Good afternoon and welcome, members of the Council, Family, Friends, and Residents.  The State of the Borough address is the time of year that I, as your Mayor, have the privilege of informing you, our residents, how the Borough of Sayreville is doing, and the direction and goals I have for Sayreville. As we welcome in the year 2009 and look forward with our hopes for our future, we must not forget the valuable lessons we have collectively learned.  

On Election Day you sent this Council a message that we heard loud and clear.  So, as we begin 2009 with a new sense of balance and purpose, we have also heard your demand for honesty, integrity, respect, and courtesy.  Partisan politics has no place on this dais and in the decisions that we make.  The bickering among the members of the governing body is unnecessary and unproductive, and you are tired of it.  I feel confident that with the addition of Ken Kelly and Lisa Eicher  to this governing body, we have all heard your message, and I look forward to working with all the members of this Council on achieving the many goals we have.   

2008 was a year in which we were financially put to the test.  It was a year in which we had to make tough decisions and do more with less, just like many of you have been doing.  As you are all aware, we are in tough economic times.  We will continue to have to make hard yet smart choices.  Now more than ever, I recognize that you are looking to us to be fiscally responsible with your hard-earned dollars.  I am happy to announce that we have begun taking the first important step with the appointment of the DeCotiis Law Firm, and the appointment of Judy Verrone of the DeCotiis firm is also a step in the right direction.  Not only have they done excellent work for Sayreville in the past, but they are providing their services at a significant reduction in fees than the borough was paying our former law firm.  It is by making these types of decisions that are fiscally responsible and, at the same time, good for Sayreville that we will continue to prosper. We will continue to look for ways to cut costs, and try our best to maintain the services   that we have always provided. 

Sayreville residents have long awaited property tax relief, and some residents have been forced to move because of the burden of rising property taxes.  Senior citizens, lifelong Sayreville residents, could feel forced out of their homes, and young families struggle with decisions about buying houses in Sayreville because the property taxes are too high for them.  A long term goal of SERA has been the development of the former National Lead property.  Sayreville is close to embarking on the dawn of a new economic renaissance for the Raritan River.  When Sayreville was first settled, the Raritan River was the source of almost all our revenue; we now look to find a new economic source of property tax relief from this historic site.  Although the design may be different than our original vision, one thing, one very important thing, remains the same: the redevelopment of this property will undoubtedly stabilize the property tax burden our residents face, create jobs, and present a source of pride and family enjoyment for Sayreville residents and visitors.      

In the final moments of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin, at age 81, looked upon a painting of a sun on a horizon behind George Washington's chair.  He noted that artists found it difficult to distinguish between a rising and a setting sun.  James Madison recorded Dr. Franklin's comments when he said "I have often looked at that picture behind the President without being able to tell whether it was a rising or setting sun:  But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and

not a setting Sun”.  My friends, the Sun is rising over the National Lead site, and over Sayreville.  Carl Sandburg said, "I see America not in the setting sun of a black night of despair . . . I see America in the crimson light of a rising sun fresh from the burning, creative hand of God . . . I see great days ahead for men and women of will and vision."   

This past year was also a milestone for the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA).  2008 saw the real estate closing for the National Lead site.  By achieving this goal, we were also able to repay our debt to Middlesex County.  But it is with great sadness that we had to say goodbye to a dear friend of Sayreville, Freehold Director David Crabiel.  Without his support, we certainly would not have been able to bring this project to where it currently is, and achieve our hopes for this land in the future.  He will be sorely missed.  In addition, my deepest gratitude to Christine Spezzi, and Rene Travisano, both of whom have served as Chair of  SERA with distinction and honor, and we cannot overlook the contributions of Randy Corman, the intrepid former executive director of SERA, and all the dedicated volunteer SERA commissioners, for making this important project happen, and for all of the work you do on behalf of Sayreville.  

I see great days ahead for the men and women of Sayreville, but our work is not yet done. Let us continue to persevere in our efforts to provide the residents of Sayreville the greatest services for the lowest possible cost as we bring in this New Year.  

As we look to this year, I am certain that we will continue to be challenged, not only economically, but cooperatively.  For example, late last year we began to take testimony from residents who are concerned about the proposed Main Street Bypass.  Passions ran high, as they would with any issue that could potentially affect one’s quality of life.  However, the challenge lies in the community working together to build consensus, and common ground.  While many residents may just be learning about this proposed project, the reality is that our Council predecessors foresaw the day would come when there would be a need for greater access to all areas of our growing town in an emergency situation, and developed the Main Street Bypass as an answer to those problems almost 20 years ago.  Indeed, crucial minutes could potentially be saved for our emergency services with the addition of this road.  However, that is not a decision that I as your Mayor will be making…YOU the RESIDENTS of Sayreville will collectively work together and decide how this issue is to be addressed and ultimately resolved.  Perhaps you will opt that a referendum is the best answer to decide this issue.  Or, perhaps you will decide that the road is necessary, but want limitations and restrictions placed on its usage.  In that case, YOU, the RESIDENTS will work cooperatively in a committee that is being formed to answer these questions.  In the end, just as we have done with all major things that affect the residents of this town, we will do it together.

One of the hallmarks of my State of the Borough addresses is that I conclude my speech by acknowledging the hardest working and most dedicated group of individuals I know…our dedicated volunteers, who  are the true backbone of Sayreville . Without the men, women, and youth who so generously give of their time and effort, we would lose so much of what enhances our everyday lives, and the “extras” that make Sayreville such a wonderful place in which to live.  I have long recognized that the strength of Sayreville lies in its residents.  We are 45,000 residents strong.  The work of our volunteers is everywhere: in our schools, churches and temples, food pantries, first aid squads and fire companies, and right here in Borough Hall.  So, to all of our wonderful volunteers, I thank you most sincerely, and I salute and applaud you on a continued job well done.   

That said, it is with deep and genuine sorrow that I inform you of the passing of a Sayreville angel, Mrs. Dolly Wranovics, on Christmas Eve.  Dolly was one of those people who spent the greater part of her life giving selflessly to this town.  She was a great friend to Sayreville, a personal friend to me, a woman of unbounded honesty, love and compassion.  Dolly was politically savvy, but never self-serving.  Always with only the best interests of Sayreville at heart, she worked for the greater good and was never afraid to speak up for what was right. Her contributions could fill volumes, but perhaps it is sufficient to say that Dolly was a one-in-a-million GIFT to the people of Sayreville.  She was a person the likes of whom we will never see again, and will be deeply missed.  Her suffering is over, and surely she had a special place awaiting her in heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this most difficult time.

In closing, I ask each and every one of you to ask in your daily prayers for the protection and safe return of our troops at home and abroad.   And may God continue to bless the United States of America.