Mat-Ab candidates speak out on issues
BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
ABERDEEN — Lloyd Road Elementary School opened its doors for residents to come and meet the future of the Board of Education on Thursday night.
The school hosted Candidate Night 2005, and gave each person running for election to the school board an opportunity to address the public on pressing issues in the district, and how they would help make improvements.
Each candidate was called up to the microphone in the auditorium and was allotted five minutes to make a speech. During this portion of the event, the public was not allowed to ask questions.
A moment of silence was held in place of Arthur Fumarola’s speech. The Matawan resident and incumbent recently passed away.
The first person to speak was Aberdeen resident Kenneth Aitken, of Juniper Place. Aitken, a network architect for AT&T, has been an Aberdeen resident for over 12 years. He holds a master’s degree in telecommunications and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering.
Aitken said he is running because he cares “about our children, our community, and their future.”
Aitken said he is highly concerned that there has been a 38 percent increase in the budget since 2001, and asked the audience if they feel the children are getting the best education possible for that amount of money.
Aitken also said that while the district has great schools, they need to improve the math and science departments in order to keep up with the future, and with other countries. He also suggested that the high school offer more vocational classes so those who can’t afford a college education can learn a trade.
Aberdeen’s Donald Franklin, of Aberdeen Road, was next to make his speech. Franklin, a mail carrier, is a 35-year Aberdeen resident.
Franklin told the public he is running for the board because he cares about the children. He said that his top priorities if elected will be to keep the budget in check, improve test scores and improve school security, three issues that he feels are equally important.
Franklin said that test scores have either stayed the same or dropped, and something needs to be done about that. He said he has several ideas to improve test scores, including an early morning system for children to get tutored. He also said that he has a lot of ideas regarding security that he would like to implement without making the buildings look or feel like a prison.
Matawan’s Charles Kenny was next. Kenny, 40, of Sarah Court, is a lawyer. He asked the public to vote for him and enable him to continue a lifetime of volunteering for the community.
Kenny said he has been doing charitable work throughout his life, first as an Eagle Scout when he was a boy, then as a lawyer and father, and would like to continue doing so on the school board. Kenny said that his background of proven leadership skills, education and involvement in charitable work shows that he is qualified to serve on the board. He feels his experience as a trial lawyer will enable to him to bring a new perspective to the board.
Kenny, who resides with his wife and two daughters, said he and his family are proud to live in Matawan, are proud of the school district and want to make it the best it can be. He said he can serve on the board as an independent voice for the residents of Matawan and Aberdeen to make sure the children are getting the best education possible.
Aberdeen incumbent William Marinella was next to make his speech. Marinella, of Lloyd Road, is a 17-year township resident and is the owner of two music stores.
Marinella said he feels there are two things parents want from the school district. First, parents want to see that their children are getting a good education, and second, they want proof that they are getting their money’s worth. He said that he thinks the board has made many positive changes and is going in the right direction, and he would like the opportunity to continue working on the board. He said he is running again because he feels the district should continue to work on the goals they have committed to.
Marinella said that 85 percent of the budget is dedicated to personnel, and that the district wants the best and needs the fiscal support to maintain the best. He also said that he believes students should be well-rounded, and that he would like to improve the athletic programs in the schools.
Aberdeen incumbent Jan Rubino was the last candidate to speak. Rubino, of Arbordale Drive, is an 18-year township resident. She described her first term on the board as a huge learning curve, and said she takes great honor in her position. She asked the public to allow her another opportunity to help move the district forward.
She said she was delighted that the community puts their faith in the school board, and that the people seem to share the same vision for the schools as the Board of Education.
Following the speeches, everyone was moved into the library, where the public and candidates got up close and personal for a meet and greet. The public was able to have a one-on-one question-and-answer period with each candidate.
Voters will choose the next board members on April 19. Two Aberdeen seats and one Matawan seat are open.
