HELMETTA – Two incumbents running on the platform “Aligning Helmetta’s Future” face Republican challengers for two three-year seats that are available on the Borough Council in the Nov. 5 election.
Independents Ronald Dzingleski and Joseph Reid are seeking their second terms. Both councilmen filled open seats in 2016 and have served four years on the council.
Republican candidates Vincent Asciolla and James Misner could not be reached by press time.
Dzingleski, 54, has lived in Helmetta for 45 years. He is a Spotswood High School graduate. He is employed as a customer service manager for the Stop and Shop supermarket company.
On the council, Dzingleski serves as chair of the Recreation Committee, a member of the Public Safety committee and as council representative to the Planning Board.
Dzingleski said he is running for another term “to continue to serve the community in which I live.”
If re-elected, Dzingleski said he will “continue planning and holding recreation events while maintaining the recreation budget using limited resources, maintaining the municipal budget and looking for ways to reduce municipal taxes, sale of the animal shelter and continue to align Helmetta’s future for generations to come.”
Reid, 29, was born and raised in Helmetta. He is a 2008 graduate of Spotswood High School. He is employed as a laborer for Monroe Township Utilities. He earned a degree in criminal justice from Middlesex County College.
Reid has been involved in the community since he was young. He volunteered for various recreation events and other events for a number of years. He is a lifelong resident and his family has lived in Helmetta for generations.
“I have been involved with the council as well as serving with the Helmetta Volunteer Fire Department since I was 14 and helping wherever I was able to for years prior to that,” he said. “In regard to the fire department, I have held multiple offices such as secretary, vice president, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and current chief.”
Reid said he is running for council because he is a lifelong resident and “this town is also part of me.”
“I have enjoyed serving the community in as many ways as I could over the past 29 years and I enjoy giving back to a community that has given me so many great memories,” he said. “It has been an honor to sit on council the past four years and see our small town USA continue to grow and evolve together and I hope to continue to be a part of that in the upcoming years.”
Reid said Helmetta has grown together over the past few years and it shows.
“I would like to say that we are not only friends and neighbors, but we are a family,” he said. “The main thing is that we keep listening to the residents and addressing their questions and concerns to keep us moving in a positive direction.”
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 5.
