Woodmere School multi-purpose room were in various stages of failing. Bob English, the moderator, couldn’t get his mic to work at all, and the other two shared by the candidates, kept cutting in and out, forcing everyone to shout to the audience without the public address system.
Everyone was in agreement on limited development for Old Orchard County Club, should it again become an issue. The property is zoned for single family homes and the foursome (pardon the pun) wants it to stay that way.
In a second development issue on Mr. B’s Golf Course off Route 35, a new developer has taken over and wants to make changes to the court settlement with the old builder that limited the number of units on the land to 120 and prohibits a left hand turn onto Weston Place, protecting Woodmere residences from a possible 500 to 800 extra cars on its roads per day. All agree on maintaining the left turn prohibition.
The debate was sponsored by the Woodmere Civic Association and held at Woodmere Elementary School.

 

Originally published Nov. 3, 2011