Schreck Sworn In as Mayor
Bradley Beachs first female mayor
 Coaster Photo: Julie Schreck is sworn in as mayor of Bradley Beach by Freeholder Barbara McMorrow this week as her parents look on. |
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Julie Schreck was sworn in Tuesday night as Bradley Beachs first female mayor, and two newcomers were chosen to fill two vacant Borough Council seats.
Norman Goldfarb and George Bachar were unanimously selected to fill the two seats. The terms end in November when elections will be held to fill the two seats for the unexpired terms which will end in 2010.
 Coaster Photo: Norman Goldfarb is sworn in as a Bradley Beach Borough Councilman this week. |
One of the seats was Schrecks and the other was that of Councilman Thomas Volante, who resigned Monday.
In a letter sent to then Mayor Stephen Schueler Volante said he and his wife are in the process of selling their home and will be moving out of town.
I am blessed to have grown up in Bradley Beach, Volante said. Best wishes to all of you.
In her opening remarks Schreck said as mayor she would be seeking the best idea rather than my idea or your idea.
She also promised to foster a culture of discipline and mutual respect and to make changes big and small, from changing the public address system in borough hall to making operational changes in how the town is run.
Goldfarb ran unsuccessfully in the last election for a council seat. He retired as a Police Captain from Jackson Township and is on the Bradley Beach Emergency Management team.
Thank you, this truly can and will be an exciting time ahead of us, Goldfarb said.
Bachar has been a homeowner in Bradley Beach since 1981 and is semi-retired from the speciality lighting business, which he owns.
It feels great, Im honored this is a great town, Bachar said after the meeting.
Schreck will hold office hours at borough hall every Monday from noon to 2 p.m. when residents and visitors alike can speak to her in complete confidence.
Although she outlined many ways she hopes to transform the town Schreck acknowledged it will take team work.
Im not a miracle worker, she said.
Schreck said after the meeting, I feel very excited to see people come out, its such a positive feeling I wish I could harness it.
Councilman Gary Engelstad commended Schreck for opening the lines of communication remarking on the number of phone calls they have had since she was elected.
I appreciate that, he said.
After taking the mayors chair Schreck immediately asked for a vote to change future meeting agendas to include public participation on items council will be voting on.
The new mayor and council then made professional appointments for the coming year including Patrick Diegnan, a Democratic Assemblyman from Middlesex County, as the borough attorney and Bruce M Koch, of Parlin, as borough engineer.
Councilwoman Lori Marchak-Ortiz was voted council president for the coming year.
In regular business, council voted to approve a new cash management plan mandating all money collected by or on behalf of the borough to be deposited in a bank, within 48 hours.
Council also approved a temporary emergency budget to cover costs until the new municipal budget is approved.
The budget has been delayed due to cuts in state aid this year.
Schreck said it would be introduced at councils July 22 meeting.
In her opening remarks Schreck said, We need to adopt the budget, bills are coming due…the state has let us down and unfairly penalized small towns.
During public comments James McPherson asked if the borough would reconsider having fireworks in town next year, citing the cost and the brief time they are displayed.
Even though the cost, which Tourism Commission Chair Rae Tutela said was $10,000 this year, is paid by the commission and Sons of Italy, McPherson said the funds could be better spent.
Were spending $10,000, dogs go crazy, no one sleeps at night, he said.
McPherson instead suggested donating the money to fire and first aid and having everyone go up to beach, sing God Bless America, and watch Avon and Asburys fireworks.
 Coaster Photo: George Bachar kisses his wife after being sworn in as a Bradley Beach Borough Councilman this week. At right is Mayor Julie Schreck, who was also sworn in this week. |
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