He uses MySpace.com to get his message across BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer Independent mayoral candidate Christopher Adornato WOODBRIDGE - Independent mayoral candidate Christopher Adornato wants to bring a new vision to Woodbridge. "The township needs a new direction," said Adornato. "It's been favored by one party for a very long time, and residents I have talked to are tired." Adornato, a political newcomer, has taken a different approach to reach the population of over 106,000 residents in Woodbridge - with the popular online network MySpace.com geared to 20-somethings. "It's actually a really great outlet for me to use because I don't have the funds like some of these politicians, especially John McCormac," said Adornato, whose page is at www.myspace.com/cadornato. "I hope to add 5,000 friends by the November election." Even Democratic mayoral candidate John E. McCormac, 47, could not resist the urge to jump on the bandwagon and set up his own MySpace page - www.myspace.com/macformayor. Adornato has not quite reached the 5,000 number mark, but has well over 2,000 additions. McCormac has 37 additions. "I have received a lot of e-mails with questions, which is great," he said. "I have had a lot of residents tell me that they don't feel safe in the town. I want to build a better police officer and resident relationship," said Adornato. "There should be additional police officers on foot and bike patrols that let residents know that they can be safe and not worry about the safety of their children." Adornato, 29, is running 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. "I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to run for mayor," said Adornato. "People have asked my why I don't run for a smaller position such as councilman rather than mayor. I tell them I am passionate about the town, and the town won't become better unless someone steps up and takes a leadership role." Adornato's uncle, Angelo Paternoster, an Elizabeth councilman for 33 years, has been his inspiration. "He's finally going to retire this year," he said. "He has played a big role in my decision to run for mayor." The next mayor will replace Democratic state Sen. Joseph Vitale, who has served as interim mayor since August and will serve until Nov. 14. Adornato wants to make improvements in the township's business districts and attract new businesses. 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 to make them into beautiful downtowns such as a Red Bank or a Westfield," he said. "We need to also keep the historical look to them. I think what happened in Iselin happened too fast and has made the downtown chaotic, in a sense. What we need to do is work hard on finding feasible parking in the area, perhaps a parking garage. Issues need to be tackled the next day and bring the police department in to handle violations." The township should also explore ways to deal with the "addiction to oil," he said. "We have to start off with the local level and bring biodiesel into our township vehicles," Adornato said. "It's not healthy when the children get on and off the school bus four times a day and they wait in the toxins. We need to become part of that movement. We need to invest today for a better future tomorrow." Adornato wants to work with the Board of Education to install solar panels on school buildings and talk to other municipalities about environmentally friendly solutions. "This will be part of the solution," he said. "I found out that the city of Elizabeth recycles more items than any other township or municipality does. We can create a system and work with Elizabeth to also recycle more items. This will be another part of the solution." Adornato said the township needs to find ways to consolidate to save money. "We need to work together to cut unnecessary spending," said Adornato. 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 am 100 percent against the OTW in that location," said Adornato. "It's within a two-mile radius from four schools and it's against the backyards of those residents off Ford Avenue. Now we have to make sure that they [the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority] are good neighbors and the place is enforced." Adornato, of Francis Avenue in Woodbridge, grew up in the Fords section of Woodbridge. He is a graduate of Woodbridge High School. He received his bachelor's degree in computer animation from the Atlanta College of Art in 2000. He worked as a broadcast designer for Elevation, a creative studio, in Atlanta after college. He currently works as an art director for a creative studio, SOLARI Creative, in Eatontown, to design high-end 3D animation for the U.S. Department of Defense.