SOUTH RIVER – Republicans Donna Balazs and John Sapata are expected to face incumbent Democrats John Alai and Julie Meira for two three-year terms on the South River Borough County on Election Day, Nov. 5.
All four candidates’ names will appear on the ballot in the June 4 primary election. The candidates are unopposed in their respective primary race.
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Alai, 56, is a lifelong resident of South River who has served as a member of the Borough Council since 2017.
“I feel that three years is not enough time to accomplish the many goals that someone serving in office sets for themselves. I still have many projects and ideas I would like to complete,” Alai said. “I also enjoy serving my hometown and am extremely proud of the fact that the people of South River saw fit to elect me to such an honorable position.”
Alai coaches Pop Warner football and Little League baseball, and has recently been voted onto the Little League Board of Directors. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the South River Historical Society and the South River Community Garden.
“I am proudest of my time as Public Safety chairman when we placed Class III officers in our schools in a shared service between the borough and the South River Board of Education,” Alai said. “I am also happy with the abandoned property ordinance that forces those with abandoned properties to pay a fee and gives them the incentive to fix up and sell the property.”
If re-elected to the council, Alai said, “The council needs to get started on replacing our deteriorating water lines as soon as possible. I would like to see our parks in town revitalized, especially our baseball fields. I would also like to see a farmer’s market on a regular basis.”
Balazs, 60, has been a resident of the borough for 52 years. She was the first woman to be elected to the Borough Council, serving from 1992-99. She served a term as mayor from 1999-2000, finishing the term of the prior mayor. She was the borough’s first female mayor.
Balazs is a member of the South River Board of Health and the Mayor’s Advisory Board.
“I feel the time is right to once again represent the citizens of South River,” she said.
If elected to the council, Balazs said the issues she wants to tackle “definitely [would be] downtown redevelopment and a volunteer program between high school students and our senior residents to exchange technical, historical and cultural knowledge.”
Meira, 29, is a lifelong resident of South River who has served on the council since 2017.
“I would like to continue my efforts in bringing the community together. This town is very diverse and by giving the residents opportunities to make a difference in town, whether it be through volunteering at an event, or working toward sustainability, it makes them feel important and accomplished,” she said.
Meira is serving on the Public Safety Committee and is the liaison to the library board.
“I have been an advocate in giving kids the chance to give their opinion. The Green Team has given positions to high school members to discuss important issues,” she said. “Last year the finance committee gave high school kids summer internships. I hope to continue these efforts, slowly making a difference and encouraging others to want to do the same.
“My first year on council, we decided to form a Green Team to begin our Sustainable Jersey certification. Forming a community garden, with a local nonprofit, has really brought residents out,” Meira said.
“Girl Scouts have built projects for our garden, college students have helped with community cleanups. Our library has organized storytime at the garden during the summer. The garden has truly been a giving experience, but none of it could be possible without all the great volunteers who come out and help,” she said.
If re-elected to the council, Meira said she would like to continue to find ways to encourage businesses to open and stay in the downtown. She said she would also like to have a future plan for parking improvements.
Sapata, 43, has been a resident for 17 years and is a former council member who served on the council from November 2016 to December 2017.
He was a member of the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Board and the South River Foundation for Educational Excellence. He is a South River Athletic Booster for cross country and track and field.
“The two issues I plan to address if elected are to invest in South River by creating a plan to improve our aging infrastructure,” Sapata said, “and I will also continue to improve and support activities and services for our most senior and youngest residents.”
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
