Council's direction may shift in S. River

Republicans this November have a chance to control South River's borough council for the first time in 11 years.

For the small town of 16,000 people that sits less than a mile from the New Jersey Turnpike, a Republican take over could mean major change.

There are currently two Republicans-- John Krenzel and Ray mond Eppinger-- on the six-member council that is headed by Democratic Mayor Robert Szegeti.

The Republican candidates said among the most important issues are reducing this year's 7 cent municipal tax increase, fixing streets and stabilizing utility bills.

Both said they believe the cur rent council is stuck in a whirlwind of mismanagement.

But Democratic Councilman Richard Reichenbach, who is run ning with newcomer Anthony Raz zano, defended the current council and their ability to manage tax rates, utility costs and redevelopment in the borough.

"In the past six years, we've improved recreation programs through lighting parks, expanded our utility stations, and upgrading infrastructure," Reichenbach said.

But newcomer Michael Trenga, a 42-year-old Republican and 6-year borough resident, said throughout his campaigning, he's found dissatisfaction in the way things are run.

"We've been going door to door and people are concerned," said Trenga, a senior account manager for the Workers Compensation Board in New York. "There needs to be more common-sense in the leadership. Projects need to be finished before new ones are started."

Three sites marked in the borough in need of redevelopment -- Whitty's Liquor on the corner of Old Bridge Turnpike and Prospect Avenue, the old Eckerd Drug store on Main Street and the Lincoln School site -- are poorly coordinated, said Trenga.

Trenga, with his wife, Beth, have no children and previously lived in Edison.

Trenga's running mate John Trzeciak, another newcomer and lifelong resident of South River, emphasized discontent among residents and added that the borough's government isn't transparent enough.

Trzeciak, who is married to Amelia and has no children, works for a brokerage dealer in Jersey City. He said he's running because the borough has potential to move forward if there's a change in leadership.

Trzeciak, like Trenga, opposes eminent domain. The pair said they will focus on revitalization instead of redevelopment, without spending money on new properties before mending basic infrastructure.

"That means prioritizing. The residents are looking for competent leadership," Trenga said. "When talking about redevelopment, you need a plan, which the Democrats don't have. We're not sugar-coating the issues. South River Republicans aren't going to be eminent do maining anyone's property."

Both Democratic candidates said they, too, would oppose eminent domain.

Having served on the council for 12 years, between 1969 and 1974, and from 2000 on, Reichenbach said there's very little he doesn't know about the borough.

No stranger to South River, his two brothers, who have both passed away, served the borough on the council and as clerk. Rei chenbach himself chaired the borough's planning board for 25 years and served in the Sayreville school system as both an administrator and teacher for 34 years.

Municipal taxes have been managed well, Reichenbach said, so that last year's 21 cent increase was reduced to just 7 for this year. While he was on the council, three parks in the borough were lighted, thus improving recreation for residents. And Reichenbach said he is against eminent domain, despite what people are saying.

"I may go for it to build a school, if necessary, but not for businesses," Reichenbach said. "We're trying to build commercial (ratables) in South River, but not through eminent domain."

Reichenbach and Razzano, who was appointed by the mayor and council earlier this month when Democratic council member Linda Ejk resigned, said their families have been tied to the borough for generations.

Razzano, 58, grew up in South River and is a retired middle school teacher of 35 years. He too would not vote for eminent domain, he said, because he said there are ways to redevelop the borough without eliminating by force.

The election is November 6.