Emily Ingram

JACKSON - An Election Day sweep by a bipartisan ticket led by Jackson Mayor Mark SedaDemocrat Michael Kafton propelled citizens to the microphone at a Thursday night council meeting to complain about Mayor Mark Seda’s efforts to privatize the city’s building department.

At the head of the charge was the newly victorious Kafton, who called on Attorney General Anne Milgram to investigate Seda’s efforts even as the mayor’s father faces a $30,000 building department fine.

He also chastised the council for failing to join him.

"The council is either closing their eyes or not strong enough to stand up to him (Seda)," said the councilman-elect and former mayor. "I demanded the council get to the attorney general’s office."

JACKSON - Team Ingram braced for a last weekend hit from the Council candidate Todd PorterKafton campaign, which came in the form of a mailer depicting Councilwoman Emily Ingram and her running mates as the puppets of Mayor Mark Seda.

Seda's unpopular in town at the moment owing to property taxe hikes.

Former Mayor Michael Kafton and his running mates, Bobbie Rivere and Mike Reina, see an opportunity to bump the mayor's ally, Ingram, off the town council, while also denying her running mates, Charles Garafano and Todd Porter.

Democrat Michael Kafton at tonight's debate in Jackson. 

JACKSON - After a mild-mannered opening presentation by Democrat Michael Kafton, Republican Councilwoman Emily Ingram savaged Kafton’s record in their fifth and last debate at a Jackson senior citizens’ complex tonight.

Her opening salvo provided only temporary cover from Kafton’s return fire, which the challenger appeared to relish - and which also appeared to galvanize Ingram - sparking a charged-up back and forth that a fatigued senior citizen at the microphone finally called disappointing.

That prompted applause from the crowd of 50 seniors.

Jackson Councilwoman Emily Ingram is seeking re-election to a second term
JACKSON - Although her running mates from two years ago won’t be joining her in a re-election bid, Councilwoman Emily Ingram said she feels no less committed to building on her freshman term in office.

A certified public accountant and Brooklyn native who moved here with her husband and children six years ago, the only incumbent on the May 13th ballot welcomes a debate with former committeeman Michael Kafton on the fiscal foibles of Jackson Township.

Jackson Mayor Mark SedaJACKSON - Former committeeman Michael Kafton went to the microphone at the head of the room in Town Hall on Tuesday and pointed out the camera standing on a tripod in the corner, unmanned, tilted slightly downward and dark amid a jumble of cords.

"That equipment was given to us by Cablevision," Kafton told the governing body. "When I was up there, the meetings were filmed. You haven’t filmed a single meeting."Council candidate Michael Kafton

"We don’t have that gentleman you used to pay $60,000 to do that," shot back Councilman Angelo Stallone. "Didn’t you pay him $60,000 to film the meetings? We don’t have that gentleman."

"I didn’t pay him $60,000 to film the meetings," said Kafton.

"$65,000," put in Jackson Mayor Mark Seda from his seat on the far end of the dais, and Stallone led the hearty chorus of laughter from the council.