Point Boro Council Candidates Talk About Superstorm Sandy, Taxes, Budget

Our community must continue to have strong ties with the Prosecutor’s office over the War on Drugs. We must be ever vigilant to do whatever is in our power to fight this horrific epidemic.

I will continue to insure quality aspects that make Point Pleasant strong and prosperous for future generations, while using my professional knowledge to run an efficient government for today’s generation.

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Name:  Joe Furmato, Jr. 
Number of years lived in Point: Summertime resident of Point Pleasant since 1960 and have lived in Sunshine Harbor for the past 20 years. 
Family:  Wife of 36 years Mary,  three grown children, all graduates of the Point Pleasant High School. 
Education: Graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute in 1975 and certified in Automotive Service Excellence. Attended both Bergen Community College and Farleigh Dickinson University with concentrated courses in engineering science. 
Occupation: Automotive Manager
Public Service: Volunteered in several organizations including Point Pleasant Recreation sports, Point Pleasant Soccer Club, and was on the Brookdale Community College Automotive Technology Advisor Board.  

What issues do you see as critical for the Council to tackle in the next three years?
I believe that Point Pleasant Borough over the next few years will need to focus on fiscally balancing the budget, bring back the people that have been displaced, and overall make the town stronger and prepared for the future. I am committed to keeping the community stable, balancing the budget, addressing the hard issues that are effecting all across the nation especially current public safety. I want to minimize the potential impact of loss tax revenue, focus on a way to minimize the impact on a current strapped budget and overall be conservative in the resources.  

What do you want voters to know about you and what you’ll bring to the table? I would like to raise awareness within the town and ensure the tax payer gains understanding of the potential impact from Storm Sandy on their future. As the town recovers from Sandy both emotionally and economically, I have been opposed to FEMA’s draft ABFE maps and the initial “V” zone classification. The Borough of Point Pleasant was the only town within in New Jersey that had the “V” zone removed, but we need o ensure FEMA develops future map whereby the adopted elevation requirements make sense before they become permanent and impact many.  As with any newcomer to council there is a learning curve, however over the past month I have walked through the community, going door-to-door, along with my running mate Bob Sabosik gaining insight of what the local person is experiencing and noting their concerns. This insight has started my trail to listening to constitute and  gaining understanding of their needs to be addressed in future. 

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Suzann W. Cole
Family: Married 44 years to John. 
Children:Jessica Arnot married husband Tom, Brian married to Alyson McGhenan they have 3 children. All live and work in Point.
I graduated from Point Beach HS and St. Francis School of Laboratory Technician Trenton. 
Retired from Polestar Labs. Worked at MCOC for 25 yrs.
Service: Past President of Point Pleasant VFW Ladies Auxiliary currently District Senior Vice President. Past President of Ocean County Farm Bureau.

Platform: I will work on keeping taxes at bay. Make sure Sandy victims receive funds entitled to. Develop more services for seniors and veterans. Desiree and I will be there to bring new ideas and keep good government to our town.

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Name:   Desiree J Land
Education:  BA from Hofstra, MS from UNiversity of Colorado-Denver
Number of years lived in Point: 18
Occupation:  Account Executive for an IT Advisory Firm
Family:  Divorced with a 19-year-old son

Point Pleasant needs new ideas and a new council.  Many in our town have been decimated by Sandy and it's going effect each and everyone in this town if homes are not rebuilt to support the tax base and services we have grown accustomed to.  Suzann Cole and I have the ideas and character to do what is needed to build a better Point Pleasant.
What issues do you see as critical for the Council to tackle in the next four years?
Rebuilding the town after Superstorm Sandy ripped through it is a high priority.  I would start a committee to help the townspeople apply for grants and help define all sources of money available.  I criticize this Council and my opponents in the is race for talking but delivering little real value to the average person.  Taxes are going up, but aid trickling down has been very slow. Another problem that is very near and dear to my heart is the increase in substance abuse related deaths among young adults in the community.  Unfortunately, I know a few people who have lost children to this epidemic.  Law enforcement plays a factor in stemming the tide, but there needs to be education and outreach as well.  Parents, kids, Teachers should all be educated on the dangers of opiates that have invaded the Jersey Shore and provide easy access to treatment resources.  Out Police Officers and First Aid need to given the training and support systems to deal with the problem with more than just arrests or visits to the ER, but with real treatment solutions.  Thus far, the Point Boro Public Safety Committee has done little in this arena.

What do you want voters to know about you and what you’ll bring to the table? I have been a Point Pleasant resident for the past 18 years.  I raised my son in this town.  I'd like to insure this town remains the affordable,safe haven my son was able to enjoy growing up.In my professional life, I have been providing advice and support to Government entities for over 10 years.  My clients include the US Army, US Navy, United Nations, NYC Board of Ed, NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority.  Their budgets have been getting cut year over year as they are asked to do more with less.  I help them find ways to do that.   My work with the Public Sector has provided me with a lot of experience on how to use the competitive bidding process to insure low costs for tax payers.  I think the present council has not taken advantage of a competitive bidding process with many of the present contract.

Election day is Nov. 5.