Letter: Support Kelaher, a Man of His Word

To the Editor:

As the vice president  for Teamsters  Local 97, supporting Republican candidates for office is not something I do very often. However, in the case of Mayor Tom Kelaher, I am obligated to make an exception.

Mayor Kelaher is an effective manager and more importantly, an honest man whose word is his bond. Faced with a financial crisis this year, the mayor asked us to  open our existing contract and promised to negotiate a mutually beneficial arrangement that protected taxpayers while also avoiding layoffs.

He kept his word, and we succeeded in working together where other governing bodies and unions have failed. That was due to the mayor's leadership. The mayor was able to stay under the state-mandated 2 percent property tax cap, and my members kept working.

Additionally, the township decided to automate some  DPW recycling programs, but the mayor's team also provided training for existing personnel to allow them to staff the new positions. Furthermore, we continued to engage in a shared services approach with OCC and the Toms River schools for solid waste collection. We were able to get obsolete, unsafe and inefficient vehicles replaced systematically, bolstering safe working conditions.

As a lifelong reside of this town, our community's future is incredibly important to me. That is why I am urging all my union brothers and sisters reading this letter to put aside partisan politics and vote for a man who is truly deserving of our support — Mayor Tom Kelaher.

Thank you for your time.

Patrick Guaschino

Vice President

Teamsters Local 97