Four candidates are running for two seats on Hamilton Township council. Republicans Ileana Schirmer and Ralph Mastrangelo and Democrats JoAnne Bruno and Donald Ryland are challenging for a seat on the 5-member council. Council terms are 4-years long.
Schirmer is the race’s lone incumbent. Bruno, Mastrangelo and Ryland are all political newcomers. At least one new council member will win election, filling the seat vacated by Republican Kevin Meara, who chose to not run for re-election.
JoAnne Bruno
Bruno, a Democrat, is a retired high school and middle school teacher, as well as a small business owner. She graduated from Hamilton High West, going on to earn a bachelor’s in business education from Rider University.
She has been elected as Hunterdon County Public Schools union president, Hunterdon County Education Association secretaryand a member of the New Jersey Education Association Elections Committee.
Is council’s greater responsibility to protect the public health or to protect commercial interests in the township? Why?
When you protect the public health, you protect the commercial interest. It is important to strike a proper balance. There are examples of the knee jerk creation of new laws to guard against the latest “scare,” but those new laws are duplicative and result in the over-regulation of commercial interests. However, the recent handwringing by this council in giving the health department more authority was too considerate of the commercial interest and put the public’s health at risk.
Do you support any of the current plans for the consolidation of Hamilton’s fire districts? Why or why not?
I support citizen involvement and input first. It is disturbing that there are people who want to make this decision for taxpayers without their input. We must ask the taxpayers if they want consolidation. If they do, then it will become time to develop plans that will not add to or replace one expensive bureaucracy with another, will provide firefighters a command system that they believe will protect lives and will guarantee that fire equipment purchases will be compatible across the fire service.
For years, the idea of televising township council meetings has been considered. The Board of Education has had televised meetings for decades and even has recordings of its meetings accessible on its website now. Should the township council follow suit, and broadcast its meetings on TV or online? If yes, explain how you’d like to accomplish this. If no, explain why not.
Yes, the township council should follow suit as well as boards and commissions. It is important to inform the public and to hold officials accountable for their behavior towards the public in these meetings. To accomplish this we would partner with the BOE to share television access channel for staff that would manage the video equipment and duties, develop a communications internship program with one of the local colleges and webcast by utilizing the existing township website infrastructure.
How do you think your experience has prepared you to serve on township council?
As a teacher I learned to listen to and work with youth. As a union representative, I learned budgeting and contracts and used that knowledge to assist union members. As a small business owner, I know how to work with a budget and work for a client to address their needs. I have technical knowledge of budgets and laws. More importantly, I have the habits and skills needed to provide residents the long-absent constituent services that council should deliver.
Ralph Mastrangelo
Mastrangelo, a Republican, is a retired Hamilton Police officer. He is a graduate of St. Anthony High School (1978) and the Trenton Police Academy (1987). As a police officer, he served as a DARE Instructor, GREAT Instructor, Safety Town Director, Hamilton PAL Board of Directors member and former member of the Sunshine Foundation.
He has coached numerous sports for Hamilton YMCA, Sunnybrae Little League, Hamilton Little Lads, Hamilton Babe Ruth, Hamilton Township Recreation Soccer Association and Hamilton PAL Football. He is a Martial Arts instructor.
Is council’s greater responsibility to protect the public health or to protect commercial interests in the township? Why?
Protecting the best interests of the community is the most important responsibility of the council. When there is a conflict between commercial interests and the welfare of our residents, everyone needs to work together to ensure public safety is maintained. Our local businesses are responsible members of our community and understand that public safety is in their best interests as well.
Do you support any of the current plans for the consolidation of Hamilton’s fire districts? Why or why not?
Any plan to consolidate the fire districts can not compromise the safety of our residents nor raise taxes for our hard-working families. The Mayor has requested the Department of Community Affairs to perform a neutral study on the issue. I would like to wait for the study’s results before supporting a position on the issue.
For years, the idea of televising township council meetings has been considered. The Board of Education has had televised meetings for decades and even has recordings of its meetings accessible on its website now. Should the township council follow suit, and broadcast its meetings on TV or online? If yes, explain how you’d like to accomplish this. If no, explain why not.
As long as the initial setup and maintenance costs are fair to taxpayers, it is worthwhile to consider broadcasting township meetings for community members that can not attend in person. The first step would be to collaborate with the Board of Education to leverage their learnings and processes to provide a cost-effective option for our citizens. If we can provide a viable option, we should then solicit the opinions of our residents to determine if this is a service that they desire.
How do you think your experience has prepared you to serve on township council?
