Question 6: What is the appropriate staffing level for a town like Verona and what would you do to get us there?
Edward “Ted” Giblin: Verona residents expect and receive a high-level of services from our municipal government. As such, it is incumbent on our Council and Town Manager to get our staffing needs right while at the same time avoiding unnecessary spending and reducing the costs associated with overtime.
With Verona’s form of government, Councilmembers are not involved in the day-to-day operations of running the municipality. Rather, they work more similarly to a Board of Trustees who approve budgets and give the Town Manager direction. As Councilman, I would be supportive of efforts to invest in education for our workforce as well as new technologies to make them more efficient. In recent years, Verona has been successful using this methodology to reduce the size of our Finance Department at Town Hall. I feel we can effectively use this concept in other areas of local government and reduce the size of our work-force through attrition.
A State of New Jersey study recommended that that Verona’s Police Department be staffed with 32 police officers. These officers, who are sworn to protect us, need to be fully staffed to keep response times as low as possible. Unlike other local municipalities, Verona does not have a Traffic Bureau, dedicated to enforcing speeding and other traffic laws. Considering recent tragedy, I feel this is something we must implement if we are going to combat the rampant disregard for safety we have all seen on local roadways.
Dear Verona Friends,
As the former Mayor of Verona, and current Council Member, it has truly been my privilege and pleasure to have served the community I love these past 8 years. While I am not seeking reelection this year, my commitment to Verona remains strong. That is why I am encouraging all of my Verona Friends to join me in my support for Donna McNinch Cannizzaro, and Ted Giblin in the coming election. I believe we need fresh, new voices on the Verona Council, and these two fine candidates will bring a much needed sensible and unbiased perspective to the dais.
Donna is 5th generation Verona. Her father was a proud Verona Police officer, and she and her daughter Shannon are both products of our outstanding Verona schools. She is committed to maintaining transparency, stabilizing taxes, bolstering the essential services our residents enjoy and upon which they rely, and strengthening our public safety programs and policies. She will gather as much information as possible before making any decision concerning our town, and then that decision will be based solely on what is in the best interest of the entire community.
Ted Giblin comes from a family of devoted public servants. His astute financial background will insure the highest level of, and commitment to fiscal management. He is a beloved father of two young children, and devoted husband to his wife Liz. Over the years, Ted has served on numerous committees in town. As a member of my Mayor’s Ball Committee, he helped raise nearly $20,000 which went to support myriad local charities and volunteer organization. His character and integrity are above reproach, and I challenge any of his opponents to prove otherwise.
This is a pivotal time in Verona, and we need serious candidates who will work hard for our residents with no agenda other than what is best for the whole community. I strongly recommend and encourage you to join me in my support, and vote Line 1A, Ted Giblin, and Line 2A Donna Cannizzaro on Tuesday May 9.
Thank you,
Bob Manley