GOP regains presence on Sayreville council O'Brien says voters are tired of bickering among politicians BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer Two new faces joined the Sayreville governing body Tuesday, adding a Republican presence on the Borough Council for the first time in a year. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ACKER David Kaiserman recites the oath of office beside members of his family (at left) during the reorganization meeting of the mayor and council Monday. The annual New Year's Day reorganization meeting kicked off with the swearing in of new council members David Kaiserman and Paula Siarkiewicz, both Republicans who were elected in November along with Mayor Kennedy O'Brien. The Republican mayor began his third term at the meeting. The six-member council was all Democrats last year, but the two Republicans have now taken the seats held last year by Thomas Pollando, who served for six years, and Daniel Buchanan, who served for three. During the meeting, the council unanimously voted to elect Democratic Councilman Dennis Grobelny as council president this year, and Democratic Councilman Stanley Drwal pro tempore. Drwal will serve as president in the event that Grobelny is not in attendance. Paula Siarkiewicz recites the oath of office before a crowded audience at borough hall Monday. Siarkiewicz, speaking after Borough Clerk Theresa A. Farbaniec administered the oath of office for her, thanked her family and friends for their support of her "journey into politics." The first-time elected official also thanked borough residents for their vote of confidence. "My promise to them is that I will always do what is in the best interests of the residents of Sayreville," Siarkiewicz said. Kaiserman, also a first-time elected official, thanked his family and offered his hopes for the coming year. "It's going to be a great 2008," Kaiserman said. "Hopefully, we will embark on a new, positive experience. With the support of the entire council and the residents of Sayreville, I think it is going to happen." O'Brien then gave his State of the Borough address, outlining his goals for the year. Last year, the mayor gave his speech in March, since he was hospitalized in early January with inflammation of the pancreas. "Today is my ninth annual address to you as mayor," he said. O'Brien said the members of the governing body should not forget the lessons they learned last year from voters, referring to the Republican sweep on Election Day. "In addition to renewing your faith and confidence in me on Election Day, you also sent the members of this governing body a clear message: You demand honesty, integrity, respect and courtesy," O'Brien said. "You want an end to oneparty rule and partisan politics. The bickering among the members of the governing body is unnecessary and unproductive, and you are tired of it." Among the accomplishments that O'Brien mentioned in regard to last year's governing body were the inclusion of the borough's last operating farm into the state Farmland Preservation Program, the completion of the Raritan Street park-and-ride commuter lot, and the receipt of approximately 120 acres of open space from the DuPont Parlin Plant. Officials will be "fiscally put to test" this year, O'Brien said, citing the 4 percent stateimposed cap on spending that will require the council "to do more with less," he added. "This cap will pose a challenge to us, but I am confident that we will meet this challenge if we all work together," O'Brien said. Drwal refuted some of O'Brien's comments, telling the Suburban later that O'Brien did not work with the all-Democrat council last year. "I agree that party politics is not good for any town, but it goes both ways," Drwal said. Drwal said O'Brien was more receptive to his ideas when he (Drwal) was a Republican. Drwal switched political parties in 2006, citing what he thought was a lack of direction and lack of a long-term plan at the time. "I'm more interested in doing things, and he is more interested in finding ways to drive wedges between people," Drwal said. "Last year, the mayor never once discussed with me, and I don't think with any Democratic councilman, before a meeting," Drwal added. "He never tried. I'm willing to work with the Republican councilmen on anything for the town." Siarkiewicz told Greater Media Newspapers that while she disagrees with Drwal, she hopes that the council can work together to represent borough residents fairly. "That is between him and the mayor," Siarkiewicz said. "I'm hoping this year will start us off on the right foot … I can't answer for what Mr. Drwal believes what the mayor does or does not do, although I disagree with him."