Democratic candidates knock GOP rule Ethics cited as key issue at forum at Ocean Twp. Democratic Club BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent OCEAN TOWNSHIP - - Democratic candidates running for office at the county and state levels denounced Republican dominance in local government as marked by ineptness and incompetence at a candidates forum hosted by the Ocean Township Democratic Club May 17. "I am embarrassed over what is happening in Monmouth County under Republican rule," said Freeholder candidate John D'Amico Jr. "The county library in eastern Monmouth is a mess, and this is indicative of the imbecility and incompetence of Republicans along with all the indictments that were handed down." D'Amico's comments were echoed by other candidates at the forum, attended by John Villapiano, state senate candidate for the 11th District; State Assembly candidates John Napolitani and John Pirnat; Jack Hill, candidate for county sheriff; Amod Choudhary, candidate for county clerk; and Stephen G. Scheuler, also a candidate for county freeholder. Villapiano acted as moderator and started by lauding the strength of the Democratic candidates. "There is an incredible amount of experience and expertise on this ticket," he said. Villapiano also alluded to the challenges the candidates would face and discussed not only voter apathy in the state but the need for changes in leadership on both a county and state level. "While only a 30 percent voter turnout is expected in November, each of you must remember that Republicans have been ruling the county and in the 11th District since early 1990, and we need to change that," he stated. An Ocean Township resident, Villapiano highlighted some of the key issues facing the entire 11th District. "Issues like beach erosion, over- development, overcrowding and over- building are affecting the quality of life in towns such as Asbury Park, Neptune, Long Branch and Bradley Beach. Obviously, the Republicans are not solving the problems," he said. Villapiano is a former Ocean Township council member, Planning Board member, Deal Lake commissioner, former county freeholder and former state assemblyman. Napolitani, currently a fifth-grade teacher in Asbury Park and president of the Asbury Park Education Association, was first introduced to public service in 1999 when he won a seat on the Interlaken Borough Council. "It was extremely difficult for Democrats to get elected as Interlaken has always been Republican," he said. Napolitani cited several problems that plague Trenton. "I want to fix them, particularly the issues with Abbott districts. The money is not being spent properly despite the fact that there is a lot of state aid," he said, adding, "Tax dollars are literally being thrown out and it is disgusting." Napolitani noted that Asbury Park is an Abbott district and said during an interview at the forum that he will fight to support small businesses if elected. "I grew up in a family business working with my father and saw how much he struggled with the rising costs of doing business," he said, adding, "The costs literally drove him out of business." Pirnat, a Brielle resident, is an elected officer in the Teamsters Union with a career spanning 30 years at United Parcel Service. "I come from the middle class and fight each and every day for these guys," he said, adding, "I also fight tooth and nail for retirees, so they can get better benefit packages upon retiring." Pirnat emphasized that "getting a grip on taxes and the lack of ethics in government" are issues he wants to actively participate in. Asked during an interview about the hot-button issue of paid family leave for employees, which is an issue that labor unions have been fighting for, Pirnat responded, "In concept it sounds like a terrific program that would benefit people, but the problem would be abuse of the system. There are people who will always seek to manipulate the rules. In the end, I don't think this will work," he said. Hill, a Belmar resident running for county sheriff, cites his 27 years of law enforcement experience as a police officer as key to a successful campaign. "My opponent is a lawyer, and though I have nothing against lawyers, we must evaluate credentials," Hill stated. "I started as a patrolman in Belmar and worked my way all the way up to chief. Lawyers are not law enforcement executives." Hill also mentioned that he has dealt with issues of diversity, special events and civil discord while in Belmar. "The sheriff's department has a tremendous amount of employees and the budget to go along with it and needs someone who has direct experience in law enforcement administration," Hill stated. He emphasized that shared services will be an important issue for the office. "The sheriff's office should absolutely take the lead on that," Hill said. Choudhary, a resident of Colts Neck and member of the Board of Education there, is running for county clerk. Though his background is in education and engineering, Choudhary also stated that he holds degrees in law and business administration. "The United States prides itself that we are the world's best democracy, but our right to vote is being destroyed," he said. Choudhary stated that he wants to be very proactive in his responsibilities as overseer of elections. "We are at a critical juncture now with elections, and our 300-year history is being compromised. We need to vote Democratic, so whoever has a right to vote will be counted," he stated. At the forum, Choudhary discussed the three main functions of the clerk's office and stated that he wants the office to be accessible and open to all residents of the county. D'Amico, an Oceanport resident, was actually the last Democratic state senator to be elected in the 11th District in 1989. He has also served as a county freeholder, a councilman in Oceanport, a Superior Court judge in Monmouth County and as chairman of the N.J. State Parole Board until March 2007. D'Amico stated that he accomplished much as a freeholder and cited the new police academy, expansion of nursing homes and the initiation of open space conservation. He feels that Monmouth County is not flourishing under Republican rule. Freeholder candidate Stephen G. Scheuler, an attorney and mayor of Bradley Beach for 16 years, echoed D'Amico's remarks. "County government is in a state of ineptitude and inefficiency now with the Republicans in office," he said. "The Democratic candidates are the most qualified and educated slate of candidates ever."