GOP's Struben hopes second time is the charm BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer Republican mayoral candidate Christopher Struben Republican mayoral candidate Christopher Struben thinks Woodbridge Township needs a change in leadership. "The town needs leadership that looks out for the residents," said Struben, a 39-year-old criminal defense attorney who is making his second run for mayor. Struben is vying with Democrat John E. McCormac, independent Christopher Adornato, and independent Kevin Rossi to complete the late Mayor Frank G. Pelzman's unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2007. Pelzman, 71, died suddenly of acute melanoma on June 29 at his Avenel home. "We need to cut and stabilize property taxes," said Struben. "We need a good working partnership with the Board of Education. In the past, the administration has put the blame for high property taxes on the BOE [Board of Education] for an easy way out. We need to put the citizens in the middle and work together and bring suggestions and find ways to reduce the taxes. We need to see what we can consolidate and keep the administration staff salaries in line. We need to start with the pension/benefit system." Struben, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor against then-Mayor James E. McGreevey in 1999 and for a state Assembly seat in 2001, said reducing the number of people who can retire with multiple pensions is a priority. "It's not fair that these highly paid attorneys and other professionals have township jobs outside their full-time jobs," said Struben. "I believe in spreading the wealth. Some have two to three jobs and it's outrageous. We need to stop pension abuse. This will lead into a more efficient, less expensive government." The township debt needs to be reduced through more effective management, he said. "We need to work together," said Struben. "When John McCormac was township CFO, the township debt increased from $64 million to over $119 million. Our seniors and children must not be saddled with this debt." The next mayor will replace state Sen. Joseph Vitale, who has served as interim mayor since August. Vitale will serve until Nov. 14. Struben praised Vitale's strong reform agenda for the township, which Vitale announced in August. It includes a redeveloper pay-to-play ordinance that was approved by the Township Council on Oct. 17 and annual mandatory ethics training. "This is creating a better-run government," Struben said. "I believe this is the cornerstone for me to build a stronger campaign and ethics reform when elected mayor. I support the creation of a township ethics board to regulate and enforce the strong ethics code I would pursue. I would look to ban dual office holding, which is similar to the proposed ordinances under consideration in Highland Park." Preserving open space is another of Struben's priorities. "Some of these parks are in deplorable conditions," said Struben. "There are mulch, garbage and loose bolts everywhere. We need to make an effort to work with the county, state and federal governments to acquire funds to purchase and preserve open space." Struben said code enforcement is key for the issues that face the business districts in Woodbridge. Residents brought up a myriad of complaints about Iselin during the first of many visioning meetings on changes to the township's master plan in September. "We need a group of police officers that control the areas," he said. "Of course, we make sure we have the resources to do that, but we need them to be there for certain periods of the day. Parking violations, health, zoning, and illegal housing need to be enforced strictly. We need to work with the community to provide more parking in the area." The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's off-track wagering facility, which has been an ongoing issue for the past few months, is slated to be built in Fords by next summer. "I'm totally against an OTW in that location," said Struben. "What we can do now is to fight them on the liquor license. If there are any noise or underage drinking violations, they will be enforced. We have to make sure they [NJSEA] are perfect neighbors. We will try to control the detrimental effects once it's put in place." Struben grew up in Colonia. He resides on Dukes Road in Colonia with his wife, Debi, and their 3-year-old twin boys, Christopher and Tyler. Struben is a graduate of Colonia High School. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Seton Hall University in South Orange. He received his law degree from Creighton Law School in Omaha, Nebraska. He served as a municipal prosecutor for Woodbridge from 1990 to 1995. He is currently a personal injury and criminal defense attorney with a private law firm in Linden. Struben, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor against then-Mayor James E. McGreevey in 1999 and for a state Assembly seat in 2001, said reducing the number of people who can retire with multiple pensions is a priority. "It's not fair that these highly paid attorneys and other professionals have township jobs outside their full-time jobs," said Struben. "I believe in spreading the wealth. Some have two to three jobs and it's outrageous. We need to stop pension abuse. This will lead into a more efficient, less expensive government." The township debt needs to be reduced through more effective management, he said. "We need to work together," said Struben. "When John McCormac was township CFO, the township debt increased from $64 million to over $119 million. Our seniors and children must not be saddled with this debt." The next mayor will replace state Sen. Joseph Vitale, who has served as interim mayor since August. Vitale will serve until Nov. 14. Struben praised Vitale's strong reform agenda for the township, which Vitale announced in August. It includes a redeveloper pay-to-play ordinance that was approved by the Township Council on Oct. 17 and annual mandatory ethics training. "This is creating a better-run government," Struben said. "I believe this is the cornerstone for me to build a stronger campaign and ethics reform when elected mayor. I support the creation of a township ethics board to regulate and enforce the strong ethics code I would pursue. I would look to ban dual office holding, which is similar to the proposed ordinances under consideration in Highland Park." Preserving open space is another of Struben's priorities. "Some of these parks are in deplorable conditions," said Struben. "There are mulch, garbage and loose bolts everywhere. We need to make an effort to work with the county, state and federal governments to acquire funds to purchase and preserve open space." Struben said code enforcement is key for the issues that face the business districts in Woodbridge. Residents brought up a myriad of complaints about Iselin during the first of many visioning meetings on changes to the township's master plan in September. "We need a group of police officers that control the areas," he said. "Of course, we make sure we have the resources to do that, but we need them to be there for certain periods of the day. Parking violations, health, zoning, and illegal housing need to be enforced strictly. We need to work with the community to provide more parking in the area." The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's off-track wagering facility, which has been an ongoing issue for the past few months, is slated to be built in Fords by next summer. "I'm totally against an OTW in that location," said Struben. "What we can do now is to fight them on the liquor license. If there are any noise or underage drinking violations, they will be enforced. We have to make sure they [NJSEA] are perfect neighbors. We will try to control the detrimental effects once it's put in place." Struben grew up in Colonia. He resides on Dukes Road in Colonia with his wife, Debi, and their 3-year-old twin boys, Christopher and Tyler. Struben is a graduate of Colonia High School. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from Seton Hall University in South Orange. He received his law degree from Creighton Law School in Omaha, Neb. He served as a municipal prosecutor for Woodbridge from 1990 to 1995. He is currently a personal injury and criminal defense attorney with a private law firm in Linden.