Same issues, different approach in W.L.B.

Same issues, different approach in W.L.B.

Barbara Paskin

Dems take issue with Woolley’s handling of

his role in public works

By Sherry conohan

Staff Writer

William R. Deisinger

WEST LONG BRANCH — Traffic and pedestrian safety are issues high on the list of concerns of both the Republican and Democratic candidates for Borough Council. They also both promise to work to preserve open space.

They part company, however, on who is better prepared and has the greater desire to serve on the council, with both sides claiming they are the ones.

The Democrats, Councilman William R. Deisinger and Tina Munson, also have criticized one of their Republican opponents, Councilman Joseph C. Woolley, who oversees public works, for his handling of snow plowing last winter. Woolley is paired on the GOP ticket with Barbara Paskin.

The council currently is divided 4-2 politically, with Republicans holding the majority. If Deisinger wins re-election and Munson is elected with him, the council will be evenly split 3-3, and Democratic Mayor Paul Zambrano will be able to cast the deciding vote in the case of a tie.

Joseph C. Woolley

Zambrano has said he particularly wants to have three Democrats on the governing body so he can get his appointments approved.

Woolley and Paskin said motorists who use side streets as shortcuts have created a big problem. Paskin has urged putting up "Drive 25" signs to get them to slow down. Woolley pointed to two steps that already have been taken to improve safety. He said the borough has gotten the state to agree to put up a traffic light at the intersection of Wall Street and Whalepond Road and plans for the state to widen the intersection of Wall Street and Monmouth Road will be finalized as soon as a water drainage problem has been resolved.

Deisinger called for greater use of stop signs and reflectors to improve pedestrian safety while Munson said there should be more speed traps. Munson also said she would work with the county to get sidewalks installed on Wall Street, Monmouth Road and Locust Avenue.

Both Deisinger and Munson said snow removal under Woolley’s direction last winter was inadequate and criticized his hiring outside contractors to help.

Tina Munson

Munson recalled attending one council meeting last winter where the council room was filled with residents outraged about the snow removal. When Woolley insisted public works did a great job, he was booed, she said.

Deisinger and Munson also faulted Woolley for not making leaf and debris pickups in July and August. "We feel that is something we should be doing," the councilman said.

Said Munson: "People were really upset because that’s when people are working in the yard. I think it should be picked up all year-round."

Woolley admitted there was one snowstorm last winter when there was a problem with plowing. But he defended the hiring of three outside contractors as a less expensive solution than buying two or three trucks at $60,000 to $120,000 each and paying borough employees overtime to do the plowing.

"They have the experience and larger size equipment," he said.

"Nobody remembers the blizzard of ’96 when we did the plowing with one contractor and kept the roads clear," he added. "Long Branch was crippled by that storm — Oakhurst, Oceanport, Red Bank. West Long Branch was clear."

"And Joe was right there with them," Paskin interjected, adding they were not hearing complaints about the snow plowing as they were campaigning door to door. "Everybody seems very, very happy with public works," she said.

Woolley observed that the mayor had said he had gotten hundreds of phone calls (actually, the mayor said on Jan. 17 that he had received 143 calls) complaining about the plowing. But, Woolley said, when he called the police dispatcher, the dispatcher said that desk didn’t get many phone calls on it.

"So they’re using this against me," he said.

As for not having leaf and debris collections in July and August, Woolley said the purpose of that was to keep the streets clear for people walking and biking. It also was done by a unanimous vote of the council on an ordinance, he said.

Woolley and Paskin have stressed their long-term ties to West Long Branch and suggested that because they are in or near the borough during the day, they could be more responsive to the demands of the council job. Paskin is a lifelong resident of the borough, as is Woolley’s wife. Paskin’s father was president of the borough school board; her mother was president of the PTA. Woolley’s father-in-law, Ralph Ardolino Jr., was a councilman for 25 years.

Deisinger and Munson maintain they have a stronger commitment to serving the town. Deisinger, who grew up in the borough, served on the Board of Education for 12 years and as its president before being elected to the council three years ago. He also served on the Planning Board for seven years and as its chairman.

Munson has been attending council meetings for two years and is a member of the borough Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Commission and Local Assistance Board. She said Paskin has only attended three council meetings and takes umbrage at the suggestion she and Deisinger would not be "hands-on" council members because they don’t work nearby.

"If you have not attended council meetings," Munson said, "I question how you have an understanding of how the council functions and can step in and represent the people. I don’t think there’s any public issue I wouldn’t be aware of since I’ve attended every council meeting."

Woolley and Paskin, who is a write-in candidate for council, have both served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and on the Board of Health.

"Joe and I have a working understanding of the town from being on the Zoning Board," Paskin asserted.

This year’s election is a rematch for Munson and Paskin. Both were narrow losers in last year’s council race.

Munson cites the grant she learned about through the Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission and the borough is now applying for it to hire a planner for the Owens property as the sort of initiative she would bring to office, if elected. The property was donated to the borough with a proviso that it be left in a natural state, but there are various options in how to use it.

Paskin has said she would like to serve as a liaison between the council and the borough’s schools and Shore Regional High School. She also said that, as a teacher in the past, she has been involved with grant writing. In addition, she said she would seek state funding to repair recreational facilities. She also has promised to be a full-time council member, if elected.

Woolley, a resident of Woodland Drive, has served 12 years on the council and is seeking his fifth term. He works as project manager for the mechanical contracting end of PH20 Systems in Eatontown, a pure water business.

Woolley attended Point Park College in Pittsburgh for two years, studying engineering. He is married with three children.

Paskin, who lives on South Arlene Drive, graduated from Springfield College and received a master’s degree in counseling and human services from Montclair University.

She is experienced as a private college counseling consultant and worked in the past as a physical education teacher and high school guidance counselor. She is married with two children.

Deisinger, who is seeking his second term on the council, and Munson are lawyers, he with a solo practice in Red Bank and she with the law firm of Lomurro, Davison, Eastman and Munoz in Freehold Township.

Deisinger, who lives on Girard Avenue, graduated from Gettysburg College and the National Law Center of George Washington University. He is a widower with two daughters.

Munson, a resident of Jeffrey Lane, graduated from the University of South Carolina after attending Florida State University, and played golf at both. She then attended Rutgers Law School in Newark. She is married with a daughter from a prior marriage.