Stanhope Township

There are six candidates running for two three-year terms on the township council Ray Wootten (R) I have been proud to represent the citizens of Stanhope for the past 25 years. During my term in office, I have been actively working to stabilize and lower, when possible, our municipal tax rate. Some of the ways this was accomplished was providing a long term contract for private garbage pickup, privatizing the recycling program and becoming a member of the Morris County Joint Insurance Fund, which results in a significant savings in insurance premiums. Using shared services, such as contracting with Sparta for our Health Services and Fleet Maintenance, and Hopatcong for our police and fire dispatching, has also resulted in savings. I am currently involved in the active pursuit of small city grants from the state to improve the store fronts in the downtown area. We have a tax abatement program to rehab properties along 206 (which are currently residential) to commercial use which will bring in new ratables. For the past 21 years, I have been honored to be the council appointee to the planning board (land use board) which has been involved with many aspects of development in the borough: Bells Mansion, Paramount Self Storage, Capital Care (old bowling ally), Sidoti Dental, Fabulous Feet Dance Academy (the old Sids building) and Rivers Edge (old Economy, Selbys) ratables. Currently, an area in Stanhope has been designated to be in need of redevelopment. I feel that in the best interest of Stanhope, age-restricted housing would be the optimal choice for this area. Senior housing has no impact on our school system but would also create ratables. The development of the Acorn St. Connector road which would open up the last commercial property left in Stanhope is on the drawing board (ratables). Raising three daughters and living in Stanhope over the last 44 years has been both a rewarding and a fulfilling experience. As your councilman, I will continue to dedicate myself and to be sensitive to the needs of all Stanhope residents. I would appreciate your support on November 7. John W. Sherman (R) My wife Miriam and I have lived in Stanhope for the past 16 years. Presently, I am the president of Stonegate Village Board of Trustees and have been for the past three years, a town within a town. Daily, I am the chief accountant for a multi-million dollar engineering consulting firm with offices in both New York and Jersey City with 65 employees. For the past 26 years I have been associated with the architectural and engineering industry. I believe that this council election is about much more than just one or two issues; it is about finding the best qualified people to fill some very responsible positions. Within MDMPC Consulting Engineers, with it’s numerous professional engineers, technical and support staff, I deal with employees, budgets, costs controls and expenses, assets and cash management, just as Stanhope deals with 27 full- and part-time employees, infrastructure, utilities and assets on a daily basis. Within Stonegate Village, we maintain relationships with contractors for our very existence, including refuge, snow removal, leaf pick-up, building maintenance, beautification and capital improvements. Based on my experience I am asking for your support in my bid for a seat on the Stanhope Council. George Graham (D) George Graham, 51, has been a resident of Stanhope for over 20 years. He and his wife Gail have three adult children, all graduates of Stanhope School and Lenape Valley High School. He has successfully operated his own consulting business, Skylands Business Services, since 1986. His business develops strategies for public and private sector clients by troubleshooting difficult situations, creating business and action plans and overseeing the implementation. George is running for the first time because he believes that he can better represent the interests of Stanhope by maintaining the following: • Taking the time to listen to differing opinions within our community. • Proposing new ideas and encouraging all residents to express their concerns. • Promoting open dialogue by speaking up at public sessions. • Striving to improve relations with all the neighborhoods in Stanhope. • Implementing proven principles of successful business administration. • Drawing on his experiences in fighting with and against city hall. • By becoming a councilman that will make a difference. If elected George Graham will: • Hold regular walking tours and town meetings. • Initiate an effective Police/Community Relations program. • Seek grants to improve recreation, open space and redevelopment. • Encourage better dialogue with all neighborhoods in the community. • Actively support recreation and service improvements for our senior citizens. • Seek improved service sharing accords with neighboring towns and school districts. • Promote closer communications with the local school boards. • Aggressively work to improve Stanhope’s image. Michael A. Depew (D) I’m a lifelong resident of Stanhope borough married to my wife Judith for 41 years, with three grown children, Darrin, Micheal and Melissa. I worked for Jersey Central Power and Light company for 44 years as a draftsman in the engineering department. I retired in April of 2004. I have been a special police officer in the borough for 36 years. Past president of Stanhope Hose Company #1, past captain of Stanhope/Netcong American Legion Ambulance corp. I am running for town council because I do not believe in eminent domain; eminent domain was made for building roads, highways and schools, not for taking people’s property away - that they have been paying taxes on for years. I think spending has to be more controlled, and the residents of the borough more informed on issues. I believe in redevelopment but it has to be in the right places. John Demasi (Independent) • 36 years old • Married with four children • Resident of Stanhope for 13 years • Bachelor of Arts, William Paterson College • Successfully owned and operated local business for four years • Commercial Account Executive - Cablevision of Morris Why I decided to run - It’s time that the community of Stanhope was represented by someone who realizes what changes are necessary to return Stanhope’s close-knit family atmosphere. I am confident that I will be able to accomplish these goals. As a homeowner, I have formed a very strong bond with the town of Stanhope. As owner/operator of a successful café for the past four years, I have been privileged to have the opportunity to discuss many issues concerning Stanhope’s residents and employees. I have been volunteering as a coach for the Lenape Valley Junior Patriots for the last five years and also coach baseball for the Lakeland Little League program. My wife Joelle and I have four children, ages 19 to 4 years old. I am an active member of our community, and will be for many years to come. I feel that the community of Stanhope needs someone who’s family-orientated, and still has children in our school system. Through my many activities, I have become familiar with the concerns and problems of Stanhope’s residents. I would be a great asset to the community of Stanhope due to my hard work ethic and proven leadership experience. I share our community’s morals, values and concerns. Education, taxes, and Eminent Domain abuse are some of the hot topics within our community that need to be controlled. I maintain my own health benefits for my family and do not require additional ones from our town. No prior political experience. Michele G. Rhodes-Simpson (Independent) Our property tax burden is causing voters to re-think the traditional ways they have voted in the past. Many citizens no longer feel comfortable voting a straight party ticket because they no longer feel comfortable that their parties are willing or able to address tough issues. This is one of the main reasons I chose to run as an Independent candidate for Stanhope Town Council. As a taxpayer, I see a real need to expand the tax base by attracting more businesses into town and to generate savings in the municipal budget by negotiating out of the State Health Plan. As a long-time resident (20 years), I worry about the “quick fix” lure of residential redevelopment and the dangers of unchecked eminent domain. A tool of last resort, it should never be used to enrich developers at the expense of local property owners. As a recent retiree, I wonder how Stanhope’s seniors are going to be able to afford living here with many of their property tax bills now into five digits annually. As a former school board member, I want to avoid redevelopment schemes that would create crowding in our community schools, thus forcing a serious decline in the quality of education they provide. As a parent, I worry about the strains on public safety services that a drastic increase in population would cause. Because there are no easy answers doesn’t mean there aren’t any answers. As a councilperson, I will work to uncover remedies that most of us can live with. Stanhope’s voters can count on me to bring fresh thinking designed to address the pressing concerns of our town. Regardless of your party affiliation, please consider me for Stanhope Town Council on Tuesday, November 7.