News
Spending, Development, Issues In RB Council Race
By John Burton
RED BANK - Incumbent Democrats Arthur V. Murphy III and Michael Dupont are running for re-election to the borough's six member council.
Republicans Rob Lombardi and Kim Senkeleski are challenging Murphy and Dupont for the three year-terms. Both Republicans are making their first run for public office.
Murphy, 50, Prospect Avenue, is a construction contractor who is seeking his third full term. He was originally appointed to the council to fill an unexpired term.
DuPont, 48, South Street, is a local lawyer, who is running for his second term.
Democrats have had the majority on the council for almost two decades, with last year's win garnering them exclusive control. (The mayor is also a Democrat.). Murphy, who is presently council president, and DuPont their party has a record of achievement that reflects their own individual work on the council.
"I have a vision for Red Bank," DuPont said. That vision, which is shared by Murphy, includes the redevelopment of the Monmouth Street corridor, especially in the western portion, "allowing our seniors and working people to walk to the train station and food store."
Recently, the council approved a series of planning and zoning ordinances that included increasing the allowable building height from 30 to 40 feet and increasing allowable density for multi-family developments from 25 to 35 units per acre.
Democrats have argued that those changes could pave the way for the redevelopment of the area near the NJ Transit train station, on the western end of Monmouth Street.
I'd love to see affordable housing around the train station," DuPont said. "Red Bank is a pedestrian town, and we need to make it more friendly."
"Red Bank is a hustling, bustling town," Murphy said, and people like it that way, and the borough should maximize its attractions for the good of all.
"I grew up here. I remember when the lights were out," Murphy said, recalling when the borough, like many urban and quasi-urban areas saw populations and tax bases deserting them. "The lights are on now and I like it."
Concerning affordable housing, the Democrats cited the proposed Cedar Crossing development for low- and moderate-income families that the borough is building with the assistance of state aid.
These are difficult financial times for all, including the borough, the candidates noted. DuPont, who chairs the borough's finance committee, and Murphy insisted they have been fiscally responsible in difficult times, cutting operating expenses, trimming departments by five percent across the board, eliminating positions, and closing the municipal complex one day a week with hopes of saving money. "There's nothing else to cut in the budget," DuPont insisted.
Other accomplishments they pointed to, is the work under way at Count Basie Park, installing artificial turf for sports teams and the public, and plans in the works for a new west side park, overlooking the river at the site of the former trash incinerator.
"Why be in office if I can't move forward on my vision?" Murphy said. "If people don't like my vision, on Nov. 3 they have a vote."
The GOP candidates do not share that vision. "I just see government out of control," on all levels, countered Lombardi. "I just see too much spending."
Lombardi, 29, is an architect who has lived in the borough, on William Street, for three years.
"It's getting so tight now," as taxpayers continue to shoulder the burden, he said. "Things are always getting worse."
Senkeleski, 39, John Street, is a stay at home mother, raising her 6-, 4- and 1-year-old children. Senkeleski, who was born and raised in the borough, moved back here 10 years ago with her husband, and in that time her taxes have more than doubled, she said. "I feel it is getting too expensive to live here, and I don't want to move," she said as her motivating reason for running at this time.
A major issue for the Republicans has been that zoning change in the area of the train station. The transit overlay district, as it has been labeled, allowing for taller, denser development would change the character of the community - and not in a good way.
Insisting they are not "anti-development," Senkeleski said, ""I don't like excessive height increases; I don't like excessive density."
"If you put up 50-foot buildings, you can never go back," she warned.
More, high-density construction, they fear would lead to greater strain on resources and infrastructures, which equals into higher taxes.
"Services always outweigh the ratables it brings in," Lombardi said.
"I'd like to see town homes built that people can actually afford,' Senkeleski suggested as an alternative.
Another concern involves the lack of dissenting voices in government, with one-party control. The Republicans charge that among the last 250 votes taken on ordinances and resolutions there have only been six opposing votes. "I think it's important for people to see open discussion," Lombardi said. "New solutions need to be brought up."
Their victory would ensure that, the Republicans pressed. "Me and Kim have nobody to answer to," Lombardi said, adding, "except the taxpayers."
