Villapiano will run for Senate in 11th District Cites redevelopment of Fort Monmouth as a major concern John Villapiano ASBURY PARK - A familiar hat was tossed in the ring Friday when John A. Villapiano announced he will run for election to the state Senate from the 11th District. Villapiano, a Democrat and former state Assemblyman, county freeholder and Ocean Township councilman, will seek the seat being vacated by state Sen. Joseph Palaia (R-11), who is retiring. Among the issues Villapiano addressed in announcing his re-entry into politics were eminent domain, property taxes, school funding and the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth. "I'm getting back into politics," Villapiano said before addressing a small crowd of family, friends and local politicians at the Wonderbar in Asbury Park last Friday. "I felt my career was cut short in 1991." Villapiano served for three years in the Assembly before losing his bid for re-election. In November, he will be up against Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-11) who has announced his intention to run for the Senate. Echoing the current political mantra, Villapiano said doing something to mitigate oppressive property taxes will be a priority and an issue he will address in his campaign. In wide-ranging remarks, he also identified the reuse of the Fort Monmouth property as an area of concern. "I see the Fort Monmouth redevelopment as a big issue," he said in an interview. "The fort is going to be closing by 2011, and the economic impact on the area will be severe." The Ocean Township resident said he wants input in the process undertaken by the state-sanctioned Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization and Planning Authority. "I want to be a part of that process," he said. Education is also on Villapiano's platform, and he also singled out support of public education as a major platform issue. Specifically, Villapiano said the drain of high school graduates who go out of state for higher education must be addressed, and he proposed locating a state university at the former army base. "We lose about 33 percent of our high school graduates to other states," he said. "I think that can be addressed. "We must start paying attention to what's going to happen to Fort Monmouth. I propose turning it into New Jersey State University, to stem the tide of high school seniors leaving the state. In 2005, 68,000 high school seniors graduated and 25,000 of them went to out-of-state colleges." Villapiano, managing partner of Seashore Day Camp and School in Long Branch, chose to announce his candidacy at the Wonderbar, an Asbury Park landmark threatened by the redevelopment under way in that city. The renovated club "exemplifies so many of the issues that are important to the people of the 11th District today," he said. "A lot of time and effort is being spent on redevelopment plans for towns like Long Branch, Asbury Park, Neptune, Allenhurst," he said. A Long Branch health club owned by Villapiano lies in one of the city's beachfront redevelopment zones and was slated to be taken by the city. Although he has spoken publicly in support of the city's redevelopment, he said Friday he is opposed to the forcible taking of private property for private redevelopment projects as is being done in the city's MTOTSA neighborhood. "It's important to work together with local government," he said. "Before it gets to the point of redevelopment, local government and the people have to be on the same wave length. The right to own private property is one of the pillars of the U. S." Villapiano said he doesn't believe redevelopment is driven by greed, but by the desire of officials to see their towns improve. "I just think before it gets to that point, pretty much everybody's got to be on board," he said. "The taking of private property for redevelopment purposes is a big issue. I've never shied away from tough issues and this is a tough one," he continued, adding that redevelopment is a growing Shore issue. "We're seeing redevelopment all up and down the coast. "I'm going to put the interests of the people in the 11th District first. I will serve the people to ensure that no one tries to take advantage of any part of the 11th District or Shore." Drawing on his experience as a small business owner, he noted that the state budget was $16 billion when he left office and has since doubled. "We are, in this state, taxed to death," he said. "We must learn how to pare down the expenses of the state budget. How? Small businesses know reducing the workforce will be the thing that brings costs down. With attrition we can start to decrease the size of state government. "I feel the backbone of the state and county is small business. Most of us work between 40 and 60 hours a week, make payrolls, budgets, tough decisions. When their small business creates a profit, they don't put it in their pockets, they hire another person. Not enough attention is paid to the plight of small business in the state economy." While he and family members own a private school, Villapiano said he strongly supports the public education system. "It should be supported," he said. "It's one of the pillars of the U.S. and we must make that education better. Schools should not be judged just by test scores, but by how many graduates complete college, how many are out in the workforce and successful. "I intend to go to Trenton and try to bring some attention back to our district," he said. "With my close association to so many of the legislators of the majority party in Trenton, my election would put me in a position to turn the focus of the state's resources toward our district." Villapiano served as a member of the Ocean Township Council from 1979 to 1987; as a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1987 to 1989; and as a state Assemblyman from the 11th District from 1988 to 1991. In the Assembly, he was vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee. - Gloria Stravelli