Rinker, Shortway announce bids for mayor

VERNON — In a near rematch of the 2011 mayoral race, former Vernon Township Mayor Sally Rinker and former Deputy Mayor Harry Shortway have announced that they will run against Mayor Victor Marotta in the November election.

Marotta ousted Rinker from the mayor's office in the last election.

Rinker has led opposition to several initiatives by Marotta since, including pushing to block the town's purchase of Camp Sussex and opposing raises for Marotta and town employees.

Rinker, 60, has been a Vernon resident for 31 years and has owned various businesses in the township during that time. She also is president of the Vernon Taxpayer's Association, a member of the Vernon Rotary, former member of the Chamber of Commerce, former member of the Vernon Historical Society, current member of the League of Woman Voters and National Student Nurses Association, and a three-term officer in the county Republican Committee.

Rinker has led opposition in the past to raises for town employees, for the mayor and fought to block the town's purchase of Camp Sussex.

"Vernon taxpayers and residents deserve truthful, respectful and transparent government," Rinker said in a statement. "After careful and thorough consideration, because I remain committed to Vernon Township flourishing with stable taxes as a result of increased revenue and decisions that enhance our quality of life, I announce my candidacy for the office of mayor in the November 2015 election."

Shortway, 57, was a councilman for 18 months before Marotta took office.

"I just want to see things done in this town," Shortway said by phone this week.

Shortway cited foreclosures in the town as one of his concerns.

Two of his neighbor's homes have been foreclosed on and another house on his street has been up for sale for the last five years, he said.

Shortway has lived in the town since 1992 and raised four children in Vernon but said people are leaving the community.

"We need to get people to come back here," he said.

Shortway supports building a bike path, known as a greenway, in the town.

He also opposes a town purchase of Camp Sussex.

Shortway is a retired detective with the West Milford Police Department and currently works security for the Vernon School District.

He would like to combat drug use in the town and left open the possibility of adding police officers though he said the town should pay for a forensic audit into its finances.

He said the town has added more than two dozen employees since he was on the town board, which he objects to.

Mike Zummo and Nathan Mayberg contributed to this report.