Republicans oppose Anchor Glass homes, say Freneau is overlooked The four Republican candidates for Township Council are hoping to end 12 years of Democrat control. An even mix of youth and experience, the GOP Tom Aljian Jr. ticket includes a former councilman, an attorney, an engineer and one candidate who is both an attorney and an engineer. Tom Aljian Jr., 39, is an attorney and partner with a Newark law firm of Podvey Meanor. He is also an environmental engineer. Aljian is married with two young daughters and has lived in town for over 10 years. Previously, he worked as the director of Solid Waste Management for Somerset County. Before moving to Aberdeen, Aljian was very active in his former town of Watchung. There he served on the Middlebrook Regional Health Commission, an interlocal services committee that included six towns. Aljian ran unsuccessfully in the 2005 Republican primary but is eager to make another go at the council. His top-three issues are coming up with a plan for the train station, limiting residential development at the Anchor Glass site and improving services to the Freneau section of town. He is also concerned about Aberdeen's lack of a pay-to-play ordinance. Anthony Garaguso Why vote for Aljian? "Every person who lives in the community has an obligation to make their community a better place and to help their fellow man. I believe that being active in local community events and politics is the best way for me to be involved in the community." John Gartley, 59, is a former councilman (1994-98) and Planning Board member (1992-96). Gartley is interested in controlling residential development by making sure homes are no longer allowed to be built on tiny subdivided lots that do not meet the proper requirements. The former councilman is also wary of residential development at Anchor Glass. "They keep talking about residential there," Gartley said. "School enrollment and taxes will rise. We can do better." The recently proposed Cliffwood Beach waterfront improvement project is simply an election year stunt, according to Gartley. "They've [the Democrats] been in control for 12 years, complete control for 10 years," Gartley said. "They've done nothing to improve the beach until six weeks before the election." John Gartley Complaining that council meetings now only last about half an hour, Gartley proposes creating a more open atmosphere where agenda items are not predis- cussed and/or decided on. "When I was on the council, meetings went on till 10 or 11 o'clock," Gartley said. "Things were really discussed. Now it's all predecided. That hurts the town." Why vote for Gartley? "We will appoint the proper professionals and appoint people to the Zoning Board who show up prepared," Gartley said. "We will listen to the public. Because we're for the people of Aberdeen, not the developers. We can and will do a better job." Anthony Garaguso, 35, works as a mechanical engineer for Revlon in Edison. A trained member of the Aberdeen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Garaguso is a newlywed and has lived in town for four years. "I moved here in 2003," Garaguso said. "Basically, I was looking for a really nice town near the train, anywhere where I can walk to the train." Leon Matchin Garaguso commuted into the city every day until four months when his company relocated to Edison. As a commuter, Garaguso said he represents an often forgotten component of the town. "I recognize a lot of residents work in New York City," Garaguso said. "They take the train, the bus. They can't attend these meetings. If they could watch them on TV there'd be more people engaged in the town. That engagement is what a community is all about." Garaguso is interested in broadcasting the council meetings either on TV or the Internet. He'd also like to see a plan to update the train station area and a new way to inform residents of their number on the waiting list for a parking spot at the train station. Why would Garaguso make a good councilman? "A lot of people will complain about things," Garaguso said, "But I feel it's important to not complain but actually take action, and that's why I decided to run for office." Leon Matchin, 31, is a self-employed attorney with a practice in Millstone. He is married with two young children. One of his top concerns is the lack of open space for his children to play. "There are no areas in town for me and my family to spend time when I'm not working," Matchin said. "I have to go to Holmdel or Colts Neck to spend time with my family. Given the high taxes we pay - we're consistently in the top three tax rates in the county - we don't have anything to show for it [as far as] recreational facilities." He said another reason for running is that a single party, the Democrats, currently controls the council. "There's something undemocratic and un- American about that," Matchin said. "Every council should have at least two parties represented because when you have at least two parties on the council it leads to open discussion, debate, and ultimately the residents are better served." Why vote for Matchin? The young attorney said he will work toward restricting residential development at Anchor Glass, coming up with a plan for the future of the train station area and bringing services to the Freneau area. - Karen E. Bowes