Meet the candidates for Sayreville council and where they stand on the issues
It’s a crowded field for three Sayreville Borough Council seats in this year’s election.
Four candidates are vying for two three-year seats, where incumbents Mary Novak and Vincent Conti, Democrats, are being challenged by Republicans Michael Colaci and John Zebrowski.
Democrat Kenneth Scott and Republican Stanley "Stash" Synarski are vying for the unexpired one-year term left vacant by the late Eunice Dwumfour. Zebrowski, who took over the seat following Dwumfour’s slaying earlier this year, will serve through the end of the year.
Mary Novak (D)
Years residing in town: I have lived in Sayreville since 1975.
Previous government service (boards and elected office): I have been a chairperson of Recreation, Public Works, Water and Finance. I am a member of Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency (SERA) and Open Space Committee.
Volunteer activities: I am a life member of Sayreville Emergency Squad. I have been a Girl Scout leader as well as CCD teacher and cheerleading coach at Our Lady of Victories parish.
Why are you running for council?
I am seeking reelection to Sayreville Borough Council in order to continue the progress we have made. No return to the mismanagement of past administration.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
When I became a councilwoman Sayreville was deeply involved with a lawsuit by developers. They had received sweetheart deals for over a decade by Kennedy O’Brien and his planning. They were able to build unfettered and not live up to affordable housing requirements. The results are seen all over town with multiple housing developments. We are able to overturn Kennedy’s original deal and save, by approximately 20%, the number of market-rate homes and buy for Open Space 4.5 acres adjacent to Kennedy Park. O’Brien vetoed this purchase, but we were able to overturn his veto. We are currently attempting to purchase two plots of land for Open Space, one is 40 acres. We increased our budget from 0 to 5 million dollars to replace roads. We revitalized our parks and improved our water and sewer infrastructure, much of which was paid for by grants that we actively pursue. Sayreville needs to keep moving forward not back.
State law allows municipalities and counties to establish local ethics boards. Do you believe that Sayreville should consider creating a municipal ethics board?
The state DCA is effective so a local ethics board would be a duplication of services.
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With large-scale redevelopment on the horizon, do you believe that the Sayreville municipal government, including the police department, can handle this?
With the new chief we have been looking to increase the size of our force and have a new level of community outreach. We are upgrading our water and sewer infrastructure as well as modernizing our parks. All to meet the future needs of our residents.
Vincent Conti (D)
Age: 54
Years residing in town: 18
Volunteer activities: President of Sayreville Athletic Association
Why are you running for council?
I'd like to continue what I started three years ago, on behalf of the residents of our town. I will always put families first while keeping an eye on critical services and rebuilding our infrastructure at minimal cost to the taxpayer. I always listen to our residents to understand their needs and make my decisions after gathering the facts.
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Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
I always take a thoughtful and caring approach when making decisions. I take everything into account and will always do right by our town. I'm not able to say yes to everything, but I will always listen to understand, and I will protect the interests of our residents in an effort to give them a better life here in Sayreville.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
Less development, less traffic, lower taxes, better roads and cleaner parks.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is your approach to solving them?
Our failing infrastructure. We must not be afraid to take on these projects and will continue to bond as is customary. If additional funding is appropriate, I'll need to push for that to happen (like I did with the roads budget – increased to $5 million, from $3 million).
Overdevelopment. While I may not be able to prevent what's already in motion, we must remain engaged in the process to help minimize the impact to the residents already living in our town.
Traffic and safety. Continue to explore ways to navigate our town in a more effective and efficient manner. Perhaps by expanding roadways, extending turning lanes or adding traffic signals. I will continue to work with SPD and DPW to add additional signage where appropriate (for example: added flashing speed limit signs on N. Ernston, along with flashing crosswalk signs as well as added a crossing guard across from Kennedy Park at SWMHS dismissal).
Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
I'd love to see Riverton go vertical during my second term. It's been slow moving for so long and I think we're almost there. I want to be a part of helping them cross the finish line. Plus, I want our town to be filled with love for one another where families come first. I want to instill that in everyone, so we're all aligned on making us Sayreville Strong!
State law allows municipalities and counties to establish local ethics boards. Do you believe that Sayreville should consider creating a municipal ethics board?
This is definitely something I'd consider.
With large-scale redevelopment on the horizon, do you believe that the Sayreville municipal government, including the police department, can handle this?
I think we'll need to continue evaluating this process and be flexible in our decision making as time goes on. I'm confident, where we may not be able handle any of these matters within our existing structure, we will address them proactively and expediently.
Michael Colaci (R)
Age: 56
Years residing in town: 25
Previous government service (boards and elected office): Sayreville Shade Tree commissioner, Sayreville Recreation Board.
Why are you running for council?
