Published in the Asbury Park Press
By JEAN MIKLE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
The Republican incumbents say they are proud of their record as members of the Dover Township Committee
during the past six years, which includes a stable municipal-purposes tax rate, improved recreational opportunities and a townshipwide computer upgrade.
Their Democratic opponents say the Republicans' tenure has led to arrogance in government, overtaxation and a disregard for environmental concerns. Last night, students from Political and Legal Education classes in Toms River high schools North, East and South got a one-hour glimpse of what has become an increasingly contentious campaign for two committee seats.
Republican Mayor Ray Fox and his running-mate, Committeeman Clarence E. "Bud" Aldrich III, faced off against Democratic challengers Herbert J. Germann and Douglas M. England before a media center full of students at Toms River High School East.
Students asked all of the questions during the debate, and their queries centered on issues such as population growth, traffic, education funding and the ongoing investigation into elevated levels of some childhood cancers here. Toms River High School South senior Dan McCaskill asked the candidates if they believe a cancer cluster exists in Dover Township, and if so, what should be done about it.
"Whether or not there is a cancer cluster in Dover Township, I don't know," Fox said. "It has not been scientifically proven."
But both Fox and Aldrich said township officials have done everything possible to assist the ongoing investigation being conducted by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the state Department of Health and Senior Services.
"We've hired an environmental engineer, who has been working with the health department to make sure our files are updated," Aldrich said.
Germann expressed disbelief that the two incumbents would say they are unsure whether there is a cancer cluster here.
"The state of New Jersey has determined there is an elevated cancer cluster level in Dover Township," Germann said. "Are these guys asleep at the wheel? There has been a coverup by these gentlemen."
Germann has repeatedly accused the incumbents of lying about whether they had knowledge that drums from Union Carbide Corp.'s Bound Brook plant had been dumped in Dover's old landfill.
Aldrich and Fox have said repeatedly that there still is no way of knowing how many drums were dumped at the landfill. England claimed the Republicans are not being truthful and that Democrats would be more forthright. "You don't run a government by deceiving the public," he said. Aldrich said he and Fox have never deceived anyone, and have listened to, and been responsive to, the public.
"Despite what you hear, I would say, go look at the records of what we've done," he said. "They are black and white. See if anything is being hidden from anyone."
Source: Asbury Park Press
Published: October 28, 1999
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