The concept for “Hot Topics… Cool Mayors” is the result of
many conversations we’ve had with individuals who
share a mutual respect and admiration for
New Jersey’s
Mayors. We want to recognize these Mayors’
achievements within their communities and give our
readers an up-close and personal look at some of
these front line leaders. Each NJCM Quarterly will
feature two mayors, one Republican and one Democrat,
from around the state. Special thanks to NJCM Board
Members, Mayors Darlene Scocca of
Burlington
City
and Gerry Tarantolo of Eatontown for being our first
interviewees for this piece. Our member mayors are
the glue in the plywood that binds our communities
and residents together and we salute their
commitment to public service.
Name:
Gerald Tarantolo
Town:
Borough of Eatontown
Years in office:
8 as Mayor, 14 Council
Party:
Democrat
Political Role Model:
Harry S. Truman and John F. Kennedy
Name:
Darlene Scocca
Town:
Borough of Eatontown
Years in office:
4 as Mayor, 7 on Council
Party:
Republican
Political Role Model:
Senator Diane Allen
Osborn: In the spirit of bipartisanship, who is your
favorite mayor on the other side of the aisle?
Scocca:
Jim
Malley – kudos on his redevelopment initiatives and
making
Collingswood
“where you want to be.”
Tarantolo:
New
York City’s Michael Bloomberg.
Osborn:
If the 2008 Presidential Race were like the Super
Bowl, what two candidates do you think would make it
an exciting game to watch?
Scocca:
Brownback and Romney. Their religious backgrounds
would make it a Battle of Beliefs.
Tarantolo:
Hilary Clinton and Newt Gingrich.
Osborn: The topic of civil unions and same-sex
marriage has been a hotly contested issue around the
country. Where do you stand on this issue, and as a
mayor, would you be opposed to performing a marriage
ceremony between two people of the same gender?
Scocca:
We
all have thoughts and feelings of our upbringing
including religious beliefs and other teachings. We
must look beyond personal opinions. Discussing the
rights of same gender couples encompasses not only
moral but financial and practical issues. Their
ability to work as a couple, acquire assets, care for
each other, and want to be treated no differently than
heterosexual couples should be respected. Upon facing
hardship they want to protect and provide for their
partner without family contesting a will or
instituting a lawsuit. I respect that. Our oath is
to uphold the law, which now includes rights of same
gender couples to be granted a civil union; therefore,
if they live in my community and request a union, I
will perform the ceremony.
Tarantolo:
As a Catholic, I strongly support the sacrament of
marriage. As a mayor, I am committed to uphold the
law and the constitutions of our country and state.
Since state law now permits and recognizes civil
unions, I am obligated to perform both without
prejudice. My ceremonies, however, will clearly make
the distinction between a marriage and a civil union.
In my opinion, they are not one in the same.
Osborn: on the topic of civil unions, do you think
it’s fair that mayors who do not wish to perform
same-sex marriages will be prohibited from performing
any marriages?
Scocca: I do not agree with selective enforcement. Mayors
should respect the law regardless of personal
feelings. If a higher authority mandates it to be
all unions or no unions, respect that decision.
Tarantolo:
The
law is the law; you can’t have it both ways. To do
one without the other is discriminatory.
Osborn: What is your greatest challenge as mayor of
your town?
Scocca: Actually, I have two. Reducing local taxes is one.
Eliminating partisan politics is the other, because we
are elected to work for the people, not for our
parties.
Tarantolo: One is the unfairness of using property value as a basis for
paying for municipal and county services and
supporting our educational system. Tax reform is on
everyone’s radar and we desperately need a more
progressive system to fund government and our school
system. The closing of
Fort
Monmouth will offer a challenge of monumental
proportions, as the eventual reuse of the Fort will
have a profound affect on Eatontown. If we do it
right, the effect could be very positive.
Osborn: What has been your greatest achievement as
Mayor?
Scocca:
Moving forward on redevelopment, from dissolving our
redevelopment authority and charging council with such
powers to seeking and developing new opportunities.
We have been able to streamline the process, save
taxpayer money and be more responsive to
constituents. This achievement includes a
Main Street
designation in 2005 which has made great strides in
the revitalization of our downtown, bringing over 30
new businesses and more than 150 local jobs.
Tarantolo:
Acquisition of open space and building two parks with
a third in progress are probably my greatest
achievements since becoming involved in local
government. These achievements were unique in that
our municipality is essentially 95 percent built
without anymore usable open space readily available.
We now have about 6 percent of our total land area
dedicated to parkland and open space. I’m very proud
of this accomplishment.
Osborn: The NJCM 2007 Conference topic is Mayors
and the Economy…Local Responsibility with Statewide
Impact. Towns have been effectively sharing and
consolidating services for years. Many mayors do not
believe municipal mergers can be effective and fear
the loss of identity and home rule. What are your
views?
Scocca:
Municipal mergers could be effective in some
instances; however, residents understandably will
never agree to part with their local identity.
Implementing shared services holds promise in reducing
costs as state, county and local leaders continue to
explore other options. Burlington City has a shared
services committee with representatives from local
municipalities.
Burlington
City
and Township have worked closely on shared service
opportunities over the years.
Tarantolo:
Members of local government are aware that loss of identity
and home rule come with a price tag. At what point do
we consider the economic impact that these factors
have on the majority of our constituents? I believe
we’ve already reached that point here in
New
Jersey. The concept of merging and sharing/consolidating services
is real and leaders in the municipal government are
obligated to explore the benefits both economic and
social for their possible implementation.
Osborn: What is the value of your NJCM membership to
your community?
Scocca: NJCM is extremely valuable. From resources to
networking and educational forums and conferences,
NJCM is a partner to all Mayors. NJCM works to help
us achieve goals.
Tarantolo:
My NJCM membership plays an integral role in my mayoral
tenure. It gives me the opportunity to interact with
mayors throughout the state and absorb valuable
information and networking that benefits my ability to
serve my constituents more effectively. It’s well
worth the membership fee; in fact, I consider it a
bargain!
For information on these two municipalities please visit
their websites at
www.burlingtonnj.us and
www.eatontownnj.com.
Amy
Osborn is a business development consultant and owner
of Capitol Concepts. Ms. Osborn serves on the
Selective Service Board and has worked with the
U.S.
Departments of State, Defense and Labor, nationally
and internationally. You can visit her website at
www.capitolconcepts.com. |