As a local small business owner, I know what it’s like to manage a budget, and sign both sides of a paycheck. I want to bring that private sector experience to the council and focus on solving problems. I will work with people in both parties – whoever has a good idea – to make our town a better place.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
I hope the question they ask is: Why they should vote for me? I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I could do a better job than my opponent, but that’s because my experience in business and my time spent advocating for foster children and those suffering from addiction give me a lot of diverse experience that I can apply to serving in local office and solving problems.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
People are concerned about a lot of things these days, including what happening overseas in wake of the recent terrorist attack in Israel. Overall, I believe people want experienced leadership who can provide stability and focus on putting Sayreville first. The issues we face here are similar to what many other Middlesex County, suburban towns face: affordability, safety and quality of life are the drivers. I feel in all cases, I am prepared to confront them and advance solutions.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is your approach to solving them?
As I noted above, it’s really affordability, safety and quality of life. The state mandates on housing are overburdening small towns like ours and we need to fight them. Here is Sayreville, though, the issue of corruption is something that people in town are focused on. As a councilman, I will always be honest, forthright, and transparent about my actions. It’s not about me, it’s about the residents. If we work together, we can solve any problem in front of us.
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Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
Not really. As I said, I’ve got experience working to help foster children and people suffering from addiction. Those are my passions and the way I’ve given back to the community prior to making this run for office. We have a great ticket headed by Kennedy O’Brien, and I look forward to being part of a team that does great things for the town.
State law allows municipalities and counties to establish local ethics boards. Do you believe that Sayreville should consider creating a municipal ethics board?
Yes, it certainly is something that I would consider. We need to aspire to holding people accountable to the highest ethical standards. I would just need to learn more about the law and how it works in other towns before I would sign off 100%. We would need a board that is apolitical and not something with any partisanship at all.
With large-scale redevelopment on the horizon, do you believe that the Sayreville municipal government, including the police department, can handle this?
First, we need to get development under control – and we will. As for the our police department, I have great faith in them and I would look to former Police Chief John Zebrowski (my running mate) for his leadership and guidance on this front.
John Zebrowski (R)
Age: 60
Years residing in town: 60
Previous government service (boards and elected office): Immediate Past-President for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, Retired Sayreville chief of police, Sayreville Office of Emergency Management director, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Region 2 law enforcement liaison, Sayreville Board of Education, Sayreville Planning Board, Sayreville Zoning Board, Sayreville Recreation Board.
Volunteer Activities: Knights of Columbus, New Jersey and Middlesex County bar associations, Sayreville Little League board member, president of Our Lady of Victories Athletic Association, Coach for Sayreville Little League, Sayreville Recreation Department basketball league, Our Lady of Victories Athletic Association basketball.
Why are you running for council?
As the former Sayreville police chief and current councilman, I believe I still have something to offer the town and I want to give back. My experience in law enforcement and management gives me the tools needed to serve the town and make sure taxpayers are being treated with respect and that residents can feel safe in their homes.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
I don’t focus too much on my opponents – that is up to the voters to decide. What I do know, though, is that the Sayreville Democratic Party is too consumed by corruption and malfeasance to govern effectively. I am confident that my 35 years in law enforcement and my brief time on the council have given voters confidence that I can do the job and serve their interests.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
Residents are concerned about a lot of things: taxes, corruption, development, etc. But maybe because of my background, I hear a lot of concerns about public safety and making sure we have a strategy to combat gangs, illegal drugs, and crime like car thefts, which are an increasing issue in many parts of the state. At the end of the day, people want a town they can be proud to call home, that they can raise their kids in, and that they can afford to retire in if they so choose. I want to make sure that Sayreville is that place and that our special quality of life is protected and even improved.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is your approach to solving them?
Crime, taxes, and development is what I hear most often, but the issue of corruption impacts all of them. People believe that if their government and local elected officials are corrupt, they can’t trust them to do other things well. It’s why the Democratic Party in town is morally bankrupt at this point. They enabled bad people to do bad things, and the people in town know it. They want to return to normalcy and good government. That’s what I want too.
Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
People won’t agree with every decision I make or vote I take, and I am OK with that. But, when I am done with public service – whenever that may be – I just want people to believe that I was a good person who cared about them and their families and tried to do the right thing, even when it was hard. If that is my legacy, I will be very proud of that.
State law allows municipalities and counties to establish local ethics boards. Do you believe that Sayreville should consider creating a municipal ethics board?
I would be open to it, yes. I just want to make sure it never becomes a place where political scores are settled. Our town wouldn’t benefit from that.
With large-scale redevelopment on the horizon, do you believe that the Sayreville municipal government, including the police department, can handle this?
Again, this is my expertise, with 35 years’ experience in the field and my time as police chief. I can promise that we will always have a police department that is prepared and professional. We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who protect us, including funding them properly.
