THE I n d e p e n d e n t ☆ ^ ^ ☆ The W eekly Newspaper Vol. 13 No. 29 Wednesday, June 1, 1983 I awan Tr.,- ^ 25 Cents Pub lie F r e e — - ­ For Republican nomination j i 6t5a*“ Evans challenging Arm ellino By Judith McGee Feeney MATAWAN Mayor Victor Armellino and Councilman Ralph Evans will vie Tuesday in the pri­ mary election for the local Republican may­ oral nomination. “I think it’s past time for a change,” Evans said Friday. “I think the mayor’s post should be limited to two terms. Other­ wise, a mayor ends up being more of a politi­ cal boss than an elected public servant.” Aremellino, who is in his 14th consecutive year as mayor, said his experience is an as­ set. “I have given Matawan many years of service and I think I deserve to be reelected,” he said. “I’ve never been a polit­ ical boss. I’ve always been able to work with everyone.” The w inner of the prim ary \wlH &ceT 3e r i F ” ocratic candidate V irginia C hristinat in the N ovem ber election. According to Evans, who became a coun­ cilman in 1981, the borough needs a more open political atmosphere and better rela­ tions with its neighbors and the county. “The mayor can set the tone of direction that the town will go in,” Evan said. “It’s easy for a mayor to sit on a fence and only vote to break a tie, but I believe it’s a may­ or’s responsibility to declare himself on the issues.” Memorial Day parades and ceremonies were held throughout the 'parade. Below, left, Keith Casuccio, 8, and Jennifer Lanza, 9, He advocates a regular maintenance pro­ Bayshore this weekend despite the soggy weather. Above, Wayne represented the First United Methodist Church in the Matawan gram and careful land use. Murphy (right) led the Keyport VFW Monday in the Union Beach parade on Sunday. (Photos by Chuck Steiner.) Evans also emphasizes that he was elect­ ed to the council on the Republican ticket and is a Republican county committeeman. Armellino was first elected mayor as a Republican, but won his last two terms as an independent, defeating the regular Republi­ can and Democratic candidates in three­ way races. He sought Republican support this year and reportedly gained the support of the ma­ jority of GOP county committeemen. Matawan has an open political atmos­ phere, Armellino said. He also maintains he has a good rapport with county and Aberdeen officials, despite his disagreements with them. His criticisms of the county are in defense of the borough, he said. “I’ve done service to the community for a number of years,” he said. “I’ve been re­ sponsive to the people. I’ve always an­ swered my phone. If somebody’s doing his job, why change?” Chief among his achievements, he says, was the constuction eight years ago of Min- nisink Village, a senior citizens’ apartment complex. Ronny Waldman plays taps during the Armellino described Evans as a “mav­ Hazlet Memorial Day service after erick” who does not listen to residents members of the VFW 4303 Honor Guard because he “always has to make a com­ fired a 21-gun salute. Honor guard members m ent.” are (left to right) Edward Hoth, William “I don’t have anything personally against Burke, Fred Masoni, and William O’Brien. the mayor,” Evans said, “but we have to get (Photo by Bill Terpack.) (Continued on Page '>) House unit approves funds to dredge Keyport harbor KEYPORT dations is expected within a month, accord­ An appropriation of more than $1 million ing to Nancy Blades, an aide to Rep. James for dredging the Keyport harbor and Mata­ J. Howard. wan Creek was approved last week by the If thev are approved, the funds would be House of Representatives Appropriations included in the federal budget for fiscal year Committee. 1984, which begins Oct. l, she said. The appropriations still must be approved “The congressman is very pleased that by the full House and Senate. the committee went along with his request,” The recommended appropriations of she said. “He feels confident that the funds $830,000 for the harbor and $210,000 for the will remain in the budget.” . „ , scoui i roop 80 wait their turn to place a wreath at the monument Mondav creek were among a number of waterway The administration’s budget recommen­ h v S et\ V^ r i ? S’ Mem0rial Park duri"g a memorial service. XheToopT"pWsored projects approved by the committee. by the local Knights of Columbus. (Photo by Bill Terpack.) - sponsored dations did not include money for the local A vote bv the full House on the recommen­ dredging projects. F i n d A n d y , F am ous artist M azur hurls H azlet heroes w in a dinner: 9 to visit here: 20 perfect game: 17 to he cited: 21 Page 2 THE INDEPENDENT June 1, 1983 Evans challenging mayor in Republican primary (Continued from Page