Seven seek seats on Vernon council

VERNON — Three seats are up on the Vernon Township Council on Election Day with all three incumbents — Jean Murphy, Patrick Rizzuto and Richard Wetzel - all seeking four year terms.
Challenging for seats on the council are a mix of old and fresh faces as former Mayors Vic Marotta and Sally Rinker are looking for council seats. Fresh faces include Mark Van Tassel and John Auberger.
The election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

John Auberger
Age: 51
Family: Married to Cindi (18 years), 2 married step-daughters and three grandchildren; 1 step-son.
Education: Vernon Township High School; Sussex County Fire Academy; Bergen County CC-Hazmat Training.
Occupation: Retired DPW worker
Experience: Lifelong resident, worked in township for 32 years; volunteer firefighter since 1989. Member of Land Use Committee since 2016. Vice Chairman of Environmental Commission since 2016.
Top Three Issues: Making Vernon More Business Friendly: I would work with the council and mayor to improve the process that Vernon residents and potential new business owners currently have to go through in order to build and develop in this town. The process has to become more streamlined and expeditious. We should want to encourage people throughout this process. Improving the Current MUA: We need to lessen the burden placed on people who must take part in this form of utility management. Foremost, would be the push to isnall meters. Everhyone who takes part of any other utility has their use measured by a meter except this one. I'd also endorse a recommendation to form an emergency fund to be started at a gradual pace so that it can be built up over time to handle emergency repairs instead of having the resdients address that large cost all at once when something happens. Fiscal Responsibility: It is important to explore every revenue source and savings to help reduce the burden to our taxpayers while maintaining and improving our infrastructure. We can look at ways to increase shared services with our Board of Education and county. There are still other avenues to explore to save additional money on the much-needed improvements to our town in a cost-effective way.


Victor J. Marotta
Age: 69
Political History: Vernon Twp. Committee 1984 -1987, Vernon Mayor 1986, Vernon Deputy Mayor 1987, Sussex County Freeholder 1988-1990; Freeholder Director 1988, Vernon Mayor 2011-15, Board of Directors, NJ Conference of Mayors 2013-2015; NJ League of Municipalities Guest Lecturer 2014
Occupation: Business Administrator at Team Revolution LLC. Vernon, N.J
Education: Sparta High School 1965; Ursinus College 1969, Political Science B.A.; Lafayette College, 1973 Non Degree Science Courses; Upsala College, 1991-92, Taught State and Local Government
Family: Divorced, three adult sons
Top three issues: 1. Taxes and Expenditures: Examine why property taxes continue to rise while services to our residents continue to decrease. Examine all operational expenditures on a cost versus benefit basis. 2. Accountability and Transparency: I will advocate for Council members, Board and Committee members to disclose business and personal relationships, and to seek council on the need to recuse themselves where a conflict of interest exists. I will advocate for more public involvement. Secrecy breeds contempt, I believe it's time to open the doors, pull-up the shades, and invite the public to be more informed and involved in the decisions that affect the Township. 3) Standards and Practices: Our governing body should exhibit the highest standards of ethical and moral behavior, making decisions without public involvement leaves the door open for rumor and innuendo. Insuring the public's safety and delivering affordable residential services must be our top priority. Expose collusion in Vernon government. I am committed to being accessible to all Vernon residents.

Jean Murphy
Age: 59
Political History: I am in my 4th year serving on the Vernon Township Council, currently as Council President. I have been the Council liaison to the Board of Education for 3 years and liaison to the Beautification Committee for 2 years. I was recently appointed to the County Open Space Committee.
Occupation: Full-time Real Estate Broker/Sales Associate with 25 years experience in Vernon Township, currently with Weichert Realtors. My profession has enabled me to understand and have extensive knowledge of all the various communities in Vernon Township.
Education: American School of Business, Real Estate Brokers License
Family: Married to Dan, 2 adult children
Top three issues (limit 200 words): 1. Stable property taxes continue to be the most critical issue concerning Vernon residents. For several years the township has had a record number of property tax appeals filed. In 2018, we will be conducting a town wide reassessment based on the current real estate sales to fairly allocate the real estate tax burden amongst all assessed properties. The reassessment will help stabilize rates and save taxpayer dollars by not having to defend against costly appeals. Further, it will continue to attract clean commercial ratables to our town center. 2. Sewer Service. I will continue to support Mayor Harry Shortway in his insistence to hold our largest taxpayer, Mountain Creek accountable for their debt to Vernon residents and to fulfill their responsibility for the maintenance and repairs to the sewer system. The township and the VTMUA must work together to trim the debt service and operational costs while simultaneously not incurring additional debt that will be shouldered by the ratepayers. 3. Using our natural resources as a means to continue our economic development and growth – Natural resources offer year round enjoyment and an opportunity to experience the beauty Vernon is know for. The Greenway Committee has begun clearing paths and working towards acquiring easements and parcels that will connect to already acquired property. The path will extend from the NY border to Hardyston.

