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Challengers Offer New Voice, Vision
By Keith Hagarty
With three different voices from all walks of life, a team of challengers vying for three seats on the Township Council on May 13 pledge to do their best for the town. The team says they all share the same belief in doing whatever's necessary to help lower taxes in Manchester and answer directly to the community.
Don Bates, Robert Greger and James Poss represent the political banner known as "A Change For The People."
"We have a family man, we have a veteran of the Marines with the president's helicopter force and a senior citizen," said Bates. "If we had four candidates, we would've put one in Whiting too."
Bates is no stranger to local politics, having served as the mayor of Jackson in 1978, where he was elected to four terms on the Jackson Township Committee. He also served on the Township Board of Education there and as a member of the Municipal Utilities Authority.
Now retired, after working as government affairs manager for Jersey Central Power & Light, some of Bates' other credentials include: former president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and Fire Company #1; former regional relations manager for government relations at the New Jersey Department of Transportation; former manager of the state's community outreach department; former permit manager and ombudsman for the state; and former member of the Ocean County College Board of Health and the Board of Trustees.
When asked what the most common concerns he hears from residents, Bates said the answer is simple.
"They absolutely say the taxes and arrogance of the administration," he said, claiming there's a disconnect between the current council and the constituents they represent. "They feel as if they don't have a relationship, and can't speak to town hall without getting hollered at or abused verbally. We want to change that."
Bates said he is eager to bring his years of experience in shaping Jackson to Manchester. "I'm looking forward to helping the people of Manchester," he said.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corp (USMC) from 1985 to 1989, Robert Greger, 40, has been a Manchester resident for 16 years. The father of two is a graduate of Central Regional High School, and currently works for the industrial supply company, McMaster- Carr.
Reeling in escalating taxes is the motivating reason behind Greger's run for office.
"When I opened up my tax bill this year, even just the municipal part was unacceptable," he said. "The school and county have done a good job keeping their tax rates pretty low, but over the past couple of years, the municipal (tax rate) has been out of control, and they (the Township Council) don't seem to respond to the residents' questions of, 'how are we going to deal with it?'"
Service to the community is a proud tradition in Greger's family, he said.
"I've been here for 16 years, but my family's been in Ocean County for generations," said Greger. "I grew up in Seaside Park, where my father was a councilman and was on the board of education, a fireman, so it's always been something in my mind that I wanted to get into. My family was a big fish in a small pond in Seaside Park, but to come over to Manchester, I'm an unknown, but it's time to throw my hat in the ring and make a difference."
Greger served with the HMX-1 Presidential Helicopter Squadron Service under former presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr., as well as holding top secret clearance with the FBI.
While Manchester is a far cry from rubbing elbows with presidents, Greger said the job gave him even more of an appreciation for his family and hometown. He laughed when describing Regan's classic love for jelly beans on each flight.
"He got new ones every day, so we'd get the old ones," he joked. "He liked the variety pack and Velamints."
Greger said he also subscribed to another classic saying of Regan's.
"Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" Greger posed. "I don't think Manchester residents can say they're better off now than they were four years ago."
A self employed insurance broker for 28 years, James Poss, 48, has been a township resident for two decades. Despite losing out to current Mayor Michael Fressola in a run for mayor two years ago, Poss said the experience proved to be a good learning experience and offered more motivation to run for elected office.
"It would be an honor to represent the people and be a part of it," said Poss. "I go township meetings now and always want to see what's going on. I tell all my friends what's happening in town hall, what ordinances and so forth. People are always coming up to me, asking, 'What's going on?' … if I don't know the answer, I'll findthe answer."
Poss wants to see the council show a greater understanding and compassion for the residents' concerns.
"They don't have the people's interests in heart, in my opinion," he said of the current council. "I'm going to be the voice of the people."
The 2008 elections are about keeping Manchester affordable for not only the town's current residents but also providing a sound foundation for future generations to come, the team insists.
"Since the day they were born, I've literally taken infants into the voting booth with me," said Greger. "A lot of people chose to retire here, and I chose to raise my family here, and I plan on someday retiring here too … I just want to keep it affordable so hopefully my kids can stay here for a long time too."
Election Day is Tuesday, May 13.
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