Quick Bio: Council Candidate Marie Galate

Four candidates are vying for two Republican nominations in Tuesday's primary elections in Hopatcong.

Incumbent Councilmen Richard Bunce and Marie Galate will square off against newcomers Thomas Forbes and Mariano Gianni with the hopes of winning the party's nod, which could all but lock up the battle for a pair of council seats in November. No Democrats filed for election, though independent candidates have until Tuesday to register.

Patch asked each candidate to fill out a questionnaire. Here are Galate's responses. Click for Bunce's; for Gianni's; and for Forbes'.

Age: 43

Occupation: Owner and Operator of hair salon since 1989, located in Hopatcong.

Elected and Appointed Positions: Previously elected to Hopatcong Borough Council 1997-1999; currently serving as a Hopatcong Borough councilwoman since 2007; current President of Sussex County League of Municipalities and past president of Sussex County League of Municipalities 2011; Past Vice President Sussex County League of Municipalities 2010; Former Council President Hopatcong Borough Council 2009; Original Founding Member Hopatcong Business Association; Former Secretary, Vice President and President Hopatcong Business League; Former Secretary, Vice President and President Hopatcong Republican Club; Council Liaison to Police, Fire, Emergency service, Ambulance squad, Senior citizen, Energy audit Committee, Real Estate,  Board of Health (alternate)

Other Community Associations: Member of the Hopatcong Woman’s Club; Municipal/School Wide Alliance Against Drugs and Alcohol; Senior Advisory Committee; Hopatcong Business League; Hopatcong Republican Club

How long have you lived in Hopatcong? 39 Years

What do you see as the most pressing issues in a coming term, and what would you do about them?  1.) Maintaining taxes and still enhancing the quality of life in Hopatcong. 2.) Continue to obtain outside funding through grants and donations which saves taxpayers money. 3.) Continue to challenge the status quo by making difficult decisions that will be the basis of future efforts to cut costs. This makes Hopatcong Borough more efficient.

Government at every level needs to watch their budgets and manage their spending in order to reduce the size of government and save taxpayers money. These goals can be realized by restructuring municipal departments and making effective use of our resources. Which we have done and will continue to do. By seeking outside grants and funding, repairs and upgrades to the borough infrastructure and municipal buildings can be completed without taxpayers’ dollars. We have been very successful with grants and outside funding and have to date surpassed the 4 million dollar mark. We have been so successful, other towns ask for our input on how we may be able to help guide them through a successful process for their town.

To be successful you must adhere to certain core beliefs and be willing to make hard decisions. As financial challenges continue in this state, it is imperative to have an open mind and be able to think outside the box. Finally, when setting goals for myself and for the Borough of Hopatcong, I have always believed they must be realistic, measurable and achievable in order to hold operating costs.

What's one fact about you that most voters probably don't know? I have an extreme affection for animals and have most recently adopted a cat from KISS located  in Hopatcong. His name is Woody and he came from a high kill shelter in Kentucky. He is a long haired Maine coon with a touch of tuxedo in him.  He is older than a kitten so I felt someone would take the younger kittens first, and he may be left behind. So he is now part of our family. I must admit he is a handful and nothing like any other cat I have ever had but I am in it for the long haul with him. His most recent escapade has been taking all the toilet paper off the rolls. When I come home there are huge fluffy piles of paper and he is nestled inside.

Minor edits were made to the answers for clarity.