Decision on mayor now up to Marlboro voters
Two council seats also at stake in Nov. 6 election
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

MARLBORO - The race for the office of mayor and two seats on the Township Council is in the homestretch as voters get set to go to the polls on Nov. 6.

Incumbent Republican Mayor Robert Kleinberg is seeking his second four-year term as Marlboro's top elected official. Kleinberg is being challenged by Democrat Jonathan Hornik.

Incumbent Republican council members Joseph Pernice and Patti Morelli are seeking their second four-year terms on the governing body. Pernice and Morelli are being challenged by Democrats Frank LaRocca and Randi Marder.

The council, which is Marlboro's lawmaking body, is presently made up of five Republicans.

Kleinberg, 51, has been a resident of Marlboro since 1985. He is a chiropractor who said he has been practicing less recently due to health reasons. The mayor said he started an insurance consulting business when it appeared he could not practice his primary occupation as much as he had been doing.

The mayor is a former member of the Marlboro Board of Education.

"When I came here four years ago I was the only one who stood up to both parties and did everything thing I could to stop corruption," Kleinberg said. "Patti, Joe and I have accomplished so many things, from up-zoning properties to getting rid of corruption, stabilizing taxes and lowering school enrollment."

If the people running government are dishonest nothing else works, according to Kleinberg, who said his Republican administration restored honesty in government.

"I can assure you that the people who ruined this town will not be voting for me and that should mean something," he said.

The mayor continued to reflect upon the accomplishments his administration has had over the last four years, citing the popularity of the recreation department's summer camp, and again noting school enrollment numbers being on a downward trend.

According to information provided by the Marlboro K-8 School District, the enrollment in October 2006 was 6,129 pupils. The enrollment in October 2007 (still to be certified by the state) was 6,087 pupils.

Kleinberg said he is proud that Marlboro was recognized by Money magazine as one of America's best places to live.

"I'm proud of what Patti, Joe and I did and look forward to completing the things we started," Kleinberg said.

Hornik, 37, is an attorney who has lived in Marlboro for 26 years.

His late father, Saul Hornik, was a three-term mayor of Marlboro from 1980- 91.

In a campaign that has seen his opponent bring up his father and issues that occurred during his administration, Hornik said, "I have absolutely no comment with respect to Kleinberg's mudslinging campaign against my late father, the company for which I am employed or my New Jersey law license other than to say that people of Marlboro understand that Randi, Frank and I want to bring real positive change to Marlboro which includes providing stabilized taxes, stopping overdevelopment, preserving Stattel farm as open space and bringing real ethical reform to Marlboro. We are all optimistic about Marlboro's future.

"We have put forth a positive plan which includes stabilizing taxes, stopping overdevelopment and finally putting an end to the corruption and patronage that still plagues this town," Hornik said, adding that he hopes voters will give the Democratic candidates the chance to show what they can do.

He said levels of municipal spending would be scrutinized and a professional grant writer would be used who, according to Hornik, would submit grant applications on time to qualify for various funding programs.

Hornik said his administration would pursue quality commercial ratables that are consistent with Marlboro's character and history in order to help lift the tax burden off of homeowners.

"We have run an honest campaign on the issues which are important to Marlboro's residents. Immediate tax stabilization and the stopping of 187 homes (over 370 new cars) to the area of Route 520 and Route 79 is a top priority for us. We will develop a master recreation plan in order for our recreational facilities to be improved each and every year and to grow with our increased pollution. We will work day and night to improve the quality of life for our residents if elected and given the opportunity to serve," Hornik said.

Seeking his second term on council, Pernice, 45, has lived in Marlboro for 11 years. He is the vice president of a major brokerage house where he has worked for 20 years.

"A lot has been said about the mayoral candidates but not a lot on the council," Pernice said.

It is important that residents know the council candidates as they are the ones who make executive decisions at times, according to Pernice.

"I have worked very hard in my time on the council and have been proactive," he said, noting his work on different zoning ordinances and participation on various committees including the sister city arrangement between Marlboro and Nanto, Japan. "I listen, communicate and respect people. I don't care what their party is."

Over the last four years Pernice said he has had 100 percent attendance at all council meetings, which he believes shows his dedication to the job.

"Being elected on the council is a privilege and I give it my all," he said.

He wants to spend the next four years looking into the community's infrastructure and continuing to work with recreation and open space issues. The councilman also said he would like to look into the possible construction of a senior center.

Pernice said he was disappointed the council candidates did not have a debate this fall. He said residents may call him with any concerns or questions at (732) 740- 5647. He asked voters to consider the candidates as people and not as members of a party line when they enter the voting booth.

LaRocca, 43, an attorney, is making his first bid for a council seat. He has lived in Marlboro for seven years.

"At this point in time there has been a lot of campaigning going back and forth between both camps. It really should be about the issues," LaRocca said.

The issues include tax stability and one way to achieve that is by stopping residential overdevelopment and preserving open space, according to LaRocca. He said Marlboro's state mandated obligation to provide opportunities for the construction of affordable housing within the community must be planned for intelligently.

"If you say you are going to fight overdevelopment then do it, don't make back room deals. Follow the zoning codes that have been put in place," LaRocca said.

Morelli, 50, a manager for a medical billing company, is running for her second term on council. She has lived in Marlboro for 18 years.

"I hope the residents know how hard I've worked for them over the past four years. I've listened to their concerns and tried my hardest for them," Morelli said.

Of the current administration's actions while in office, Morelli said, "We are honest, not politicians, and did the very best we could."

Marder, 36, a homemaker, is making her first bid for council. She has lived in Marlboro mostly since 1977.

"I think we need a new direction. I think Marlboro needs a change and I feel excited to possibly be a part of that change. I feel Jon Hornik is the one to lead us in that direction," Marder said. "It's time for Marlboro to move forward from our corrupt past and create a better plan for our future. I feel Jon, Frank and I can do that."

In summing up their campaigns the mayoral candidates are both feeling confident.

"I'm confident the people will reflect where we were four years ago and where we are tonight when they go out on Election Day," Kleinberg said.

"We've run an effective campaign on the issues and I'm cautiously confident that we will succeed," Hornik said.