'We Will Continue to Address the Needs of Monroe'

Town Republican candidates are eager to "roll up" their sleeves and continue to lead Monroe with majority representation on every board and commission, and incumbent first selectman Steve Vavrek at the helm.

Vavrek, who is seeking a third consecutive term, tops the GOP ticket. On Tuesday night, town Republicans nominated their party slate during a caucus at Monroe Town Hall.

Michael Manjos, who is chairman of the Board of Finance, introduced the first selectman.

"A hard working family man is how he is most often described," Manjos said of Vavrek.

He called Vavrek the "fabric of the community" and praised him for beating a popular incumbent (Tom Buzi) nearly four years ago to become the first Republican to hold Monroe's highest office in a decade.

Manjos gave the first selectman high marks for the town's average spending increases of 1.73% a year, credited him with "shepherding through" the Honeywell energy efficiency projects for town schools, coordinating the town response to Super Storm Sandy, and his handling of the tragic situation in Sandy Hook.

On the heels of the horrific school shooting on Dec. 14, Manjos said Vavrek "worked tirelessly" with officials from the town, Newtown and the state to allow Sandy Hook Elementary School to use Chalk Hill.

"He showed the world Monroe's the best neighbor there can be," Manjos said. "He has grown on the job and earned my respect and I'm happy to endorse Steve for first selectman."

In his acceptance speech, Vavrek said, "We will continue to address the needs of Monroe, within the boundaries of our town budget. Tonight I ask for your support as your first selectman for the next two years."

Vavrek is being challenged by Democrat, Daniel Hunsberger.

The Tax Collector Race

Emanuel "Manny" Cambra is in his seventh term as tax collector. The Republican has gone unchallenged for the past 10 years, but will have to fend off Jerry Stevens, a popular teacher who recently retired.

Cambra, a Monroe resident of 35 years, and his wife Fran have raised seven children, who all graduated from Masuk High School.

He was active in town as a Pop Warner Football and a Little League Baseball coach for 20 years and previously served on the Board of Finance and as Town Treasurer.

"My years of experience in both the private and public sector have been focused on financial management, financial reporting and financial controls," Cambra said. "That made me a suitable candidate for tax collector.

"The tax office is responsible for collecting and accounting for $80 million annually. This is a tremendous responsibility. I am asking the people of Monroe to examine both candidates' qualifications and vote."

In the private sector, Cambra had a 35 year career in computer engineering and programming.

Rounding Out the Slate

The rest of the Republican slate includes:

• Town Council: Chairwoman Enid Lipeles, Vice Chair Deborah Heim, Francis Lieto, Sean Patrick O'Rourke, J.P. Sredzinski and Tony Unger.
• Town Clerk: Marsha Motter-Beno
• Town Treasurer: Ronald J. Bunovsky Jr.
• Board of Finance: Carl Ferraro, Debra Lynn Dutches and Chairman Michael Arthur Manjos
• Board of Education: Christine Anne Cascella, George Anthony King III, Vice Chair Donna Marie Lane and Chairman Darrell Scott Trump
• Planning & Zoning: Chairman Patrick C. O'Hara, Vice Chairman William W. Porter and James R. Weinberg
• Planning & Zoning Alternate: Pedro Villanueva and Jane Benedict Flader
• Constable: Victor W. Yanosy