RENAISSANCE TIMES - Senior Publishing Company

Community Affairs
Manchester Town Council Candidates
By Phil Gillhaus
As previously explained, residents
of Manchester Township will
be voting to fill three seats on the
Town Council this November 6.
Four candidates are running for the
three positions, each of which carries
a four-year term.
Running under Mayor Fressola’s
Continued Good Government banner
are: James Vaccaro, 72, a resident
of Renaissance; Sam Fusaro,
59, a resident of Holly Oaks; and
Charles Frattini, 83, a resident of
Leisure Village West.
Running under the Your Conservative
for a Better Manchester banner
is William Peck, 60, a resident
While I am a newcomer to government,
I am a veteran of public
service beginning with my service
in the United States Marine Corps.
I am most interested in serving as a
councilman, which I intend to do on
a full time basis.
Serving on the board of trustees
at Leisure Village West, both as
a member and president, also my
serving as president of the organ
and band club and the bocce club is
much like being a public official (on
a mini level) dealing with budgets
and planning for the future.
I am 59 years old and moved
to Manchester with my wife and
two children in 1985. I was first
elected to Council in 1990, gaining
re-election in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
I have served on various Township
boards, including the Municipal
Planning Board, Master Plan Committee,
and Recreation Committee.
In 2001, I championed passage of
Manchester’s Open Space Program.
My education and business
experience provide me with the
background to serve our residents
as Councilman. I graduated from
The Catholic University of America
with a Bachelors Degree in Biochemistry
and earned a Masters of
Public Administration from Rutgers
University. I held management positions
in both private and public
sectors over the years, including
Out-patient Business Manager at
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
and various positions with the US
Army at Ft. Monmouth, where I
Charles Frattini
Sam Fusaro
of Pine Lake Park.
The three successful candidates
will, for the next four years, vote on
the Manchester Township budgets,
approve real estate tax increases,
vote on the enactment of new ordinances,
vote on the Township Master
Plan and any changes to it, and vote
on many other issues that will impact
each and every property owner in the
Township.
Each of the candidates has submitted
a brief biographical description,
which are printed here to help
voters make informed choices on
November 6.
I am, as are my running mates,
dedicated to informed and effective
public service. My enlistment in the
Marine Corps, my service to Leisure
Village West, my membership in
various civic and veteran groups
and as first president of the Catholic/Jewish
dialogue coalition which
became the model for nationwide
similar groups.
This has given me and my family
an immense sense of purpose and
satisfaction which I hope to continue
as a member of the Manchester
Township council.
worked for 31 years before retiring
from Civil Service in 2011. In my
last position (1999-2011) I directed
a multi-billion dollar program that
provided intelligence equipment
to US and allied forces in Iraq and
Afghanistan, and managed a staff of
over 500 individuals.
In 2011, I was selected to fill the
unexpired term of former Councilman
Ken Vanderziel. Over my 17
years as Councilman, I have developed
a sense of appreciation for
what effective local government can
do for our residents. We can make a
difference in people's lives, whether
it’s building ball fields, running recreation
programs or helping a senior
citizen to get to a doctor or do food
shopping. More importantly, using
smart business practices we can do
this by keeping Municipal taxes as
low as possible. I feel I have made
a difference over the years, and
ask that you give me the chance to
continue to serve you and our town.
When I enlisted in the U.S. Navy
in 1971, I swore an oath to support
and defend the Constitution of the
United States of America, and I
honor that oath today. I will defend
the Constitution and the natural
rights and liberties it is designed to
protect.
I believe citizens should not
hesitate to sign petitions for fear of
retaliation from their government.
People have the right to present their
grievances or concerns to the government
and to expect fair, courteous
treatment and consideration.
I am a conservative who understands
there is no “free lunch.”
Somebody must pay for the services
that government provides. That does
not mean turning a deaf to ear the
needs of our residents. It means we
must carefully determine our priorities
and utilize the precious limited
resources we have.
William Peck
James A. Vaccaro, Sr.
After 24 years of service in the
Navy, I retired as a Chief Petty Officer
and went to work for the Naval
Air Systems Command as a Weapons
System Manager supporting our
warfighters. During one of my tours
at NAEC Lakehurst, I married my
wife Grace of 38 years, and we have
a son who is a Manchester Township
High School graduate.
Through my years of government
service, I have learned to listen,
plan, and lead through my actions.
As a member of the Manchester
Town Council, I will advocate for
the township’s residents. I will work
to protect their property rights, I will
strive to provide the greatest practical
access to public information and
to let the sun shine on all council
business, and above all, I will work
to make Manchester Township an
even better place to live.
I am a Villanova University of Governors of Jersey Shore Medi-
graduate with a B.S. in Economcal Center.
ics, major in Accounting. Daylight Savings I am a Time As a ends member on of the Manchester
retired Manager of the United November States Planning 4. Board for over 8 years and
Treasury Department Turn your and clocks a self- back the Chairman one hour. for 6 years, I know
employed Forensic Tax Accountant. how important sound planning and
My wife, Karen, and I have lived land use are in the development of
in Renaissance for over 12 years our Township. My goal is to guide
and my service to our Renaissance the Township toward controlled
community has consisted of: Former growth and attract property ratables
Chairman, Finance Committee; while keeping the character and na-
President of the Italian American ture of Manchester as a semi-rural
Club, Contract Committee member community. I see a great future in
and Bocce Special Project member. Manchester with an increase of busi-
I have always been active Early in comDeadline
ness opportunities which provide
munity affairs and service from my needed services as well as additional
for our January issue. All copy
days as a volunteer firefighter and tax revenues so necessary in these
an elected member of the Board is due of difficult by economic times.
Education in Long Branch. December My 3. educational background and
I am honored to be a recipient of civic accomplishments enable me to
the United States Congressional and be of service to all of the residents of
New Jersey Senate recognition for Manchester and I would be honored
Distinguished Community Service
and a Former Member of the Board
to serve as your Councilman.
November 6:
Don’t forget to vote!
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RENAISSANCE TIMES NovEMbER, 2012 PAGE A-15