Hornik to pursue ambitious agenda
Marlboro's new mayor describes goals for township
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer
New Year's Day 2008 not only rang in a new year, but the new administration of Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik and the terms of new Marlboro Township Council members Frank LaRocca and Randi Marder, all of whom were inaugurated during a ceremony at Town Hall.

Jonathan Hornik

Democrats Hornik, LaRocca and Marder were elected to fouryear terms in the November election. LaRocca and Marder joined Republicans Jeff Cantor, Steve Rosenthal and Rosa Tragni on the council.

In his inauguration speech, Hornik spoke of his plans for the future of the township, including what he hopes to begin during his first 100 days as mayor.

"The residents of Marlboro loudly voiced their want for change. We will change immediately. Never in the history of our community has such an ambitious plan been launched," Hornik said of the plan.

His plan for the first 100 days includes 50 points, setting specific goals and actions for the new administration.

"I think everything mentioned is achievable," Hornik said, adding that it may take more than 100 days to accomplish, but he said that in 100 days the list will be well under way.

Hornik started his plan with the first steps toward eliminating what he called wasteful township spending.

He plans to implement an immediate municipal employee hiring freeze, discontinue wasteful litigation commenced by the prior administration and actively seek an experienced municipal grant writer who prefers to be paid on a commission basis.

Hornik's plan also cited exploring bulk purchasing/ shared service arrangements with neighboring towns. The mayor gave the examples of looking into garbage and bulk item pick-up as well as examining the potential use of solar power for municipal buildings.

Stimulating commercial economic development is another concern of Marlboro's new mayor. Hornik wants to reconstitute the Economic Development Committee, whose mandate will be to support Marlboro's current small businesses and to encourage "new and dynamic" businesses to take root in Marlboro. He also wants to explore the potential benefits of an independent redevelopment agency.

Hornik said his administration wants to preserve what he called Marlboro's "rural suburban" character and charm. He said he will take all steps necessary to protect the Stattel farm from residential development and to develop an affordable housing strategy that will work for the town.

One way to address the affordable housing issue is to reexamine Marlboro's master plan, the mayor said. Hornik wants that re-examination to contemplate affordable housing issues and commercial ratables, emphasizing a system of open space areas, parks and recreation facilities.

Hornik also wants to reinstate a shade tree commission to entitle Marlboro to receive thousands of free trees from the state.

The mayor said that within his first 100 days in office he wants to explore transportation options to assist seniors in traveling to physicians, hospitals and shopping locations, as well as increasing the number of annual visits to Marlboro by a wellness van for health screenings and education.

In addressing youth issues, Hornik plans to give the Marlboro Teen Advisory Committee official status as a municipal panel and hear members' suggestions at a council meeting.

The mayor wants to form a committee that will be charged with assessing whether the number and quality of township athletic fields and recreational programs and facilities are adequate. A master recreation plan will be created and implemented, he said.

"During the initial 100 days of my administration we will take the first steps toward improving customer service delivered by our township employees and professionals," Hornik said.

Ways in which this goal will be met include increasing efforts to acquire residents' e-mail addresses to create an effective communication network between the town and residents. Hornik also wants to have a safety investigation to assess the safety of various pedestrian walkways and crossways throughout Marlboro.

After listening to comments and concerns about the number of campaign signs that were placed around town during the recent campaign season, Hornik said he wants to propose an ordinance that will eliminate or greatly reduce the number and size of campaign signs allowed in Marlboro.

"My administration is committed to fostering a culture of honesty and integrity in our town government, and of respect amongst our residents. We will accomplish this goal by increasing the visibility of our 'government at work,' encouraging voluntary term limits and by having a government whose composition reflects the diverse ethnicity of our town," Hornik said.

Reflecting these desires, the new mayor will seek to broadcast township meetings on Marlboro's cable channel 77, as well as to e-mail periodic reports on the progress of his administration to residents who sign up for that service.

Hornik also wants to hold periodic "town hall format" meetings where the council members and mayor may meet and informally chat with residents.

"At the 100-day mark of my administration I will report back toMarlboro's residents on our progress, but I expect that progress to be substantial. I want the people ofMarlboro to feel that they are part of their government and that their government is accountable," he said.

Hornik quoted President John F. Kennedy's Jan. 20, 1961, inaugural address, saying, "All this will not be finished in the first 100 days, nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration, nor perhaps in our lifetime on this planet…but let us begin."

The Township Council will hold its annual reorganization meeting at 8 p.m. Jan. 3 in Town Hall.