April 13, 2005
BY CAROL FLETCHER
Staff Writer
With three local council seats up in November, the upcoming election will either preserve the status quo or add more power to the council majority.
Having swept the last election, the Democrat majority controls the council with four seats. Most decisions swing their way.
But some actions, such as bond ordinances and emergency money allocations, require additional votes to pass.
Opposing party views on such actions have stalled the council from conducting some business, such as last fall when the legal budget required additional funding.
Up for grabs this year are the four-year terms held by Republican Scott Heck, who is not running, Republican William Marsala and Independent Ted Taukus.
One main issue for candidates running for election in this watershed town is how to increase the tax base, now that state law prohibits the large-scale development that can generate tax revenue.
The candidates differ on how to do that depending on their political party, but there might also be some common ground.
Democrat Party candidates
John Klemek, a resident forl5 years, believes that by encouraging eco-tourism, the municipality could attract culture and recreation-oriented businesses.
"I want to help promote the town for its true identity," said Klemeck. Not only is the town rich in opportunities for outdoors activities, he said, but it is also "chock full" of talent.
Klemeck has both a business and cultural side. A senior project manager for Hewlett Packard, he also helped establish the local Iron Mountain Stage Company and now sits on the board of directors.
Candidate Kathy McGinnis has lived in town for 11 years, and is an alternate on the local planning board. A consultant chemist for Supresta, LLC, McGinnis said she is hoping to change the recent political "grandstanding" among council members.
"I want to see how much we can accomplish if we have a council that can work together," she said.
With a background in economics, McGinnis supports ecotourism to grow the tax base, with businesses like Ramsey Outdoor Store, which cater to outdoors activities.
"We need businesses that the tourists will patronize" said McGinnis. Both she and Klemeck support reaching out to Ringwood State Park or the New Jersey Botanical Gardens for business opportunities.
Ted Williamson is also a first term candidate. In town for 23 years, Williamson has served for six years with the Passaic County Planning Department and four years on their Agricultural Development Board.
Williamson is the municipal leader for the county Democratic Party. He teaches mathematics at Montclair University where he has acted as both department deputy chair and assistant dean.
"I would like to bring my organizational skills into town and encourage sustainable development:' said Williamson.
Historically, Williamson said he has been involved in developing new ideas for more efficient town infrastructure. He has also helped run and fund the Ringwood Friends of Music for the past 18 years.
Republican Party candidates
Lifetime resident Donna Anderson is seeking her first council term. Her parents grew up in town and she hopes her own children will also, which she said is why she is running for council.
"I grew up here and my family grew up here" said Anderson, "and I want to see generations after me, like my children, be able to live here and afford living here."
She and her family have spent several years volunteering with the local emergency volunteer services, while she and her husband have raised two of their own children and five foster children.
If she is elected, Anderson said she would strive to get council members to cooperate.
"I think we can keep taxes down enough and keep Ringwood as beautiful as it is" said Anderson.
The only declared incumbent at this time is six-year resident William Marsala, who is finishing his first council term. Rising taxes are his greatest concern, he said.
"I am re-running because seniors are getting priced out of town" said Marsala, "and families are getting priced out of tovm"
He feels there isn't much potential to non-everyday eco-tourism business and instead would support recreational activities in the industrial zone that didn't require much building.
A strong believer in community service, Marsala has also volunteered for numerous community and school-oriented sports.
Candidate and 17-year resident Linda Schaefer also said the tax situation is why she is running for her first council term, and also why she returned to town with her husband, after being a summer resident.
"I loved the country and the low taxes" said Schaefer. "Now I feel tax payers are not being represented."
Schaefer has been committed to the Ringwood Ambulance Corps auxiliary for 16 years, and is also a secretary at Robert Erskine School where she currently heads up the secretaries' union. She supports increasing the tax base and said she is also committed to honesty.
Although not re-running, Heck is the GOP's county municipal leader.
This years' campaign will not rely on a consulting agency, he said, but will be a grass-roots campaign focusing on local issues.
Rich Falco is the president of the local Democratic Club and ran last year's successful campaign.
This year will be a similar campaign, he said, focusing on local issues and keeping clear of personal attacks.
Not needing to file for re-election until the primaries, Taukus has not yet commented on whether he will seek re-election or not.