Vernon Township is the busiest area of Sussex County on Tuesday, Nov. 7, as seven people will seek three seats on the Vernon Township Council and 10 people are seeking three seats on the township Board of Education. In the township, incumbents Patrick Rizzuto, Richard Wetzel and Jean Murphy will face challenges from former mayors Sally Rinker and Victor Marotta, firefighter and former DPW worker John Auberger and Corrections Officer Mark Van Tassel.
I'm Sally Rinker's campaign manager, and I'd like to tell you some things you may not know about Sally. Although she had filled a vacant seat the prior November, in January 2010 Sally began her term as Vernon's mayor, having been "elected" by the sitting council under the Faulkner Act manager/council form of government.
I attended the Vernon council meeting of May 9 and listened to the problems and concerns of the residents who reside near the Appalachian Trail's boardwalk on Route 517. This segment of the Trail has become so popular that it has caused safety and quality of life issues for the residents nearby.