Senate Pres. Codey swears in new mayor Former governor said McCormac was an asset to state as treasurer BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer John E. McCormac, who was sworn in as mayor last week, made a promise to Woodbridge residents to be open and accessible. "I have a very strong, aggressive agenda in the next 12 months, and I encourage support from the residents," McCormac said to a crowd of about 100 family and friends in council chambers on Nov. 13. "I will talk to everyone. Feel free to contact me on the township issues whether it's Oak Tree Road or the Sewaren and Woodbridge trains - anything. I am an e-mail fiend. E-mail me." With McCormac's wife, Tammy, holding the Bible, daughter, Erin, 16, and his parents, John and Mary, by his side, the 48-year-old former state treasurer and township CFO was sworn in by state Senate President and former Gov. Richard J. Codey. Codey told the crowd he was not so sure when former Gov. James E. McGreevey appointed McCormac as state treasurer in 2002. "You know, I told the former governor that I wasn't sure about him [McCormac]," said Codey. "He was only a business administrator. But when he came to Trenton, he got the job done. He worked with the people and came in during tough times after 9/11. There was no money, but he got us through." Codey, who kept McCormac on for the 14 months he served as governor, said he sat down with McCormac after he became governor. "I said, John, our budget is in billions of dollars of deficit," said Codey. "If you can get me through these [14 months] without raising taxes, I will go out on State Street and kiss your butt." "I'm still waiting," McCormac answered amidst a room filled with laughter. Codey said no taxes were raised. "He got me by," he said. "When John told me he wanted to become mayor, I told him he was crazy. I said, 'John, you can make millions of dollars. You were a former state treasurer.' " Codey received an honest answer from McCormac. "He told me that becoming mayor is what he wanted to do," he said. "He wants to live and die for the township. He's committed and has the honesty and integrity to serve this town." State Sen. Joseph Vitale said it had been a distinct honor to serve the township as interim mayor for the past three months. "If we could have taken all this back, the tragic death of [the late mayor] Frank [Pelzman], we would. But I am proud to have taken his place," said Vitale. "This wouldn't have worked without the willingness of the administration to work hard every day. The administration and the citizens worked together after a tragedy for Woodbridge and moved the agenda for Woodbridge along." McCormac said he looks forward to working with Vitale in the township. "I know everyone in Trenton, and a lot of them have agendas, but Joe is for the poor families, for the neediest people," said McCormac. "I look forward to moving forward and working with Joe in the town. He's a great ally." McCormac, of Guernsey Lane in Colonia, is completing 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. "My goal is to win the four-year term next year," said McCormac, "and stand in front of all of you in January of 2008 in a bigger forum, but that does not mean we will not work hard these next 12 to 13 months." Tammy McCormac, whom audience members started to call the first lady of Woodbridge, said she believes her husband will do a fantastic job as mayor. "He's a very personable person," she said. "And for him to become mayor, it's wonderful." Erin McCormac is proud of her dad. "I am so happy for him," said Erin. "He's been working so long for this, and I'm happy he finally got it. It's exciting."