Amato Gears Up For Another Four-Year Term

by Patricia A. Miller

Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. says his resounding election to a second term was ”certainly a mandate” that Berkeley Township is moving in the right direction.

“I do pour my heart and soul in being mayor,” he said. ”It certainly was a great victory. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as mayor of my hometown.”

Amato crushed his competition - Democrat Anthony Mazzella - by a vote of 6,036 votes, or 72.35 percent, compared to Mazzella’s 2,294 votes, or 27.50 percent.

He will begin his 23rd consecutive year in elective office in Berkeley in 2016. He was first elected at age 24 to the Berkeley Township Board of Education in 1993 and served two full terms and a one-year unexpired term. He then served almost two terms on the Central Regional Board of Education before winning the Ward 2 Township Council seat in 2005. He was re-elected in 2009. He narrowly edged out former longtime Democratic Mayor Jason J. Varano in 2011 for his first four-year term.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” he said.

Amato, now 47, is practically a native son. He has lived in Berkeley for 45 years.

“I grew up here, went to school here and played in many youth leagues growing up,” he said. “Volunteered in many organizations, both civil and sports, over the last 25 years. Berkeley is a great place to live, work and retire. I am fully committed, as is the entire council to keep it that way.”

Amato’s three running mates - incumbents John Bacchione, L. Thomas Grosse Jr. and newcomer Keith Buscio - won the at-large seats on the Township Council.

Helping residents recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy will continue to be a top priority in his second term, the mayor said.

“The process is moving a little quicker for most Sandy victims, but we still have many not back in their homes,” he said. ”We need to get these residents home and get their properties back on the tax rolls. The tremendous loss in ratables because of Sandy and the downturn in the national economy has put a strain on our finances.”

Another priority is working to improve the commercial ratable situation along the Route 9 corridor, Amato said.

“Economic development along our business corridor is a key to shifting some of the tax burden fro residential to commercial,” he said. ”The future commercial development of the Beachwood Plaza site will help achieve that goal.”

Demolition work on the Beachwood Shopping Center came to an abrupt halt in October, when an employee from the demolition company was killed when a ceiling collapsed on him. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is still investigating the accident.

Amato acknowledges improving the commercial ratable base is ”going to be a challenge.”

“I’m confident working with the council we can do great things for our township,” he said. ”I want to thank the voters once again for having the confidence in electing me and my team.”

Photo credit: Patricia A. Miller