Bunnell Discounts Varano's
Environmentalist Claims



Sat. 10.11.03
Berkeley Township 

Call For Giving Credit Were It Is Due

Retired Berkeley Township Police Captain Charles Bunnell was prompted by a flyer sent out to homes by Mayor Jason Varano, to discount the mayor's claim to be an environmentalist. The announcement stated Varano was responsible for blocking the Lifetime Homes Project, establishing a fine for removing trees, revitalizing Veteran's Park and Manitou Park and creating the Open Space Trust Fund.

Although these pursuits are honest and admirable, said Bunnell, Varano was not the sole person responsible for them. It is a shame the mayor took all the credit for himself and his running mates and did not give thanks and praise for those who worked for these pursuits. It is unfair of him to forget people in the name of campaigning.

The Berkeley Township Planning Board back in 1999 rejected the 367-unit Lifetime Homes project. Although the mayor did sit on the Planning Board, there were other residents who voted to turn down the proposal.

I was one of many residents who opposed the project as a member of the Planning Board and later as a citizen. Sal Mastroberti, one of my running mates, was serving on the Planning Board at that time and also voted the development down. Another of my running mates, Richard Kimmel, also voiced disfavor for the Lifetime Homes project, explained Bunnell. I know there were representatives from several different associations around the town Berkeley Shores Homeowners and including Save Barnegat Bay. It was not a feat performed solely by the mayor. The GOP majority on the Council at that time, lead by Sal Mastroberti, was instrumental in working with the Freeholders to get that land purchased by the County Trust for Public Land.

Varano's literature also stated that there was a fine established for tree removal in the township.

That is all well and good, commented Bunnell, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. We have watched as our natural woods have disappeared to be replaced by suburban sprawl development. In fact, there was mass clear-cutting off Buckeley Lane in Bayville not long ago. Varano still has allowed 930 homes to be built throughout the town. His Vision Plan included a proposed rezoning which did not aid the stop of growth, rather helped the developer and hurt the one-time home builder.

The mailing went on to include a credit to Varano and his revitalization of both Veteran's and Manitou Park.

Manitou Park has yet to see adequate sidewalks and curbs. This part of town has lots of children. There should be more improvements like streetlights and repaving, Bunnell demanded. Veteran's Park is looking better, but there needs to be more facilities available to the children of Pinewald and Berkeley Township as a whole. Thanks to the mayor's green light for development, there has been a huge influx of families into the township, but no place for these children to play.

Finally, Varano took credit for creating the Open Space Trust Fund.

Varano must have forgotten the role the county played in creating the Natural Lands Trust. It was during Mr. Mastroberti's time on the Township Council. He and the other members of the Council brought the funds institution to the people. It was the residents of Berkeley Township who voted on the creation of the Open Space Fund. Through the generosity and the concern of the taxpayers, that fund was created, Bunnell said. Varano hasn't even put the money collected to good use. However, he was quick to sell $6 million of township land to developers during his tenure. Where are the priorities? Is that an action of an environmentalist?

I know the words Republican and environmental rarely match up. However, very recently we have seen the face of the Republican Party change. We understand the plight of everyone. We want to protect our seniors and families. We take a vested interest in environmental issues. I am not a big city politician with fancy words and fake smiles. I live with the people of Berkeley Township. I've worked for the people of Berkeley Township. I've protected the people of Berkeley Township, said Bunnell, a lifelong resident and 32-year veteran of the police force. The mayor's seat is not a political stepping stone for me; rather it is the apex to a life that has been and will always be solely dedicated to the people, places and future of Berkeley Township.