Pezzullo, Klauber make bid for Manalapan seat

Nikole Pezzullo

Name: Nikole Pezzullo, Republican candidate for a three-year term on the Manalapan Township Committee, running from January 2007 through Dec. 31, 2009.

Resident of Manalapan: Four years.

Occupation: Attorney with offices in Freehold Township and Staten Island, N.Y.

Family information: Divorced with one school-age child.

On deciding to run: "I was always into politics, ever since I was a child."

On campaign contributions: "The majority of my contributions are coming form sources that have not been tapped into previously. There are no builders or developers, just friends, family and colleagues with no vested interest. I've really tried to tap into a whole new group of individuals."

On taxes: "Certain things can be done on a municipal level to lower taxes that is consistent with the effort on the state level. One is shared services such as some transportation."

Richard Klauber

On development: "Is there any area left in Manalapan to be developed? Any area that is left needs to be done in a responsible way. We have one opportunity to develop whatever existing open space is left in a way that is beneficial to the town and does not add a strain to the town on such services like police, schools and emergency services such as first aid."

On open space and farmland preservation: "It is absolutely essential to try and purchase every last bit of available farmland in not only Manalapan but in Monmouth County. I'd like to see remaining farms remain farms."

On recreation: "The recreation department needs to be expanded for several reasons; to not only accom-modate all the new children that have moved to town, but also to support new activities."

On other important issues: "Since May, I have tried to hit each and every district. I have tried to reach out to all residents and have found most of their concerns are the same - taxes, overdevelopment and the development of more activities."

On why people should vote for her: "I want to renew the sprits of the residents who live here. Manalapan needs a unified Township Committee and a Town-ship Committee to work on behalf of the residents and put them first. I have the dedication and focus to do that. I've done it professionally and I would like to bring that level of professionalism to Manalapan. It's time for the Township Committee to be as good as the residents that live here."

Election Day is Nov. 7. Polling hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

- Kathy Baratta

Name: Richard Klauber, Democratic candidate for a three-year term on the Manalapan Township Committee, running from January 2007 through Dec. 31, 2009.

Resident of Manalapan: Nine years.

Occupation: Attorney with a practice in Ocean Township.

Family information: Married with two school-age children.

On deciding to run for office: "I was tired of egos, bickering and conflicts. I didn't see anything getting done for the town. I'm hoping to change the tone of how things are done and I want to work toward getting people to work together for the betterment of town."

On campaign contributions: "They are from my party and I am trying to limit the expense of the campaign."

On taxes: "We all want them lowered. Everyone is struggling and we can't use the same old answers. I want to bring something new like my solar energy idea for the schools. If we can limit energy costs it can do a lot to help control or reduce our taxes."

On development: "I think the town is pretty much built out. I know I don't want to see anymore residential development on Route 33 and if elected, I would try everything to stop any rezoning that would provide for it."

On open space and farmland preservation: "In the last year [the town has] purchased only one acre of farmland. There is a big problem in a lack of coordination between the state, the county and towns. We need to work closer with officials at the county and state levels to pursue the preservation of open space. The real estate market has cooled. Now is a good time to start looking at properties for open space and farmland preservation."

On recreation: "I'd like to see some concrete proposals for further development of the recreation center, both programs and fields. Find out what people want, what they will use. Whatever we do with the recreation center, it has to meet all the needs of the town."

On other important issues: "I'd like to expand shared services like with the school system. I would also want to enlist more volunteer effort for township committees and the needs not being addressed. I'd like to get residents more involved in the running of the town. We need to broaden our volunteer base beyond the established core people."

On why people should vote for him: "I want to try something different. I'm not a politician. I want to change the discourse between all the members of the Township Committee. I can't do much about Washington, D.C., or the state, but we all can at the local level. We can end partisanship and put the town's interests first and work to maintain the standard of living."

Election Day is Nov. 7. Polling hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

- Kathy Baratta