By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — No matter which candidate fills the South Amboy City Council seat to be vacated by Councilman Donald Applegate, the winner will be a newcomer.
The choices are Brian McLaughlin, who originally ran on his own as a Democrat, but has since been endorsed by the city’s party, and independent Barbara Pasternack.
Both say they are running because the city needs change and because the city has made promises it has not delivered on.
McLaughlin, a lifelong resident, said his newcomer status is an asset.
“I can bring fresh, new ideas and a perspective that has not been seen before,” he said. “As a newcomer, I feel it will be difficult at times, but I have my own ideas and concerns and will not conform to the current way of doing things in South Amboy. We have had enough of the same old way, and I hope to bring change.”
McLaughlin said he has seen an increasing amount of negative changes over the past 20 years.
“There have been many promises made to the residents of the town that have not been followed through,” he said.
He pointed to the city’s development plans. He said residents have told him they do not want the level of development the city currently has.
“The mindset of some of the elected and appointed officials is to continue to build residential housing in this town,” he said.
He said what South Amboy needs is more business, as the residential construction will tax the school system, emergency services and public works. He said he would oppose any new residential projects.
“[They] will not lower the taxes of this town; it will only raise taxes,” he said.
He said he would look into what recreational opportunities are possible for the waterfront.
He also said he plans on working with the city’s Board of Education (BOE) “to implement programs to assist students who are not college-minded and would rather go right into the working world.”
As someone who attended both city public and Catholic schools, McLaughlin said city students who are not college-bound do not have enough alternatives.
“If a cooperative effort is worked toward between the city council and the BOE, it will give the graduates information and options after high school,” he said.
McLaughlin is a 20-year member of and a union council representative for the New York City District Council of Carpenters and a father of three, roles he said can benefit residents.
“My professional background can bring ideas of business growth in economic development, and my personal family life can bring ideas to help our children thrive while living in a small town,” he said.
He said in his union role, he meets with New York state officials to help with planned development.
“The trade unions and elected officials work closely together to being projects to their communities that put their residents to work,” he said.
McLaughlin is also a member of the fire department and is a past member of the first aid squad and a previous Little League coach.
He said he is optimistic that he would work well with the current administration.
“I know we are going to have to work together on issues that affect the residents of the town,” he said. “We will have compromise on certain issues to move the town forward, and we will not always agree.”
Pasternack, an independent, moved to the city from Brooklyn, New York, 11 years ago for “the promise of growth in our city with new businesses, additional transportation and overall improvement in the quality of life in this small town.”
She also said those promises have not been fulfilled.
“I have witnessed businesses closing down, leaving buildings empty and at times falling apart; an empty promise of a ferry; increased drug problems and crime. There is a deterioration in the quality of life in South Amboy,” she said.
She said she sees the current administration as being comfortable with the status quo.
“I have attended many council meetings over the years and see the inability or perhaps the lack of desire to initiate change,” she said. “The current administration gives excuses and creates obstacles instead of resolving problems in the city. I believe someone new to the council would offer a different viewpoint and perhaps shed new light on the existing problems.”
Pasternack is a licensed registered nurse and is currently a senior vice president at a financial services firm. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications and a certificate in financial planning.
She said she would also like to take a closer look at finances.
“Our taxes are high, and we get nothing for them. This year the government declared a surplus and still raised our taxes. This would be one of my highest priorities. Stopping waste in government spending is not just a necessity at the federal and state levels, but also at the local level,” she said.
However, Pasternack said she is more than willing to work with current leaders and says an important part of that is listening to what they have to say.
“I believe I could make a difference with the help and cooperation of the government and the good people of South Amboy,” she said.
