Krebs team looks to steady city finances

Krebs team looks to steady city finances
Candidates cite stable taxes, youth programs, term limits
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

Long Branch mayoral candidate Robert Krebs (2nd from left) poses with his ticket of council candidates: David Pizzo (l-r), Joseph Wayne and John Freda. Long Branch mayoral candidate Robert Krebs (2nd from left) poses with his ticket of council candidates: David Pizzo (l-r), Joseph Wayne and John Freda. LONG BRANCH — Mayoral candidate Robert G. Krebs kicked off his campaign by introducing the members of his ticket at the Windmill restaurant in North Long Branch last week.

Krebs and his slate of City Council candidates— David Pizzo, Joseph Wayne and John Freda — appeared with supporters at the restaurant on March 30.

Krebs, a certified senior adviser, briefly went over some of his ideas to improve the city’s financial status.

“No property tax increases for four years, that’s the issue,” he said. “We are going to go with six-year tax abatements for home improvements.

“The first year is free, the second year is 20 percent, the third year is 40 percent and so on.”

Krebs said he is looking not only to give tax abatements for home improvements, but also at giving them to businesses.

“Businesses want to expand, build a warehouse, and we are going to give them the same tax abatements,” he said.

Another platform Krebs cited is eliminating the city’s six redevelopment zones.

“We are going to eliminate the redevelopment zones, let the private sector come in — that will take care of all the blight that is floating around the town,” he said.

Krebs credited his career as a financial adviser for his ability to shape the fiscal status of the city.

“I understand finance, and it makes it much easier for me,” he said. “I know how much debt the city has. I’m going to restructure the debt and save some money.

“I’m going to knock out lobbyists; we are not going to pay lobbyist anymore in this town.”

Wayne, who is a substitute teacher, said that property rights and taxes are the crucial issues for the city’s future.

“Property taxes have gotten way out of hand,” he said. “Property rights, too. A lot of people want to build on their property and can’t, and that has become an issue.

“I want to make Long Branch a place where the average [household] can afford to raise their family.”

Freda, who works as a business consultant, also cited the importance of eliminating the redevelopment zones.

“We need change here in Long Branch,” he said. “We are tired of people getting forced out of their homes to be replaced by a bigger home.

“The main issue going forward is the zoning, so people can improve their properties,” he added. “We want to stop eminent domain immediately.”

Another platform for Krebs’ team is to limit the mayor and council members to two terms.

“Two elections,” Krebs said, “that’s it.”

Freda agreed that term limits are a good idea.

“We want to set term limits, that’s my biggest issue,” he said.

“We need to set term limits to have new blood come in and have different ideas.”

Pizzo, who is a self-employed contractor, explained that gang awareness should be something the city is focused on.

“We have a lot of children and a lot of gangs in the school system,” he said. “It is difficult for parents to try to get a grip on that. We need some awareness out there.”

Pizzo also said he would like to see some more volunteers to bolster the fire department and first aid department.

Krebs explained his impetus for running for mayor.

“My property taxes went way up, and I said, ‘Am I getting anything more? No.’ ”

Krebs also explained how his ticket came together.

“We met and we went over what my principles are,” he said. “They have the same principles. They are all local people and they will bring some new, fresh ideas.

“They are younger, and the bottom line is that is what we need.”

Krebs said he has already been reaching out to residents in his campaign leading up to the May 11 municipal election.

“The campaign process has been very surprising,” he said. “I have gone around and spoken with a lot of property owners, a lot of residents, and they want change.

“I was surprised by that. They really want taxes to go down.”

Wayne, who is a lifelong resident, said he would like to see more youth programs implemented.

“I’m really big on youth programs,” he said. “I think the city really needs to focus on the youth, because that’s where the future is.”

Freda, who is a boxing coach with the Police Athletic League, agrees that there should be more youth programs.

“There is a lot that has to be done here in Long Branch, and we have nothing for kids,” he said. “Getting the kids off the streets, putting them to work over the summer so they stay out of trouble.”

Pizzo, who is a lifelong resident of Long Branch, was confident in his ticket’s abilities.

“I know the roots of Long Branch well, and I think the town needs some improvements,” he said. “I think it is very important that the voices will be heard.

“We want to cut some costs in the city. I think we are going to do a phenomenal job for our city.”

Krebs is running for mayor against fiveterm incumbent Mayor Adam Schneider as well as current Councilman Brian Unger.

The three council candidates on his ticket are vying for five open council seats among a field of 21 candidates.




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