Marotta announces run

By Nathan Mayberg
VERNON — Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta will run for a second four-year term as mayor of Vernon Township.

While the election is not until November, the mayor recently declared his candidacy on his television show "Vernon Vibes."

During his term, the mayor has been in the middle of several controversies including pay raises for himself and town employees and the potential purchase of Camp Sussex.

"The job's not done. There is still much to be completed," Marotta said on Tuesday by phone.

Marotta said one of his goals is to bring central water to the town center, which he said is "critical."

Without the water, Marotta said it will be difficult to develop commercial businesses.

Growing the commercial base in the town is essential to lessening the burden on residential taxpayers, he said.

Residential homeowners pay about 91 percent of the taxes in the town, Marotta said.

CVS is currently working on a contract to bring water to its proposed location on Main Street and Route 94, which would be the first new building in the town center, Marotta said.

Hidden Valley Ski Area, which was purchased by a nonprofit corporation out of bankruptcy, is being refurbished by its new owners, Marotta said.

They are installing new lifts and renovating the lodge.

Marotta referred further questions about the ski area to Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority Chairman Vincent Zinno. Zinno couldn't be reached for comment.

The mayor said he has reduced taxes and paid down the town's debt and building up Vernon's fund balance, by "not wasting money."

He cited an increase of sharing services, increased recycling and an increase in revenue from the hotel occupancy tax as generating more revenue for the town.

Last year, he also helped negotiate a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement with the owners of Mountain Creek for an indoor water park. The company is looking for investors to back the project, Marotta said.

The mayor also touted putting GPS tracking devices on Department of Public Works vehicles. He is considering putting them on other town vehicles, such as the police department.

Before his current stint as mayor, Marotta served on the town council from 1984 through 1988, including one year as mayor. At that time, the mayor's position was elected by the council more similarly to that of chairman.

The mayor's position is now elected by the voters and does not hold voting power on the board.

Marotta also served on the Sussex County Board of Freeholders from 1988 to 1990.

Those looking to challenge Marotta need to gather 100 signatures from registered voters in the town to get on the ballot.

The town operates under a non-partisan electoral system, which does not require party input.

No other candidates have announced their interest in running yet, though it is early.

Former Mayor Sally Rinker, who has been at the forefront of opposing several Marotta actions, including the pay raises and proposed Camp Sussex purchase, called the early announcement by the mayor was "an act of desperation."

She hasn't decided if she will run or back somebody else.

"I wish him good luck," she said.

Reporter Nathan Mayberg can be reached at comm.reporter@strausnews.com or by calling 845-469-9000 ext. 359.