Democratic candidates eye spending, quality of life BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer The Democratic candidates said they are running on their record. And although their record shows a lot has been done, the candidates said they all recognize that a lot more has to be done. "Work is needed in areas like the environment, the arts, history of the township, and much more," said council President Brenda Yori-Velasco. The councilwoman cited the purchase of 12 hybrid vehicles in February and the Historic Preservation Commission ordinance as some of the township's accomplishments. "However, we still have a lot to do," she said. The Democrats are running on a full slate, with incumbent Mayor John E. Mc- Cormac, 48, running for his first four-year mayoral term. He was elected in November 2006 to complete the late Mayor Frank Pelzman's unexpired mayoral term, which ends Dec. 31, 2007. McCormac will vie for the mayoral position against Republican candidate John Vrtaric. The Democratic candidates, Councilmen James Carroll and Gregg Ficarra, Councilwoman Patricia Osborne, and Yori-Velasco, are seeking the four fouryear council-at-large seats. The candidates will vie for the councilat large seats against Republican candidates Christopher Struben of Colonia, Magdalena Curcic of Woodbridge, Paul Lund of Hopelawn, and John Vieira of Colonia. The Democrats said they share the vision of improving the quality of life for the residents in Woodbridge. "We have looked at quality-of-life issues by initiating the visioning process for all sections of the town," said Osborne. "The new master plan will incorporate all the views of the residents." McCormac said that as part of improving the quality of life for the residents, he would continue the crackdown on illegal housing and increase property maintenance checkups to make sure maintenance is strictly enforced. Carroll added that the township and council have a certain responsibility to prevent disturbances at some of the bar establishments and clubs. "Not only do we come down hard on businesses to be a good neighbor, but we also are proactive in offering businesses liquor license seminars to help them with that part of their establishment. We want them to be good citizens and continue to work with them, which is very important." Ficarra said they have a responsibility to provide services to the entire community in the most efficient and most financially responsible manner. Ficarra cited the New Jersey Senior Olympics as a way the township businesses and the Senior Olympic Committee worked together so the township could host the Senior Olympics. Osborne added that the goal they are all working toward is the stabilization of taxes. The candidates said they have worked with the Board of Education (BOE) on forming local agreements to save money. "We have a great history with the BOE," said Carroll. "We continue to look for opportunities for interlocal agreements." Carroll said the relationship with the administration and the Board of Education resulted in a new synthetic turf field for Woodbridge High School, track for Colonia High School, and tennis courts for John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Iselin. The mayor announced the ProLogis redevelopment project of eight warehouses in Port Reading in January, which made the athletic items for the high schools possible. The candidates cited interlocal agree- ments for the new animal shelter, which township officials expect to be completed by the winter, and the township's leaf bags. The candidates also said they are aggressively securing funds (grants) for open space throughout the township. "We have helped restore 64 acres [of the salt marsh at Woodbridge Creek, Cove Creek and Wedgwood Brook]," said Yori-Velasco, who said it was made possible by working with local, state and federal agencies. Osborne added that the township has received grants for a study of Main Street in Woodbridge to look at ways to enhance the area as a transit village. "It's basically taking what it is and now making it better," she said. McCormac said the township has been bringing in new revenue by seeking host benefits from three township business entities in Keasbey that either operate transfer stations or recycling businesses. The mayor said that private corporations are not required to pay host community benefits (funds from business entities), but said that with his administration's aggressive approach, they were able to reach an agreement with Bayshore Recycling Corp., which resulted in bringing in $1,140,000 to the fiscal 2008 budget. McCormac said that when looking at the council-at-large seats, some people don't realize what they do. "They are not ward positions where they concentrate on individual issues in each part of town, they get to concentrate on the global view of the township," he said. McCormac said that Yori-Velasco can concentrate on the environment, arts, and history, Carroll can concentrate on the business community and the Board of Education, Ficarra can concentrate on recreation and the senior community, and Osborne can concentration on the downtowns and quality of-life issues such as illegal housing. "Their issues are invaluable to the township vision," he said. "We have been a team that has worked." McCormac, 49, of Guernsey Lane in Colonia, received a bachelor's degree in accounting from Rutgers University and a master's degree in finance from St. John's University. He worked as a public accountant at a large international accounting firm for eight years after college. In 1988, he started his own certified professional accounting business, which is now located on Greet Street. McCormac was the township's chief financial officer from 1992 to 2002. He also served as acting business administrator before he left to take the state treasurer's job. He has never held elected office beyond the position of municipal Democratic committeeman. McCormac, who has lived in the township for 47 years, is married with one daughter. Carroll, 60, Ford Avenue in Fords, is a marketing manager with NCR Corp., Berkeley Heights. He has served on the council since 1996 and serves as the liaison to the Board of Education. He has lived in the township for 33 years. He is married with two children. Ficarra, 52, Russell Street in Woodbridge, replaced Councilwoman Caroline Ehrlich in January. The councilwoman announced her resignation in November 2006. He sits on the Woodbridge Housing Authority and leads the mayor's wellness campaign. He is a supervisor of athletics, health and physical education for grades seven through 12 for the Perth Amboy School District. He grew up in Colonia and has lived in the township for 33 years. He is married with three children. Osborne, 65, Creemer Avenue in Iselin, is a former educator at Woodbridge High School. She has served on council since 1996 and currently serves on the Mayor's Youth Advisory Board. Following Mayor Frank Pelzman's death in June 2006, Osborne briefly served as interim mayor. She is a lifelong resident of the township. She has two grown children. Yori-Velasco, 64, Dewey Avenue in Colonia, is a former educator at the Solomon Schechter Day School in West Orange and Linden High School. She has lived in the township for 40 years. She is married with three children and one grandchild.