News
Civility Marks The Borough Council Race In AH
By John Burton
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - It is increasingly rare in political discourse to have candidates in an active political campaign not offer criticism or to take swipes at the opposition. But that appears to be the case in Atlantic Highlands.
With two full three-year terms in the offing next Tuesday, incumbent Democrats Roy Dellosso and Robert Sutton are seeking to retain their seats, the only ones held by the Republican controlled six-member council, with a Republican mayor.
Seeking to unseat the Democrats are Republicans Michael Rybeck and Joseph W. Glynn, who, while having been active on a number of fronts in the community, are making their first run for elected office.
"On the local level I think most people seem pretty satisfied," Sutton said of his neighbors and fellow residents Sutton, 58, an East Washington Avenue resident, works as senior sales representative for a steel fabrication company. He served on the council in the 1980s, but lost re-election and again ran three years ago, and is seeking another term.
He, like his fellow Democrat, and the two Republican opponents, for that matter, offers similar assessments of the state of the community and motivation for running.
The Democrats said they are running to continue to maintain the current team on the council to continue work that has been started or on the drawing board, looking to begin.
A case in point in the large multimillion-dollar renovation project scheduled for the borough hall/public library, 100 First Avenue. Borough officials are preparing to go out for bid on that construction project, a project that had been under discussion for years, given the state of the building, which is plagued with problems with mold and age. "So we decided to take the leap this year," Sutton said, the "we" meaning the unanimous support of the council. "For the long term it's going to be beneficial to the community."
Other projects include continuing the streetscape project for the First Avenue business district, and looking at means to generate additional revenue from the municipal-owned and operated harbor, a resource for the community that doesn't place a strain on the taxpayer.
Despite the split nature of the council, "It's like we're one big team," Sutton insisted. "We don't fight; there really is no politics in any of our decisions."
On the other hand, Sutton and Dellosso stressed, it is important to maintain that balance by having a Democratic voice on the council. "I think it's a feeling people have when they hear one party," he said. "They get afraid, and they think, How is the other side going to be heard?"
Dellosso added while it is a civil affair, it is important to retain him and Sutton as "watchdogs."
But, he added, "Everybody has the best interest of the town in mind."
Dellosso, 55, Asbury Avenue, owns an insurance agency and school and has served one term on council, having served for 12 years on the Board of Education. He said he would like to continue his work, as well. "It's a nice situation," on the council, and, "We'd like to keep it going."
Part of the reason for the cordiality, "This is a small town and everybody knows everybody," Dellosso explained. "It's what's best for the town."
"No matter who wins the election, we're all going to be working together, talking together, just like we were before we decided to run," observed Glynn.
Glynn, 46, Harborview Drive, is a Middletown police officer and owns a small business in the borough. He too, has no bone to pick with the political opposition. "I just want to be part of preserving the quality of life here," he insisted.
"I think overall that people are pretty satisfied with the way the town runs," he said.
'You know what it is," he explained, "unlike some other towns, everybody knows one another on a personal level. It kind of makes people work with one another a little bit better."
His emphasis, should he take a seat, is working with the business district and to, "help people who are here to stay here and to maintain the attractiveness of the town."
"My opponents are good gentlemen," offered Rybeck, 62, North Avenue. "Their hearts are there."
But Rybeck said he was running, "just to bring a different point of view."
Rybeck is a forensic accountant and consultant, who said he has been involved in politics and now looks to be further involved because, "I really want to put money back in the taxpayer's pockets."
Given his professional experience, "You learn the tricks of the trade," which would be of benefit to the borough as it looks to draft its next budget. "Hopefully, I can bring in improvements," he said, "take my experience and look at it as a business and make recommendations."