Sally Rinker
Age: 63
Political History: 2009 Council, 2010-11 Mayor/Council
Occupation: I am a self-employed residential and commercial building contractor and land developer for more than 30 years in Vernon Township, working with clients, budgets, time management, employees, contracts, and professionals, such as, engineers and attorneys.
Education: A.A.S. Degree, NJ Builders License, NJ Real Estate License, Building Subcode Official Certification, Building Inspector RCS Certification
Family: Married with 3 children.
Top Three Issues: Lowering our taxes is the most important issue to Vernon residents. I will implement efficiency in the budget and a hiring freeze, increase shared services and consolidations, and re-instate the Economic Development Committee. This current administration gave us a nearly 10% tax increase, reduced surplus, and lost revenue over the past two years. We must reduce regulations and permit fees for local small businesses and plan for sewer expansion in the commercial zones, which will be the key to lowering sewer fees for sewer users and accommodating commercial businesses to offset the residential tax burden. Transparency in our government is about the taxpayer's right to know factual information about how their tax dollars are spent. I will work to restore the transparency that was in place when I was last in office. Voting to pay the bills before they are paid, having workshops for all major issues for public input, and responding to the public's questions, increase transparency. I propose a Code of Conduct and Ethics. The behavior of our elected officials must be professional and respectful to the residents and one another, if we want to be seen as a great place to live, work, and recreate.

Patrick Rizzuto Age: 73
Political History: VTSD BOE (15 years, 8 president); Vernon Township Council (2011-Present, 2 years president); Vernon Land Use Board (2 years); Council Liason to VTSD BOE
Education: Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Seton Hall University. MBA Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Family: Three children (Patrick Jr.), Lauren, Dianne. Eight grandchildren (Patrick III, Jillian, Nicholas, Riane, Mathew, James, Chrsitian, Liam).
Top three issues: Local taxes must be stabilized. Currently our township is too reliant on residential taxpayers, which represent about 90 of our tax base with 10% coming from commercial ratables. I would like to see a larger commercial tax base of about 20-25%. We can achieve this type of growth only by providing potential businesses with the necessary infrastructure. The completion of the water lines for the town center must be completed. Currently public water is only available to the corner of the Church St. and Rt. 94 but it is necessary for the completion of the of the town center. A 55-unit senior citizens housing project remains stalled until these issues are resolved. A 55-unit project would provide significant gallonage for our sewer system not to mention a wonderful living place for so many of our seniors in the center of town. While the council is limited in what it can do, recognizing and addressing the problem of opiate addiction must be a major concern. Our police department continues to work tirelessly in fighting this problem. Our Board of Education and High School Administration and faculty have done well in combating this problem with random drug testing in the high school. As a councilmember I can recognize these areas of need funding resources to provide manpower as required.

Mark Van Tassel Age: 52
Political History: None
Occupation: Corrections Officer
Education: Associates Degree
Family: My wife Michelle, and our two daughters who attend the Vernon Township School District
Top Three Issues: 1. Town Safety: The safety of this town is paramount to me. I will do what needs to be done to ensure our community not only "looks beautiful" but is also a safe place to raise our children. Vernon is not immune to crime and drug issues. We have a growing epidemic in our country. I am in support of programs we can enhance to help our community overcome and prevent drug abuse and crime. Senior Services: I know what it is like when you don't have options for an elderly parent. Housing and services are hard to come by in this rural area, and making decisions on their behalf can often feel like you have to make concessions. I support any services we can provide to seniors that will allow them to continue to be autonomous, but also support them when they need assistance. Town Growth: We simply cannot get away from the need to develop our town. Aside for the fact that many of us travel as far as we do, it would certainly be nice to have a main street where small shops, services, and eateries were available. It is essential we do not saddle the condo owners with the impending sewer and water increases. We must look for ways to grow businesses in town to offset the costs on the horizon. I will not "rubber stamp" anything. However, I am open to working with the mayor, and not against him. My own thought and judgement will go into each vote I make.

Dick Wetzel
Political History: First Chaiperson of Vernon Recreational Board, Vice Chairperson of the old Board of Adjustment; former member of the Vernon Historical Prevention Commission; member of the Vernon Historical Society; member of the Vernon Town Council since 2011.
Occupation: Retired Social Studies teacher (VTHS, 36 years). First outside teacher to be hired, first head football coach; Social Studies Dept. Chair.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree, William Paterson College. Masters Degree in Social Science, William Paterson College. Principal/Supervisor certificate, Jersey City State College Family: I am a widower. I have four children, two boys and two girls. I also have nine grandchildren, five boys and four girls.
Top three issues (limit 200 words): To make Vernon a better place to live for young and old. To do this we must increase commercial ratables to help reduce taxes. To complete water and sewer systems. Apply for grant money and use bond resources. Work with out police to provide necessary resources to address opiate usage. Increase money in budget to help police and volunteers address this problem. To promote recreation activities for all residents maintain and improve municipal services. I can not offer a new deal but I can promise a square deal. We must look forward not backwards.