Council Candidate Profile: John Sevastakis (R)

Editor's Note: Each of the six candidates running for three at-large seats on the Toms River township council responded to a questionnaire sent by Toms River Patch. Their answers to our questions will be published on our site verbatim. We have disabled comments on profile articles to ensure the candidates' statements speak for themselves and readers can decide, without additional, potentially anonymous commentary, their view on those running for office.

John Sevastakis, incumbent, Republican, candidate for council at-large seat.

Biography: John Chris Sevastakis, 45, Haines Cove Dr. Toms River NJ 08753, Owner of Sevas Builders Inc of Toms River since 1995.  Performing many phases of construction including residential and commercial development.

Since being in business for myself for 17 years I have experienced tough times and good times with my company.  In the small business community I have accomplished many projects over the years. I know first hand and can relate with many people how difficult it is with running your own business. Many hours are spent each week paying attention to detail and working with many people coordinating with their project, satisfying each customer through the process.  Relating with residents and their concerns comes easily to me since I am part of our community and understand the needs and wishes challenging all of us every day.  I also have a passion for my church (St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church TR) where I have been a member since 1975 and enjoy serving on the Parish Council and President-2001/2012 over the years.

I grew up in Brick Township but in 1993 I met Stephanie and we got married and moved to Toms River where she grew up. We just celebrated our 18th anniversary together.  We have two children, Katarina 16 and Coury 13.

What are your key concerns about Toms River? 

My concerns about Toms River are being able to keep taxes stable through these tough economic times and still provide the level of service to our residents by keeping our town safe, clean and affordable.  We need to keep providing the level of services that we have provided over the past 8 years without wasteful spending and by maintaining our infrastructure such as our roads, drainage, bulkheads, buildings and grounds and our recreational facilities.

What issues do you hope to address?  

We have addressed many issues over the years with much success due to the strong team we have in place from our Administrator on down.  There is much unity through all the departments and teamwork always prevails when issues arise.  Taxes are and should always be at the top of any community’s list, especially with the state’s 2% cap making it even harder to control.  We have made several changes to save money from an already skeletal budget by cutting spending through attrition, contract renegotiations and furlough days.  We work as a team cutting costs and reducing expenses wherever possible. We are attentive and listen to our residents concerns at all times.

What do you think should be done to resolve those issues?

 Proper budgeting by departments at all times with heavy emphasis on cutting spending at all times is always on top.  We have had the opportunity with many businesses in town to work with them closely to streamline their needs in order to expedite their project.  There are still many opportunities in town regarding business and ratables and attention is always given at all times.

What motivated you to run this year?

As mentioned above I feel we have a great team in place with all department heads working in sync together accomplishing many projects to protect our valuable town with all focused on serving our residents.   With that being said I strongly feel our governing body work very hard together and I enjoy working with them towards the many projects we have on the table that will be addressed over the next 4 years.  I would like to see an even stronger emphasis on passive recreation, new recreation programs offered to our residents, completion of the girls softball complex, start and completion of the animal shelter and court room expansion and steady attention to preserving our town for many generations to come.

How do you plan to serve the council and the residents of Toms River in a meaningful way?

As an at-large councilman I have the obligation to serve all the residents of the town not just in a Ward.  I concentrate on the programs, projects and facilities that affect all the residents, recreation such as the ice rink and golf course, township infrastructure and roads, tax ratables and spending and most of all be available at all times to address all the concerns of our residents with open communication and answers to their questions.  With the utilization of the tools we have we can make Toms River an even better town than it already is.

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