I am a life-long resident of Hamilton and have raised my family here. I served two years in the Hamilton Parks & Recreation Department and recently retired from the Hamilton Police Department after 26 years. Similar to my pledge to protect and serve as a police officer, I will serve our residents and protect their best interests. I want others to proudly call Hamilton their home for years to come.
Donald J. Ryland
Ryland, a Democrat, is a Mercer County Corrections Officer and former president of Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 167. He is a graduate of Morrisville High School, and studied Humanities and Liberal Arts at Mercer County Community College. He ompleted the Rutgers University Public Sector Labor Law Management program.
He is involved with the Hamilton YMCA, Hamilton Little Lads, Boys and Girls Club of Trenton, Ewing Department of Recreation, CYO of Trenton, Martin House and Trenton Department of Recreation. He is a former president of Pace Charter School.
Is council’s greater responsibility to protect the public health or to protect commercial interests in the township? Why?
As a member of council it would be my greater responsibility to protect the residents interest of public health before the interest of commercial interests. Council members are elected to serve and represent the residents elected leaders fail to make the needs and safety of the residents a priority then important aspects such as commercial interests and development will fail to prosper.
Do you support any of the current plans for the consolidation of Hamilton’s fire districts? Why or why not?
There has been alot of recent discussions about the consolidation of Hamilton’s fire districts. I would support having the districts operate under one single command table of organization. This is more common among public safety organizations in New Jersey. It is important for the consolidation to ensure the same level of service or better for the township and the projected savings be made clear to the residents. I would support a consolidation that maintains or improves service, save cost and doesn’t place a significantly higher tax responsibility on any residents.
For years, the idea of televising township council meetings has been considered. The Board of Education has had televised meetings for decades and even has recordings of its meetings accessible on its website now. Should the township council follow suit, and broadcast its meetings on TV or online? If yes, explain how you’d like to accomplish this. If no, explain why not.
I would support having council meetings televised. As a member of council, I am here to serve the people. Unfortunately, everyone cannot attend council meetings and when very important matters of government and the township are brought forth the residents are often unaware. Government should be open and transparent, and televising council meetings would enable residents who are unable to make the meeting the chance to be aware of the matters affecting the township.
How do you think your experience has prepared you to serve on township council?
As a law enforcement professional, I understand the importance of public safety and bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community. Being a labor union president, I understand it is rewarding when labor and management representatives can find solutions that would improve efficiency. As a supporter of community activism, it is a must to be part of the community that you are representing to know the issues, needs and concerns of the residents.
Ileana Schirmer
Schirmer, a Republican councilwoman, currently works in the pharmaceutical industry. She was the owner of two businesses for over 14 years.
She holds a bachelor’s degree, as well as degree in medical laboratory technology.
Schirmer is a former school board president for Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, council liaison for the Hamilton Township Economic Development Advisory Board, a Hamilton Township Planning Board Member, a board member for the John O. Wilson Neighborhood Center, as well as numerous Hispanic community outreach efforts.
She was appointed to township council in December 2012, and elected to the position in November 2013. She is the first Hispanic ever elected in Hamilton and the first Hispanic female ever elected in Mercer County.
Do you support any of the current plans for the consolidation of Hamilton’s fire districts? Why or why not?
I am always looking for the most effective service at the lowest cost. I support the idea of consolidation but I need to see a plan that would lay out what consolidation would look like. The plan would have to address efficiency, safety, cost savings and most importantly how it will impact taxes. This all needs to be presented to council and the residents for public discussion.
For years, the idea of televising township council meetings has been considered. The Board of Education has had televised meetings for decades and even has recordings of its meetings accessible on its website now. Should the township council follow suit, and broadcast its meetings on TV or online? If yes, explain how you’d like to accomplish this. If no, explain why not.
The idea of televising the council meetings has been discussed before. After looking at the overall cost and the fact that it was costlier than expected to implement we made the decision to not move forward. If our residents really want to have this access this is something we can revisit.
Is council’s greater responsibility to protect the public health or to protect commercial interests in the township? Why?
Protection of the public health always comes first. Our health department has the authority to take necessary action when it comes to protecting our residents. Regarding restaurants and re-inspection ordinance there were two parts; one dealt specifically with re-inspections and fees, the other part was removed because Council did not agree with charging out of town businesses a fee for doing business in Hamilton while our surrounding towns were not charging.
How do you think your experience has prepared you to serve on township council?
Having a business background has certainly helped me. I am someone who wants to understand the details and I do my homework. I take my role on council very seriously, it is an honor and a huge responsibility to represent our residents. I make decisions I believe to be in the best interest of our residents and township.
