NATIONAL PARK Three candidates are vying for the two open seats on borough council this year. The Times asked the three candidates to provide background information and to identify the top three issues they'd address if elected.

William Cassidy, 35, is a union carpenter. He's running on the Democratic ticket.

He said his top three issues are financial stability, community involvement and working with law enforcement to decrease crime.

For the borough's financial stability, he said he would "be proactive in developing borough property and encourage business growth."

He would also "help improve our athletic fields and parks as well as increase community activities."

John Rocco, 52, is running on the Republican ticket. He is a field service technician for ADT/Sensormatic.

"As a lifetime resident of National Park, I feel serving on National Park council will be my service to the community," Rocco said. "Not only have I sworn to uphold the Constitution, I've also read it. I'm a big fan of the Bill of Rights, especially the ones that end in Ôshall not be infringed.' "

"As far as issues, I am dedicated to being exactly what the title implies a public servant," Rocco said. "I will exercise the will of the people, not my own agenda. For far too long, the Democrats in this town have done what they wanted, regardless of the people's opinion. This became clearly evident last year when we lost our police [department]. You can count on me making some noise when people's rights are being violated."

Anne Marie Henry, 62, is running on the Democratic ticket to maintain her seat on council. She has lived in the borough since 1982, and works at New Point Behavioral Health Care, PACT division. She is married to Karl Henry, and the couple has three children and five grandchildren. She is also vice-chair of the borough's Democrat committee and project coordinator for Temple Place Park in National Park, among other volunteer work.

Henry said the three biggest issues in town are developing the old landfill to benefit the residents, working with the county economic development board to promote Red Bank Battlefield, and finding money to replace the borough's aging infrastructure.

Developing the landfill "can be best accomplished by working with the mayor and council, Gloucester County and most importantly listening to the residents of National Park," said Henry.

"We need to work with the Gloucester County Economic Development Commission and the N.J. Bureau of Tourism to highlight Red Bank Battlefield, incorporating businesses outside the battlefield that would reflect the era and generating ratables for National Park as well as working to make National Park Ôbusiness friendly,' " she added.