Tobin team running as 'Ethics in Government'
Council president runs for 2nd term with two newcomers
BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

Brendan Tobin

Six people are running for three seats on the Tinton Falls Borough Council.

"Ethics in Government" is the slogan of a three- person team that is hoping to win the three seats.

Incumbent Councilman Brendan Tobin, who is hoping to retain his seat on the five-member committee, said he put together this team because he wanted people who could make decisions once the facts are clear.

"I knew I needed people with two things - a strong record of service to the public and a strong record of fiscal responsibility," he said last week.

In May 2006, Tobin, who is also a volunteer firefighter, said he didn't think he would run for a second term. But, he said, one cold night in January during a fire call, he had a talk with Duane Morrill, a fire commissioner in District 2 and the district's treasurer, who asked him to consider running again.

Tobin said he would if he could find the right people. Morrill said he would run with him.

"I had one, but we needed three people for three [four-year] seats. One problem we faced on council was the lack of movement because some board members suffered from 'the paralysis of analysis,' getting tons of data and files but unable to make a decision. That is a waste of time, paper, ink and tax money, and I can't stand that," he said.

Duane Morrill

Tobin explained that winning two out of three seats might not solve the problem of Tuesday night council meetings that last for four or more hours.

"I needed a third strong person," he said. "I called Gary Baldwin, who'd run in the last council election, to see if he wanted to run again. After a phone chat, the three of us met to see if we really wanted to work together and really could work together."

Tobin said they decided to form a team, each member having his own strengths and experience to add.

"While we don't always agree on everything, we agreed we could work together for the greater good," Tobin said. "Working in the best interests of the majority is a rarity, but we all insist on it. Plus, not always seeing eye-to-eye is actually a benefit because it means more ideas and different ways to look at things, keys to problem solving."

Gary Baldwin

Tobin lives on Chestnut Court in the northern section of the borough and is married with two young children. He has his own business consulting to companies in order to help them build sales.

"We need to keep moving the borough forward and keep the public informed and involved. As many, many people know, I've sent countless e-mails to get people involved and keep them that way, and it's through proper communication that we have an active and involved town."

He noted that with the closure of Fort Monmouth set for four years from now, he'd like to see a continuation of the work that was started with the Fort Monmouth Reuse Committee to limit the economic damage while limiting the rush to develop every bit of the fort's 1,126 acres. (Tobin was a borough representative on that committee until it was replaced by the state commission, Fort Monmouth Economic & Planning Authority [FMERPA], about a year ago).

"We have challenges ahead, for sure, and I believe I have chosen the people who will help us to govern properly and move the borough in the right direction," he said.

One of those people, Gary Baldwin, has extensive experience in the finance field, where he developed and directed fiscal programs and managed large, employee-intensive organizations.

Retired now, he calls his involvement in public service his third career.

"I believe I could make a significant contribution to the Tinton Falls Borough Council," said Baldwin, a Seabrook Village resident, along with his wife, since he retired in 2001 and moved to New Jersey to be closer to family.

"Since my arrival at Seabrook, I have engaged myself wholeheartedly in the challenges of resident leadership and have been rewarded immeasurably by the gratitude demonstrated by Seabrook residents," he said.

As for the borough, he said, major concerns now, and for the foreseeable future, are to slow growth and density, preserve what is left of open space as much as possible, create a solid infrastructure plan, reduce or improve the flow of traffic through the borough so children do not spend an hour on a school bus each way, control spending to keep tax increases at or below the cost of living index, stop spending down reserves to cover nonessential needs, and listen to the voices of residents.

"I support fully the elimination of tax breaks for developers and encourage only selective, low-density growth within the borough that increases ratables with only limited offsets in service costs," he said. Streets and public works improvements are needed in Tinton Falls and my intent would be to take an active interest in that arena, particularly the improvement of Essex Road and one or two others on the current road plan.

"I believe senior issues, as a percent of borough money spent, take a back seat to almost all other recreational and activity funding. I care about seniors and their quality of life and will endeavor to improve the services the borough provides these citizens."

Morrill lives with his wife on Cloverdale Circle in the northern end of the borough. A former Staten Island resident, he has lived in the borough for 13 years.

He has been an automobile mechanic with the New York City police department for 21 years and spent the last three years as a fire commissioner and treasurer for Tinton Falls Fire District No. 2.

Morrill said as fire commissioner he set up a 17-year truck replacement program whereby they set aside budgeted funds, instead of bonding, for new vehicles.

"We set up a plan for each vehicle," he said.

He, too, believes that the biggest issue is responsible growth.

"I'm a big advocate of open space and getting a good master plan into place. Also, a lot of our streets are falling apart."

He said he would like to see taxes remain stable and keep services as they are.

"We don't want to price people out," he said, adding that blue-collar workers are the backbone of volunteer services like the fire departments.

Besides Tobin, the other two incumbents whose seats are up are Councilwoman Kim Barrett and Councilman Jim Allen. Allen, who is filling an unexpired term that ends in May, has said that he does not plan to run.

The Tinton Falls form of government falls under the Faulkner Act. The mayor is the chief executive officer and is voted into office for a four- year term. In addition, the five council seats are for staggered four-year terms and the elections are held in May instead of November.

Election Day for Tinton Falls is May 8.

cover nonessential needs, and listen to the voices of residents.

"I support fully the elimination of tax breaks for developers and encourage only selective, low-density growth within the borough that increases ratables with only limited offsets in service costs," he said. Streets and public works improvements are needed in Tinton Falls and my intent would be to take an active interest in that arena, particularly the improvement of Essex Road and one or two others on the current road plan.

"I believe senior issues, as a percent of borough money spent, take a back seat to almost all other recreational and activity funding. I care about seniors and their quality of life and will endeavor to improve the services the borough provides these citizens."

Morrill lives with his wife on Cloverdale Circle in the northern end of the borough. A former Staten Island resident, he has lived in the borough for 13 years.

He has been an automobile mechanic with the New York City police department for 21 years and spent the last three years as a fire commissioner and treasurer for Tinton Falls Fire District No. 2.

Morrill said as fire commissioner he set up a 17-year truck replacement program whereby they set aside budgeted funds, instead of bonding, for new vehicles.

"We set up a plan for each vehicle," he said.

He, too, believes that the biggest issue is responsible growth.

"I'm a big advocate of open space and getting a good master plan into place. Also, a lot of our streets are falling apart."

He said he would like to see taxes remain stable and keep services as they are.

"We don't want to price people out," he said, adding that blue-collar workers are the backbone of volunteer services like the fire departments.

Besides Tobin, the other two incumbents whose seats are up are Councilwoman Kim Barrett and Councilman Jim Allen. Allen, who is filling an unexpired term that ends in May, has said that he does not plan to run.

The Tinton Falls form of government falls under the Faulkner Act. The mayor is the chief executive officer and is voted into office for a four- year term. In addition, the five council seats are for staggered four-year terms and the elections are held in May instead of November.

Election Day for Tinton Falls is

May 8.