Kenneth Scott (D)
Years residing in town: My wife, Georgia, and I have lived in Sayreville since June of 1977 and raised our two children here. In addition to our children, we have three grandchildren.
Previous government service (boards and elected office): My board memberships include vice chairman of the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Authority (SERA), former member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, former member of the Planning Board, and founding member of SAFE (Sayreville Alliance for Family Education).
Volunteer Activities: Lector and Eucharist Minister at Our Lady of Victories Church, Sayreville Athletic Association.
Why are you running for council?
I am seeking the office of councilman to use my business and government experience to seek new ratables that will also bring new jobs to our citizens, develop ways to curb overdevelopment of new multi-family residences.
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Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
My business experience gives me the advantage of reviewing new projects as to the impact it will give to our infrastructure, police, fire and schools.
After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
We have spoke to residents in all parts of Sayreville – almost 50,000 residents, almost 50 square miles. Most people complain of the population increase. This is caused by approval of building over that last 20 years. We need to make it difficult for developers to build these multi-family homes.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is your approach to solving them?
Drugs! I wish I had an answer.
Too many warehouses! Tremendous burden on our streets. We should seek out firms that will bring in high-paying, stable jobs without negatively affecting our way of life.
Too much traffic! This is great part because the new multi-family homes that were built and will continue to be built. We need to reactivate the Main Street bypass that was abandoned a few years ago.
Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
I would love to see a revitalization of our downtown area to include new restaurants/pubs, stores and small offices. To accomplish this, I would speak to the planning board and seek advice from members of the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
State law allows municipalities and counties to establish local ethics boards. Do you believe that Sayreville should consider creating a municipal ethics board?
I would approve of this, and I am sure my opponent would agree. However, the member of this board must not be a member of a political party, be appointed by an independent group and all meetings must be public.
With large-scale redevelopment on the horizon, do you believe that the Sayreville municipal government, including the police department, can handle this?
With the planned large residential complex at Riverton, this will definitely have an impact on our schools. It will also impact traffic, sewer, water, police and fire. The developer has been concentrating on the massive cleanup and the first project, Bass Pro. he developer must be prepared to discuss this at the upcoming SERA and Planning Board meetings.
Stanley 'Stash' Synarski (R)
Age: 65
Years residing in town: 65
Previous government service (boards and elected office): Recreation Department
Volunteer activities: Trustee for Sayreville Brain Injured Children, Officer for Trinity United Methodist Church, Member of Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge.
Why are you running for council?
As a third-generation resident of Sayreville who has lived here my entire life, I understand our town and have a good pulse on what the people want to see out of their local government. Being on a ticket led by Kennedy O’Brien – who was a great mayor for many years – I know we can restore the Sayreville first approach that had been missing with a Democratic mayor.
Why should people vote for you instead of your opponent?
I honestly don’t think much about my opponent; rather I am focused on what residents want from their councilman and working hard to convince them that I can deliver. My knowledge of the town is unmatched by anyone running against us, and as an active member of the Middlesex County Advisory for Vocational Schools, I have some government experience already under my belt that will help me hit the ground running.
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After talking to residents, what is their biggest concern?
Development, taxes, crime, corruption, it runs the gamut, really. Ultimately, they are all connected in my mind. No problem facing our town is too big to solve so long as we have a competent, experienced mayor – which Kennedy has already proven he can be – and a council that puts their own self-interests to the side and works to confront challenges and solve them, as opposed to kicking the can down the road. If we always make decisions on council that put the taxpayer and resident first, we will be just fine and our town will get turned around in short order.
What are the three biggest challenges facing your town and what is your approach to solving them?
I said it all above in the previous question. Residents want a local government that holds developers accountable, that keeps taxes stable, that invests in our police, and that puts service before self.
Do you have any special projects you would like to achieve in office?
No, nothing in particular. Like I said, I’m a lifelong resident, and a third-generation resident. My sole goal in running is to ensure that Sayreville remains a great place to live, work, raise a family, and even retire if that’s what you want to do.
State law allows municipalities and counties to establish local ethics boards. Do you believe that Sayreville should consider creating a municipal ethics board?
I am open to it so long as the board can be constituted in such a way that it’s completely free from politics and isn’t used as a weapon by either political party to settle scores or punish people. Hopefully, as a council, we set an ethical standard for the town that everyone can follow and admire.
With large-scale redevelopment on the horizon, do you believe that the Sayreville municipal government, including the police department, can handle this?
I have complete confidence in our Police Department and equal confidence in our ticket for mayor and council to invest in our police and support them through thick and thin. Having former Police Chief John Zebrowski running with us is a big plus.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Sayreville NJ council election candidate profiles
