Wednesday, June 29, 2005
By BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
RINGWOOD - A petition is circulating to change the form of local government so voters may directly elect a mayor, who would hold all administrative and executive powers, and choose two council members every year.
The petition has quickly sparked a political battle, with the two parties trading accusations of misinformation and of trying to dupe the public.
The proposal was created by members of the local Republican Organization, and circulated by Republicans, including Councilman William Marsala. It was passed around at a Republican Club meeting, and members of the organization are seeking signatures at the local shopping center. But Republicans deny they are behind the petition.
"This is not about parties," said Ihor Mulyk, one of the five petitioners. "It's about whether you're happy with the current form of government and holding the mayor and council more accountable than they are now."
Three of the five petitioners are Republican, including Mulyk, one an independent and one undeclared.
The borough now has a Faulkner Act form of government - council-manager - in which the mayor's post is ceremonial, with the mayor chosen by the council from among its ranks. The proposed format, mayor-council-administrator, would have an elected mayor, having the power now held by the borough manager.
Under the proposed form, with council approval, the mayor would make all appointments including municipal clerk, administrator, attorney, tax collector, tax assessor, treasurer, engineer, police chief, and all department heads. The administrator would run daily operations but hold no power.
The mayor would serve a four-year term, with council members elected every three years. Currently, seven council members serve staggered four-year terms and local elections are held every other year. With the new form, an election would be held annually.
The Democrats, who now hold four of seven seats, claim the change is a way to try to get more Republicans back on the council. If enough signatures are gathered, and voters approve the change, the mayor and all council members must run in a new election.
"This is a transparent attempt to regain control of our town and go back to the old days, when closed government was the norm and developers ran the town," said Rich Falco, president of the Ringwood Democratic Organization, in a written statement. "This is clearly an effort to deceive Ringwood voters into reversing the results of the last local election."
The sole independent councilman, Ted Taukus, has also publicly said he opposes the change.
"This is clearly an effort by the Republicans - I don't understand why they just won't come out and say that," he said. "If this is what you believe in, stand by your convictions, come out publicly and say so and be honest with the people."
But Bob Yurkovic, another petitioner, said the proposal is about giving the public the right to elect its own mayor.
"With this form, the people get to elect their leader. They mayor sets the tone for the borough and I think we should elect who we want to hold that position, not just allow the other council people to choose," Yurkovic said. "I think it will take the party politics out of the elections."
The petition must have the signatures of 20 percent of Ringwood's 8,147 registered voters - about 1,630. Between 60 and 120 days from when the petition is filed, a special election must be held in which voters decide whether to implement the new form. That balloting would cost $25,000 to $30,000.
According to the League of Municipalities' attorney, Deborah Kole, 41 municipalities have Ringwood's current form of government. Only North Brunswick and neighboring West Milford have the proposed type. West Milford changed its form in 2003, also after a Republican-initiated push.
Ringwood changed its government in 1980 from a borough form, with an elected mayor, to the current type. The change was made after a charter study commission made a recommendation.
Howard Van Natta, a former mayor, councilman and long-time Republican, said he held office in both forms. The new proposal is similar to the borough form, but it gives more power to the mayor.
"With the borough form, you had a lot more contact with people and the departments," Van Natta said. "It was a lot more hands-on and frankly, I enjoyed that form a lot more."
Speculation in the community is that if the change of government comes about, Republicans would tap Walter Davison to run for mayor.
A well-respected former councilman, mayor, and borough manager, Davison was one of the few local politicians able to work both sides of the fence.
When asked if he will run for mayor, Davison said, "I don't know how successful this whole petition will be - they need a lot of signatures - but if the form of government is changed and I'm approached to run, I'll consider it."
The petitioners and other long-time Republicans would not talk about Davison for mayor.
The other three petitioners, Denise Benson, Bill Busino and Eileen Poplis did not return phone calls seeking comment.
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