On Tuesday, Guttenberg’s approximately 5,000 registered voters will head to their respective polling booths to vote in the mayoral and council elections.
In Guttenberg’s form of government, voters elect councilpeople, and from among themselves, the council members choose a mayor. Current Mayor David Delle Donna is likely to get chosen again if he is re-elected to the council.
Delle Donna is seeking his second two-year term as mayor and is running with a slate of Democratic candidates, including incumbent Gerald Drasheff and two newcomers, Adela Martinez and Efrain Velez.
Thomas Rizzi, a former friend of Delle Donna who has recently become his fiercest political foe, is heading an independent ticket that features Vasilios “Bill” Scoullos, a member of the Guttenberg Board of Education, along with Johanna Delgado and Louis Lopez.
It marks the third time in two years that Rizzi and Delle Donna have faced each other politically. Delle Donna defeated Rizzi in a three-man race for the Democratic nomination for mayor in 2001, then supported candidates Jennifer Credidio and Tom Barnes a year ago in a council race against Rizzi and his supporters.
Each candidate was given a profile sheet to fill out with some personal information questions that would be helpful for voters to have a better idea of whom to select when they enter the polling booths Tuesday.
Voting booths are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Guttenberg’s eight voting districts.
Here is a closer look at the council candidates. Rizzi and Delle Donna answered the questions last week in the political forum that ran in the editions of the North Bergen Reporter.
COUNCIL CANDIDATE PROFILES
Council:
Vasilios Scoullos
Age: 52
Resident of Guttenberg: 18 years
Education: MBA in finance
Marital Status: Single
Children: None
Professional Career: Accountant/Financial Auditor
Military Service: None
What do you feel are your qualifications for holding public office?
“I am an accountant and have served as an auditor for the state of New Jersey. I have a strong background in municipal finance, having taken many of the courses necessary to be certified as a chief financial officer.”
What will be among the first things you will do if elected?
“I will concentrate on the MUA (the North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority). Currently Guttenberg has no representation on the MUA Board. Many changes are needed in the relationship we have with the MUA.”
Why should the residents of Guttenberg vote for you on Nov. 4?
“The residents of Guttenberg should vote for me because of my strong financial background. I was responsible for uncovering over $2 million in high school tuition overpayments made to North Bergen. That money is now being reimbursed to our school.”
Gerald Drasheff
Age: 58
Resident of Guttenberg: Nine years
Education: B.S. Math, St. Peter’s College; MBA, New York University; Law degree, New York Law School. Marital Status: Married, wife Patricia, 37 years.
Children: Son Gerald, daughters Barbara and Joan.
Professional Career: Currently an attorney for a New York insurance firm; was a trial attorney for the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey; also held several management positions within the PA. Elected as Guttenberg council member, 2001.
Military Service: None
What do you feel are your qualifications for holding public office?
“I have 35 years of experience in the Port Authority in property management and personnel and I brought that experience with me to the council, strengthening our budget and finance departments.”
What will be among the first things you will do if elected?
“I would like to continue what we have been doing, namely stabilizing taxes and hopefully lowering them. We’ve improved the quality of life in the town by bringing in funding to do such projects like the Boulevard East streetscapes.”
Why should the residents of Guttenberg vote for you on Nov. 4?
“Just look at what we’ve done over the last two years. Just look around. The streets are cleaner and safer. The tavern situation is under control. Judge me on what we’ve done, not what we promise to do.”
Johanna R. Delgado
Age: 33
Resident of Guttenberg: 19 years
Education: B.S. in management
Marital Status: Single
Children: None
Professional Career: Fraud Investigator
Military Service: None
What do you feel are your qualifications for holding public office?
“I have a strong background in financial services. My job requires a strong emphasis on careful planning. I will bring this asset to the town of Guttenberg when elected.”
What will be among the first things you will do if elected?
“Put a limit on the overconstruction presently taking place in Guttenberg. We must have some control over population density. Over-construction ultimately has an adverse effect on our parking problem. I would like to see the creation of a police investigative unit and a first responder emergency program.”
Why should the residents of Guttenberg vote for you on Nov. 4?
“I will help Tom Rizzi create a long range plan for our community that will enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. I will place the welfare of the people above vested interests.”
Efrain Velez
Age: 44
Resident of Guttenberg: Eight years
Education: Graduated from high school in his native Puerto Rico; graduate of Allied Computer School.
Marital Status: Married, wife Diana
Children: Sons Steven, 11, and Alex, 7.
Professional Career: Inventory Control Manager and Systems Manager, Ralph Lauren. Served three years on the Hudson County Democratic Committee.
Military Service: None
What do you feel are your qualifications for holding public office?
“My positions at Ralph Lauren have taught me the value of working together to achieve a goal. I want to incorporate what I’ve learned in the business world into town government. I’ve already been involved with residents in public housing and I want to help meet the needs of those residents.”
What will be among the first things you will do if elected?
“I will work together with Mayor Delle Donna and the council to continue to provide for the needs of the community. I will concentrate on services for the senior citizens and for children.”
Why should the residents of Guttenberg vote for you on Nov. 4?
“My experience in helping people in my district as a county committee person has helped me to understand the needs of the entire community. I will help to provide the services to the people of Guttenberg.”
Louis Lopez
Age: 58
Resident of Guttenberg: 25 years
Education: Attended two years of college
Marital Status: Single
Children: One daughter
Professional Career: Business owner
Military Service: None
What do you feel are your qualifications for holding public office?
“My strongest asset is a sense of commitment to the goals I focus on. As a business owner, I will bring to Guttenberg strong leadership qualities that will help to enhance the future welfare of the people of Guttenberg.”
What will be among the first things you will do if elected?
“I will expand services in our community through the reactivation and vitalization of the Hispanic Affairs Committee. I will increase the services and programs for our senior population.”
Why should the residents of Guttenberg vote for you on Nov. 4?
“All of my life, I have had a strong desire to help others. I believe I can make a difference in the quality of life in Guttenberg, especially for our Hispanic and senior population.”
Adela Martinez
Age: 62
Resident of North Bergen: Thirteen years
Education: BA and MA, University of Puerto Rico; Doctorate of Studies, New York University.
Marital Status: Widowed.
Children: Daughter Maria, two grandchildren, Jaime and Adriana
Professional Career: Educator for 43 years, 10 years in the administration at New Jersey City University. Military Service: None
What do you feel are your qualifications for holding public office?
“I care a great deal for the welfare of Guttenberg. I have served this community with dedication and integrity as a member of the school board for many years. I have over 40 years of exemplary service on behalf of working with children and young adults and I want to be able to continue to do so.”
What will be among the first things you will do if elected?
“I will strive to maintain Guttenberg’s safe and clean streets and to keep the taxes stable. I also want to participate in the proposed extension of Anna L. Klein School. I also want to enhance the quality of life for our seniors and for the youth of the community.”
Why should the residents of Guttenberg vote for you on Nov. 4?
“I will serve all the residents of Guttenberg with dignity, integrity and diligence. I am honest, caring and responsible. I like to help my neighbors in any way I can. Because I am articulate and bilingual, I feel that I can be an effective voice in the community.”