Candidates for Keyport council cite finances, business climate
Incumbent and three newcomers vie for two seats
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent

The incumbent Borough Council president and three newcomers are seeking election to the two open seats on the governing body.

Democratic Councilman Joseph Sheridan is seeking re-election, while fellow Democrat Susie Sefcik and Republicans Clemente Toglia and John Ambrose are making their first run at a council seat.

The other seat up for grabs is being vacated by Councilman William Ortman, a Democrat, who is not seeking re-election.

When asked about the platform they are campaigning on, Sheridan and Sefcik use the word "progress." Both are enthusiastic about the future of Waterfront Park and feel that the financial investment will yield a huge return in the future.

"The waterfront should help ratables," Sheridan stated. "There will be more people and more pride in Keyport, which will in turn mean more business. We need to continue what we started and complete the waterfront in order to make Keyport a friendlier place to do business."

Sefcik concurred, adding that the borough would need to be marketed properly in order to maximize recreational opportunities. "We need a marketing plan, and there is already a good skeleton of recreational opportunities here," she said.

John Ambrose

Sefcik has produced film and music events in Red Bank, Long Branch and Asbury Park and believes that experience will benefit the town.

"My experience is one of the reasons I chose to get involved in Keyport. I think the town could benefit by bringing together communities of artists and musicians, and I have seen the great effects that arise from these relationships," she said. "We need more arts and culture here, and I envision wonderful festivals in the park."

Sefcik is the owner of a small photography business in Red Bank and is a charter member of the Keyport Garden Club and an appointee to the Keyport Neighborhood Preservation Program Committee, which is currently implementing a commercial revitalization program for portions of Brownspoint and the highway district.

Sheridan supports shared services as a remedy for rising taxes

"Municipal sharing of judges, public works and the school system should be explored more extensively," he said, adding that discussions among five towns have already started.

Susie Sefcik

Sefcik said as a first-time homeowner and two-year Keyport resident, she is very concerned about cuts in state aid and resulting impacts on the local budget.

"This is clearly a challenge, and we are all struggling," she said. Sefcik also noted that the issue of shared services is complicated and will require extensive investigation. "There is no easy answer," she added.

Reviewing some of the accomplishments of the current Borough Council, Sheridan cited the renovation of Beach Park and Theresa Street Park, completion of the promenade, and the paving of American Legion Drive and the municipal boat ramp parking lot.

"We are doing the right things for Keyport," Sheridan said. "People are still making investments in their homes here, and we in turn have to keep investing in Keyport."

Sheridan said he would continue to encourage residents to become involved in the community.

Joseph Sheridan

"When going door to door, I always ask residents with strong opinions if they would like to be involved. I know there are a lot more people out there," he noted.

Sheridan and Sefcik encouraged residents to view the Web site www.keyportdemocrats. com for more information on their campaign.

Ambrose and Toglia are running on the slogan "Enough Is Enough" and said their priorities would be to analyze the budget and reduce spending while keeping critical services intact.

"A lot of areas need attention," stated Ambrose. "We do have to fulfill the needs of the police, fire and first aid. The ambulances are older and need to be replaced, as do the fire trucks. But we need more support from the town."

Toglia said fear is gripping many residents.

"They are asking themselves how bad it will get and thinking that they cannot afford the town they live in anymore. We have got to curb spending," he said.

Both candidates feel their business experience will benefit Keyport.

Ambrose, a 10-year resident, has worked for Verizon for 38 years and is an area operations manager for the East Coast Region. According to campaign literature, he has experience in labor relations, negotiations, and disaster recovery. He is a member of the Keyport SpanishAmerican Club and is active in the Keyport Cultural Harmony Program.

Clemente Toglia

Toglia has resided in town for two years. In 1988 he opened his first business, a limousine service, and built it into a 15-employee enterprise that he eventually sold. He now owns and operates an insurance and financial services consulting firm and works with many small businesses.

"I see firsthand what people are going through financially," Toglia noted, "and it's very scary. Running a small town is like running a business, and you have to know what reserves you have to ride out the bad times," he added.

Both say business improvement is an important issue.

Toglia wants to do whatever he can to assist businesses in town, many of which he said are struggling.

"I want to be the voice of sanity and keep the town solvent. We have a jewel here with the waterfront, but businesses here are getting hit between the eyes with fees," he said.

Ambrose blamed the recent business failures on a poor business environment.

"This is not helping," Ambrose said, "and we need to remove the road blocks."

Citing the assessment of fees, Ambrose said that he could not promise total elimination, but would look to study whether certain fees to open a business in town are necessary.

He is a supporter of the Keyport Business Alliance.

"I feel that the Keyport Business Alliance is absolutely beneficial to Keyport," he added.

Ambrose wants more transparent government and said members of the Borough Council have an ethical responsibility to know what they are voting for and why.

"Toglia advocates for a bipartisan government, which he said is lacking at the present time.

"We need to approach the issues in a bipartisan fashion, stop the in-fighting, and take the best from both sides of the aisle," he noted. "The only questions we should be asking are: 'Does this benefit the town or not, and do we have the money or not.' That's the idea, and let's make sure the ideas are the right ones."