Eatontown Council candidates answer questions

By Eric Kollinger
Eatontown — On Tuesday, October 22, candidates for Eatontown’s Borough Council met at Memorial Middle School to state their positions and answer questions from the public.
The Republican candidates were Kevin Gonzalez and his running mate Richard “Duke” Robinson, while the opposing Demo­cratic contenders were incumbents Meir Araman and his running mate Jennifer L. Piazza.

The event was moderated by the League of Women Voters and assisted by Boy Scout Troop 49.
The candidates introduced themselves and gave their opening statements.
The first question to be addressed was, “What have you done for Eatontown?”
Araman talked about how he had dealt with issues involving public property, volunteered at his local synagogue, and helped coach his daughter’s soccer team. While Piazza had volunteered on boards and persuaded younger adults to get involved with the town, she said that her focus nowadays was more on her sick mother.
Gonzalez mentioned his involvement with the Eatontown recreational baseball team and Boy Scouts, while Robinson brought up his past as a lector for church and a supporter for the annual 5K race.
For the question “Have you appealed a tax bill and how many years ago?” Araman stated he did once, Piazza had not for many years, Gonzalez never had, and Robinson had appealed twice before.
The question “What will you do to reduce traffic in Eatontown?” was answered differently by the two groups. Araman and Piazza cited that this was an ongoing problem caused by population increase and they need to look at different, innovative ways to deal with it. Gonzalez and Robinson promised to try to balance more stop/yield signs and mentioned that increased traffic was both good and bad.
When asked “What steps would you to take to boost the economy and open storefronts?” Araman explained he would try to help business owners, allow more of their signs to be put up, and try to get rid of obsolete ordinances/zoning rules. Piazza would review current property and look at other communities to see how they were successful.
Gonzalez cited that Eatontown needed to be more business friendly and wants vacant properties to be filled. Robinson mentioned an enhanced website for businesses to visit and the goal to make residents aware of already existing businesses.
One major question concerned Route 36 and the commercial development on Old Orchard. Araman did not want to state an opinion until the Eatontown Planning Board decided while Piazza stated she wanted it to stay as open space. Gonzalez simply said “No,” bringing up the fact that the Master Plan does not account for it, and Robinson argued that Fort Monmouth was the bigger issue and should be the focus for now.
Another question included was “What new programs would you like to see for senior citizens?” All four candidates seemed to agree that senior residents deserved respect and each would try to be more involved with the community to come up with programs they wanted.
Candidates were asked to name two goals if elected in November. Araman focused on supporting business while Piazza promised to clean up pollution in some areas and make Eatontown a great place to live in. Gonzalez aims to decrease taxes and Robinson also wants to promote businesses while at the same time being more involved with FMERA (the Fort Monmouth development agency).
These were just a few of the questions that the politicians were asked during the evening event. During the closing statements, all of the candidates seemed eager about the election, repeated their main points, and promised to do their best for all of Eatontown. It ended with all four shaking each other’s hand in front of a crowd of potential voters.
Polls open November 5 and a decision will made about who will be accepted into Eatontown’s Borough Council.