Ethics, taxes, environment are primary issues in District 11 race

Published in the Asbury Park Press 10/29/03

By CAROL GORGA WILLIAMS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

Governmental ethics, the environment and ever-escalating property taxes dominated discussions of the issues in the 11th Legislative District race, one that focused not on personalities but on issues.

The four candidates for state Senate are Republican incumbent Joseph A. Palaia of Ocean Township, Democrat Paul X. Escandon of Loch Arbour, Green Party candidate Brian Unger of Long Branch and Libertarian Emerson Ellett of Ocean Township.

The six candidates for Assembly include Sean T. Kean of Wall, a Republican who has held the office for nine months, after Assemblyman Thomas S. Smith died in office.

Kean and his running mate, Assemblyman Steven J. Corodemus of Atlantic Highlands, face Democrats Charles E. DaVis, an Eatontown councilman, and John Loffredo, an Asbury Park councilman, and Green Party candidates Thomas Auletta of Atlantic Highlands and Lynn Surgalla of Monmouth Beach.

All 10 candidates say they support new ethics guidelines for the way the Legislature functions.

The Gannett New Jersey newspaper series "Profiting from Public Service" found one-third of lawmakers hold at least one other public job, one-quarter of all legislative spouses also hold publicly funded jobs, and one-fifth of lawmakers put a relative on their payroll in the past two years. The stories also pointed out weak rules on disclosures and conflicts.

The Democratic Assembly candidates, who hold office in their municipalities, disagreed with a call to ban dual office-holding. DaVis and Loffredo said they didn't perceive a conflict provided they didn't vote on issues directly affecting their towns.

Of the Senate candidates, Escandon said he had reservations about a proposal requiring that professional service contracts be awarded to the low bidder. He said if that were the case for legal services, for example, young attorneys could low-ball their bids simply to get work. Sometimes a town needs an experienced attorney or accountant to advise it on complex matters, said Escandon, a lawyer.

"I understand the bad taste it leaves in people's mouths," Escandon said. "I just think there are certain jobs that should not go out to bid. You want experience in some jobs."

Auletta and Surgalla said the only way to get private and corporate money out of elections is to have the public fund them, a proposal Palaia opposes.

All the candidates agreed that property tax relief must be a priority. Ellett said he supports exempting interest on savings accounts and capital gains from taxation. DaVis and Surgalla support a progressive income tax, in which people with higher incomes would pay at higher rates.

On the environment

Palaia and Unger stressed the environment as well. Unger is an avid surfer. Corodemus, who has served six consecutive terms and has been the prime sponsor of 94 bills, said lake restoration should be a priority.

"We have 1,200 lakes that are dying," he said.

Although a $5 million bill that would fund the dredging of Wreck Pond still is awaiting legislative action, Palaia predicted it will be approved. Wreck Pond pollution was the reason for most beach closings in Spring Lake this summer, officials said.

DaVis, who has 27 years of experience as a police officer, said he often saw a different slice of life. That's why he stresses crime bills that provide for greater penalties for crimes against elderly and mentally ill people, and education for domestic violence victims so they don't end up in multiple abusive relationships.

He also thinks 16-year-olds should be tried as adults.

"At 16, they know right from wrong," he said.