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BY MICHELLE ROSENBERG
Staff Writer
ABERDEEN — Lloyd Road Elementary School opened its doors for residents to come and meet the future of the Board of Education on Thursday night.
The school hosted Candidate Night 2005, and gave each person running for election to the school board an opportunity to address the public on pressing issues in the district, and how they would help make improvements.
Each candidate was called up to the microphone in the auditorium and was allotted five minutes to make a speech. During this portion of the event, the public was not allowed to ask questions.
A moment of silence was held in place of Arthur Fumarola’s speech. The Matawan resident and incumbent recently passed away.
The first person to speak was Aberdeen resident Kenneth Aitken, of Juniper Place. Aitken, a network architect for AT&T, has been an Aberdeen resident for over 12 years. He holds a master’s degree in telecommunications and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering.
Aitken said he is running because he cares “about our children, our community, and their future.”
Aitken said he is highly concerned that there has been a 38 percent increase in the budget since 2001, and asked the audience if they feel the children are getting the best education possible for that amount of money.
Aitken also said that while the district has great schools, they need to improve the math and science departments in order to keep up with the future, and with other countries. He also suggested that the high school offer more vocational classes so those who can’t afford a college education can learn a trade.
Aberdeen’s Donald Franklin, of Aberdeen Road, was next to make his speech. Franklin, a mail carrier, is a 35-year Aberdeen resident.
Franklin told the public he is running for the board because he cares about the children. He said that his top priorities if elected will be to keep the budget in check, improve test scores and improve school security, three issues that he feels are equally important.
Franklin said that test scores have either stayed the same or dropped, and something needs to be done about that. He said he has several ideas to improve test scores, including an early morning system for children to get tutored. He also said that he has a lot of ideas regarding security that he would like to implement without making the buildings look or feel like a prison.
Matawan’s Charles Kenny was next. Kenny, 40, of Sarah Court, is a lawyer. He asked the public to vote for him and enable him to continue a lifetime of volunteering for the community.
Kenny said he has been doing charitable work throughout his life, first as an Eagle Scout when he was a boy, then as a lawyer and father, and would like to continue doing so on the school board. Kenny said that his background of proven leadership skills, education and involvement in charitable work shows that he is qualified to serve on the board. He feels his experience as a trial lawyer will enable to him to bring a new perspective to the board.
Kenny, who resides with his wife and two daughters, said he and his family are proud to live in Matawan, are proud of the school district and want to make it the best it can be. He said he can serve on the board as an independent voice for the residents of Matawan and Aberdeen to make sure the children are getting the best education possible.
Aberdeen incumbent William Marinella was next to make his speech. Marinella, of Lloyd Road, is a 17-year township resident and is the owner of two music stores.
Marinella said he feels there are two things parents want from the school district. First, parents want to see that their children are getting a good education, and second, they want proof that they are getting their money’s worth. He said that he thinks the board has made many positive changes and is going in the right direction, and he would like the opportunity to continue working on the board. He said he is running again because he feels the district should continue to work on the goals they have committed to.
Marinella said that 85 percent of the budget is dedicated to personnel, and that the district wants the best and needs the fiscal support to maintain the best. He also said that he believes students should be well-rounded, and that he would like to improve the athletic programs in the schools.
Aberdeen incumbent Jan Rubino was the last candidate to speak. Rubino, of Arbordale Drive, is an 18-year township resident. She described her first term on the board as a huge learning curve, and said she takes great honor in her position. She asked the public to allow her another opportunity to help move the district forward.
She said she was delighted that the community puts their faith in the school board, and that the people seem to share the same vision for the schools as the Board of Education.
Following the speeches, everyone was moved into the library, where the public and candidates got up close and personal for a meet and greet. The public was able to have a one-on-one question-and-answer period with each candidate.
Voters will choose the next board members on April 19. Two Aberdeen seats and one Matawan seat are open.
Click ads below
for larger version
System and Method for Display
Ads have a Patent Pending.
Click Here for More Information
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