x) “It was never my idea,” E vans, who is a real estate away from cigar-smoking, he said. “Ralph made us broker, notes that he is sup­ backroom politics.” spend $450 to get an ap­ ported in his campaign by Evans said he has been praisal of the station and Republican Sheriff Bill Lan- upset by several incidents as then said he didn’t believe zaro, former Councilman a councilmen, when it the appraisal.” Donald Day, Peter Koelseh, seemed that the mayor had Armellino added that Do­ and ex-mayor Ralph Dennis. discussed issues with lan was to renovate the sta­ residents and some coun­ tion in lieu of paying higher Armellino counts among cilmen before meetings rent. his backers Republican without informing the entire Councilmen LeQuier, Robert council. The builder who proposed Strang, and James Shea, and “All of a sudden, some­ the townhouse project had council candidate Beatrice thing would come up at a asked to make a presenta­ Duffy. meeting that evidently had tion, Armellino said. “f would appreciate the been worked out ahead of “He asked me, and I told people’s support,” he added. time,” Evans said. him he would have to come “I have always helped peo­ He cited a proposal to and speak to the council,” he ple, and I hope those people I lease the old railroad station said. “They are my meet­ did favors for will come out to former Councilman Ralph ings and I can do that. If and support me now.” Dolan’s son for $1 a year and Ralph had an objection, why a proposal for a zoning didn’t he bring it to me change for townhouses. before he decided to chal­ lenge me in the primary?” “All of a sudden, a builder # * came in with a proposal to According to Evans, the build 38 townhouses,” he borough has long deferred said. “It wasn’t on our agen­ maintenance of its equip­ da, but the m ayor and anoth­ ment, streets, and facilities. er councilman seemed to ‘FOR GOVERNMENT RESPONSIVE TO The “policy of deferred know all about it.” maintenance” forced the Armellino said the pro­ borough to make a major MATAWAN BOROUGH RESIDENTS,” posal to lease the railroad renovation of the water plant * station to Dolan had been and join the Bayshore Re­ made by Councilman Harry gional Sewerage Authority, LeQuier. he said. RALPH EVANS, ♦ <s> REPUBLICAN MAYORAL CANDIDATE ♦ & N O T IC E ♦ MATAWAN BOROUGH 3 M C £ RESIDENTS STABLE MUNICIPAL TAX RATE £ CITIZEN PARTICIPATION BOARD TO As a firm advocate of home rule, I will be wary of federal. * and state funded make-work projects which will result in APPROVE PROJECTS OF PRIORITY a long-term tax burden to borough citizens. As Mayor, I NEEDS, TO SERVE LOW & MODERATE I will seek sound and responsible fiscal planning that will INCOME UNDER HUD C.D. ACT maintain a stable municipal tax rate. * I 1. NEW PROPOSED 10th YEAR PRO­ ♦ ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ♦ JECTS SHOULD ADDITIONAL DOL­ As Mayor, I will address an existing problem of deferred * LARS BECOME AVAILABLE. maintenance throughout the borough We have all been i the victims of deferred maintenance which isX»n.e of the 2 TRANSFER OF UNUSED DOLLARS prime reasons for our present HIGH WATER & SEWER TO REVISED OR NEW PROJECTS. RATES * & MEETINGS TO BE HELD PROMOTE COMMERCE AT BOROUGH HALL: As Mayor, I will work closely with the Council, the Plan­ ning Board and the local Chamber of Commerce to pro­ mote responsible business growth within the community. I * TUESDAY - 6/14/83 ■ 8:00 P.M. will encourage the development of good tax ratables whenever possible while maintaining the integrity of our small town atm osphere. I AM AGAINST THE DEVELOP­ MENT OF ADDITIONAL HIGH DENSITY HOUSING WITHIN THE BOROUGH. & TEAMWORK & As Mayor, I will work as a part of the Borough Council Team. I will encourage a friendly but firm dialogue bet­ ween'the Board of Education, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders and our neighboring communities among others. There is no need for antagonistic relation­ ships with other governmental agencies. We can obtain our goals through mutual respect and our firm commit­ * ment. ❖ MY ENDEAVOR As Mayor, I pledge to work diligently with all who serve £ the Borough of Matawan. My endeavor is to protect, to RALPH EVANS preserve and to improve upon an affordable Family Town. £ COMMITMENT TO LEADERSHIP As Mayor 1 will commit myself to straight-forward honest input to items before the council. I will contribute and work with council members toward sound planning and RALPH EVANS FOR MAYOR, FOR GOVERNMENT & s a s s m i m productive appointments to Borough Boards & Agencies I RESPONSIVE TO BOROUGH RESIDENTS, FOR CON­ JUNE SPECIAL! WILL NOT SIT ON THE FENCE and leave the burden of TROLLED SPENDING AND EFFICIENT SERVICES.