MOUNT OLIVE (10/31/07) – It’s getting down to the wire and decision time for Mount Olive Voters. Unfortunately or fortunately, it’s been a noticeably lackluster campaign even though all the candidates have been working hard going door to door to speak to voters. There are many who follow these type things who believe that once again there will be a low voter turnout in Mount Olive as elsewhere because there is no national or gubernatorial election and that would be terribly unfortunate. Remember the mayoral election of 2003.

Mount Olive has three candidates vying for mayor, the Republican incumbent, David Scapicchio, a Democratic challenger, Rich Escobar and Independent Walter Lata.

David Scapicchio has only been in office one year but his administration “hit the ground running” the day after he defeated recalled Mayor Richard DeLaRoche, who for all intents and purposes ground any forward progress in the township to a halt and to a great extent was almost solely responsible for the township gaining a very negative reputation throughout Morris County. David inherited a mess.

Mayor Scapicchio showed he knows how to make decisions on his first day in office when he appointed a former councilman, Bill Sohl, to be the business administrator, even though there were some, even in his own party, who thought it would be good to recruit a professional. Scapicchio didn’t have time for that and appointed Sohl, who has worked out well.

He has led the effort to pretty much restore the township’s reputation, drastically improved the morale and productivity of township employees and has worked harmoniously with the township council to bring new businesses to the sprawling vacant BASF buildings, selling for $10 million and developing the former Comb Landfill site, re-energized the Economic Development Committee and regularly attends the Chamber of Commerce meetings. He has proposed a hiring freeze for town employees to cut government costs and when new employees are hired he has proposed they share in the cost of their medical insurance. He also has participated in consolidating services with the board of education, including fleet service, sharing landscaping services and fuel purchasing; and has pushed sharing services with other municipalities including a proposal to combine police departments with Netcong, purchasing fuel in bulk and much more.

In addition to the year he has served as mayor he served two four year terms on the Township Council, one year as President and one as the vice president. He is worthy of re-election.

Rich Escobar has been an excellent candidate for mayor and if he should win it appears it would not be catastrophic. He has refused to criticize the mayor admitting humbly that he may not be a “better” mayor, he would be a “different” mayor, the both of them coming from different backgrounds. During the only debate held, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Escobar agreed so much with Scapicchio that in his summation at the end of the debate Scapicchio commented that one thing he would do if re-elected would be to find a place in his administration for Rich Escobar. A wise choice.

For the third candidate, Walter Lata, it’s the second time out in his quest for the office. A long time town employee, he made a respectable showing last time and has put a great deal of effort into winning the election sign race. His whole campaign is based pretty much on preserving open space, the environment and lowering taxes. In the only public forum, the debate, he did not give any specific proposals, ideas or strategies as to how he would accomplish reducing taxes.

Voters have the advantage of six qualified candidates for three seats on the Township Council. Democrat Jim Buell and Republicans Colleen Labow and Phil Tobey are the incumbents and John Mania and Rosemary Tonczos are the Democrats and Alex Roman is the third Republican candidate.

Buell, the lone Democrat, has been a constructive player on most Council actions. In fact, he is pretty much a full time office holder, fireman and EMT ambulance driver. He responded to some 600 ambulance calls last year and will probably exceed that number this year. He has been a leader on the Council exploring shared services with the Board of Education and neighboring municipalities. He surely is deserving of re-election.

Colleen Labow is another hard worker in her Council duties, running her own delivery business, mother of two and active in parent teacher, school and scouting activities. Colleen needs all the support she can get to be re-elected. Switching parties from Democrat to Republican was a difficult choice but she couldn’t work with the former Democratic mayor and chose to switch parties rather than fight with him. She has incurred some negative feelings from that. She defended herself from personal criticism coming from the leader of the All Veterans Memorial at the last Council meeting. Mayor Scapicchio, in last week’s weekly newspaper, chided her for that. “Nothing political,” he said, “but she shouldn’t have gotten into that at a Council meeting. Deservedly or not she has powerful enemies, but she’s done a good job on the Council and is deserving of re-election.

Phil Tobey has only served on the Council since March, having been appointed by the Council to fill a seat that became vacant. He is an accountant and a principal in an insurance bonding agency. He’s sincere and has done an admirable job in the short time he has been on the Council He has a refreshing mantra for an office holder….”I will make no promises I can’t keep.” John Mania is a former Democratic Councilman, a candidate for mayor four years ago, a 27 year member of the Planning Board, a six year member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, an active member of St. Jude Church and the Knights of Columbus. Mayor Scapicchio appointed him to the Planning Board last year after DeLaRoche dumped him. John would be a productive member of the Council and as another Democrat would give it more balance.

Rosemary Tonczos has lived in Mount Olive 40 years, taught in the elementary schools for 27 years and was an active member of local, county, state and national education associations. She’s retired and energetic and highly knowledgeable concerning education issues, which would be an asset on the Council. She’s taught an awful lot of kids who are now voters. She also would be a productive member of the Council.

And last, but certainly not least, is Alex Roman. Alex and his wife run an auto repair business in town. He has been a member of the Zoning Board for six years and he is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He unabashedly loves Mount Olive and he could easily be the town’s main cheer leader. He too has a lot of customers, is active in the Chamber and the Republican Club and knows an awful lot of people. He too would be an excellent addition to the Council.

Good luck to all