Whether GOP or Dems, Rosenthal tired of one-party rule in Monmouth

After years of GOP control, the Monmouth County Freeholder Board landed in 2008 in the hands of the Democrats, who after a rugged year of in-fighting now hope to fend off an amped-up challenge from former Red Bank Councilman John Curley.

Observing the battle in the no man's land of neither party, Stan Rosenthal of Holmdel doesn't think he was ever an affiliated D or R.

"I'm 65," he says. "Is it possible that I could have been a registered Democrat when John F. Kennedy ran for president? Possibly."

But ever since he's been an independent, and especially now, as he targets a seat on the Monmouth County Freeholder Board in a race against Democrat Sean Byrnes and Republican Curley.

All three men are seeking the seat being vacated by retiring Monmouth County Freeholder Barbara McMorrow, a Democrat.

"The vote on the board is always 3-2 and it always falls along party lines," complains Rosenthal, a retired financial consultant for a major New York Stock Exchange brokerage firm and controller and treasurer in public and private accounting. "What I think would be great for the taxpayers is if you had two Democrats, two Republicans, and one independent. This is a golden opportunity."

Rosenthal argues that his financial background gives him a leg-up next to the major parties' candidates.

"But I know I'm in an uphill battle as an independent," he admits.

In a county where the Democratic an Republican candidates for governor will likely rely heavily on the synergy they create with their freeholder candidate allies, Rosenthal says he hasn't given any thought to the governor's race this year.

As for independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett, "I don't know him," he says.