Politics & Government

Democrats Araman, Piazza Defending Their Eatontown Council Seats

Both are seeking their second term on the Eatontown Council.

Democratic Eatontown Councilmembers Meir Araman and Jennifer Piazza are running to defend their seats on the dais this November, but will be challenged by Republicans Richard Robinson and Kevin Gonzalez.

We asked the Democratic candidates three questions about issues facing the borough and have printed their answers verbatim below.

Piazza:

1) What is your stance on the redevelopment effort of the fort?

The redevelopment of Fort Monmouth is a long term effort that requires long-term constant vigilance watching each Request for Purchase and bid sent out by FMERA to ensure the needs and concerns of our residents are heard and understood and to work with FMERA to compromise to hopefully end with a product as close to the original plan established previously.

2) What steps would you take to attempt to lower the budget in Eatontown? 

We have aggressively sought out Shared Services and negotiated each contract to get the best value of each taxpayers' dollar.  We have reduced health care expenses and reorganized with attrition to cut costs as well. Meir and I look forward to continue providing the most efficient, best-quality services to our residents. 

3) What do you believe is the main issue facing Eatontown?

Two of the biggest issues facing our community are the economy and the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth. The empty office buildings and stores in our town directly affect the tax burden on the residents. As a result of the down sloped economy, our town has devalued significantly at a cost of around $50 million dollars. Residents are dependent on our local businesses to help balance the tax burden. We need to promote shopping locally and create an environment more attractive to businesses and residents. Creating a competitive, dynamic and balanced community will help attract new businesses and fill our EXISTING empty commercial space. One way to help our local businesses is with a Shop Locally Campaign to encourage and support our existing businesses. Another small but effective step is to re-examine our current signage ordinances to help promote and identify business along our Industrial Way. The success of our current business community will attract more businesses to our growing community.

Secondly, as FMERA is proceeding with Redevelopment Plans for Fort Monmouth it is our duty to ensure the best interests of Eatontown are considered as each Amendment, Request for Purchase and phased project goes out to bid.  It is our responsibility to ensure the needs of our residents are understood and considered by the FMERA Board.  Constant monitoring and communication is needed to ensure that Eatontown’s Voice is clearly heard and considered in the long term continued development of Fort Monmouth.

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Araman:

1) What is your stance on the redevelopment effort of the fort?

We need to make sure that Fort Monmouth's redevelopment is one that not only benefits our local economy with quality ratables, but does not increase unfairly our share of affordable housing.  I have worked with Council to make our feelings known by lobbying FMERA and believe a strong relationship with all parties will assist us at the bargaining table.

2) What steps would you take to attempt to lower the budget in Eatontown? 

I understand that everyone's top concern is their property tax bill.  We continue to work hard to provide our residents with tax stability. Eatontown's tax increase this year was the lowest in Monmouth County and our increase is far, far less than the State's average. I am proud to have served during my term on the Borough's Finance Committee and to work with the Administration to bring conservative budgets forward to our residents. 

3) What do you believe is the main issue facing Eatontown?

In addition to conservative spending in our budget, we must also ensure that our local economy is healthy to attract and maintain businesses and ensure a low vacancy rate.  The closure of Fort Monmouth and the down economy has eroded our ratable base which shifts the burden to the homeowners.  As Council Liaison to our Building Department, I sought to create an open dialogue between our businesses and Administration so as to address their concerns quickly and eliminate delays they faced. 

I'm currently working on a Shop Local program which will encourage residents to shop locally.  This is a program which has reached much success in other towns whereby residents who shop at participating local businesses see savings passed through to their property tax bill.  Businesses benefit by increased sales and pass a share of this along to the residents.  Residents are encouraged financially to shop locally whenever possible.  This is a win-win for all parties.

Click here to see the Republicans' answers to the same questions. 

Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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