Lone Republican bids farewell to council

BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

Christi Calvano EAST BRUNSWICK — It’s been a long four years for Councilwoman Christi Calvano, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t pleased with some of the things she’s accomplished.

Calvano, who decided not to seek re-election this year, will wrap up her council service this week. The only Republican to serve on the governing body this decade, Calvano will be replaced by Democratic newcomer Ed Luster come Jan. 1.

Calvano explained that she needs some personal time and that being the only Republican has been strain both professionally and personally. But looking back on her four years, she did find a number of things to be happy about.

“One of the things that was a cornerstone of my campaign was open government,” she said. “I promised to ask questions and make decisions based on the facts. It was important to make people feel like they were part of the process.”

Her questions often resulted in contentious discussions, but Calvano feels she was echoing the questions and concerns of East Brunswick residents.

“People would ask questions through me,” she said. “I also read through information and came up with questions. People said to me they felt more informed because I asked questions that needed to be asked.”

Though she said she’s proud of being a dissenter on numerous council votes, she admits to feeling frustrated by her inability to get a second for her motions, or to get more information from the administration.

However, she noted that political frustrations were not part of her decision against seeking another term.

Calvano said she believes she was elected in 2002, along with Democrats David Stahl and Catherine Diem, all of whom were newcomers at the time, in part because residents wanted tax relief. She said being in government isn’t just about providing services, “but also making sure we can afford the spending.

“A lot of people in East Brunswick are challenged with the tax increases,” she said.

Specifically, she would have liked to have seen the municipal budget balanced better, and to have stopped the sale of the Route 18 property known as the Golden Triangle to Toll Brothers.

“The focus is on how the Golden Triangle is a be-all, end-all [solution],” she said. “But it didn’t have to be that way.” As a result of the dire need for budgetary revenue, the township had little leverage in bargaining with Toll Brothers, she said. Calvano voted against the deal.

She feels the town’s surplus funds were squandered over the years, leading up to the year in which the town faced a large double-digit tax rate increase if revenue wasn’t immediately brought in. The township used millions of dollars from the sale to fill the budget gap.

“The problem didn’t occur overnight,” she said. “Better long-term planning was needed, and it was something really neglected.”

Calvano said she wishes she saw more “bipartisan support” during her time on council.

“It’s a benefit to the entire town and makes the whole government process better,” she said.

As for what the future holds, Calvano, who two years ago lost her bid for the mayor’s seat to incumbent Democrat William Neary, is not ruling out another run at office.

For now, she said she needs some time to herself.

She said she does not regret making her bid for council and her four years of service to East Brunswick residents.

“It was an interesting and challenging personal and professional experience,” she said.