Former political allies to face off in GOP primary DiMaso challenged by two-time running mate Wall and Allocco BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer (Left) Jerry Allocco and Terence Wall HOLMDEL - Fellow Republicans Mayor Serena DiMaso and Committeeman Terence Wall will not run together in the June 5 primary, forcing a three-way race for the chance to run for two Township Committee seats in November. The two ran together in the past, during the 2001 and 2004 elections, but recently butted heads regarding the future of the 472-acre tract that was once home to Bell Labs. There was also the somewhat bizarre incident in January 2006, when Wall claimed to have a recording of DiMaso making anti-Semitic remarks, a claim he never publicly substantiated. The incident now appears to be a moot point, as neither candidate mentioned it during interviews. DiMaso, 43, has been on the committee since 2001, and has served as mayor since 2006. She is a nonpracticing attorney and the mother of four children. Wall, 40, has been on the committee for 10 years. If elected, he would begin a fourth term. He works for the borough of Keansburg as an executive administrator. He is running alongside political newcomer Jerry Allocco, 40, a mechanic for Monmouth County and the father of two children. Serena DiMaso For Wall, the most important issue is the future of Lucent. "My former running mate and I share a different view of the future of Lucent," Wall said. "Over the last year, I've worked very hard to obtain a consensus on a corporate campus program, and the lack of consensus and the lack of planning has cost Holmdel tax dollars and traction in obtaining the high-level corporate companies we need." Basically, Wall wants to enter the Lucent tract into a state redevelopment program, giving the town more control over what can and cannot be built on the site. The corporate campus approach he favors includes keeping the mirrored building that dates back to the 1960s, but dividing it up into smaller spaces for use by multiple companies. In addition, Wall wants to negotiate with developers to include a new township library and Board of Education building, among other amenities, to be built on the tract at little or no cost. DiMaso believes a redevelopment plan is not needed in this case. "It would take a long time. It's not necessarily the way it needs to be done," DiMaso said. "If you have a developer in place, which we do, the [redevelopment] process could take anywhere up to 18-14 months. ... And because we have a developer who looks like he's willing to work with us, and have put an advisory committee in place, I don't think we need to go the redevelopment route. The process itself seems to be more cumbersome than we need to make it. And I think in the interest of expediting things, in getting this property back to paying its fair share of taxes, we should do whatever we can do to make it beneficial to the taxpayers." Wall says it's all about housing. He supports no housing at Lucent, and Allocco feels the same way. "Basically, we're on board with the same plan with Lucent," Allocco said. "We don't want to change the zoning. Keep it the way it is and no housing." Allocco has never run for office before. He is a lifelong resident of Holmdel with local roots that go back generations. He said his grandfather started the Holmdel roads department and also served as the town's first police chief. "I've seen the town dramatically change over the years and I just want to give something back," Allocco said. The political newcomer said he stands for common sense and solving problems the old-fashioned way, by talking about it, neighbor to neighbor. "A lot of times the town or the county or the state goes through all these companies on what to do to try to solve problems in Holmdel," Allocco said. "We have a lot of people who are very smart. ... Maybe we all throw our ideas on the table and see what works out best. We don't need all these companies and engineering firms to decide what's best for the township." Allocco said he believes most local politicians want the same basic things for their town but political in-fighting makes it difficult to come to a consensus. "Years ago, it was a very close-knit community," Allocco said. "I'm not saying it's not anymore ... but if people have problems, there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to call their Township Committee [member] up at home and talk about it. Years ago, everything was done at someone's house. You'd drink a cup a coffee and talk about it and come up with a solution. Now it's attorneys and fighting." Allocco noted that he understands the necessity of hiring lawyers and engineers for certain municipal projects. He just wished they weren't necessary. "Talking it all out without any fighting," Allocco said. "That's what I represent." DiMaso listed several other top issues, including a need for more public safety volunteers on the fire department and first aid squad. "I volunteered myself," DiMaso said. "I'm becoming a driver for the first aid squad. I don't really have the time to become an EMT right now, but I can help them get to where they need to go." DiMaso has already completed her first-aid training but still needs to become certified in CPR before she begins to drive the rig. She plans to volunteer approximately 10 hours per week, from 6-9 a.m. During those hours she will remain close to home in case she is needed for a call. Another area of concern for DiMaso is establishing shared services agreements with surrounding towns. "With Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, we put together this Web site where other towns in the 13th District can work together in purchasing items," DiMaso said. "Sort of like a Match.com idea. With stormwater management and other unfunded mandates, it's becoming difficult to purchase things on our own."